Ginetta-Zytek GZ09S

Last updated

The Ginetta-Zytek GZ09S was a LMP1-class Le Mans Prototype race car, built by Zytek Engineering following their partial merger with Ginetta. It was an evolutionary update of the Zytek 07S, with the bodywork altered for the 2009 LMP regulations. The GZ09S/2 was a LMP2-class version of the same car (for 2011, it became a LMP1-class car, due to rule changes, and became known as the Zytek 09SC.) In 2011, its successor, the Nissan-engined Zytek Z11SN, made its competitive debut, following the latest rule changes to the LMP regulations. The GZ09S was retired at the end of that season, as it was no longer eligible to compete.

Contents

GZ09S

Ginetta-Zytek GZ09S
Team LNT - Ginetta Zytek 09S being driven by Nigel Mansell.jpg
Category LMP1
Constructor Zytek Engineering
Predecessor Zytek 07S
SuccessorZytek 09S [lower-alpha 1]
Technical specifications [1]
Chassis Carbon-fibre monocoque
Suspension (front) Independent double wishbone pushrod system with horizontal spring/damper unit
Suspension (rear)Independent double wishbone pushrod system with horizontal spring/damper unit
Length4,561 mm (180 in)
Axle track 1,618 mm (64 in)/1,556 mm (61 in) front/rear
Wheelbase 2,815 mm (111 in)
Engine Zytek ZJ458 4,500 cc (274.6 cu in) V8 naturally aspirated mid-mounted, longitudinally mounted
Transmission Ricardo 6-speed semi-automatic
Weight900 kg (1,984.2 lb)
Tyres Michelin
Competition history
Notable entrants Strakka Racing (2009)
Team LNT (2009-2010)
Corsa Motorsports (2009)
Beechdean-Mansell Motorsport (2010)
Debut 2009 1000 km of Catalunya
Teams' Championships0

The GZ09S used a 4.5 litre, 635 hp Zytek ZJ458 naturally-aspirated V8 engine. [1] It was designed for the new LMP1 regulations that were announced for the 2009 24 Hours of Le Mans, and it was an evolutionary update of the Zytek 07S. For 2009, it was announced that Strakka Racing would be moving up into the LMP1 class for the first time, entering a GZ09S, at both that year's Le Mans Series, and the 24 Hours of Le Mans. [2] Danny Watts gained his first pole at the 1000 km of Catalunya, the first event of the season, and the car's debut event, [3] before eventually finishing fifth. [4] The team managed to finish 14th in class at Le Mans, but the Team LNT entry failed to finish due to a fuel line rupturing. [5] ALMS team Corsa Motorsports entered a hybrid version of the GZ09S at the 2009 Northeast Grand Prix, the first time a hybrid car had ever been run in the series. [6] The hybrid's debut proved to be a successful one: the team finished third overall, running reliably throughout the race, to the surprise of its drivers Johnny Mowlem and Stefan Johansson. [7] Corsa Motorsports entered four other events that season, [8] with the team being the only ALMS team to utilize the GZ09S. The list of Ginetta-Zyteks was further expanded when former Formula 1 world champion Nigel Mansell announced he was entering the 1000 km of Silverstone, the final race of the 2009 LMS season. [9] It would not prove to be a successful event for Mansell, as his team finished 28th overall, last of the LMP1 cars to be classified. [10]

For 2010, Beechdean-Mansell Motorsport [11] and LNT [12] were the only teams to enter the GZ09S in the Le Mans Series. Mansell took a class victory, and seventh overall, at the 1000 km of Hungaroring, a race notable for the top six places being filled solely with LMP2 cars, due to the top category's entrants (including the Mansell team) experiencing a variety of misfortunes. [13] Mansell, partnered by his sons Leo and Greg, was the only GZ09S entry in the 2010 24 Hours of Le Mans, with Nigel making his debut at the event. [14] It would not, however, prove to be a successful one: Nigel lasted just 17 minutes, before a puncture caused him to crash heavily at Mulsanne corner, and the first father-and-son team in Le Mans history was forced to withdraw. [15] The team folded soon after the end of the season. [16] Although still technically eligible to compete, the car was essentially made obsolete by the new LMP1 regulations for 2011, [17] and thus did not appear again.

