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{{short description|Sports prototype race car}}
{{Short description|Group C2 sports prototype}}
{{Use British English|date=September 2022}}
{{Racing car
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2022}}
| Car_name = Lola T616<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.geocities.ws/lolahistory/GPC/T616_Spec.htm|title=Lola T616 Specifications|website=www.geocities.ws}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.supercars.net/blog/1984-lola-t616-mazda/|title=1984 Lola T616 Mazda &#124; Review|first=Nick|last=D|date=April 22, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://motorsportsmarket.com/racecars/1984-lola-t616-mazdas-2/|title=1984 Lola T616 Mazdas (2)|website=Motorsports Market}}</ref>
{{Infobox racing car
| Image =
| name = Lola T-616
| Category = [[Group C|Group C2]]/[[IMSA GTP Championship|IMSA GTP Lights]]
| Constructor = [[Lola Cars]]
| constructor = [[Lola Cars|Lola]]
| weight = {{cvt|700|kg|lbs|0|abbr=on}}
| Designer = [[Eric Broadley]]
| Engine name = [[Mazda 13B]] 2-rotor
| Chassis = aluminum honeycomb and carbon-fiber composite monocoque with semi-stressed engine, glass-fiber reinforced plastic body
| Capacity = {{cvt|1308|cc|cuin|1|abbr=on}}
| Front suspension = Double wishbones, coil-over shock absorbers
| Turbo/NA = [[Natural aspiration|naturally aspirated]] [[Wankel engine|rotary]]
| Rear suspension = Double wishbones, coil-over shock absorbers
| Category = [[Group C|Group C2]], [[IMSA GT Championship#GTP era|IMSA GTP]]
| Brakes = Lockheed ventilated discs, 4-pot caliper
| Length =
| production = 1983
| Power = {{cvt|300|hp|PS kW|0|abbr=on}} @ 8,500&nbsp;rpm
| Width =
| Torque = {{cvt|182|lbft|Nm|0|abbr=on}} @ 8,500&nbsp;rpm
| Height =
| Track = {{cvt|59.5|in|mm|0|abbr=on|order=flip}} (front)<br/> {{cvt|60.5|in|mm|0|abbr=on|order=flip}} (rear)
| Wheelbase = {{cvt|2641|mm|in}}
| Track = {{cvt|1511|mm|in}} (front)<br> {{cvt|1536|mm|in}} (rear)
| Wheelbase = {{cvt|104|in|mm|0|abbr=on|order=flip}}
| Weight = {{cvt|700|kg|lb}}
| Height = {{cvt|39.0|in|mm|0|abbr=on|order=flip}}
| Length = {{cvt|185.3|in|mm|0|abbr=on|order=flip}}
| Engine name = [[Mazda Wankel engine#13B|Mazda ''13B'']], {{convert|1308|cc|cuin|1|abbr=on}}, [[MR layout|mid-mounted]], [[Naturally-aspirated engine|N/A]] [[Overhead camshaft#Double overhead camshaft|DOHC]] [[Pistonless rotary engine|2-rotor]] [[Wankel engine|wankel]]<br> [[Plastic automotive engine#Version Two|Polimotor]] {{convert|1975|cc|cuin|1|abbr=on}}, [[MR layout|mid-mounted]], [[Naturally-aspirated engine|N/A]] [[Overhead camshaft#Double overhead camshaft|DOHC]] [[Inline-four engine|L4]]
| Power = {{cvt|300-320|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}}
| Width = {{cvt|78.5|in|mm|0|abbr=on|order=flip}}
| Clutch = [[AP Racing]] twin-plate
| Gearbox name = [[Hewland|Hewland FGB-400]]
| Gears = 5-speed
| Transmission type = 5-speed [[Hewland]] FGB-400
| Differential =with [[limited-slip differential]]
| Type = [[manual gearbox|manual]]
| Technical ref = <ref name="heritage">{{cite web|url=http://lolaheritage.co.uk/2018/type_numbers/t616/t616.html|work=[[Lola Cars]]|access-date=27 September 2022|date=2018|title=The Lola T616}}</ref>
| Tires = [[BFGoodrich]]
| Tyres = [[BFGoodrich]] T/A radial, 275/35VR13 front, 385/35VR13 rear<br/>[[BBS Kraftfahrzeugtechnik|BBS]] three-piece [[Centerlock wheel|centre-locking wheels]], 13" by 11" front, 13" by 14" rear
| Debut = [[1984 24 Hours of Daytona]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.racingsportscars.com/type/photo/Lola/T616.html|title=Lola T616|access-date=6 November 2022}}</ref>
| Chassis = Carbon-fibre [[monocoque]] with aluminium [[honeycomb structure]]
| Races = 46
| Front suspension = Independent unequal length [[Control arm|A-arms]], [[ThyssenKrupp|Bilstein]] [[coilover]] gas [[shock absorbers]] with adjustable 1.5" twin-blade [[Anti-roll bar|anti-sway bar]]
| Wins = 0
| Rear suspension = ''As front'', except single lower control arm and 1" twin-blade anti-sway bar
| Podiums = 0
| predecessor = [[Lola T600]]
| Cons_champ = 0
| Brakes = Ventilated discs with [[Lockheed Corporation|Lockheed]] magnesium calipers and [[Ferodo]] pads
| Drivers_champ = 0
| Poles = 0
| Drivers = {{ubl
| {{flagicon|USA}} Jim Busby
| Fastest_laps = 0
| {{flagicon|USA}} [[John Morton (racing driver)|John Morton]]
| {{flagicon|USA}} John O'Steen
| {{flagicon|USA}} Rick Knoop
| {{flagicon|USA}} [[Pete Halsmer]]
| {{flagicon|USA}} [[Peter Kuhn]]
| {{flagicon|NED}} [[Boy Hayje|Johan "Boy" Hayje]]
| {{flagicon|JPN}} [[Yoshimi Katayama]]
| {{flagicon|AUT}} [[Dieter Quester]]
}}
}}
| Team = {{flagicon|USA}} BFGoodrich Racing<br/> {{flagicon|USA}} Polimotor Research
The '''Lola T616''' was a [[Ground effect (cars)|ground effect]] [[Group C|Group C2]]/[[IMSA GTP Championship|IMSA GTP Lights]] [[sports prototype]] race car, designed, developed and built by British manufacturer [[Lola Cars|Lola]], for [[sports car racing]], specifically the [[World Sportscar Championship]] and [[24 Hours of Le Mans]], in 1984.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ultimatecarpage.com/car/6232/Lola-T616-Mazda.html|title=1984 Lola T616 Mazda - Images, Specifications and Information|website=Ultimatecarpage.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://tech-racingcars.wikidot.com/lola-t616|title=Lola T616 group C2 (1984) - Racing Cars|website=tech-racingcars.wikidot.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.conceptcarz.com/vehicle/z8028/lola-t616.aspx|title=1984 Lola T616|website=conceptcarz.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.lolaheritage.co.uk/2018/type_numbers/t616/t616.html|title=Lola Heritage|website=www.lolaheritage.co.uk}}</ref>
| Debut = [[1984 24 Hours of Daytona]]
| wins = 2
| poles = 1
| races = 7
| fastest laps = 0
}}
The '''Lola T616''' is a [[sports prototype]] built by [[Lola Cars]] to the [[Group C|Group C2]] and [[IMSA GT Championship#GTP Era|IMSA GTP]] regulations. It was built with the intention to compete in the [[IMSA GT Championship]] and the [[World Sportscar Championship]], and became the second [[Mazda]]-powered prototype to score a class win at the [[24 Hours of Le Mans]] after the [[Mazda 717C|717C]] triumphed in the same C2 class at the [[1983 24 Hours of Le Mans]].<ref name="autoweek">{{cite magazine|magazine=[[autoweek]]|url=https://www.autoweek.com/car-life/events/a1901371/mazda-powered-le-mans-lola-heads-pebble/|title=Mazda-powered Le Mans Lola heads to Pebble Beach|first=Blake Z.|last=Rong|date=17 July 2014|access-date=26 September 2022}}</ref>

