Debora LMP200

Last updated
Debora LMP200
Constructor Debora
Predecessor Debora LMP299 and Debora LMP2000
Technical specifications [1]
Engine BMW 3,000–3,200 cc (183.1–195.3 cu in) naturally-aspirated I6
Mader-BMW 3,393 cc (207.1 cu in) naturally-aspirated I6 mid-engined
Tyres Avon
Competition history
Notable entrants Didier Bonnet Racing
Debora Automotive
Debut 2001 1000km of Estoril
RacesWins
7 (10 entries)2 (LMP675 class)
Teams' Championships1: (2001 ELMS, LMP675 category)

The Debora LMP200 was a Le Mans Prototype, built by Debora in 2001 for use in the European Le Mans Series. Initially fitted with a 3.2-litre BMW straight-six engine, it was refitted with a 3-litre BMW straight-six in 2002, and then a 3.4-litre Mader-BMW straight-six in 2003. [2] One car is known to have been built. [1] The LMP200 was used by Didier Bonnet Racing when they won the European Le Mans Series in 2001.

Le Mans Prototype Sportscar endurance racing class

A Le Mans Prototype (LMP) is the type of sports prototype race car used in the 24 Hours of Le Mans, FIA World Endurance Championship, WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, European Le Mans Series and Asian Le Mans Series. Le Mans Prototypes were created by the Automobile Club de l'Ouest (ACO). The technical requirements for an LMP include bodywork covering all mechanical elements of the car.

European Le Mans Series auto racing championship in Europe

The European Le Mans Series (ELMS) is a European sports car racing endurance series inspired by the 24 Hours of Le Mans race and run by the Automobile Club de l'Ouest (ACO). The European Le Mans Series is similar to the American Le Mans Series (ALMS) based in the United States and Canada that was running with ACO and IMSA between 1999 and 2013. ELMS team champions and runners-up receive an automatic entry to the following year's 24 Hours of Le Mans. Originally titled the Le Mans Endurance Series before becoming simply the Le Mans Series in 2006, the series was renamed once more in 2012, reusing a name previously utilized by IMSA in 2001.

BMW automotive brand, manufacturer, and conglomerate

Bayerische Motoren Werke AG, commonly referred to as BMW is a German multinational company which produces automobiles and motorcycles. The company was founded in 1916 as a manufacturer of aircraft engines, which it produced from 1917 until 1918 and again from 1933 to 1945.

Contents

Racing history

2001

The Debora LMP200 was first entered in the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2001 by Didier Bonnet Racing, but the team's entry was not accepted. [3] Instead, the team debuted the car at the Estoril 1000 Kilometres, which formed part of the European Le Mans Series; the car was fitted with a 3.2-litre BMW straight-six engine, and David Dussau, Guillaume Gomez and Xavier Bich were selected to drive. [4] However, after one-and-three-quarter hours, and 57 laps, the car lost a wheel and was forced to retire. [5] At 2 Hours 45 Minutes Most, the car (driven by Dussau and Gomez) was classified in 13th overall, and second in the LMP675 class; [6] but had retired after an hour and fifty minutes, and 48 laps, due to overheating caused by a water leak. [7] The LMP200's final appearance in 2001 came at the 2 Hours 45 Minutes Vallelunga, where it finished for the first time; the car, driven by Bich and François Jakubowski, finished twelfth overall, and won the LMP675 class. [8] Didier Bonnet Racing won the LMP675 category of the European Le Mans Series, with 77 points; 5 more than nearest rival Dick Barbour Racing. [9]

24 Hours of Le Mans Sports car race held in France

The 24 Hours of Le Mans is the world's oldest active sports car race in endurance racing, held annually since 1923 near the town of Le Mans, France. It is considered one of the most prestigious automobile races in the world and has been called the "Grand Prix of Endurance and Efficiency". The event represents one leg of the Triple Crown of Motorsport; other events being the Indianapolis 500 and the Monaco Grand Prix. Unlike fixed distance races where the winner is determined by minimum time, the 24-Hours of Le Mans awards a win to the car that covers the greatest distance in 24 hours.

The 2001 24 Hours of Le Mans was the 69th Grand Prix of Endurance, and took place on 16 and 17 June 2001.

Straight-six engine inline piston engine with six cylinders

The straight-six engine or inline-six engine is an internal combustion engine with the cylinders mounted in a straight line along the crankcase with all the pistons driving a common crankshaft.

2002

In 2002, Didier Bonnet Racing once again attempted to enter the LMP200 in the 24 Hours of Le Mans; however, their entry was again rejected. [10] The car was next entered by Debora Automobiles in the Magny-Cours round of the FIA Sportscar Championship; however, the LMP200, driven by Gilles Duqueine, Jean-François Yvon and Michel Maisonneuve and refitted with a 3-litre BMW straight-six engine for the SR2 category, [11] retired due to electrical failure after one hour, having completed 47 laps. [12] The factory entered the car in the following round, held at Dijon-Prenois; Duqueine, Dominique Lacaud and Didier Miquée finished eighth overall, and fifth in class. [13] The car made its final appearance in 2002 at the Spa-Francorchamps round of the FIA Sportscar Championship, with Debora entering Bich and Roland Bossy; the team were running ninth overall, and fourth in class, [14] when the race was halted around the two-hour mark due to heavy rain. [15] Debora were classified fourth in the SR2 Manufacturer's Championship with 24 points, 24 behind Lola, and 14 ahead of Rapier 6. [16]

2002 24 Hours of Le Mans

The 2002 24 Hours of Le Mans was an automobile endurance race held from 15 to 16 June 2002 at the Circuit de la Sarthe in Le Mans, France. It was the 70th running of the event, as organized by the automotive group, the Automobile Club de l'Ouest (ACO) since 1923. A test day was held five weeks prior to the race on 5 May. The No. 1 Audi Sport Team Joest car of Tom Kristensen, Frank Biela and Emanuele Pirro won the race overall and Audi's third consecutive victory in Le Mans, extending back to the 2000 event.