GZ09S/2

Ginetta-Zytek GZ09S/2
GinettaZytek ASM 41 Spa2009.JPG
Category LMP2
Constructor Zytek Engineering
Predecessor Zytek 07S/2
Successor Zytek Z11SN [lower-alpha 1]
Technical specifications [18]
Chassis Carbon-fibre monocoque
Suspension (front) Independent double wishbone pushrod system with horizontal spring/damper unit
Suspension (rear)Independent double wishbone pushrod system with horizontal spring/damper unit
Length4,561 mm (180 in)
Axle track 1,618 mm (64 in)/1,556 mm (61 in) front/rear
Wheelbase 2,815 mm (111 in)
Engine Zytek ZG348 (GZ09S/2) 3,396 cc (207.2 cu in) (GZ09S/2) V8 naturally aspirated mid-mounted, longitudinally mounted
Transmission Ricardo 6-speed semi-automatic
Weight825 kg (1,818.8 lb)
Tyres Dunlop
Competition history
Notable entrants Quifel ASM Team (2009-2011)
GAC Racing Team (2009)
Barazi-Epsilon (2009)
Team Bruichladdich (2010)
MIK Corse (2011)
Debut 2009 1000 km of Catalunya
Teams' Championships1 (2009 LMS, LMP2 class)

The GZ09S/2 used a 3.4 litre, 475 hp Zytek ZG348 naturally-aspirated V8 engine. [18] It was designed for the new LMP2 regulations that were announced for the 2009 24 Hours of Le Mans, and it was an evolutionary update of the Zytek 07S. Towards the end of 2008, it was announced that Quifel ASM Team would be the first team to buy a GZ09S/2, [19] with the intention of entering it in the Le Mans Series, and the 24 Hours of Le Mans. [20] GAC Racing Team and Barazi-Epsilon also entered GZ09S/2s in the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2009, with the latter team finishing fourth in class, being the sole remaining LMP2 Ginetta-Zytek at the finish. [5] The partnership of Miguel Amaral and Olivier Pla, driving for Quifel ASM Team, took the LMP2 class title in the LMS, with 33 points, nine points ahead of the runner up, [21] following back-to-back class victories at the 1000 km of Algarve, and the 1000 km of Nürburgring. [22]

For the 2010 LMS season, Quifel ASM Team retained their GZ09S/2, whilst Team Bruichladdich also ran one of the cars for the first time, [23] whilst both teams also appeared at that year's 24 Hours of Le Mans, with Bruichladdich finishing highest, managing tenth overall, and fifth in class. [24] Despite the reasonably successful 24 Hours of Le Mans result, the LMS season would not be as successful as the previous year's – Team Bruichladdich finished fifth, [25] with Quifel ASM Team finishing sixth overall, although Quifel ASM had taken a class victory at the 1000 km of Spa. [26]

Following the rule changes prior to the 2011 LMS season, the GZ09S/2 was moved into the LMP1 category, and became known as the Zytek 09SC, whilst Zytek released the Nissan-engined Zytek Z11SN to compete in the LMP2 category. Quifel-ASM Team entered the first two rounds of the season, [27] whilst MIK Corse entered the hybrid version of the car in the second and third rounds of the season; [28] however, neither team had any major success, with Quifel-ASM's fourth in class, and eighth overall, at the 6 Hours of Castellet, being the car's best result of the season, [29] whilst the MIK Corse-entered car was badly damaged at the 6 Hours of Silverstone. [30] Quifel-ASM Team also entered the 2011 24 Hours of Le Mans, but retired after 48 laps. [31] Following this race, Quifel-ASM initially withdrew from the 6 Hours of Imola, [32] but then withdrew from the entire series, citing engine reliability issues as their reason for withdrawal. [33] The Le Mans race would prove to be the car's last outing, as it did not appear in the 2012 24 Hours of Le Mans, [34] and the 2012 ELMS no longer accepted LMP1-class entries. [35]