==Background==
The T616's predecessor, the [[Lola T600]], was the first [[sports prototype]] to utilise [[Ground effect (cars)|ground effect]], a feature that was also included on the T616.<ref name="dobson">{{cite web|url=https://dobsonmotorsport.com/car/1984-lola-t-616-race-cars/|title=1984 Lola T-616 Race Cars - LeMans 1st & 3rd pair!|work=[[Dominic Dobson|Dobson Motorsport]]|access-date=27 September 2022}}</ref> The T600 won IMSA titles in 1981 and 1982,<ref>{{cite magazine|magazine=[[autoweek]]|url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/218915661|id={{ProQuest|218915661}}|first=Gary|last=Watkins|location=Detroit|issue=48|volume=58|date=1 December 2008|pages=46–47|access-date=28 September 2022|title=Golden Lola|via=[[ProQuest]]}}</ref> but later on the T600's lack of competitiveness and the introduction of the Group C2 regulations spurred Lola to build derivatives of the T600, the T610 and the T616.<ref name="msr">{{cite web|url=https://www.motorsportretro.com/2020/06/group-c-the-rise-and-fall-of-the-golden-age-of-endurance-racing-lola/|title=Group C: The Rise and Fall of the Golden Age of Endurance Racing: Lola|first=Marcel|last=Hundscheid|date=23 June 2020|access-date=27 September 2022|work=motorsportretro.com}}</ref> The T616 was designed with the intent of fitting smaller engines as stipulated by the Group C2 regulations, with Jim Busby replacing the T600's {{cvt|6.0|L|cuin|1|abbr=on}} [[Chevrolet]] [[V8 engine|V8]] with a twin-rotor {{cvt|1308|cc|cuin|1|abbr=on}} rotary, the [[Mazda 13B|13B]].<ref name=dobson/>{{sfn|Martin|Fuller|2008|page=21}} The T600's carbon-fibre reinforced aluminium [[honeycomb structure]] monocoque was retained in the T616, and the engine acted as a [[Stressed member engine|semi-stressed member]] along with two tubular frames mounted across the cockpit.<ref name=heritage/>

