B-K Motorsports’ Debuts Lola B08/86 Mazda Coupe

Lola B08/86 Mazda Coupe

B-K Motorsports’ all-new Lola B08/86 Mazda Coupe ran for first time today at Road Atlanta, in testing for next weekend’s Petit Le Mans powered by the Totally New Mazda6. Ben Devlin, Gerardo Bonilla and Raphael Matos handled the driving duties of the newest LMP2 contender, and first Coupe to compete full-time in the American Le Mans Series.

The Wisconsin-based team is the first ALMS squad to take delivery of Lola’s B08/80 Coupe, an evolution of the B07/46 open-top prototype that it’s campaigned over the past two seasons. The project to create the closed-top car began in December 2006 under the leadership of Lola designer Julian Sole. While built on the platform of Lola’s successful LMP2 car, the B08/80 features significant enhancements over its predecessor.

Over 310 hours of wind tunnel time was utilized to perfect the aerodynamics of the car. Engineers also improved the lift/drag ratio, revised the front suspension geometry and made the B08/80 more drivable through ride height adjustments. All of this adds up to a more refined package.

The BP-sponsored car will feature the benefits of Lola’s latest enhancements. Aerodynamically, the coupe is expected to have 10 percent more downforce and 7 percent less drag. The Dunlop-shod car also features a faster refueling mechanism and improved fuel collector, reducing pit stop times.

“This is the top rung of the MAZDASPEED Motorsports program and we needed to raise our efforts," said John Doonan, manager, motorsports team development for Mazda North America. “The B-K team has already invested over 1200 hours into the assembly of the new car and we are optimistic about the final two races of 2008 and are already looking forward to the 2009 Sebring race."