Reynard 02S
Encyclopedia
The Reynard 02S was a Le Mans Prototype
race car built by Reynard Motorsport
in 2002. Intended to replace the failed Reynard 2KQ prototype, the 02S would end up becoming the final new design from Reynard as the company went bankrupt prior to the project's completion.
International Racing Management bought the rights to the 02S project and would complete the car under the name DBA4 03S. In 2004, Zytek
would be tasked with building more chassis, which would be sold under the name Zytek 04S before being upgraded to the Zytek 06S. A further alternative was created by Creation Autosportif
in 2006, named the Creation CA06/H. Some of the chassis continue to be used, although they have been extensively modified from the original Reynard designs.
(ACO), organizers of the 24 Hours of Le Mans
, had reorganized the Le Mans Prototype
classifications with the creation of the LMP900 and LMP675 classes.
Due to similarities in the design characteristics of LMP900 and LMP675 chassis, Reynard set about designing a chassis that could run in either class, dependent upon ballast and the type of engine installed. However the car was originally built around the use of a Zytek
ZG348 V8, built to the LMP675 maximum size of 3400 cc. A new sequential gearbox built by Ricardo would integrate a paddle-shift system on the steering wheel that was designed specifically for the 02S. The bodywork of the 02S, designed by Will Phillips, would be very low in design with a tall rear wing set to the maximum allowable height.
, the car would be renamed a DBA4 03S (later shortened to simply DBA 03S). Carsten Rae, co-owner of RN Motorsport, chose the DBA name in honor of the newspaper he owned, Den Blå Avis. Very little was changed by IRM between the initial Reynard development work and the finished product that appeared in late 2002.
The general layout of the 04S would remain the same throughout 2004 and 2005 before modifications were required. New Le Mans Prototype regulations required older LMP900 and LMP675-based cars to be modified with new bodywork due to the monocoque not fully complying with the new regulations. Zytek adapted their 04S as well as adding a larger 4000 cc 2ZG408 V8 engine for more power, earning the car the name 06S. Zytek would also modify an existing 04S with a similar 4000 cc ZB408 V8 for Hitotsuyama Racing in Japan, naming it the Zytek 05S.
After 2006 the hybrid Zytek was no longer legal, requiring Zytek to build a new chassis, termed the Zytek 07S. Although many stylistic elements of the 04S were retained, these cars share nothing mechanically with the original Reynard 02S and are considered entirely new cars.
. Like Zytek, they initially maintained the basic layout of the initial design, but in 2005 Creation would modify their chassis in order to better adapt to the new LMP1 regulations. Replacing the Zytek V8, Creation heavily revised the engine bay of the DBA 03S to hold a larger 5000cc Judd
GV5 V10.
Also like Zytek, Creation would be forced to heavily modify their car in 2006 in order to meet the hybrid regulations. With the aid of KW Motorsport, Creation would create their own unique car which differed greatly from Zytek's own 06S. Since Creation had carried out the modifications, they chose to rename the car once again, making it the Creation CA06/H.
With the CA06/H no longer legal in 2007, Creation also created an entirely new chassis that retained elements of the CA06/H's bodywork. This entirely new car would be termed the Creation CA07.
as their first competitive outing, in an attempt to prove the capabilities of the chassis. The car managed to qualify tenth overall and third in the LMP675 in the 48 car field, behind a pair of MG-Lola EX257
s. RN Motorsport drivers John Nielsen
and Casper Elgaard managed to last six hours before cooling problems put the car out of the race. To begin 2003, the team remained in America for the 12 Hours of Sebring
, qualifying fifth overall and on the LMP675 pole, but breaking a gearbox after only 73 laps in the race.
Returning to Europe, RN Motorsport would concentrate on the FIA Sportscar Championship
, where the renamed DBA4 03S would compete in the premiere SR1 class. With John Nielsen being joined by Hayanari Shimoda
and Andy Wallace, the car managed a victory at Oschersleben
and second at Estoril
. However budgetary concerns forced the team to miss several rounds, leaving them to finish the season third in the championship.
RN Motorsport also brought the DBA4 03S to the 24 Hours of Le Mans
, where they took the LMP675 class pole. RN Motorsports would be amongst only three LMP675s that would finish the race, with the team taking second in class, although they were 31 laps behind the winning LMP675 class car and ranked a distant 23rd overall.
as the team moved to the new Le Mans Series
in 2004. The team employed Jamie Campbell-Walter
and Nicolas Minassian
, who managed to score third place finishes that initial season, earning the team fourth in the LMP1 championship behind a trio of Audi R8s. The team also chose to fly to the United States for the final rounds of the American Le Mans Series
, qualifying in second at Petit Le Mans
before an engine failure put them out of the race. The team then improved by taking pole at Laguna Seca
before once again succumbing to mechanical failures.