==Specifications==
{{see also|Polimotor}}
Mazda's [[Mazda 13B|13B]] engine was equipped with a [[Dual ignition|twin-spark ignition]] system provided by [[Mitsubishi]] that allowed for better combustion quality, along with Bosch mechanical fuel injection gave the engine an output of {{cvt|300|hp|PS kW|0|abbr=on}} and {{cvt|182|lbft|Nm|0|abbr=on}} @ 8,500&nbsp;rpm.<ref name=heritage/> Lubrication was provided by a [[dry sump]] system, and the engine was cooled by a [[Rotary vane pump|vane pump]] fed with water.<ref name="autosport">{{cite magazine|magazine=[[Autosport]]|first=Tiff|last=Needell|author-link=Tiff Needell|date=3 January 1985|page=29|title=Race proven for streetcred}}</ref> The T616 also had two different fuel tanks, one for the [[IMSA GT Championship]] that had a capacity of {{cvt|120|L|USgal|1|abbr=on}}, and a {{cvt|55|L|USgal|1|abbr=on}} tank for the [[World Sportscar Championship]].<ref name=heritage/> The car's ride height was controlled by outboard [[control arm|A-arms]] at the front, and outboard control arms at the rear.<ref name=autosport/> The suspension was constructed in such a way that the springs and Bilstein gas dampers were situated on top the crossbeam, meaning that the flow of the air through the underbody Venturi tunnels was largely undisturbed.<ref name=autosport/> [[Pete Halsmer]] remarked that the car was a "handful to drive", with poor handling, and the "weight distribution left something to be desired."{{sfn|Martin|Fuller|2008|page=21}}

Of the four T616 chassis built by Lola, three were fitted with Mazda's 13B rotary, and one was fitted with a plastic engine, Matty Holtzberg's [[Polimotor]].<ref name="nyt">{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1984/11/29/business/technology-plastic-engine-in-racing-car.html|title=Technology; Plastic Engine In Racing Car|newspaper=[[The New York Times]]|date=29 November 1984|first=Daniel F|last=Cuff|access-date=29 September 2022}}</ref> The Polimotor incorporated large amounts of a [[thermoplastic]] called [[Torlon]], manufactured by [[Amoco]], who was also the title sponsor of Holtzberg's T616.<ref name=nyt/> The initial prototype, built in 1979, was based on Ford's [[Ford Pinto engine#LL23|LL23]] [[inline-4 engine|inline-four]], and much of the timing structure along with the [[connecting rod]]s were [[injection moulding|injection moulded]] from Torlon.<ref name=nyt/><ref name="matty">{{cite magazine|magazine=[[Motor Trend]]|url=https://www.motortrend.com/news/plastic-car-engine-matty-holtzberg/|title=The Case For Plastic Car Engines - Matty Holtzberg, Composite Castings|date=17 November 2009|first=Don|last=Sherman|access-date=29 September 2022}}</ref> The [[crankshaft]] and [[camshaft]], among other components, remained as original Ford parts.<ref name=matty/><ref name=nyt/> The use of plastic gave Holtzberg's Polimotor a weight of {{cvt|168|lbs|kg|order=flip|1|abbr=on}},<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/2102339260/|via=[[ProQuest]]|id={{ProQuest|2102339260}}|date=August 2017|volume=60|issue=9|pages=24, 26|access-date=29 September 2022|magazine=Assembly|title=Polymers Keep Engine Innovation Running Smoothly}}</ref> {{cvt|63|lbs|kg|order=flip|1|abbr=on}} less than the Mazda 13B rotary.

