Images
copyright Pat Michl
and Michael J.
Fuller
Text
copyright Michael
J. Fuller
Again,
the front fender shape of the B05/40 was directly inherited from the B01/60
(which in turn owes its lineage to the B2K/40). |
As
seen on previous Lola models (see links above), the outboard fender profile
has been fitted with an insert that softens the hard edge normally seen
on the high downforce tracks. Shown here at Le Mans, the insert fills
in some of the volume of the diveplane area but more importantly reduces
the hard edge break. That this is a feature at a high speed track
such as Le Mans must indicate an importance in reducing drag and shifting
balance. |
This
is the "low downforce" infill with a diveplane attached to the outside
of the infill effectively making it a medium downforce addition. |
In
2007 Lola introduced an update to the LMP2 chassis (shown here on the
Horag
B05/40 Judd) which consisted of a lengthening of the nose, modification
to the diffuser shape, and an infill for the front fender cusp.
The images here show the Horag car at Sebring in 2007. They
had both packages available and were back-to-backing them to see what
they would race. This is the front fender cusp with the infill panel. |
Without infill here. |
2007 length. Note the nose is ever so slightly longer. Compare lengths by noting the split line. |
2005 |
2007, the outher diffuser shape is very different. |
2005 |
2007, assuming the strake is in the same position, at very least the split line on the '07 diffuser is different. |
2005 |
A
shot of the underside of the debut version of the B05/40 front diffuser. |