For 2005, Creation continued in the Le Mans Series with their modified chassis housing a new Judd
V10. Minassian and Campbell-Walter would take a best finish of second at Silverstone
en route to a fifth place finish in the teams championship. The team also made their debut at the 24 Hours of Le Mans
, taking a 14th place finish.
For 2006, Creation concentrated on adapting their DBA 03S to meet new regulations, causing struggle in the early LMS rounds. However by the third round, the team would once again take a second place finish. The fourth round of the season at Donington
would see the debut of a second CA06/H chassis, with Creation having one of their strongest performances ever. Both cars would finish on the podium. A fourth at the final round for one CA06/H would allow Creation Autosportif to take second in the LMS championship.
For the team's second attempt at Le Mans, they would be unable to repeat their success of the previous year due to problems late in the race. Creation would also once again visit the final American Le Mans Series rounds. After taking pole position at Petit Le Mans
the car would finish fourth, followed by a third place finish at Laguna Seca
.
For 2007, Creation would move onto their all new chassis for the Le Mans Series, the Creation CA07, while their Reynard 02-based CA06/Hs would be sold.
Zytek's program would be greatly expanded for 2005, as the team chose to run the entire Le Mans Series season. This would pay off for the team as Hayanari Shimoda
, Casper Elgaard
, and John Nielsen
would win the opening round at Spa
. Shimoda and newcomer Tom Chilton
would repeat this success with another win at the Nürburgring
. However even with two wins, Zytek would end up finishing second in the LMP1 championship, a mere two points behind Pescarolo Sport
.
Zytek also chose to expand to the American Le Mans Series
, running at 2005 American Le Mans at Mid-Ohio
early in the year and winning pole position before finishing fourth. The team would return at the end of the season, taking pole at Petit Le Mans
before being involved on an accident on the first lap. Zytek would have retribution at Laguna Seca
by taking pole position and going on to win the race.
With the team's new 06S chassis, the team once again ran the full LMS season, although they would not be able to repeat their previous success. Due to delays in finishing the 06S chassis, the team would miss the opening round, but would follow with a third and seventh place finishes. Problems at the fourth round would force the team to choose to skip the final round of the season, leaving them fifth in the championship.
The team returned to Le Mans that season, and although they were able to finish, they were too many laps behind the winner to be counted in the results. Zytek would also return to the American Le Mans Series final rounds, which saw the team take second at Petit Le Mans
followed by a seventh at Laguna Seca
.
For 2007, team would construct their all new Zytek 07S for continued participation in the Le Mans Series.
looking for a new chassis for use in the Le Mans Series in 2004. Having raced against RN Motorsport's DBA4 03S, Hignett chose to purchase the new customer Zytek 04S. Also choosing to run the Le Mans Series, Jota would have mixed results. A best of a mere fifth was all the team was able to achieve over the full season, although this did earn them a tie for sixth in the championship.
The team would return in 2005 with more success. The team would take second place at Monza
before finishing out the season with points finishes in all remaining races, once again earning them sixth in the championship. The team would also make their debut at the 24 Hours of Le Mans
with an alliance with Zytek Engineering. The car ran in 12th place towards the finish, but mechanical problems prevented the car from crossing the finishing line and thus leaving the car unclassified.
Following the 2005 season, Team Jota would drop out of the Le Mans Series and sell their 04S to Creation Autosportif
for conversion to a second CA06/H.
. The chassis would be upgraded with a 4000 cc Zytek ZB408 V8, leading to the car being renamed a Zytek 05S.
Hitotsuyama would struggle in the JLMC during the 2006 season, failing to finish the first two rounds. However at the third and final round, Hitotsuyama would manage to finish in fourth place overall, although 23 laps behind the winning Courage
-Mugen
.
Hitotsuyama Racing continues to run their 05S in the JLMC in 2007.
. Due to ALMS regulations which allowed older hybrid chassis to continue to compete, Intersport purchased one of the two CA06/Hs. However the team would struggle with their selection of Kumho tires, mostly because Kumho had not previously created LMP1-spec tires before.
Intersport would eventually abandon the Kumho tires for Dunlop
, but with no better performance the team would abandon their use of the CA06/H chassis.
before deciding to switch to the Creation mid-season. Autocon switched to a Lola B06/10
as it returned to the series after a short hiatus in 2009.