Notes

  1. 1 2 Following the LMP rule changes for 2011, the Ginetta-Zytek GZ09S/2 became the Zytek 09S, and was promoted from the LMP2 category into the LMP1 category; thus, the 09S replaced the GZ09S. The GZ09S/2 was replaced in the LMP2 category by the Zytek Z11SN.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Miguel Amaral</span>

Miguel Maria de Sá Pais do Amaral, 8th Count of Anadia, 4th Count of Alferrarede, KHDSMOM, commonly known as Miguel Amaral is a Portuguese aristocrat, businessman and amateur racing driver.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gibson Technology</span> English automotive and motorsport company

Gibson Technology is an automotive and motorsport company based at Repton, Derbyshire, England. It was founded by Bill Gibson as Zytek Engineering in 1981.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Guy Smith (racing driver)</span> British racing driver

Guy James Mutlow Smith is a British professional racing driver and IB English teacher and coordinator in Brazil, who has competed in various levels of motorsport, most notably the 24 Hours of Le Mans, which he won in 2003, and the American Le Mans Series, which he won in 2011.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Warren Hughes</span> English racing driver

Warren Hughes is a racing driver from Sunderland, England.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Leo Mansell</span> British racing driver

Leo Mansell is a British racing driver. He is the son of 1992 Formula One world champion and 1993 PPG Indy Car World Series champion, Nigel Mansell, and elder brother of fellow racing driver Greg Mansell.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Greg Mansell</span> British racing driver and road cyclist

Greg Mansell is a British racing driver and road cyclist, currently racing in cycling's Halfords Tour Series, having previously competed in motorsports Formula Renault 3.5 Series. He is the son of 1992 Formula One world champion and 1993 PPG Indy Car World Series champion, Nigel Mansell, and younger brother of fellow racing driver Leo Mansell.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Johnny Mowlem</span> British racing driver

Johnny Mowlem is a professional British racing driver. Mowlem is considered to be among the world's elite sports car drivers, having competed in every class of world championship sports car racing.

Thor–Christian Ebbesvik is a professional racing driver from Norway.

Karim Ojjeh is a Saudi Arabian businessman and racing driver. He is the younger brother of Mansour Ojjeh and son of Akram Ojjeh. He is a director of TAG Finance S.A. In his spare time he races in the Le Mans Series and the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Beechdean Motorsport</span>

Beechdean Motorsport is a British motor racing team. The team was founded by Beechdean Farmhouse Dairy Ice Cream founder Andrew Howard, and has competed in the British GT Championship. For 2010, the team entered a partnership with Nigel Mansell that saw the team take on the official name of Beechdean Mansell Motorsport. The Buckinghamshire based team ran a factory supported Ginetta-Zytek GZ09S LMP1 in the 2010 Le Mans Series season. The drivers for the team were Nigel Mansell and his two sons Leo and Greg. The partnership ended on 18 October 2010. Howard became the 2013 British GT champion after winning the title in an Aston Martin V12 Vantage GT3. For 2014 the team expanded to include a GT4 class Aston Martin V8 Vantage GT4, driven by Ross Wylie and Jake Giddings who went on to claim the GT4 championship. In 2015 Beechdean completed the double by winning both the GT3 and GT4 classes in the same season. Jamie Chadwick and Ross Gunn took the GT4 championship while Howard went on to win the GT3 title for the second time. On this occasion he shared the honours with his co-driver Jonathan Adam, who finished 2013 6 points behind Howard after receiving a penalty.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2010 1000 km of Hungaroring</span>

The 2010 1000 km of Hungaroring was the fourth round of the 2010 Le Mans Series season. It took place at the Hungaroring, Hungary on 22 August 2010. It was the first time a Le Mans Series event took place at the Hungarian track.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Strakka Racing</span> Auto racing team based in the United Kingdom

Strakka Racing was a British auto racing team founded by Nick Leventis. The team was based at the Silverstone Circuit in Northamptonshire. The team made history at the 2010 1000 km of Hungaroring when they became the first team in Le Mans Series history to win overall in an LMP2 class car. They also became the first team in LMS history to take overall pole position in an LMP2 class car.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nick Leventis</span> British racing driver

