Lola THL2: Difference between revisions
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== Engine and handling == |
== Engine and handling == |
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The car was an evolution of the [[Lola THL1]] which used the [[Brian Hart Ltd.|Hart 415T]] [[Straight 4]] [[turbocharger|turbo]]. When the THL2 appeared at [[Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari|Imola]] it was powered by the new Ford [[Cosworth GBA]] 120° [[V6 engine]], badged and marketed as a [[Ford Motor Company|Ford]]-[[Cosworth GBA|TEC]]; the turbo engine was rated at about {{Convert|900|bhp|kW PS|0|abbr=on}}. Although it was an improvement in power over the unreliable {{Convert|750|bhp|kW PS|0|abbr=on}} Hart engine, the rushed and limited development of this engine meant that Ford unfortunately lagged behind other engines in F1 in 1986 such as the reported {{Convert|1300|bhp|kW PS|0|abbr=on}} bhp that the [[team Lotus|Lotus]] Renault V6 turbo had and the {{Convert|1400|bhp|kW PS|0|abbr=on}} of the turbocharged 4cyl [[BMW M12|BMW]] engine. Continued development and testing meant that the engine started to become more competitive for the following season in 1987, but by the time this engine had made its debut in 1986, it was only a year between when Duckworth and Goddard started designing the engine to its first race; this is a very short time for a Formula One racing engine to be produced. They were behind after some initial tests to turbocharge Goddard's old 4-cylinder engine used in sportscars and lower formulae proved to be a failure (Duckworth had wanted to use the 4 cyl as he believed they were more economical and compact than a V6, but Goddard was never happy with the idea); and it was only towards the end of 1984 where funding was agreed to design the whole new V6. |
The car was an evolution of the [[Lola THL1]] which used the [[Brian Hart Ltd.|Hart 415T]] [[Straight 4]] [[turbocharger|turbo]]. When the THL2 appeared at [[Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari|Imola]] it was powered by the new Ford [[Cosworth GBA]] 120° [[V6 engine]], badged and marketed as a [[Ford Motor Company|Ford]]-[[Cosworth GBA|TEC]]; the turbo engine was rated at about {{Convert|900|bhp|kW PS|0|abbr=on}}. Although it was an improvement in power over the unreliable {{Convert|750|bhp|kW PS|0|abbr=on}} Hart engine, the rushed and limited development of this engine meant that Ford unfortunately lagged behind other engines in F1 in 1986 such as the reported {{Convert|1300|bhp|kW PS|0|abbr=on}} bhp that the [[team Lotus|Lotus]] Renault V6 turbo had and the {{Convert|1400|bhp|kW PS|0|abbr=on}} of the turbocharged 4cyl [[BMW M12|BMW]] engine. Continued development and testing meant that the engine started to become more competitive for the following season in 1987, but by the time this engine had made its debut in 1986, it was only a year between when Duckworth and Goddard started designing the engine to its first race; this is a very short time for a Formula One racing engine to be produced. They were behind after some initial tests to turbocharge Goddard's old 4-cylinder engine used in sportscars and lower formulae proved to be a failure (Duckworth had wanted to use the 4 cyl as he believed they were more economical and compact than a V6, but Goddard was never happy with the idea); and it was only towards the end of 1984 where funding was agreed to design the whole new V6. |
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This led to a frustrating season for both Jones and Tambay as the THL2 was generally regarded to be one of the best handling car of the season. Jones and Tambay were reported to have continually asked Duckworth to build special qualifying engines with more power like Renault, BMW, [[Honda Racing F1|Honda]] and [[Scuderia Ferrari|Ferrari]] were doing in order to be able to qualify the car further up the grid, but the requests were turned down. Duckworth, Ford and Cosworth all believed that their proven reliability record would hold them in good stead against their sometimes fragile opposition. |