Each chassis, the name it raced under, and the teams that ran it are listed below:
Chassis #01
Reynard 02S
DBA4 03S/DBA 03S
Creation CA06/H
Chassis #02
Zytek 04S
Creation CA06/H
Chassis #03
Zytek 04S
Zytek 05S
Chassis #04
Zytek 06S
Le Mans Prototype
A Le Mans Prototype is a type of sports prototype race car most notably used in the 24 Hours of Le Mans, American Le Mans Series and Le Mans Series...
race car built by Reynard Motorsport
Reynard Motorsport
Reynard Motorsport was at one time the world's largest racing car manufacturer. Initially based at Bicester and latterly at Reynard Park, Brackley, England the company built successful cars in Formula Ford 1600, Formula Ford 2000, Formula Vauxhall Lotus, Formula Three, Formula 3000 and Indy...
in 2002. Intended to replace the failed Reynard 2KQ prototype, the 02S would end up becoming the final new design from Reynard as the company went bankrupt prior to the project's completion.
International Racing Management bought the rights to the 02S project and would complete the car under the name DBA4 03S. In 2004, Zytek
Zytek
Zytek Group Ltd is an automotive and motorsport company founded in 1981 and based in Fradley and Repton, United Kingdom. Zytek Group has two main division: Zytek Automotive, which is based at Fradley, Staffordshire; and Zytek Engineering, which is based at Repton, Derbyshire.-Zytek Automotive:Zytek...
would be tasked with building more chassis, which would be sold under the name Zytek 04S before being upgraded to the Zytek 06S. A further alternative was created by Creation Autosportif
Creation Autosportif
Creation Autosportif, Ltd. is a sports car racing team based in Oxford, England. It was founded in 2003 by Ian Bickerton and Mike Jankowski and has raced in the FIA GT Championship, FFSA GT Championship, American Le Mans Series, Le Mans Endurance Series, as well as the 24 Hours of Le Mans...
in 2006, named the Creation CA06/H. Some of the chassis continue to be used, although they have been extensively modified from the original Reynard designs.
Development
In 2000 Reynard had introduced the 2KQ prototype to customers with mixed success. The car was plagued with aerodynamic problems that led to many customers quickly moving on to better chassis. Even after an attempt to modify the 2KQ with an upgrade package in 2001 called the 01Q, Reynard decided that an all new car was necessary. At the same time, the Automobile Club de l'OuestAutomobile Club de l'Ouest
The Automobile Club de l'Ouest , sometimes abbreviated to ACO, is the largest automotive group in France. It was founded in 1906 by car building and racing enthusiasts, and is most famous for being the organising entity behind the annual Le Mans 24 Hours race...
(ACO), organizers of the 24 Hours of Le Mans
24 Hours of Le Mans
The 24 Hours of Le Mans is the world's oldest sports car race in endurance racing, held annually since near the town of Le Mans, France. Commonly known as the Grand Prix of Endurance and Efficiency, race teams have to balance speed against the cars' ability to run for 24 hours without sustaining...
, had reorganized the Le Mans Prototype
Le Mans Prototype
A Le Mans Prototype is a type of sports prototype race car most notably used in the 24 Hours of Le Mans, American Le Mans Series and Le Mans Series...
classifications with the creation of the LMP900 and LMP675 classes.
Due to similarities in the design characteristics of LMP900 and LMP675 chassis, Reynard set about designing a chassis that could run in either class, dependent upon ballast and the type of engine installed. However the car was originally built around the use of a Zytek
Zytek
Zytek Group Ltd is an automotive and motorsport company founded in 1981 and based in Fradley and Repton, United Kingdom. Zytek Group has two main division: Zytek Automotive, which is based at Fradley, Staffordshire; and Zytek Engineering, which is based at Repton, Derbyshire.-Zytek Automotive:Zytek...
ZG348 V8, built to the LMP675 maximum size of 3400 cc. A new sequential gearbox built by Ricardo would integrate a paddle-shift system on the steering wheel that was designed specifically for the 02S. The bodywork of the 02S, designed by Will Phillips, would be very low in design with a tall rear wing set to the maximum allowable height.
IRM and RN Motorsport
When Reynard went bankrupt, International Racing Management (IRM) bought the rights to the 02S designs as well as the unfinished chassis. The project was initially offered to the Japanese team YGK with the belief that the car would be renamed as YGK 02S, but they passed on further developing the car. RN Motorsport would eventually become part of the project, and following its debut under the Reynard guise at the 2002 Petit Le MansPetit Le Mans
The Petit Le Mans is a sports car endurance race held annually at Road Atlanta in Braselton, Georgia, USA. It uses the rules established for the 24 hours of Le Mans by the Automobile Club de l'Ouest , which are slightly modified if necessary, mainly to allow additional cars to compete.The race was...
