Taurus Lola Questions

Tim Northcutt · 29 Mar 2004, 21:36 (Ref:923374)

These cropped up on other threads, but I wanted to put them into a new topic to see I they could be sorted out:

1. I recall reading lasy week that Taurus was planning to campaign one of their two cars in LMES and the other in ALMS...

- Any truth to that rumor?
- If it IS true, which car will be in which Series?
- Any word on who they will work with in North America for failities, crews, etc.?

2. Someone also posted a link to another Le Mans type site that had a story that said the Taurus Lola-Diesel was scheduled to test somewhere last week...

- Does anyone know where?
- Did the test hapen?
- Any word on how the car did?

3. Justin Wilson was VERY fast at Sebring....since there is not a Champ Car conflict in his racing schedule....

- Does anyone know if he will be one of the pilots at Le Mans?
- Has he competed there before?
- Does he have to do the 10 laps to "qualify" during the Test Days?

Thanks!

The Badger · 29 Mar 2004, 22:55 (Ref:923418)

I heard it was the Judd V10 for the ALMS and the Diesel for the LMES . Someone said that they would also be testing today with a diesel in the back of a B2k-40 , but maybe that was a missprint !

**skycafe** · 29 Mar 2004, 23:19 (Ref:923432)

I read that somewhere too. I hope we get update. My understanding is that the Intersport car is the one that is being fitted with the Judd Diesel, and the Sebring veteran will retain the petrol Judd.

I wonder how easy it will be to fit a turbo Judd Diesel to the Lola, and I really wonder about the transmission, which seems like it is going to have a load of torque thrown at it.

The Badger · 29 Mar 2004, 23:40 (Ref:923441)

Taurus have bought the 2 ex-Intersport chassis . Its not a Judd diesel either , no info on that yet apart from that . They seem to have a gearbox partner working with them !

BSchneiderFan · 30 Mar 2004, 00:04 (Ref:923452)

Ricardo?

**skycafe** · 30 Mar 2004, 00:32 (Ref:923479)

well, according to www.lmsr.net/diesle.html, it is the Caterpillar Diesel. Also mentions Xtrac tie in, so I guess that answers the gearbox development issues.

**skycafe** · 30 Mar 2004, 00:50 (Ref:923490)

Planet LeMans say it is the GV5 all dieseled up. Their photo shows 'Ricardo' on the cam cover.

Duffacus · 30 Mar 2004, 06:40 (Ref:923600)

Last weeks Autosport said it was a B2K/40 which confused me abit!

djone101 · 30 Mar 2004, 06:56 (Ref:923605)

It is no relation to the Ricardo Diesel. They have nothing to do with the project.

KA · 30 Mar 2004, 07:25 (Ref:923624)

Quote:

Originally posted by Tim Northcutt
These cropped up on other threads, but I wanted to put them into a new topic to see I they could be sorted out:
1. I recall reading lasy week that Taurus was planning to campaign one of their two cars in LMES and the other in ALMS...
- Any truth to that rumor?
- If it IS true, which car will be in which Series?
- Any word on who they will work with in North America for failities, crews, etc.?
2. Someone also posted a link to another Le Mans type site that had a story that said the Taurus Lola-Diesel was scheduled to test somewhere last week...
- Does anyone know where?
- Did the test hapen?
- Any word on how the car did?
3. Justin Wilson was VERY fast at Sebring....since there is not a Champ Car conflict in his racing schedule....
- Does anyone know if he will be one of the pilots at Le Mans?
- Has he competed there before?
- Does he have to do the 10 laps to "qualify" during the Test Days?
Thanks!

According to the original report in Autosport they'll be doing the last 6 ALMS races, but haven't decided whether this will be with the diesel or a Judd. No hint on who they might work with in the US, but Larry Oberto is confirmed to drive in the ALMS car.- just noticed that Autosport said they'd committed to doing ALMS with 'at least one' of their cars, so maybe a chance of both the diesel and a Judd at some point- think I read on DSC that they now have 3 Lolas, having bought 2 from Intersport

The diesel is expected to run it's first race at the Monza LMES race in May, and makes it's public debut at the LM test weekend. It first tested at the end of last week at Snetterton, driven by Phil Andrews- I'm sure there was a brief piece on DSC over the weekend (or yesterday) on this, but can't remmber what it said- think it was probably the first time the engine's been run in the car, so probably nothing significant in terms of lap times etc

From the reports I've read, the only drivers confirmed so far are Andrews for the diesel, and Didier Andre & Benjamin Leuenberger for the Judd at LM- think Leuenberger is also signed for the LMES races.

The mention of a B2K/40 seems to have been an Autosport error- was corrected by DSC

KA · 30 Mar 2004, 07:37 (Ref:923632)

I don't think Justin Wilson has driven at LM before- pretty sure his only sportscar exprience is his two Sebring appearances (with Ascari a couple of years back- but I don't recall him being part of their LM lineup- and Taurus this year) and a couple of FIA GT outings in a Porsche GT3RS

KA · 30 Mar 2004, 07:45 (Ref:923638)

Quote:

Originally posted by djone101
It is no relation to the Ricardo Diesel. They have nothing to do with the project.