By 1982, Holtzberg's Polimotor had further enhancements such as [[Overhead camshaft engine#DOHC|dual overhead camshafts]], which meant that the engine produced {{cvt|300|hp|kW PS|0|abbr=on}} and weighed {{cvt|152|lbs|kg|0|abbr=on|order=flip}}.<ref name=matty/> Holtzberg campaigned his Polimotor-powered T616 in the [[1984 IMSA GT Championship|1984]] and [[1985 IMSA GT Championship|1985]] seasons of the [[IMSA GT Championship]], with his sole engine-related retirement coming as a result of a metal [[connecting rod]] failure.<ref name=matty/> Holtzberg's campaign did not continue due to the lack of funding to help further develop his engine.{{sfn|Martin|Fuller|2008|page=22}}
==Racing history==
Jim Busby chose not to run a full season in the [[1984 IMSA GT Championship]], opting to only compete at the bigger races, the [[24 Hours of Daytona]], the [[Grand Prix of Miami (sports car racing)|Grand Prix of Miami]], the [[6 Hours of Riverside]], the [[Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course|Mid-Ohio]] 500, and the [[6 Hours of Watkins Glen]].<ref name="bfg">{{cite web|url=https://www.bfgoodrichracing.com/bfgoodrich-lola-t616-mazda/nggallery/page/1|title=BFGoodrich Lola T616 – Mazda|work=[[BFGoodrich]]|date=15 January 1984|access-date=6 November 2022}}</ref> The T616 made its racing debut at the opening round of the [[1984 IMSA GT Championship]] at [[1984 24 Hours of Daytona|Daytona]] under the BFGoodrich Racing banner, where the No. 68 driven by [[Pete Halsmer]], [[Dieter Quester]], Ron Grable and Rick Knoop placed 11th in the GTP class (17th overall), and the sister No. 67 of Jim Busby, Rick Knoop and [[Boy Hayje]] didn't make it to the flag, having stopped on lap 391 with a blown engine, and was classified 31st overall.<ref name=autosport/><ref name="hemmings">{{cite web|url=https://hemmings1266.rssing.com/chan-45990445/all_p2.html|title=1984 Lola T616 1984 Lola T616|date=7 April 2016|work=[[Hemmings Motor News]]|via=[[RSS]]|access-date=5 November 2022}}</ref> A double points finish was the team's result at the 1984 3 Hours of Miami, with the No. 67 and No.68 finishing sixth and fifth, respectively.<ref name=bfg/> The two cars were then flown over to Europe to compete in the season-opener of the [[1984 World Sportscar Championship]], the [[1984 1000 km of Monza]], where they posted their best finish of the season with the No. 67 and No. 68 taking first and fifth in the C2 class, respectively.<ref name=hemmings/> Car No. 67 returned to the United States briefly for the [[1984 6 Hours of Riverside]], where it placed 39th.<ref name=hemmings/>

It reunited with its sister car for the [[1984 24 Hours of Le Mans]], where Mazda's factory racing division, [[Mazdaspeed]], had also entered a pair of [[Mazda 727C]]s. The factory 727Cs were significantly faster than Busby's T616s, posting lap times almost ten seconds quicker in practice. The T616 made up for their lack of pace with reliability; the factory 727Cs were overcome with gearbox troubles that cost them significant amounts of time. All four cars finished, with Busby's No. 68 car driven by [[John Morton (racing driver)|John Morton]], [[John O'Steen]] and [[Yoshimi Katayama]] in first position in the C2 class, and himself in third in class alongside co-drivers [[Rick Knoop]] and [[Boy Hayje]] in the No. 67. The factory 727Cs, despite their pace, finished fourth and sixth in class.<ref name=autoweek/>