, the car would be renamed a DBA4 03S (later shortened to simply DBA 03S). Carsten Rae, co-owner of RN Motorsport, chose the DBA name in honor of the newspaper he owned, Den Blå Avis. Very little was changed by IRM between the initial Reynard development work and the finished product that appeared in late 2002.
Zytek Engineering
Following the 2003 season, the success of the lone RN Motorsport DBA4 03S had brought customers to IRM, hoping for more chassis. In order to help engineer new cars, IRM formed a partnership with Zytek Engineering, in which Zytek would built the cars while IRM retained the intellectual rights. Since the new chassis were built entirely by Zytek, the new cars became known as the Zytek 04S. The chassis would be slightly modified as the elimination of the LMP900 and LMP675 classes in 2004 meant that the cars would move to the new LMP1 class, requiring some adaptation.The general layout of the 04S would remain the same throughout 2004 and 2005 before modifications were required. New Le Mans Prototype regulations required older LMP900 and LMP675-based cars to be modified with new bodywork due to the monocoque not fully complying with the new regulations. Zytek adapted their 04S as well as adding a larger 4000 cc 2ZG408 V8 engine for more power, earning the car the name 06S. Zytek would also modify an existing 04S with a similar 4000 cc ZB408 V8 for Hitotsuyama Racing in Japan, naming it the Zytek 05S.
After 2006 the hybrid Zytek was no longer legal, requiring Zytek to build a new chassis, termed the Zytek 07S. Although many stylistic elements of the 04S were retained, these cars share nothing mechanically with the original Reynard 02S and are considered entirely new cars.
Creation Autosportif
Following the 2003 season, RN Motorsport was dissolved and their lone DBA4 03S was bought by Creation AutosportifCreation Autosportif
Creation Autosportif, Ltd. is a sports car racing team based in Oxford, England. It was founded in 2003 by Ian Bickerton and Mike Jankowski and has raced in the FIA GT Championship, FFSA GT Championship, American Le Mans Series, Le Mans Endurance Series, as well as the 24 Hours of Le Mans...
. Like Zytek, they initially maintained the basic layout of the initial design, but in 2005 Creation would modify their chassis in order to better adapt to the new LMP1 regulations. Replacing the Zytek V8, Creation heavily revised the engine bay of the DBA 03S to hold a larger 5000cc Judd
Judd (engine)
Judd is a name brand of engines produced by Engine Developments Ltd., a company founded in 1971 by John Judd and Jack Brabham in Rugby, Warwickshire, England...
GV5 V10.
Also like Zytek, Creation would be forced to heavily modify their car in 2006 in order to meet the hybrid regulations. With the aid of KW Motorsport, Creation would create their own unique car which differed greatly from Zytek's own 06S. Since Creation had carried out the modifications, they chose to rename the car once again, making it the Creation CA06/H.
With the CA06/H no longer legal in 2007, Creation also created an entirely new chassis that retained elements of the CA06/H's bodywork. This entirely new car would be termed the Creation CA07.
RN Motorsport
Following the completion of the initial Reynard 02S chassis, RN Motorsport chose the 2002 Petit Le Mans2002 Petit Le Mans
The 2002 Audi presents Petit Le Mans was the tenth and final round of the 2002 American Le Mans Series season. It took place at Road Atlanta, Georgia, on October 12, 2002.-Official results:Class winners in bold.-Statistics:...
as their first competitive outing, in an attempt to prove the capabilities of the chassis. The car managed to qualify tenth overall and third in the LMP675 in the 48 car field, behind a pair of MG-Lola EX257
MG-Lola EX257
The MG-Lola EX257 was a Le Mans Prototype built by Lola Cars International for the MG car company for their attempt to compete again at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in...
s. RN Motorsport drivers John Nielsen
John Nielsen
John Nielsen won the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1990. Previously, he won the Macau Grand Prix in 1984. He was also a 3-time champion of the European Formula Super Vee Championship from 1979 to 1981....
and Casper Elgaard managed to last six hours before cooling problems put the car out of the race. To begin 2003, the team remained in America for the 12 Hours of Sebring
2003 12 Hours of Sebring
The 2003 12 Hours of Sebring was the 51st running of this event, and took place on March 15, 2003. This was also the opening race of the 2003 American Le Mans Series season.-Official results:Class winners in bold...