Nicholas Leventis is a British racing driver and founder of Strakka Racing. One of his most memorable successes was winning the 2010 24 Hours of Le Mans in the LMP2 category with Danny Watts and Jonny Kane, breaking five records in the process.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Zytek Z11SN</span>

The Zytek Z11SN is a LMP2-class car, which has been built by Zytek Engineering since 2011. It is an evolution of the Zytek 07S and the Zytek 09SC, updated for the new Le Mans Prototype regulations that were introduced in 2011. It has been predominantly used in the European Le Mans Series and the 24 Hours of Le Mans, and a Greaves Motorsport-entered Z11SN won the LMP2 categories of both series in 2011. In 2014, Jota Sport won the LMP2 category of the 24 Hours of Le Mans with a Z11SN.

Gary Chalandon is a French racing driver. He is most notable for competing in the 24 Hours of Le Mans, Formula Le Mans Cup and the Le Mans Series. He won the Formula Le Mans class of the Le Mans Series in 2010, whilst driving for DAMS.

Greaves Motorsport is a British racing team, currently competing in the European Le Mans Series and the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">4 Hours of Portimão</span>

The 4 Hours of Portimão is an endurance race for sports cars, held at Autódromo Internacional do Algarve, in Portugal. The first races were held in 2009 and 2010 as 1000 Kilometres of Algarve, as part of Le Mans Series calendar. Since 2017, it is run in 4 hours format, as part of the European Le Mans Series.

John Timothy Greaves is a British former racing driver and the team principal of Greaves Motorsport. He raced in various Radical series during the 2000s and also drove in the Le Mans Series and 24 Hours of Le Mans between 2004 and 2010.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Zytek 07S</span>

The Zytek 07S is a sports prototype race car, designed, developed and built by British manufacturer Zytek, to compete in the LMP1 class in sports car racing, in 2007. It is the successor of the Zytek 04S. The chassis evolved in 2009 and took the name Ginetta-Zytek GZ09S following the merger between Ginetta and Zytek who have a common shareholder in the person of Lawrence Tomlinson.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ginetta-Zytek 09S</span>

The Ginetta-Zytek 09S, also known simply as the Zytek 09S, was a sports prototype race car, developed by Zytek Engineering as a Le Mans Prototype, following their partial merger with Ginetta, in 2009. It was built and designed complying with LMP1 rules and regulations, and is a direct evolution of the Ginetta-Zytek GZ09S.