By the end of 1984, Lola withdrew factory support for all T600 variants, including the T616, due to their lack of competitiveness with the quickly changing GTP class in IMSA, and instead focus their efforts on the [[Chevrolet Corvette GTP]].{{sfn|Martin|Fuller|2008|page=22}} Holtzberg moved to the inaugural GTP Lights class for 1985, posting several points-scoring class finishes, including a third place at the [[1985 2 Hours of Lime Rock]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://littlestarplastics.com/labs/polimotor-2|work=Parkway|date=5 April 2018|access-date=11 November 2022|title=Polimotor 2}}</ref>
==Racing record==
===Complete IMSA GT Championship results===
[[:Template:Motorsport driver results legend|(key)]] Races in '''bold''' indicates [[pole position]]. Races in ''italics'' indicates fastest lap.
{|class = "wikitable" style="text-align:center; font-size:90%"
|-
|+Complete IMSA GT Championship results
! rowspan="2" | Year
! rowspan="2" | Entrant
! rowspan="2" | Class
! rowspan="2" | Drivers
! rowspan="2" | {{abbr|No.|Car number}}
! rowspan="2" | {{Abbr|Rds.|Rounds Driven}}
! colspan="17" | Rounds
|-
! scope="col" | 1
! scope="col" | 2
! scope="col" | 3
! scope="col" | 4
! scope="col" | 5
! scope="col" | 6
! scope="col" | 7
! scope="col" | 8
! scope="col" | 9
! scope="col" | 10
! scope="col" | 11
! scope="col" | 12
! scope="col" | 13
! scope="col" | 14
! scope="col" | 15
! scope="col" | 16
! scope="col" | 17
|-
! rowspan="2" | [[1984 IMSA GT Championship|1984]]
| rowspan="2" align="left" style="border-left:0px" | {{flagicon|USA}} BF Goodrich
| rowspan="2" | {{nowrap|[[IMSA GT Championship#GTP era|GTP]]}}
| align="left " style="border-left:0px" | {{flagicon|USA}} [[Jim&nbsp;Busby]]<br/> {{flagicon|USA}} [[Rick&nbsp;Knoop]]<br/> {{flagicon|NED}} [[Boy&nbsp;Hayje]]<br/> {{flagicon|USA}} [[Ron&nbsp;Grable]]<br/> {{flagicon|USA}} [[Pete&nbsp;Halsmer]]
| 67
| 1–2, 5, 9–10<br/> 1–2, 5, 9<br/> 1<br/> 5<br/> 9
|style="background:#EFCFFF;"| [[1984 24 Hours of Daytona|DAY]]<br/> {{Tooltip|Ret|Engine}}
|style="background:#DFFFDF;" | [[1984 3 Hours of Miami|MIA]]<br/> {{Tooltip|6|6 points awarded}}
|
|
|style="background:#EFCFFF;"| [[1984 6 Hours of Riverside|RIV]]<br/> Ret
|
|
|
|style="background:#DFFFDF;"| [[1984 Mid-Ohio 500 km|MOH]]<br/> {{Tooltip|8|3 points awarded}}
|style="background:#DFFFDF;"| [[1984 6 Hours of Watkins Glen|WGL]]<br/> {{Tooltip|5|8 points awarded}}
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|-
| align="left " style="border-left:0px" | {{flagicon|USA}} [[Pete&nbsp;Halsmer]]<br/> {{flagicon|AUT}} [[Dieter&nbsp;Quester]]<br/> {{flagicon|USA}} [[Ron&nbsp;Grable]]<br/> {{flagicon|USA}} [[Rick&nbsp;Knoop]]<br/> {{flagicon|NED}} [[Boy&nbsp;Hayje]]
| 68
| 1–2<br/> 1<br/> 1<br/> 1<br/> 2
|style="background:#CFCFFF;"| [[1984 24 Hours of Daytona|DAY]]<br/> 11
|style="background:#DFFFDF;"| [[1984 3 Hours of Miami|MIA]]<br/> {{Tooltip|5|8 points awarded}}
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|}

===Complete World Sportscar Championship results===
[[:Template:Motorsport driver results legend|(key)]] Races in '''bold''' indicates [[pole position]]. Races in ''italics'' indicates fastest lap.