, qualifying fifth overall and on the LMP675 pole, but breaking a gearbox after only 73 laps in the race.
Returning to Europe, RN Motorsport would concentrate on the FIA Sportscar Championship
FIA Sportscar Championship
The FIA Sportscar Championship was a sports car racing series created by John Mangoletsi and was eventually taken control of by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile . It was a series similar to the FIA GT Championship, concentrating on two classes of open-cockpit sports prototypes in...
, where the renamed DBA4 03S would compete in the premiere SR1 class. With John Nielsen being joined by Hayanari Shimoda
Hayanari Shimoda
Hayanari Shimoda is a Japanese race car driver, born in Tokyo.His career started in 1997 in karting, Shimoda moving up to Italian Formula Renault in 2001...
and Andy Wallace, the car managed a victory at Oschersleben
2003 FIA Sportscar Championship Oschersleben
The 2003 FIA Sportscar Championship Oschersleben was the fourth race for the 2003 FIA Sportscar Championship season held at Motopark Oschersleben and ran for two hours and thirty minutes. It took place on July 20, 2003.-Official results:...
and second at Estoril
2003 FIA Sportscar Championship Estoril
The 2003 FIA Sportscar Championship Estoril was the first race for the 2003 FIA Sportscar Championship season held at Autódromo do Estoril and ran a distance of two hours, thirty minutes. It took place on April 13, 2003.-Official results:...
. However budgetary concerns forced the team to miss several rounds, leaving them to finish the season third in the championship.
RN Motorsport also brought the DBA4 03S to the 24 Hours of Le Mans
24 Hours of Le Mans
The 24 Hours of Le Mans is the world's oldest sports car race in endurance racing, held annually since near the town of Le Mans, France. Commonly known as the Grand Prix of Endurance and Efficiency, race teams have to balance speed against the cars' ability to run for 24 hours without sustaining...
, where they took the LMP675 class pole. RN Motorsports would be amongst only three LMP675s that would finish the race, with the team taking second in class, although they were 31 laps behind the winning LMP675 class car and ranked a distant 23rd overall.
Creation Autosportif
Following the end of RN Motorsport, the lone DBA4 03S chassis would be purchased by Creation AutosportifCreation Autosportif
Creation Autosportif, Ltd. is a sports car racing team based in Oxford, England. It was founded in 2003 by Ian Bickerton and Mike Jankowski and has raced in the FIA GT Championship, FFSA GT Championship, American Le Mans Series, Le Mans Endurance Series, as well as the 24 Hours of Le Mans...
as the team moved to the new Le Mans Series
Le Mans Series
The Le Mans Series is a European sports car racing endurance series based around the 24 Hours of Le Mans race and run by the Automobile Club de l'Ouest . The series was originally named the Le Mans Endurance Series, but changed its name prior to the 2006 season...
in 2004. The team employed Jamie Campbell-Walter
Jamie Campbell-Walter
Jamie Campbell-Walter is a British professional racing driver. He was born in Oban, Scotland in 16 December 1972. He won the FIA GT Championship in 2000.-Family:...
and Nicolas Minassian
Nicolas Minassian
Nicolas Minassian is a French race driver of Armenian descent.After spending finishing 2nd place in the 1993 Formula Renault Eurocup, he graduated to the French Formula Three Championship where he finished runner-up to countryman Laurent Redon at his second attempt in 1995...
, who managed to score third place finishes that initial season, earning the team fourth in the LMP1 championship behind a trio of Audi R8s. The team also chose to fly to the United States for the final rounds of the American Le Mans Series
American Le Mans Series
The American Le Mans Series presented by Tequila Patrón is a sports car racing series based in the United States and Canada. It consists of a series of endurance and sprint races, and was created in the spirit of the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Teams compete in one of five classes: LMP1, LMP2 and LMPC...
, qualifying in second at Petit Le Mans
2004 Petit Le Mans
The 2004 Petit Le Mans was the eighth race for the 2004 American Le Mans Series season and held at Road Atlanta. It took place on September 25, 2004.-Official results:Class winners in bold...
before an engine failure put them out of the race. The team then improved by taking pole at Laguna Seca
2004 Monterey Sports Car Championships
The 2004 Monterey Sports Car Championships was the final race for the 2004 American Le Mans Series season and held at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. It took place on October 16, 2004.-Official results:Class winners in bold...
before once again succumbing to mechanical failures.
