Le Mans: Encouraging debut for 2KQ-LM at Le Mans
19 June 2000
Posted By Terry
Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel
Le Mans circuit, France--The Reynard 2KQ-LM sports
racing car made history for this leading British race car manufacturer
in its debut at this famous event - the first sports car to bear the
Reynard name at this prestigious endurance event.. Five examples of the
car with three teams, ROC, ORECA and Johansson Matthews Racing, were
represented. All the teams put tremendous efforts in the pursuit of
success, with ORECA completing 24 hours racing with Car No. 6 Reynard
Mopar 2KQ-LM. Sadly, engine problems caused the retirement of four of
the cars, however, Reynard and the teams could take consolation in the
competitiveness of these cars, as they were all running extremely
competitive until their problems eliminated them.
"We are all very disappointed with the results," concludes Kieron Salter, Project Manager, Reynard Motorsport. "We've worked very hard to get the 2KQ-LM to this stage in its development and the teams have worked exceptionally hard, all three of them - ROC, ORECA and Johansson Matthews Racing - with totally concentrated efforts to get the cars ready for this event. They all deserved to get good results, but a mixture of bad luck and the pressures of endurance racing, beat the teams this weekend. Four of the retirements were caused by engine problems which was a shame, as all the engine guys had also worked so hard to be ready for the event, but as we all know, there are a number of key elements in long distance racing and if they do not all stand the test of time, success isn't forthcoming. It's a little disheartening for everyone involved, but on the positive side, we showed our potential for the future."
All the teams running the Reynard 2KQ-LM elected to incorporate scheduled gearbox changes into their pit stop plans, following the introduction of the new gearbox after Sebring, which is untested in the endurance situation. With the luxury of being able to change gearboxes very quickly with the 'cartridge casing' design, teams took the opportunity to ensure that they would remain raceworthy for the required distance.
Salter is confident of the future prospects for the 2KQ-LM, saying, "For the future, we're looking very healthy. We have to remember that this Le Mans car was really only finalised after Sebring and has only competed in the Silverstone ALMS event before coming here. However, the teams have worked with us in their test programmes, we've been able to gain substantial feedback from this event and we'll be putting it to good use over the forthcoming months. We have to remember the car is still young. It's not the one that we introduced in October, but it is still in its early stages of development and already showing excellent potential, and against cars with proven pedigrees."
Reynard will keep pursuing an aggressive development programme for the 2KQ-LM, chasing success for the new sports racing car as the teams continue with their race schedules in the USA and Europe.
Riley and Scott, a Reynard Motorsport-owned subsidiary, was also represented at the event with four examples of the Cadillac LMP sports racer, developed and produced by the company, taking part in this ultimate challenge of endurance racing. The cars performed well over the course of the event, with three cars completing the 24 hours of the event.
Text provided by Alison Hill
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