{|class = "wikitable" style="text-align:center; font-size:90%"
|-
|+Complete World Sportscar Championship results
! rowspan="2" | Year
! rowspan="2" | Entrant
! rowspan="2" | Class
! rowspan="2" | Drivers
! rowspan="2" | {{abbr|No.|Car number}}
! rowspan="2" | {{Abbr|Rds.|Rounds Driven}}
! colspan="8" | Rounds
! rowspan="2" scope="col" | {{Abbr|Pts.|Total points collected by team entries during the season}}
! rowspan="2" scope="col" | {{Abbr|Pos.|Final position of the team in the championship standings}}
|-
! scope="col" | 1
! scope="col" | 2
! scope="col" | 3
! scope="col" | 4
! scope="col" | 5
! scope="col" | 6
! scope="col" | 7
! scope="col" | 8
|-
! rowspan="2" | [[1984 World Sportscar Championship|1984]]
| rowspan="2" align="left" style="border-left:0px" | {{flagicon|USA}}[[BF Goodrich]]
| rowspan="2" | {{nowrap|[[Group C|C2]]}}
| align="left " style="border-left:0px" | {{flagicon|USA}} [[Jim&nbsp;Busby]]<br/> {{flagicon|USA}} [[Rick&nbsp;Knoop]]<br/> {{flagicon|NED}} [[Boy&nbsp;Hayje]]<br/> {{flagicon|USA}} [[Pete&nbsp;Halsmer]]
| 67
| 1, 3–4, 9<br/> 1, 3<br/> 3<br/> 4, 9
|style="background:#FFFFBF;"| [[1984 1000 km of Monza|MON]]<br/>{{Tooltip|1|20 points awarded}}
|
|style="background:#FFDF9F;"| [[1984 24 Hours of Le Mans|LM]]<br/> {{Tooltip|3|Points awarded to highest finishing car in team}}
|style="background:#DFDFDF;"| [[1984 1000 km of Nürburgring|NÜR]]<br/> {{Tooltip|2|15 points awarded}}
|
|
|style="background:#DFFFDF;"| [[1984 1000 km of Fuji|FUJ]]<br/> {{Tooltip|4|Points awarded to highest finishing car in team}}
|
| rowspan="2" style="background-color:#DFDFDF"| 67
| rowspan="2" style="background-color:#DFDFDF"| 2nd
|-
| align="left " style="border-left:0px" | {{flagicon|AUT}} [[Dieter&nbsp;Quester]]<br/> {{flagicon|NED}} [[Boy&nbsp;Hayje]]<br/> {{flagicon|USA}} [[John&nbsp;Morton&nbsp;(racing driver)|John&nbsp;Morton]]<br/> {{flagicon|USA}} [[John&nbsp;O'Steen]]<br/> {{flagicon|JPN}} [[Yoshimi&nbsp;Katayama]]<br/> {{flagicon|USA}} [[Rick&nbsp;Knoop]]
| 68
| 1, 4, 9<br/> 1<br/> 3<br/>3<br/> 3<br/> 4, 9
|style="background:#CFCFFF;"| [[1984 1000 km of Monza|MON]]<br/> {{Tooltip|NC|Not classified}}
|
|style="background:#FFFFBF;"| [[1984 24 Hours of Le Mans|LM]]<br/> {{Tooltip|1|20 points awarded}}
|style="background:#EFCFFF;"| [[1984 1000 km Nürburgring|NÜR]]<br/> {{Tooltip|DNF|Gearbox}}
|
|
|style="background:#FFDF9F;"| [[1984 1000 km of Fuji|FUJ]]<br/> {{Tooltip|3|12 points awarded}}
|
|}


==References==
==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{reflist}}

==Bibliography==
* {{cite book|title=Inside IMSA's Legendary GTP Race Cars|first1=Jim A.|last1=Martin|first2=Michael J.|last2=Fuller|publisher=[[MBI Publishing]]|editor-first=James Manning|editor-last=Michels|date=2008|isbn=978-0-7603-3069-2|publication-place=[[Minneapolis]]|oclc=180204868}}


{{Lola Sports Cars}}
{{Lola Sports Cars}}


[[Category:Lola racing cars|T616]]
{{DEFAULTSORT:Lola T616}}

[[Category:Cars introduced in 1983]]
[[Category:Lola racing cars]]
[[Category:Group C cars]]
[[Category:Group C cars]]
[[Category:IMSA GTP cars]]

Revision as of 02:38, 11 November 2022

Lola T-616
CategoryGroup C2, IMSA GTP
ConstructorLola
Production1983
PredecessorLola T600
Technical specifications[1]
ChassisCarbon-fibre monocoque with aluminium honeycomb structure
Suspension (front)Independent unequal length A-arms, Bilstein coilover gas shock absorbers with adjustable 1.5" twin-blade anti-sway bar
Suspension (rear)As front, except single lower control arm and 1" twin-blade anti-sway bar
Length4,707 mm (185.3 in)
Width1,994 mm (78.5 in)
Height991 mm (39.0 in)
Axle track1,511 mm (59.5 in) (front)
1,537 mm (60.5 in) (rear)
Wheelbase2,642 mm (104 in)
EngineMazda 13B 2-rotor 1,308 cc (79.8 cu in) naturally aspirated rotary
Torque182 lb⋅ft (247 N⋅m) @ 8,500 rpm
Transmission5-speed Hewland FGB-400 with limited-slip differential
Power300 hp (304 PS; 224 kW) @ 8,500 rpm
Weight700 kg (1,543 lb)
BrakesVentilated discs with Lockheed magnesium calipers and Ferodo pads
TyresBFGoodrich T/A radial, 275/35VR13 front, 385/35VR13 rear
BBS three-piece centre-locking wheels, 13" by 11" front, 13" by 14" rear
ClutchAP Racing twin-plate
Competition history
Notable entrantsUnited States BFGoodrich Racing
United States Polimotor Research
Notable drivers
Debut1984 24 Hours of Daytona
RacesWinsPolesF/Laps
7210