For 2005, Creation continued in the Le Mans Series with their modified chassis housing a new Judd
Judd (engine)
Judd is a name brand of engines produced by Engine Developments Ltd., a company founded in 1971 by John Judd and Jack Brabham in Rugby, Warwickshire, England...
V10. Minassian and Campbell-Walter would take a best finish of second at Silverstone
2005 1000km of Silverstone
The 2005 1000 km of Silverstone was the third round of the 2005 Le Mans Series season and held at Silverstone Circuit, United Kingdom. It was run on August 13, 2005.-Official results:Class winners in bold...
en route to a fifth place finish in the teams championship. The team also made their debut at the 24 Hours of Le Mans
2005 24 Hours of Le Mans
The 2005 24 Hours of Le Mans was the 73rd Grand Prix of Endurance, and took place on June 18 and 19 2005.This race marked the record 7th victory for Tom Kristensen, including his 6th straight.-Race:...
, taking a 14th place finish.
For 2006, Creation concentrated on adapting their DBA 03S to meet new regulations, causing struggle in the early LMS rounds. However by the third round, the team would once again take a second place finish. The fourth round of the season at Donington
2006 1000km of Donington
The 2006 1000 km of Donington was the fourth race of the 2006 Le Mans Series season run by the ACO. It was run on August 27, 2006-Official results:Class winners in bold...
would see the debut of a second CA06/H chassis, with Creation having one of their strongest performances ever. Both cars would finish on the podium. A fourth at the final round for one CA06/H would allow Creation Autosportif to take second in the LMS championship.
For the team's second attempt at Le Mans, they would be unable to repeat their success of the previous year due to problems late in the race. Creation would also once again visit the final American Le Mans Series rounds. After taking pole position at Petit Le Mans
2006 Petit Le Mans
The 2006 Petit Le Mans was the ninth race for the 2006 American Le Mans Series season. It took place on September 30, 2006.-Official results:Class winners in bold...
the car would finish fourth, followed by a third place finish at Laguna Seca
2006 Monterey Sports Car Championships
The 2006 Monterey Sports Car Championships at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca was the tenth and final race for the 2006 American Le Mans Series season. It took place on October 21, 2006.-Official results:Class winners in bold...
.
For 2007, Creation would move onto their all new chassis for the Le Mans Series, the Creation CA07, while their Reynard 02-based CA06/Hs would be sold.
Zytek Engineering
With the completion of the first Zytek-built chassis sold to Team Jota, the factory team would also attempt the new Le Mans Series with their second chassis, although they would not run a full season. In the only two races that Zytek entered, they finished sixth and fourth, earning the team eighth in the championship. Zytek would also attempt Le Mans, but would be unable to finish the race.Zytek's program would be greatly expanded for 2005, as the team chose to run the entire Le Mans Series season. This would pay off for the team as Hayanari Shimoda
Hayanari Shimoda
Hayanari Shimoda is a Japanese race car driver, born in Tokyo.His career started in 1997 in karting, Shimoda moving up to Italian Formula Renault in 2001...
, Casper Elgaard
Casper Elgaard
Casper Elgaard is a Danish auto racing driver. He has competed several times in the 24 Hours of Le Mans since 2001, as well as regular drives in the Le Mans Series. In 2008 he finished second in the LMP2 class of Le Mans for Team Essex in a Porsche RS Spyder. He also won his class at the 2008...
, and John Nielsen
John Nielsen
John Nielsen won the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1990. Previously, he won the Macau Grand Prix in 1984. He was also a 3-time champion of the European Formula Super Vee Championship from 1979 to 1981....
would win the opening round at Spa
2005 1000km of Spa
The 2005 1000 km of Spa was the opening race of the 2005 Le Mans Series season and held at Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps, Belgium. It was run on April 17, 2005-Official results:Class winners in bold...
. Shimoda and newcomer Tom Chilton
Tom Chilton
Thomas James Chilton is a British auto racing driver. He has spent most of his career competing in the BTCC; he is a former factory Vauxhall and Honda driver. For 2011 he is driving an NGTC-spec Ford Focus for Team Aon...
would repeat this success with another win at the Nürburgring
2005 1000km of Nürburgring
The 2005 1000 km of Nürburgring was the fourth round of the 2005 Le Mans Series season, held at the Nürburgring, Germany. It was run on September 4, 2005.-Official results:Class winners in bold...
. However even with two wins, Zytek would end up finishing second in the LMP1 championship, a mere two points behind Pescarolo Sport
Pescarolo Sport
Pescarolo Sport is a motorsport team based in Le Mans, France and founded in 2000 by French racing driver Henri Pescarolo. They race in the Le Mans Series and the 24 Hours of Le Mans. In October 2007, Henri Pescarolo purchased Jacques Nicolet's Saulnier Racing and created Pescarolo Automobiles,...