References

  1. 1 2 "2009 Ginetta-Zytek GZ09S - Images, Specifications and Information". UltimateCarPage.com. Retrieved 2 May 2013.
  2. ↑ "Strakka steps up to P1 with Ginetta-Zytek". Motorsport.com. 19 June 2009. Retrieved 2 May 2013.
  3. ↑ Watkins, Gary (4 April 2009). "Watts claims pole in Ginetta-Zytek – LMS news". AutoSport.com. Retrieved 2 May 2013.
  4. ↑ Watkins, Gary (5 April 2009). "Dramatic win for Aston on debut – LMS news". AutoSport.com. Retrieved 2 May 2013.
  5. 1 2 "Zytek Motorsport Race Report – Le Mans 24 Hours". Motorsport.com. 2 October 2009. Retrieved 2 May 2013.
  6. ↑ "Corsa ready to race hybrid Zytek – ALMS news". AutoSport.com. 16 July 2009. Retrieved 2 May 2013.
  7. ↑ Beer, Matt (22 July 2009). "Mowlem: Hybrid's potential is huge – ALMS news". AutoSport.com. Retrieved 2 May 2013.
  8. ↑ "Corsa Motorsports: Team-Info". Speedsport Magazine. Retrieved 2 May 2013.
  9. ↑ "Mansell enters AUTOSPORT 1000km – LMS news". AutoSport.com. 19 August 2009. Retrieved 2 May 2013.
  10. ↑ Watkins, Gary (13 September 2009). "Aston wins title, ORECA wins race – LMS news". AutoSport.com. Retrieved 2 May 2013.
  11. ↑ Aitcheson, James (3 February 2010). "LMS releases 44-car 2010 entry list". AutoSport.com. Retrieved 2 May 2013.
  12. ↑ "Mowlem makes LMP return – ALMS news". Autosport. 21 August 2010. Retrieved 2 May 2013.
  13. ↑ Beer, Matt (22 August 2010). "Strakka wins as LMP1s crumble – LMS news". AutoSport.com. Retrieved 2 May 2013.
  14. ↑ "Nigel Mansell set to race with sons at Le Mans 24-Hours". BBC Sport. 4 February 2010.
  15. ↑ "Nigel Mansell crashes in Le Mans 24 Hours race debut". BBC Sport. 12 June 2010. Retrieved 2 May 2013.
  16. ↑ "Mansell LMP1 team closes down – Le Mans news". AutoSport.com. 21 October 2010. Retrieved 2 May 2013.
  17. ↑ ten Caat, Marcel (22 December 2010). "A look at the 2011 LMP1 and LMP2 regulations". PlanetLeMans.com. Retrieved 2 May 2013.
  18. 1 2 "2009 Ginetta-Zytek GZ09S/2 - Images, Specifications and Information". UltimateCarPage.com. Retrieved 2 May 2013.
  19. ↑ "Zytek finads a partner with Quifel-ASM". Motorsport.com. 28 October 2008. Retrieved 2 May 2013.
  20. ↑ "Quifel-ASM goes with Zytek for 2009". Motorsport.com. 31 October 2008. Retrieved 2 May 2013.
  21. ↑ "The European Le Mans Series Story – The Aston Martin Triumph". European Le Mans Series. Archived from the original on 10 August 2013. Retrieved 2 May 2013.
  22. ↑ "GINETTA-ZYTEK LEAD LMS". Ginetta Cars. 7 September 2009. Archived from the original on 4 February 2016. Retrieved 2 May 2013.
  23. ↑ Broomhead, James (21 January 2011). "Team Bruichladdich Become Greaves Motorsport – Endurance Racing, European Le Mans Series, Sportscar". The Checkered Flag. Retrieved 2 May 2013.
  24. ↑ "Le Mans 24 Hours - Race Result - Le Mans Results - Jun 2010". Crash.Net. 13 June 2010. Retrieved 2 May 2013.
  25. ↑ "Silverstone: Team Bruichladdich event report – News". Motorsport.com. 18 September 2010. Retrieved 2 May 2013.
  26. ↑ "LMS: 2010 Spa - Le Mans Series race results - Peugeot takes 1-2 win". F1SA. 10 May 2010. Archived from the original on 4 February 2016. Retrieved 2 May 2013.
  27. ↑ "ASM Team: Team-Info". Speedsport Magazine. Retrieved 2 May 2013.
  28. ↑ "Mik Corse: Team-Info". Speedsport Magazine. Retrieved 2 May 2013.
  29. ↑ "Oliver Pla race report (Paul Ricard HTTT, 2011)". Motorsport.com. 6 April 2011. Retrieved 2 May 2013.
  30. ↑ Melissen, Wouter. "2011 Le Mans Series - 6 Hours of Silverstone (ILMC) - Report and Slideshow". UltimateCarPage.com.
  31. ↑ "24 Heures du Mans 2011 - Provisional Classification" (PDF). Le Mans. 12 June 2011. Archived from the original (PDF) on 26 June 2011. Retrieved 2 May 2013.
  32. ↑ Hornsby, Tom (21 June 2011). "Quifel ASM withdraw from LMS at Imola". Motors TV. Retrieved 9 May 2013.
  33. ↑ "Quifel ASM Team bring an end to Le Mans Series 2011". ASM Team. 10 August 2011. Retrieved 9 May 2013.
  34. ↑ "24 Heures du Mans 2012 - Provisional Classification" (PDF). Le Mans. 17 June 2012. Archived from the original (PDF) on 28 March 2013. Retrieved 2 May 2013.
  35. ↑ "ELMS 2012 Entry List" (PDF). europeanlemansseries.com. 10 February 2012. Archived from the original (PDF) on 26 January 2021. Retrieved 8 March 2012.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.