The Lola T616 is a sports prototype built by Lola Cars to the Group C2 and IMSA GTP regulations. It was built with the intention to compete in the IMSA GT Championship and the World Sportscar Championship, and became the second Mazda-powered prototype to score a class win at the 24 Hours of Le Mans after the 717C triumphed in the same C2 class at the 1983 24 Hours of Le Mans.[2]

Background

The T616's predecessor, the Lola T600, was the first sports prototype to utilise ground effect, a feature that was also included on the T616.[3] The T600 won IMSA titles in 1981 and 1982,[4] but later on the T600's lack of competitiveness and the introduction of the Group C2 regulations spurred Lola to build derivatives of the T600, the T610 and the T616.[5] The T616 was designed with the intent of fitting smaller engines as stipulated by the Group C2 regulations, with Jim Busby replacing the T600's 6.0 L (366.1 cu in) Chevrolet V8 with a twin-rotor 1,308 cc (79.8 cu in) rotary, the 13B.[3][6] The T600's carbon-fibre reinforced aluminium honeycomb structure monocoque was retained in the T616, and the engine acted as a semi-stressed member along with two tubular frames mounted across the cockpit.[1]

Specifications

Mazda's 13B engine was equipped with a twin-spark ignition system provided by Mitsubishi that allowed for better combustion quality, along with Bosch mechanical fuel injection gave the engine an output of 300 hp (304 PS; 224 kW) and 182 lb⋅ft (247 N⋅m) @ 8,500 rpm.[1] Lubrication was provided by a dry sump system, and the engine was cooled by a vane pump fed with water.[7] The T616 also had two different fuel tanks, one for the IMSA GT Championship that had a capacity of 120 L (31.7 US gal), and a 55 L (14.5 US gal) tank for the World Sportscar Championship.[1] The car's ride height was controlled by outboard A-arms at the front, and outboard control arms at the rear.[7] The suspension was constructed in such a way that the springs and Bilstein gas dampers were situated on top the crossbeam, meaning that the flow of the air through the underbody Venturi tunnels was largely undisturbed.[7] Pete Halsmer remarked that the car was a "handful to drive", with poor handling, and the "weight distribution left something to be desired."[6]

Of the four T616 chassis built by Lola, three were fitted with Mazda's 13B rotary, and one was fitted with a plastic engine, Matty Holtzberg's Polimotor.[8] The Polimotor incorporated large amounts of a thermoplastic called Torlon, manufactured by Amoco, who was also the title sponsor of Holtzberg's T616.[8] The initial prototype, built in 1979, was based on Ford's LL23 inline-four, and much of the timing structure along with the connecting rods were injection moulded from Torlon.[8][9] The crankshaft and camshaft, among other components, remained as original Ford parts.[9][8] The use of plastic gave Holtzberg's Polimotor a weight of 76.2 kg (168 lb),[10] 28.6 kg (63 lb) less than the Mazda 13B rotary.

By 1982, Holtzberg's Polimotor had further enhancements such as dual overhead camshafts, which meant that the engine produced 300 hp (224 kW; 304 PS) and weighed 69 kg (152 lb).[9] Holtzberg campaigned his Polimotor-powered T616 in the 1984 and 1985 seasons of the IMSA GT Championship, with his sole engine-related retirement coming as a result of a metal connecting rod failure.[9] Holtzberg's campaign did not continue due to the lack of funding to help further develop his engine.[11]

Racing history

Jim Busby chose not to run a full season in the 1984 IMSA GT Championship, opting to only compete at the bigger races, the 24 Hours of Daytona, the Grand Prix of Miami, the 6 Hours of Riverside, the Mid-Ohio 500, and the 6 Hours of Watkins Glen.[12] The T616 made its racing debut at the opening round of the 1984 IMSA GT Championship at Daytona under the BFGoodrich Racing banner, where the No. 68 driven by Pete Halsmer, Dieter Quester, Ron Grable and Rick Knoop placed 11th in the GTP class (17th overall), and the sister No. 67 of Jim Busby, Rick Knoop and Boy Hayje didn't make it to the flag, having stopped on lap 391 with a blown engine, and was classified 31st overall.[7][13] A double points finish was the team's result at the 1984 3 Hours of Miami, with the No. 67 and No.68 finishing sixth and fifth, respectively.[12] The two cars were then flown over to Europe to compete in the season-opener of the 1984 World Sportscar Championship, the 1984 1000 km of Monza, where they posted their best finish of the season with the No. 67 and No. 68 taking first and fifth in the C2 class, respectively.[13] Car No. 67 returned to the United States briefly for the 1984 6 Hours of Riverside, where it placed 39th.[13]