.
Zytek also chose to expand to the American Le Mans Series
American Le Mans Series
The American Le Mans Series presented by Tequila Patrón is a sports car racing series based in the United States and Canada. It consists of a series of endurance and sprint races, and was created in the spirit of the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Teams compete in one of five classes: LMP1, LMP2 and LMPC...
, running at 2005 American Le Mans at Mid-Ohio
2005 American Le Mans at Mid-Ohio
The 2005 American Le Mans at Mid-Ohio was the third race for the 2005 American Le Mans Series season held at Mid-Ohio sports car course. It took place on May 22, 2005.-Official results:Class winners in bold...
early in the year and winning pole position before finishing fourth. The team would return at the end of the season, taking pole at Petit Le Mans
2005 Petit Le Mans
The 2005 Petit Le Mans was the ninth race for the 2005 American Le Mans Series season held at Road Atlanta. It took place on October 1, 2005.-Official results:Class winners in bold...
before being involved on an accident on the first lap. Zytek would have retribution at Laguna Seca
2005 Monterey Sports Car Championships
The 2005 Monterey Sports Car Championships was the final race for the 2005 American Le Mans Series season held at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. It took place on October 16, 2005....
by taking pole position and going on to win the race.
With the team's new 06S chassis, the team once again ran the full LMS season, although they would not be able to repeat their previous success. Due to delays in finishing the 06S chassis, the team would miss the opening round, but would follow with a third and seventh place finishes. Problems at the fourth round would force the team to choose to skip the final round of the season, leaving them fifth in the championship.
The team returned to Le Mans that season, and although they were able to finish, they were too many laps behind the winner to be counted in the results. Zytek would also return to the American Le Mans Series final rounds, which saw the team take second at Petit Le Mans
2006 Petit Le Mans
The 2006 Petit Le Mans was the ninth race for the 2006 American Le Mans Series season. It took place on September 30, 2006.-Official results:Class winners in bold...
followed by a seventh at Laguna Seca
2006 Monterey Sports Car Championships
The 2006 Monterey Sports Car Championships at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca was the tenth and final race for the 2006 American Le Mans Series season. It took place on October 21, 2006.-Official results:Class winners in bold...
.
For 2007, team would construct their all new Zytek 07S for continued participation in the Le Mans Series.
Team Jota
Sam Hignett's Team Jota came out of the collapsed FIA Sportscar ChampionshipFIA Sportscar Championship
The FIA Sportscar Championship was a sports car racing series created by John Mangoletsi and was eventually taken control of by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile . It was a series similar to the FIA GT Championship, concentrating on two classes of open-cockpit sports prototypes in...
looking for a new chassis for use in the Le Mans Series in 2004. Having raced against RN Motorsport's DBA4 03S, Hignett chose to purchase the new customer Zytek 04S. Also choosing to run the Le Mans Series, Jota would have mixed results. A best of a mere fifth was all the team was able to achieve over the full season, although this did earn them a tie for sixth in the championship.
The team would return in 2005 with more success. The team would take second place at Monza
2005 1000km of Monza
The 2005 1000 km of Monza was the second round of the 2005 Le Mans Series season and held at Autodromo Nazionale Monza. It was run on July 10, 2005.-Official results:Class winners in bold...
before finishing out the season with points finishes in all remaining races, once again earning them sixth in the championship. The team would also make their debut at the 24 Hours of Le Mans
2005 24 Hours of Le Mans
The 2005 24 Hours of Le Mans was the 73rd Grand Prix of Endurance, and took place on June 18 and 19 2005.This race marked the record 7th victory for Tom Kristensen, including his 6th straight.-Race:...
with an alliance with Zytek Engineering. The car ran in 12th place towards the finish, but mechanical problems prevented the car from crossing the finishing line and thus leaving the car unclassified.
Following the 2005 season, Team Jota would drop out of the Le Mans Series and sell their 04S to Creation Autosportif
Creation Autosportif
Creation Autosportif, Ltd. is a sports car racing team based in Oxford, England. It was founded in 2003 by Ian Bickerton and Mike Jankowski and has raced in the FIA GT Championship, FFSA GT Championship, American Le Mans Series, Le Mans Endurance Series, as well as the 24 Hours of Le Mans...
for conversion to a second CA06/H.
