2012-13 Lola B12/60

British car racing manufacturer Lola Cars was founded in 1958 by Eric Broadley. The company’s original offerings were sports cars, but it quickly moved to producing open-wheel vehicles. Over the years, its involvement in racing has included categories such as Formula 1, IndyCar, Sports Cars, and Prototypes.

Lola had a successful run of Le Mans Prototypes (LMP), particularly in the LMP2 category, prior to the introduction of the Lola B12/60, designed by Julian Sole. The B12/60 was constructed in response to a change in the LMP1 rules. Sole deviated from the shovel nose design recently used on Lola models. The curved front end was consistent with the design used by many other sports car manufacturers. The intention was to carry air over the front tires. The B12/60 also included a large fin on the rear bodywork which extended to the wing. The B12/60 was similar to the Lola B08/80 underneath the bodywork.

Rebellion and Dyson Racing campaigned for the new chassis. Rebellion Racing is a Swiss team that won the 2011 LMP1 category of the Intercontinental Le Mans Cup. The team used the Lola B12/60 to compete in the inaugural FIA World Endurance Championship and selected American Le Mans Series events. The Rebellion Lola was powered by a V8 Toyota, the RV8KLM. Dyson Racing went in the opposite direction and chose the four-cylinder turbocharged Mazda MZR-R engine in partnership with AER. The Dyson team concentrated on the American Le Mans Series during the 2012 and 2013 seasons.

LOLA B12/60	SPECIFICATIONS
Chassis	carbon-fibre composite monocoque with semi-stressed engine
Body	carbon composite
Front Suspension	double wishbones, push-rod actuated springs and shock absorbers, anti-roll bar
Rear Suspension	double wishbones, push-rod actuated springs and shock absorbers actuated by push-rods and rockers, anti-roll bar
Steering	rack-and-pinion, power assisted
Wheels	1 piece forged magnesium: 18 inches in diameter and 14.5 inches wide
Brakes	vented Carbon ceramic discs on each corner
Fuel Tank	75 liters
Weight	900 kilograms / 1,984 lbs

Dyson Racing’s Lolas use the Mazda MZR-R engine that won the 2011 American Le Mans Series Engine Manufacturer’s Championship. In 2012, the Mazda MZR-R engine finished second in the Manufacturer Championship, eight points out of first place. The 2.0 liter, four-cylinder, in-line turbocharged engine was designed to make more than 500 horsepower. It is made of aluminum and mounted as a semi-stressed chassis member. The engine was the smallest, lightest, and most compact in Prototype racing, and it had no external belt drives or ancillaries. The camshafts, water pump and oil pump are internally driven by gears.

Mazda AER MZR-R	SPECIFICATIONS
Displacement	1,997 cc / 121.9 cu.in. - 4-cylinder
Valvetrain	four valves / cylinder, double-overhead-camshaft
Construction	aluminium block and cylinder head
Aspiration	Garrett Turbocharger
Weight	160 lbs.
Power	500 bhp / 373 kW @ 6,250 rpm

The Toyota RV8 engine family is a series of race car motors designed, developed and produced by Toyota Racing Development. The RV8KLM is a 3.4 liter V8 based on their participation in the Formula Nippon and Super GT series. The engine block and cylinder heads are made of aluminum. The cylinder heads have double-overhead camshafts and four valves per cylinder. The 3399 cc powerplant has a bore of 93.0 mm (3.7 inches) and a stroke of 62.5 mm (2.5 inches). The engine has been tuned to meet the demands of endurance racing and the mandatory air restrictors used at Le Mans. The motor has been modified to deliver a reliable 500 horsepower.

