Britain’s Rover Motor Group recently announced that it has contracted with Lola Cars International to develop an MG sportsracer to compete in the 2001 24-Hours of Le Mans.
MG chose Lola to run the project following the British racecar manufacturer’s impressive performance at the French classic earlier this year. One of the company’s B2K/40 SR2 sports cars won its class, an incredible achievement considering the car was only launched three month’s before the race.
According to Martin Birrane, Executive Chairman of Lola, “I’ve been involved with sports car racing and Le Mans as a driver and a team owner for many years. It is a truly magnificent event and to see the famous MG badge racing around the circuit again is a very exciting prospect. Everyone at Lola is very proud to be associated with such a great British name. Hopefully, we can add to the legendary history of the MG name by giving it success at Le Mans.”
MG’s last official entry in the world’s most famous endurance race was in 1965, when Paddy Hopkirk and Andrew Hedges drove their street-licensed MGB to a remarkable 11th overall finish, being outclassed only by several larger Ferraris, Porsches and a Shelby Cobra Daytona.