Hitotsuyama Racing
When Zytek began construction of their new hybrid 06S following the 2005 season, their former 04S chassis was offered for sale. Japanese squad Hitotsuyama Racing took the opportunity to purchase the chassis for use in the newly launched Japan Le Mans ChallengeJapan Le Mans Challenge
The Japan Le Mans Challenge was an endurance sportscar series based in Japan built around the 24 Hours of Le Mans that began in 2006. It was run by the Sports Car Endurance Race Operation sanctioning body and ran under the rules laid out by the Automobile Club de l'Ouest...
. The chassis would be upgraded with a 4000 cc Zytek ZB408 V8, leading to the car being renamed a Zytek 05S.
Hitotsuyama would struggle in the JLMC during the 2006 season, failing to finish the first two rounds. However at the third and final round, Hitotsuyama would manage to finish in fourth place overall, although 23 laps behind the winning Courage
Courage Compétition
Courage Compétition was a racing team and chassis constructor company now owned by Oreca, based in Le Mans, France near the Circuit de la Sarthe. It was founded by Yves Courage, a French race driver who ran hillclimbs before founding the company...
-Mugen
Mugen Motorsports
Mugen Motorsports is a Japanese company formed in 1973 by Hirotoshi Honda, the son of Honda Motor Company founder Soichiro Honda, and Masao Kimura. Mugen, meaning "Without Limit", or "Unlimited", is an engine tuner and parts manufacturer closely associated with the Honda Motor Company...
.
Hitotsuyama Racing continues to run their 05S in the JLMC in 2007.
Intersport Racing
When Creation Autosportif built their new CA07 chassis, their two modified CA06/H chassis were offered up for sale. American team Intersport Racing was hoping to move from the LMP2 class to the LMP1 class in the American Le Mans SeriesAmerican Le Mans Series
The American Le Mans Series presented by Tequila Patrón is a sports car racing series based in the United States and Canada. It consists of a series of endurance and sprint races, and was created in the spirit of the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Teams compete in one of five classes: LMP1, LMP2 and LMPC...
. Due to ALMS regulations which allowed older hybrid chassis to continue to compete, Intersport purchased one of the two CA06/Hs. However the team would struggle with their selection of Kumho tires, mostly because Kumho had not previously created LMP1-spec tires before.
Intersport would eventually abandon the Kumho tires for Dunlop
Dunlop Tyres
Dunlop Tyres is a British company owned 75% by Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company and 25% by Sumitomo Rubber Industries, which bought the right to sell Dunlop-branded road tyres....
, but with no better performance the team would abandon their use of the CA06/H chassis.
Autocon Motorsports
Like Intersport, Autocon also took the opportunity to purchase a CA06/H for use in the American Le Mans Series. Unlike Intersport, Autocon actually started the season with their MG-Lola EX257MG-Lola EX257
The MG-Lola EX257 was a Le Mans Prototype built by Lola Cars International for the MG car company for their attempt to compete again at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in...
before deciding to switch to the Creation mid-season. Autocon switched to a Lola B06/10
Lola B06/10
The Lola B06/10 is a Le Mans Prototype developed by Lola Cars International for use in the LMP1 class of the American Le Mans Series, Le Mans Series, and 24 Hours of Le Mans. It was developed in 2006 as a replacement for the Lola B2K/10 as well as the MG-Lola EX257...
as it returned to the series after a short hiatus in 2009.
Chassis
In total, only three cars using the original Reynard design were completed. The fourth chassis shared many elements from the Reynard design, but was also altered to meet hybrid regulations. The newer Zytek 07S and Creation CA07 no longer share anything mechanical with Reynard chassis and are considered different designs.Each chassis, the name it raced under, and the teams that ran it are listed below:
Chassis #01
Reynard 02S
- RN Motorsport (2002)
DBA4 03S/DBA 03S
- RN Motorsport (2003)
- Creation Autosportif (2004-2005)
Creation CA06/H
- Creation Autosportif (2006)
- Autocon Motorsports (2007)
Chassis #02
Zytek 04S
- Team Jota (2004-2005)
Creation CA06/H
- Creation Autosportif (2006)
- Intersport Racing (2007)
Chassis #03
Zytek 04S
- Zytek Engineering (2004-2005)
Zytek 05S
- Hitotsuyama Racing (2006-2007)
Chassis #04
Zytek 06S
- Zytek Engineering (2006)
External links
- Mulsanne's Corner - 2002-2005 Zytek 04S (Reynard 02S/DBA4 03S)
- Ultimatecarpage.com - Zytek 04S
- Zytek Group Ltd - Motorsport history
- Creation Autosportif - Creation CA06/H (DBA4-03S)