TOYOTA RV8KLM	SPECIFICATIONS
Displacement	3,399 cc / 207.4 cu.in. - V8
Valvetrain	four valves / cylinder, double-overhead-camshaft
Construction	aluminium block and cylinder head
Aspiration	naturally aspirated
Weight	264.6 lbs.
Power	525 bhp / 392 kW @ 9,500 rpm

The Lola B12/60 debuted in North America with Dyson Racing at the 12 Hours of Sebring. The driver lineup included Chris Dyson, Guy Smith and Steven Kane. Dyson qualified twenty-third fastest and second to the P1 pole-winning Muscle Milk Pickett Racing HPD ARX-03a. The Pickett Racing entry retired, allowing the Dyson trio to capture the class victory and finish eighth overall. Rebellion Racing participated at Sebring but waited until the 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps to enter a pair of Lola B12/60. The cars finished behind the Audis in fifth and sixth places. The Lolas were piloted by Nicolas Prost, Neel Jani, Nick Heidfeld, Andrea Belicchi and Harold Primat.

The following two major sports car events were in America, beginning with the Grand Prix of Long Beach. Heavy rain forced American Le Mans Series officials to cancel qualifying, and the grid was set by championship points, giving the pole to Dyson Racing. Chris Dyson and Guy Smith weren’t able to fend off Pickett Racing’s Klaus Graf and Lucas Luhr and finished in the runner-up position. A month later the series tavelled Mazda Raceway Laguna Laguna. Guy Smith qualified the Lola almost two seconds slower than Klaus Graf in the HPD ARX-03a. Smith, Chris Dyson and Johnny Mowlem encountered issues during the race and finished second, twenty laps behind the leaders.

The 24 Heures du Le Mans was held on the weekend of June 16-17. The Rebellion Racing Lolas started eighth and ninth. Both cars finished, with the No. 12 entry shared by Nico Prost, Nick Heidfeld and Neel Jani placing fourth behind the three Audis. Andrea Belicchi, Jeroen Bleekemolen and Harold Primat in the No. 13 Lola finished eleventh overall and seventh in LMP1. After the break for Le Mans, American Le Mans Series teams were back in action at Dyson Racing’s home track, Lime Rock Park. Guy Smith qualified the No. 16 Lola B12/60 on the pole. However, the Pickett Racing HPD ARX-03a moved into the lead during the race and collected their third victory of the season. The Dyson Lola, driven by Smith and Chris Dyson, was second.

Rounds five and six of the American Le Mans Series championship were held at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park and the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, respectively. The outcome was the same as Lime Rock Park. The HPD ARX-03a of Pickett Racing won both events, with Klaus Graf and Lucas Luhr performing the driving duties. Again, the duo from Dyson Racing finished in the runner-up spot. Road America would be a different story. Smith and Dyson started thirty-fourth in a thirty-five-car field but were in the lead by lap 22 after the Pickett Racing entry encountered issues on the twenty-first lap. By the end of the contest, the Pickett duo had chased down the leader. They came up short by 0.083 seconds. This was the first overall victory for the Lola B12/60.

The next race for Rebellion Racing was the 6 Hours of Silverstone. The team had their regular line-up with the No. 12 Lola B12/60, piloted by Nico Prost and Neel Jani. Andrea Belicchi and Harold Primat drove the No. 13 car. Once again, the Lola was no match for the Audi R18 e-tron quattro and the new Toyota TS030 Hybrid, finishing fourth and sixth. Back in North America, the next American Le Mans Series event was held in Baltimore on the Labour Day weekend. Smith and Dyson finished second in an uncharacteristic race that saw a Prototype Challenge entry capture the overall victory. Pickett Racing retired, and the P1 win went to the No. 20 Lola B11/66, shared by Michael Marsal and Eric Lux.

The penultimate race of the 2012 American Le Mans Series was at Virginia International Raceway. In the four-hour contest, Dyson, Smith and Mowlem finished three laps behind the winning HPD ARX-03a. The FIA World Endurance Championship traveled to Brazil for the 6 Hours of São Paulo at Autódromo José Carlos Pace. Once again, the Lolas were the ‘best of the rest’ with Rebellion Racing finishing fourth and sixth. The next event was a six-hour contest at the Bahrain International Circuit. Rebellion Racing finished well off the pace of the leading Audis in fourth and fifth place. The second last event of the FIA season was at Fuji Speedway. Toyota dominated qualifying on the home track and claimed a popular win. Rebellion collected fourth and seventh-place results.

