Mulsanne's Corner:  Recently Laurence Pearce was quoted discussing the Lister in regards to potential rules changes in '04 and was quoted  as saying that if closed top cars appeared to get the nod, then the Lister LMP design might change to accommodate this.

Thorby:  I have been involved in the sportscar technical working group meetings intended to devise a set of regs. for both FIA and ACO.  One of the issues concerning the FIA Safety Commission is that currently it is impossible to remove the helmet of a driver in a closed car without moving him.  I suggested that doors should be asymmetric, so that the plan-view opening of the door on the driver's side matches the mandatory cockpit opening of the open cars: it would then be possible to incorporate the same head protection structures in closed cars as are required in open cars. The Safety Commission appear to have accepted that, although I haven't had confirmation.  My view expressed to Laurence is that, if these ideas are implemented, it will be possible to convert from open to closed relatively simply, and I would relish that.

Mulsanne's Corner: What can you add about the current state of the Lister LMP development?

Thorby: Chassis and gearbox are in manufacture. The first engine will be on the dyno shortly and there are some exciting developments planned regarding both performance and packaging.  The aero program is proceeding, with new test pieces being made for testing in the next few weeks

2001 Audi R8 times, qaulifying/race:

Car #1 Car #2 Car #3 Car #4

3:32.458 3:32.429 3:34.392 3:35.128

3:39.096 3:39.046 3:42.883 3:40.362

Average time difference, qualifying to race: 6.745 seconds

2002 Audi R8 times, qaulifying/race:

Car #1 Car #2 Car #3 Car #5

3:30.220 3:29.905 3:30.800 3:38.130

3:33.483 3:33.886 3:34.603 3:38.215

Average time difference, qualifying to race: 2.783 seconds