Ian Dawson of Taurus is quoted in the Autosport article- 'when the Ricardo and Cosworth projects didn't materialise this year, I decided to make it happen myself to ensure we could say we were first. Getting a company like Caterpillar on board was the key'- which confirms your point about this not being the Ricardo project.

The article also says that the identity of the production engine used as the basis or the race engine has yet to be revealed- now there can't be that many manufacturers building V10's, so any guesses....?

Smokey 6 litre · 30 Mar 2004, 08:05 (Ref:923657)

I assume Taurus will test at Snetterton as its closest to their base in Watton. I mght see if i can get down there later, just in case.

Graham Goodwin · 30 Mar 2004, 09:07 (Ref:923713)

The only production car V10s that I can immediately recall are the Chrysler unit used in the Viper and RAM Truck and the new VAG diesel.

MulsanneMike · 30 Mar 2004, 11:34 (Ref:923855)

Doesn't Ford also make the Triton V10 or something like that?

Tim Northcutt · 30 Mar 2004, 13:51 (Ref:923977)

Ford does make a Triton V-10 that also has diesel applications....

Question:

Who does CAT have their ties with for engines, or do they build their own?

Why do I ask?

There are a number of Diesel engine builders, suchas Cummins, International Harvester, Detroit Diesel Allison, etc....

Cummins apparently does diesel applications for automakers, and there may be others who do so as well...

I'm interested in knowing what engine it was derived from....

**FIRE** · 30 Mar 2004, 14:30 (Ref:924030)

From German website racing1.de:
- Engine: 5L V10 turbo diesel, which will be prepared by UK based and Roush daughter company Mountune. Their partners are Xtrac and Pi Research.
- The car (with diesel engine) gets a shakedown test in the UK this week.
- Swiss driver Benjamin Leuenberger will race in LMES (Judd engine) and LM (turbo-diesel engine).

Tim Northcutt · 30 Mar 2004, 14:37 (Ref:924038)

Quote:

Originally posted by FIRE
From German website racing1.de:
- Engine: 5L V10 turbo diesel, which will be prepared by UK based and Roush daughter company Mountune. Their partners are Xtrac and Pi Research.
- The car (with diesel engine) gets a shakedown test in the UK this week.
- Swiss driver Benjamin Leuenberger will race in LMES (Judd engine) and LM (turbo-diesel engine).

With the Roush ties, do you think there may be a Ford link to this effort for the powerplant they have used for this build???

**FIRE** · 30 Mar 2004, 14:42 (Ref:924044)

Don't know.

Or this Caterpiller engine:

Tim Northcutt · 30 Mar 2004, 14:48 (Ref:924051)

I went to their site...but that doesn't look like a V-10....

I'm trying to figure out if they have any kind of partnerships for diesel engines with any auto manufacturers...

djone101 · 30 Mar 2004, 15:20 (Ref:924075)

It isn't a Ford unit (and it's not yellow either...)

**FIRE** · 30 Mar 2004, 15:26 (Ref:924085)

Quote:

Originally posted by djone101
It isn't a Ford unit (and it's not yellow either...)

Do you have more info?

djone101 · 30 Mar 2004, 15:28 (Ref:924086)

Yes

Tim Northcutt · 30 Mar 2004, 15:29 (Ref:924089)

Here is what I've found out on other searches....

Ford's diesels are made in conjunction with International Harvester and Navastar...

Dodge Ram diesels are built by Cummins...

GM's are built by Detroit Diesel Allison....

Most of the US-built Diesels are V-8s...all are close to 6.0 L or a little larger...

CAT's site does not indicate any specific partnerships with automakers, but that doesn't really mean anything....

I would agree with djone101 after doing a thumbnail search anyway....unless that Roush "daughter" company is somehow doing a shorter stroked diesel application on a Triton V-10...

Somehow, this does not seem likely, given Ford's existing ties to International Harvester for its diesel contracts

Tim Northcutt · 30 Mar 2004, 15:33 (Ref:924094)

Quote:

Originally posted by djone101
Yes

Are you at liberty to share anything with us????

If not, we'll understand....but we are very interested in knowing more about this new engine, if you are allowed to share with us...

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Taurus Lola - diesel v10	Carse	Sportscar & GT Racing	11	28 May 2004 06:31
A Follow-Up on Taurus Lola Plans	Tim Northcutt	Sportscar & GT Racing	10	20 Apr 2004 14:21
Taurus Sports Lola at Petit?	Tim Northcutt	Sportscar & GT Racing	1	4 Oct 2003 17:01
Good Run for Taurus Lola at Monza -- what's next?	Tim Northcutt	Sportscar & GT Racing	4	2 Jul 2003 18:10
Taurus Lola	19000RPM	Sportscar & GT Racing	49	10 May 2003 22:23