The final race of the American Le Mans championship was Petit Le Mans at Road Atlanta. For the first time this season, there were two Lola B12/60 races in the US. One of them was series regular Dyson Racing with drivers Chris Dyson, Guy Smith, and Steven Kane. The second Lola was from Rebellion Racing. The driver line-up was Neel Jani, Nicolas Prost and Andrea Belicchi. The Rebellion Lola started on the pole and won the race overall by a three-lap margin. Dyson Racing was second in P1 but thirty-first overall. The FIA World Endurance Championship concluded with the 6 Hours of Shanghai. Toyota collected their third LMP1 victory of 2012. Rebellion brought one Lola and finished fourth.

**2012 - SEBRING INTERNATIONAL RACEWAY**
YEAR	ENTRANT	NO.	DRIVER	CLASS	LAPS	POS.	CLASS POS.
2012	Dyson Racing	6	Chris Dyson Guy Smith Steven Kane	P1	317	8	1

**2012 - GRAND PRIX OF LONG BEACH**
YEAR	ENTRANT	NO.	DRIVER	CLASS	LAPS	POS.	CLASS POS.
2012	Dyson Racing	16	Chris Dyson Guy Smith	P1	86	2	2

**2012 - 6 HEURES DE SPA-FRANCORCHAMPS**
YEAR	ENTRANT	NO.	DRIVER	CLASS	LAPS	POS.	CLASS POS.
2012	Rebellion Racing	12	Nicolas Prost Nick Heidfeld Neel Jani	LMP1	156	5	5
Rebellion Racing	13	Andrea Belicchi Harold Primat	LMP1	155	6	6

**2012 - MAZDA RACEWAY LAGUNA SECA**
YEAR	ENTRANT	NO.	DRIVER	CLASS	LAPS	POS.	CLASS POS.
2012	Dyson Racing	16	Chris Dyson Guy Smith Johnny Mowlem	P1	222	23	2

**2012 - 24 HOURS OF LE MANS**
YEAR	ENTRANT	NO.	DRIVER	CLASS	LAPS	POS.	CLASS POS.
2012	Rebellion Racing	12	Nicolas Prost Nick Heidfeld Neel Jani	LMP1	367	4	4
Rebellion Racing	11	Andrea Belicchi Jeroen Bleekemolen Harold Primat	LMP1	350	11	8

**2012 - LIME ROCK PARK**
YEAR	ENTRANT	NO.	DRIVER	CLASS	LAPS	POS.	CLASS POS.
2012	Dyson Racing	16	Chris Dyson Guy Smith Johnny Mowlem	P1	168	2	2

**2012 - CANADIAN TIRE MOTORSPORT PARK**
YEAR	ENTRANT	NO.	DRIVER	CLASS	LAPS	POS.	CLASS POS.
2012	Dyson Racing	16	Chris Dyson Guy Smith	P1	117	2	2

**2012 - MID-OHIO SPORTSCAR COURSE**
YEAR	ENTRANT	NO.	DRIVER	CLASS	LAPS	POS.	CLASS POS.
2012	Dyson Racing	16	Chris Dyson Guy Smith	P1	122	2	2

**2012 - ROAD AMERICA**
YEAR	ENTRANT	NO.	DRIVER	CLASS	LAPS	POS.	CLASS POS.
2012	Dyson Racing	16	Chris Dyson Guy Smith	P1	101	1	1

**2012 - 6 Hours of Silverstone**
YEAR	ENTRANT	NO.	DRIVER	CLASS	LAPS	POS.	CLASS POS.
2012	Rebellion Racing	13	Andrea Belicchi Harold Primat	LMP1	189	4	4
Rebellion Racing	12	Nicolas Prost Neel Jani	LMP1	189	6	6

**2012 - BALTIMORE SPORTS CAR CHALLENGE**
YEAR	ENTRANT	NO.	DRIVER	CLASS	LAPS	POS.	CLASS POS.
2012	Dyson Racing	16	Chris Dyson Guy Smith	P1	65	23	2

**2012 - VIRGINIA INTERNATIONAL RACEWAY**
YEAR	ENTRANT	NO.	DRIVER	CLASS	LAPS	POS.	CLASS POS.
2012	Dyson Racing	16	Chris Dyson Guy Smith Johnny Mowlem	P1	132	2	2

