1972 Lola T292

The British based Lola Company was founded in 1961 by engineer and entrepreneur, Eric Broadley, who would design and create some of the most influential designs of the post-war era.

The international racing career of the Lola T70 abruptly came to an end with the arrival of the full works Porsche 917s and subsequent Ferrari 512s. So the British manufacturer turned their attention to the European 2 Litre Sports Car Championship. Lola shocked the racing community in 1970 with the introduction of the all-new T210. With open coachwork, it was lighter by 70 kg than the Chevron B16 coupe. Lola used an aluminum sheet monocoque with rear subframe for the engine, unlike its competitors who typically used a spaceframe design.

In response to the open coachwork, Chevron responded by building a B16 spyder using the shape of the Porsche 908/3 that Brian Redman had driven to victory in the Targa Florio in 1970. The season's constructor's championship came down to the final race, with Lola, Chevron and Abarth all in contention. Chevron with their new B16 spyder was able to capture victory at the season finale at Spa-Francorchamps, giving them the title.

Group 5 regulations changed ahead of the 1972 season, effectively eliminating the big-bore sports racers from competition. Lola capitalized on these changes by developing a new car that could accept two- and three-liter engines. The two-liter cars were known as the T290 and the three-liter versions were the T280. Bob Marston, assisted by Patrick Head and John Barnard were the individuals in charge of the design.

Both the T280 and T290 used an aluminum monocoque chassis with independent suspension and outboard disc brakes at all four corners. In the front were double wishbones while the back used reversed lower wishbones, twin trailing arms and top links. Fiberglass was used for the bodies and a small wing was placed at the rear to provide downforce.

Many of the roughly 34 examples of the T290's were sold through European representative Jo Bonnier, who also fielded some of the cars with works support. Despite being quick, the cars were often plagued by poor engine reliability. The Abarth-Osella team with driver Arturo Merzario won the 1972 European Championships.

For the 1973 season, Lola introduced the T292 which had gained a larger rear wing and inboard mounted rear brakes. With the help of the BDG engine and with Chris Craft performing driving duties, the T292 captured the European Two-Liter Sports Car championship and Lola was that year's constructor's champion.

As before, the T292 was designed to carry a variety of four-cylinder engines, and thus specifications vary. Several of the T290s were updated with T292 bodywork and as many as 29 examples of the T292s were built or modified.

For the following season, Lola further refined the T292 into the T294. The Renault-engined Alpines with works support would complete dominate the 1974 season, and with little competition, the championship was cancelled in 1975.

By Daniel Vaughan | Feb 2020