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 (FIA). It was a series similar to the FIA GT Championship, concentrating on two classes of open-cockpit sports prototypes in endurance races mostly around Europe. The series was folded after the 2003 season.

Jean-François Yvon is a French racing driver.

2003

In 2003, Didier Bonnet Racing tried for a third time to enter the LMP200 at the 24 Hours of Le Mans; once again, their entry was declined. [17] Instead, the car made its first appearance of 2003 in the 1000 km of Le Mans; Didier Bonnet Racing entered Bossy and Renaud Derlot in the event, with a 3.4-litre Mader-BMW straight-six being fitted for the event. [18] However, exhaust problems forced the team to retire after five-and-a-quarter hours, having completed 141 laps. [19] This proved to be the car's last ever race, as it was not entered again. [20]

2003 24 Hours of Le Mans 71st Grand Prix of Endurance

The 71st 24 Hours of Le Mans was an automobile endurance racing event held from 14 to 15 June 2003 at the Circuit de la Sarthe at Le Mans, France. It was the 71st edition of the 24 Hour race, as organised by the automotive group, the Automobile Club de l'Ouest (ACO) since 1923. Unlike other events, it was not a part of any endurance motor racing championship. A test day was held seven weeks prior to the race on 4 May. Approximately 220,000 people attended the race.

The 2003 1000 km of Le Mans was a one-off sports car event run under the organization of the Automobile Club de l'Ouest (ACO) in preparation for the Le Mans Endurance Series that began in 2004. It was run on 9 November 2003 at the Bugatti Circuit near Le Mans, France.

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The Debora LMP296 was a Le Mans Prototype, built by Debora Automobiles in 1996 for use in the 24 Hours of Le Mans. The car was originally entered with a 2-litre turbocharged Cosworth straight-four engine, but several other engines were used in the car's three-year career. Two cars are known to have been built. In conjunction with the LMP297, the car helped Waterair Sport to the International Sports Racing Series SR2 Team's Championship in 1998. The LMP296 was updated into the LMP299 for 2000.

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References

  1. 1 2 "Debora LMP200". Racing Sports Cars. Retrieved 31 July 2013.
  2. ↑ "Debora LMP200 – Photo Gallery". Racing Sports Cars. Retrieved 31 July 2013.
  3. ↑ "Le Mans 24 Hours 2001 - Race results". Racing Sports Cars. Retrieved 31 July 2013.
  4. ↑ "Estoril 1000 Kilometres 2001 - Photo Gallery". Racing Sports Cars. Retrieved 31 July 2013.
  5. ↑ "Estoril 1000 Kilometres 2001 - Race results". Racing Sports Cars. Retrieved 31 July 2013.
  6. ↑ "European Le Mans Series at Most, Czech Republic". IMSA Racing. 5 August 2001. Archived from the original on 20 October 2012. Retrieved 31 July 2013.
  7. ↑ "European Le Mans Series Most 2001 - Race results". Racing Sports Cars. Retrieved 31 July 2013.
  8. ↑ "European Le Mans Series Vallelunga 2001 - Race results". Racing Sports Cars. Retrieved 31 July 2013.
  9. ↑ "Point standings: European LeMans Series - Season 2001". Speedsport-Magazine. Retrieved 31 July 2013.
  10. ↑ "Le Mans 24 Hours 2002 - Race results". Racing Sports Cars. Retrieved 31 July 2013.
  11. ↑ "FIA Sportscar Championship Magny-Cours 2002 - Photo Gallery". Racing Sports Cars. Retrieved 31 July 2013.
  12. ↑ "FIA Sportscar Championship Magny-Cours 2002 - Race results". Racing Sports Cars. Retrieved 31 July 2013.
  13. ↑ "FIA Sportscar Championship Dijon 2002 - Race results". Racing Sports Cars. Retrieved 31 July 2013.
  14. ↑ "FIA Sportscar Championship Spa 2002 - Race results". Racing Sports Cars. Retrieved 31 July 2013.
  15. ↑ "FIA Sportscar Championship Spa 2002". Racing Sports Cars. Retrieved 31 July 2013.
  16. ↑ "2002 Sportscar Championship". FIA. Archived from the original on 26 February 2004. Retrieved 31 July 2013.
  17. ↑ "Le Mans 24 Hours 2003 - Race results". Racing Sports Cars. Retrieved 31 July 2013.
  18. ↑ "Le Mans 1000 Kilometres 2003 - Photo Gallery". Racing Sports Cars. Retrieved 31 July 2013.
  19. ↑ "Le Mans 1000 Kilometres 2003 - Race results". Racing Sports Cars. Retrieved 31 July 2013.
  20. ↑ "Debora LMP200 – All results". Racing Sports Cars. Retrieved 31 July 2013.
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