**2012 - 6 HOURS OF SAO PAULO**
YEAR	ENTRANT	NO.	DRIVER	CLASS	LAPS	POS.	CLASS POS.
2012	Rebellion Racing	12	Nicolas Prost Neel Jani	LMP1	242	4	4
Rebellion Racing	13	Andrea Belicchi Harold Primat	LMP1	240	6	6

**2012 - 6 HOURS OF BAHRAIN**
YEAR	ENTRANT	NO.	DRIVER	CLASS	LAPS	POS.	CLASS POS.
2012	Rebellion Racing	12	Nicolas Prost Neel Jani	LMP1	184	4	4
Rebellion Racing	13	Andrea Belicchi Harold Primat	LMP1	181	5	5

**2012 - 6 HOURS OF FUJI**
YEAR	ENTRANT	NO.	DRIVER	CLASS	LAPS	POS.	CLASS POS.
2012	Rebellion Racing	12	Nicolas Prost Neel Jani	LMP1	227	4	4
Rebellion Racing	13	Andrea Belicchi Harold Primat	LMP1	225	7	7

**2012 - ROAD ATLANTA**
YEAR	ENTRANT	NO.	DRIVER	CLASS	LAPS	POS.	CLASS POS.
2012	Rebellion Racing	12	Nicolas Prost Neel Jani Andrea Belicchi	P1	394	4	4
Dyson Racing	16	Chris Dyson Guy Smith Steven Kane	P1	338	31	2

**2012 - 6 Hours of Shanghai**
YEAR	ENTRANT	NO.	DRIVER	CLASS	LAPS	POS.	CLASS POS.
2012	Rebellion Racing	13	Andrea Belicchi Harold Primat Congfu Cheng	LMP1	185	4	4

Dyson Racing missed securing the American Le Mans Series P1 championship by five points. Their rivals, Muscle Milk Pickett Racing HPD ARX-03a/c, earned six victories to the Dyson team’s four wins.

Rebellion Racing was often the best of the non-factory teams and easily collected the FIA Endurance Trophy for LMP1 Teams. Their record included six victories in eight events.

Despite the success of Lolas in various series, the company went bankrupt in late 2012. Some of the assets were acquired by the Canadian automotive company Multimatic. They continued to support the Dyson and Rebellion efforts.

Rebellion Racing returned with their two Toyota-powered Lola B12/60 for another season of the FIA World Endurance Championship; however, the driver line-up changed throughout 2013. Dyson also returned for another attempt to secure the American Le Mans Series P1 championship. Like Rebellion Racing, the Dyson team also juggled the driver pairings during the year.

The American Le Mans Series opening round was staged at Sebring International Raceway during the 61st Mobil 1 12 Hours of Sebring. American Le Mans Series regulars were joined by FIA World Endurance Championship competitors. Rebellion Racing entered both their Lolas. The No. 12 car was shared by Nico Prost, Neel Jani and Nick Heidfeld. Andrea Belicchi was joined by newcomers Mathias Beche and Congfu Cheng in the second Lola. Rebellion faced the Audis as usual and finished behind them in third and fifth place. The Dyson trio of Chris Dyson, Guy Smith, and Butch Leitzinger retired early, while their rivals from Pickett Racing finished fourth overall.

The first points race on the FIA World Endurance Championship calendar was the 6 Hours of Silverstone. Rebellion Racing entered both cars and used the same driver line-up as Sebring. Their competition included two Audi R18 e-tron quattro and a pair of Toyota TS030 Hybrid. As was the case last year, the Rebellion team was no match for the Audis and Toyotas. The overall and LMP1 winners were Allan McNish, Tom Kristensen and Loic Duval in the No. 2 Audi R18 e-tron quattro. The No. 12 Rebellion Racing Lola B12/60, shared by Nicolas Prost, Neel Jani, and Nick Heidfeld, finished fifth, and their teammates, Andrea Belicchi, Mathias Beche, and Congfu Cheng, were sixth.