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During qualifying for the [[1986 Italian Grand Prix|Italian Grand Prix]] at the fast [[Monza Circuit]], Alan Jones claimed to have had a heated discussion with engine designer Keith Duckworth about the need for qualifying engines. Jones claimed he was able to point out the "block of flats" rear wings run by [[Benetton Formula|Benetton]] (BMW), [[Williams Racing|Williams]] (Honda), [[Arrows Grand Prix International|Arrows]] (BMW) and Ferrari, yet the slowest of them, the [[Ferrari F1/86]] of [[Michele Alboreto]], was still around {{Convert|20|km/h|mph|0|abbr=on}} faster in a straight line than the Lola's which were running the bare minimum wing settings for speed on the straights while still having some grip in the turns. With the lack of straight line speed, the closest time either driver could post to [[Teo Fabi]]'s pole winning BMW powered [[Benetton B186]] was Tambay who was 3.73 seconds slower. Despite this, Duckworth, Ford and Cosworth still refused to budge on qualifying engines.<ref>[http://www.gurneyflap.com/arrowsbenettonbm.html Gurney Flap - BMW Dominates 1986 Monza Speed Traps]</ref><ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sOWeGXQIBxY Beyond the Grid Official F1 Podcast - Alan Jones]</ref> |
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== Racing history == |
== Racing history == |
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Revision as of 11:42, 9 December 2024
 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (June 2018) |
.jpg) A THL2 demonstrated at the 2018 Goodwood Festival of Speed | |||||||||
| Category | Formula One | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Constructor | Team Haas (USA) Ltd. | ||||||||
| Designer(s) | Neil Oatley (Technical Director) John Baldwin (Chief Designer) Ross Brawn (Head of Aerodynamics) Keith Duckworth (Engine Technical Director) (Ford-Cosworth) Geoff Goddard (Chief Engine Designer) (Ford-Cosworth) | ||||||||
| Predecessor | THL1 | ||||||||
| Technical specifications[1] | |||||||||
| Chassis | Carbon fibre with aluminium honeycomb monocoque | ||||||||
| Suspension (front) | Double wishbones, push-rod and rocker actuated coil springs over dampers, anti-roll bar | ||||||||
| Suspension (rear) | Double wishbones, push-rod and rocker actuated coil springs over dampers, anti-roll bar | ||||||||
| Axle track | Front: 1,803 mm (71.0 in) Rear: 1,625 mm (64.0 in) | ||||||||
| Wheelbase | 2,794 mm (110.0 in) | ||||||||
| Engine | Ford TEC (Cosworth GBA), 1,498 cc (91.4 cu in), 120° V6, twin turbocharged, mid-engine, longitudinally mounted | ||||||||
| Transmission | Hewland / FORCE 6-speed manual | ||||||||
| Weight | 545 kg (1,202 lb) | ||||||||
| Fuel | BP | ||||||||
| Tyres | Goodyear | ||||||||
| Competition history | |||||||||
| Notable entrants | Team Haas (USA) Ltd. | ||||||||
| Notable drivers | 15.  Alan Jones16.  Patrick Tambay16.  Eddie Cheever | ||||||||
| Debut | 1986 San Marino Grand Prix | ||||||||
| |||||||||
| Constructors' Championships | 0 | ||||||||
| Drivers' Championships | 0 | ||||||||
The Lola THL2 was a Formula One racing car designed by Neil Oatley for FORCE and was used by Team Haas (USA) Ltd. during the 1986 Formula One season. Two of the FORCE aerodynamicists who worked on the car during its countless hours of Wind tunnel testing were a young Ross Brawn and Adrian Newey. The car debuted at the 1986 San Marino Grand Prix and was driven by 1980 World Drivers' Champion Alan Jones from Australia, and his new teammate Patrick Tambay of France.
Like its predecessor, the car was called a Lola but its only connection to the famous Lola Cars was because of car owner Carl Haas' close association with Lola founder Eric Broadley, who was also named as chief engineer for the team in 1985.