It reunited with its sister car for the 1984 24 Hours of Le Mans, where Mazda's factory racing division, Mazdaspeed, had also entered a pair of Mazda 727Cs. The factory 727Cs were significantly faster than Busby's T616s, posting lap times almost ten seconds quicker in practice. The T616 made up for their lack of pace with reliability; the factory 727Cs were overcome with gearbox troubles that cost them significant amounts of time. All four cars finished, with Busby's No. 68 car driven by John Morton, John O'Steen and Yoshimi Katayama in first position in the C2 class, and himself in third in class alongside co-drivers Rick Knoop and Boy Hayje in the No. 67. The factory 727Cs, despite their pace, finished fourth and sixth in class.[2]

By the end of 1984, Lola withdrew factory support for all T600 variants, including the T616, due to their lack of competitiveness with the quickly changing GTP class in IMSA, and instead focus their efforts on the Chevrolet Corvette GTP.[11] Holtzberg moved to the inaugural GTP Lights class for 1985, posting several points-scoring class finishes, including a third place at the 1985 2 Hours of Lime Rock.[14]

Racing record

Complete IMSA GT Championship results

(key) Races in bold indicates pole position. Races in italics indicates fastest lap.

Complete IMSA GT Championship results
Year Entrant Class Drivers No. Rds. Rounds
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17
1984 United States BF Goodrich GTP United States Jim Busby
United States Rick Knoop
Netherlands Boy Hayje
United States Ron Grable
United States Pete Halsmer
67 1–2, 5, 9–10
1–2, 5, 9
1
5
9
DAY
Ret
MIA
6
RIV
Ret
MOH
8
WGL
5
United States Pete Halsmer
Austria Dieter Quester
United States Ron Grable
United States Rick Knoop
Netherlands Boy Hayje
68 1–2
1
1
1
2
DAY
11
MIA
5

Complete World Sportscar Championship results

(key) Races in bold indicates pole position. Races in italics indicates fastest lap.

Complete World Sportscar Championship results
Year Entrant Class Drivers No. Rds. Rounds Pts. Pos.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
1984 United StatesBF Goodrich C2 United States Jim Busby
United States Rick Knoop
Netherlands Boy Hayje
United States Pete Halsmer
67 1, 3–4, 9
1, 3
3
4, 9
MON
1
LM
3
NÜR
2
FUJ
4
67 2nd
Austria Dieter Quester
Netherlands Boy Hayje
United States John Morton
United States John O'Steen
Japan Yoshimi Katayama
United States Rick Knoop
68 1, 4, 9
1
3
3
3
4, 9
MON
NC
LM
1
NÜR
DNF
FUJ
3

References

  1. ^ a b c d "The Lola T616". Lola Cars. 2018. Retrieved 27 September 2022.
  2. ^ a b Rong, Blake Z. (17 July 2014). "Mazda-powered Le Mans Lola heads to Pebble Beach". autoweek. Retrieved 26 September 2022.
  3. ^ a b "1984 Lola T-616 Race Cars - LeMans 1st & 3rd pair!". Dobson Motorsport. Retrieved 27 September 2022.
  4. ^ Watkins, Gary (1 December 2008). "Golden Lola". autoweek. Vol. 58, no. 48. Detroit. pp. 46–47. ProQuest 218915661. Retrieved 28 September 2022 – via ProQuest.
  5. ^ Hundscheid, Marcel (23 June 2020). "Group C: The Rise and Fall of the Golden Age of Endurance Racing: Lola". motorsportretro.com. Retrieved 27 September 2022.
  6. ^ a b Martin & Fuller 2008, p. 21.
  7. ^ a b c d Needell, Tiff (3 January 1985). "Race proven for streetcred". Autosport. p. 29.
  8. ^ a b c d Cuff, Daniel F (29 November 1984). "Technology; Plastic Engine In Racing Car". The New York Times. Retrieved 29 September 2022.
  9. ^ a b c d Sherman, Don (17 November 2009). "The Case For Plastic Car Engines - Matty Holtzberg, Composite Castings". Motor Trend. Retrieved 29 September 2022.
  10. ^ "Polymers Keep Engine Innovation Running Smoothly". Assembly. Vol. 60, no. 9. August 2017. pp. 24, 26. ProQuest 2102339260. Retrieved 29 September 2022 – via ProQuest.
  11. ^ a b Martin & Fuller 2008, p. 22.
  12. ^ a b "BFGoodrich Lola T616 – Mazda". BFGoodrich. 15 January 1984. Retrieved 6 November 2022.
  13. ^ a b c "1984 Lola T616 1984 Lola T616". Hemmings Motor News. 7 April 2016. Retrieved 5 November 2022 – via RSS.
  14. ^ "Polimotor 2". Parkway. 5 April 2018. Retrieved 11 November 2022.

Bibliography