Rebellion Racing returned to America to compete in round two of the American Le Man Series at Long Beach. They brought the No. 12 car for Neel Jani and Nick Heidfeld. Dyson entered their No. 16 Lola B12/60 for Guy Smith and Chris Dyson. In qualifying, Jani earned the pole and Smith was the second fastest. During the race, the Rebellion Lola was passed by the No. 6 Muscle Milk Pickett Racing HPD ARX-03a of Lucas Luhr and Klaus Graf leaving them with a runner-up result. During his stint, Dyson hit the corner nine wall and parked the car in the hairpin. Rebellion Racing returned to Europe for the 6 Heures de Spa-Francorchamps. They entered both vehicles, with the team finishing behind three Audis and one Toyota in fifth and sixth place.

Rebellion Racing came back to North America for the American Le Man Series event at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca and used drivers Neel Jani and Nick Heidfeld. The P1 category mirrored the results from Long Beach. The two Lola B12/60 started on the front row. However, the Pickett Racing HPD ARX-03a was first to the checkered flag followed by Rebellion. Dyson failed to finish. Next up was the 24 Hour of Le Mans. Rebellion had their usual driver line-ups and were much slower than the Audis and Toyotas in qualifying. The No. 12 Lola was 6.586 seconds behind the pole-winning Audi in the sixth overall, with the No. 13 car immediately behind them. Rebellion would finish a disappointing thirty-ninth and fortieth.

After the Le Mans break, the action returned to North America, with the first race taking place at Lime Rock Park. Despite being their home track, the Dyson team could not match the pace of Pickett Racing. Chris Dyson qualified second fastest and, along with Guy Smith, finished six laps behind the HPD ARX-03a of Lucas Lurh and Klaus Graf. The next event was held at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park, where Tony Burgess and Chris McMurry replaced Dyson Racing's regulars. Burgess qualified fourth overall, and the duo finished seven laps behind Graf and Luhr. Road America was round of the sixth race on the schedule. With a race 'under their belt,' Burgess and McMurry started second and finished on the same lap as the leaders in second place.

Guy Smith and Chris Dyson returned for the Baltimore Sports Car Challenge. Dyson was almost 1.5 seconds slower than Klaus Graf in qualifying. The Dyson duo followed Pickett Racing in the race to a runner-up result. After Le Mans, the FIA World Endurance championship traveled to Brazil. Rebellion sent just one car driven by Nicolas Prost, Nick Heidfeld and Mathias Beche. The No. 12 Lola B12/60 started behind the two Audis and factory Toyota. The Toyota retired, allowing the trio to capture the final position on the LMP1 podium. Next on the calendar for both series was Circuit of the Americas. American Le Mans competitors raced in a 2-hour, forty-five-minute event, whereas FIA teams participated in a six-hour contest. Tony Burgess and Chris McMurry returned to the driver's seat, starting and finishing behind Pickett Racing. Rebellion brought a single Lola for Prost, Heidfeld and Beche, and they finished fourth.

The penultimate race of the 2013 American Le Mans Series was conducted at Virginia International Raceway. Guy Smith and Johnny Mowlem were tasked with driving the No. 16 Dyson Racing Lola B12/60. Smith put the car on the pole, but the outcome was predictable, with Pickett Racing taking the victory and Dyson Racing finishing in the runner-up position. The finale for the series was Petit Le Mans at Road Atlanta. Rebellion made another visit to the US with Nicolas Prost, Nick Heidfeld and Neel Jani driving the No. 12 Lola B12/60. The Dyson squad consisted of Chris Dyson, Chris McMurry and Tony Burgess. Rebellion Racing repeated their 2012 performance with a pole and five-lap victory. Dyson Racing failed to finish.

On the same weekend as Petit Le Mans, the FIA World Endurance Championship was holding round six at Fuji Speedway. Rebellion enlisted the services of Andrea Belicchi and Mathias Beche. They were no threat to the factory teams and started fifth. Heavy rains and extended caution periods resulted in a sixteen-lap contest, with the Rebellion effort finishing third. The next event was the 6 Hours of Shanghai. Rebellion entered one Lola. Belicchi and Beche were joined by Nicolas Prost. The trio finished behind the two Audis and Toyota in fourth place. The final event of the FIA Endurance season was held in Bahrain. Rebellion used the same drivers but failed to finish.

