Ginetta LMP1 Powers Ahead…
The Ginetta G60 LT P1 LMP1 car, now powered by AER’s turbocharged V6 engine, has emerged from a major three day test at Motorland Aragon having conclusively proved both its pace and reliability as Ginetta close in on customer deals for the 2019/20 FIA WEC season.
The car achieved the second fastest time of the three day test (1:18.626), just 0.021 of a second from an LMP1 competitor car, and well ahead on the timing sheets of the next fastest LMP1. The potential pace of the car at the test was better still, the combined best sector times showing a potential time three tenths faster than the fastest car at the test.
The Ginetta was one of only two LMP1 cars present to lap in the 1:18s, a feat it achieved numerous time during the test with Ginetta factory driver Charlie Robertson bettering times set by ex Formula One and Le Mans winning talent elsewhere:
“It’s been a really successful test,” said Ginetta Chairman Lawrence Tomlinson. “Of course we have confidence in the car but it is fantastic to see that confirmed not only by its own performance on track, but also by our performance against our peers. Not only has the car proved to have pace that would put it amongst the fastest in the class, it has proved too that the performance is repeatable, our stints throughout the test, in the dry and in the wet, were consistent as well as quick.”
The test saw Robertson and fellow Ginetta Factory man Mike Simpson share driving duties with ex-IndyCar Driver James Jakes, plus a pair of guest drivers helping to assess the Ginetta.
“Each of the drivers found the car easy to squeeze the performance out of,” said Simpson. “This was my first opportunity to sample the car since we switched to the AER engine and it has transformed the car.
“It has lost none of the inherent aero performance and stability of the car that we already saw at Le Mans last year with the previous powerplant – but now with an enormous boost in performance right across the range.”
The Ginetta was remarkably reliable too across the three days, just one minor glitch, easily solved by the Ginetta factory crew, interrupted the final session of the day on a rather wet/dry Wednesday, the car fastest of the four LMP1 cars present in wet conditions.
“The test has been very positive indeed,” said Ginetta Technical Director Pete Smith. “It’s good to have shown that the car is capable, despite our limited running before these three days, of delivering fully on the promise of the design, with all involved agreeing that there is much more still to come”
Lawrence Tomlinson added:
“We’re talking to prospective customers for the car but would, of course, welcome conversations with more – there is still time to engage with us and learn more about what we already know is set to be a car in top level international competition for at least the next two seasons of the FIA WEC, capable of competing with, and beating, the best of the competition in a world class Championship.
“I’d particularly like to thank Michelin for such a well-organised and valuable test – and in particular for allowing us to see what additional performance was unlocked by their improved front tyres for LMP1.
More about Ginetta:
LNT Group
The LNT Group is a fast growing group of companies owned by serial entrepreneur, Lawrence Tomlinson. Based in Yorkshire, the LNT Group encompasses six core businesses across a range of diverse sectors including Ideal Carehomes, LNT Construction, LNT Software, LNT Solutions and Ginetta Cars.
Ginetta Cars
Founded in 1958, Ginetta has a long and successful history of producing hand built road and race cars. Since its purchase by Lawrence Tomlinson in 2005, it has taken the lead in British race car manufacturing and put the UK at the heart of world-class motorsport, selling cars across the world and training the brightest stars in racing. www.ginetta.com
LMP1 cars are raced exclusively as the premier class in the FIA World Endurance Championship, a global Championship which includes the Le Mans 24 Hours. LMP1 cars have high power (700bhp+), fuel efficient engines with highly advanced aerodynamics – The Ginetta LMP1 is an in-house project with input from other world-class suppliers and consultants.
Ginetta is also active in the LMP3 marketplace, an entry formula into international sports prototype racing, launched in 2015 with an all-Ginetta grid – Team LNT won the inaugural European Championship. The next evolution of the Ginetta LMP3 car will be revealed later in 2019 for 2020 competition across the world.