Engine and handling
The car was an evolution of the Lola THL1 which used the Hart 415T Straight 4 turbo. When the THL2 appeared at Imola it was powered by the new Ford Cosworth GBA 120° V6 engine, badged and marketed as a Ford-TEC; the turbo engine was rated at about 900 bhp (671 kW; 912 PS). Although it was an improvement in power over the unreliable 750 bhp (559 kW; 760 PS) Hart engine, the rushed and limited development of this engine meant that Ford unfortunately lagged behind other engines in F1 in 1986 such as the reported 1,300 bhp (969 kW; 1,318 PS) bhp that the Lotus Renault V6 turbo had and the 1,400 bhp (1,044 kW; 1,419 PS) of the turbocharged 4cyl BMW engine. Continued development and testing meant that the engine started to become more competitive for the following season in 1987, but by the time this engine had made its debut in 1986, it was only a year between when Duckworth and Goddard started designing the engine to its first race; this is a very short time for a Formula One racing engine to be produced. They were behind after some initial tests to turbocharge Goddard's old 4-cylinder engine used in sportscars and lower formulae proved to be a failure (Duckworth had wanted to use the 4 cyl as he believed they were more economical and compact than a V6, but Goddard was never happy with the idea); and it was only towards the end of 1984 where funding was agreed to design the whole new V6.
This led to a frustrating season for both Jones and Tambay as the THL2 was generally regarded to be one of the best handling car of the season. Jones and Tambay were reported to have continually asked Duckworth to build special qualifying engines with more power like Renault, BMW, Honda and Ferrari were doing in order to be able to qualify the car further up the grid, but the requests were turned down. Duckworth, Ford and Cosworth all believed that their proven reliability record would hold them in good stead against their sometimes fragile opposition.
During qualifying for the Italian Grand Prix at the fast Monza Circuit, Alan Jones claimed to have had a heated discussion with engine designer Keith Duckworth about the need for qualifying engines. Jones claimed he was able to point out the "block of flats" rear wings run by Benetton (BMW), Williams (Honda), Arrows (BMW) and Ferrari, yet the slowest of them, the Ferrari F1/86 of Michele Alboreto, was still around 20 km/h (12 mph) faster in a straight line than the Lola's which were running the bare minimum wing settings for speed on the straights while still having some grip in the turns. With the lack of straight line speed, the closest time either driver could post to Teo Fabi's pole winning BMW powered Benetton B186 was Tambay who was 3.73 seconds slower. Despite this, Duckworth, Ford and Cosworth still refused to budge on qualifying engines.[2][3]
Racing history
Jones, with 12 career wins in his first F1 career from 1975-1981 (plus one race from Arrows in 1983), had been with the team since its debut at the 1985 Italian Grand Prix. Tambay joined after two seasons driving for the factory Renault team, and a half of the season with Ferrari before that. Tambay had 2 Grand Prix wins to his credit, all for Ferrari in 1982 and 1983.
Jones only scored 4 points during the season and retired from F1 for good at season's end. Tambay only scored two points with 5th place in Austria. Tambay also departed F1 at season's end, as did the Lola Haas team following the withdrawal of their major sponsor Beatrice Foods. The THL2s best qualifying position was 6th by Tambay at the Hungaroring for the 1986 Hungarian Grand Prix where the tight nature of the circuit meant a good handling car was more important than outright power.
Complete Formula One results
(key)
| Year | Entrant | Engine | Driver | Tyres | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | WCC | Pts. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 | Team Haas (USA) Ltd. | Ford TEC V6 tc |
G | BRA | ESP | SMR | MON | BEL | CAN | DET | FRA | GBR | GER | HUN | AUT | ITA | POR | MEX | AUS | 8th | 6 | |
| Alan Jones | Ret | Ret | 11 | 10 | Ret | Ret | Ret | 9 | Ret | 4 | 6 | Ret | Ret | Ret | ||||||||
| Patrick Tambay | Ret | Ret | DNS | Ret | Ret | 8 | 7 | 5 | Ret | NC | Ret | NC | ||||||||||
| Eddie Cheever | Ret |
References
- ^ "STATS F1 • Lola THL2". Statsf1.com. Retrieved 23 August 2010.
- ^ Gurney Flap - BMW Dominates 1986 Monza Speed Traps
- ^ Beyond the Grid Official F1 Podcast - Alan Jones