**2013 - SEBRING INTERNATIONAL RACEWAY**
YEAR	ENTRANT	NO.	DRIVER	CLASS	LAPS	POS.	CLASS POS.
2013	Dyson Racing	16	Chris Dyson Guy Smith Butch Leitzinger	P1	81	DNF	DNF
	Rebellion Racing	12	Nicolas Prost Neel Jani Nick Heidfeld	P1	359	3	3
	Rebellion Racing	13	Andrea Belicchi Mathias Beche Congfu Cheng	P1	354	5	5

**2013 - 6 Hours of Silverstone**
YEAR	ENTRANT	NO.	DRIVER	CLASS	LAPS	POS.	CLASS POS.
2012	Rebellion Racing	12	Nicolas Prost Neel Jani Nick Heidfeld	LMP1	193	5	5
Rebellion Racing	13	Andrea Belicchi Mathias Beche Congfu Cheng	LMP1	190	6	6

**2013 - GRAND PRIX OF LONG BEACH**
YEAR	ENTRANT	NO.	DRIVER	CLASS	LAPS	POS.	CLASS POS.
2013	Dyson Racing	16	Chris Dyson Guy Smith	P1	17	DNF	DNF
Rebellion Racing	12	Nick Heidfeld Neel Jani	P1	80	2	2

**2013 - 6 HEURES DE SPA-FRANCORCHAMPS**
YEAR	ENTRANT	NO.	DRIVER	CLASS	LAPS	POS.	CLASS POS.
2013	Rebellion Racing	12	Nicolas Prost Nick Heidfeld Neel Jani	LMP1	165	5	5
Rebellion Racing	13	Andrea Belicchi Mathias Beche Congfu Cheng	LMP1	165	6	6

**2013 - MAZDA RACEWAY LAGUNA SECA**
YEAR	ENTRANT	NO.	DRIVER	CLASS	LAPS	POS.	CLASS POS.
2013	Dyson Racing	16	Chris Dyson Guy Smith	P1	21	DNF	DNF
Rebellion Racing	12	Nick Heidfeld Neel Jani	P1	150	2	2

**2013 - 24 HOURS OF LE MANS**
YEAR	ENTRANT	NO.	DRIVER	CLASS	LAPS	POS.	CLASS POS.
2013	Rebellion Racing	12	Nicolas Prost Nick Heidfeld Neel Jani	LMP1	367	4	4
Rebellion Racing	13	Andrea Belicchi Mathias Beche Congfu Cheng	LMP1	350	11	8

**2013 - LIME ROCK PARK**
YEAR	ENTRANT	NO.	DRIVER	CLASS	LAPS	POS.	CLASS POS.
2013	Dyson Racing	16	Chris Dyson Guy Smith	P1	178	2	2

**2013 - CANADIAN TIRE MOTORSPORT PARK**
YEAR	ENTRANT	NO.	DRIVER	CLASS	LAPS	POS.	CLASS POS.
2013	Dyson Racing	16	Tony Burgess Chris McMurry	P1	125	6	2

It was a difficult season for Dyson Racing. They finished second in the P1 standings but began the year with three retirements. The team had a string of runner-up results; however, there were only three entries at most events. More importantly, they could never beat the Muscle Milk Pickett Racing HPD ARX-03a/c.

At the conclusion of the 2013 season, Dyson Racing left the American Le Mans Series and joined the Sports Car Club of America’s World Challenge championship to campaign a pair of Bentley Continental GT3.

During the year, Rebellion Racing was no match for the factory LMP1 teams; however, they were competing in a different category. The team collected points towards the FIA Endurance Trophy for Private LMP1 Teams. After the first three rounds, they were the only team competing in this class and won six of eight events to capture the title.

Unlike Dyson Racing, Rebellion continued to race the Lola B12/60 in 2014. The car served them well with their third consecutive FIA Endurance Trophy for Private LMP1 Teams. The following year, they introduced the new Rebellion R-One and dominated the new privateer LMP1-L class.

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