Debora LMP297
| Constructor | Debora | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Predecessor | Debora LMP296 | ||||||||
| Successor | Debora LMP299 | ||||||||
| Technical specifications[1] | |||||||||
| Engine |
Cosworth 2,000 cc (122.0 cu in) turbocharged I4 BMW 3,000 cc (183.1 cu in) naturally-aspirated I6 mid-engined | ||||||||
| Tyres | Michelin | ||||||||
| Competition history | |||||||||
| Notable entrants | Didier Bonnet Racing | ||||||||
| Debut | 1997 24 Hours of Le Mans (pre-qualifying) | ||||||||
| |||||||||
| Teams' Championships | 1: (1998 ISRS, SR2 category) | ||||||||
The Debora LMP297 was a Le Mans Prototype, built by Debora in 1997 for use in the International Sports Racing Series. The car was mostly entered with a 3-litre, naturally-aspirated BMW straight-6, but did also use a 2-litre turbocharged Cosworth straight-4 in one event. Only one car is known to have been built.[2] In conjunction with the Debora LMP296, the car helped Waterair Sports to the International Sports Racing Series SR2 Team's Championship in 1998.
Racing history
1997
The Debora LMP297 was first entered in the 24 Hours of Le Mans pre-qualifying session in 1997 as a LMP650 class car by Didier Bonnet Racing; however, the car, which was fitted with the 2-litre Cosworth turbo engine for the event, finished 46th,[3] which meant that it failed to pre-qualify, and as a result, was not allowed to compete in the race.[4] The car made its International Sports Racing Series debut at the season opener held at Donington Park, with Glenn Dudley and Paul Cope driving a 3-litre BMW straight-6 engined LMP297, but the car, which had been once more entered by Didier Bonnet Racing, retired from the race after 22 laps.[5] The car, this time driven by David Dussau and Bernard de Dryver, also retired from the following round at Zolder after 39 laps, following an accident.[6] The car did not appear at Brno,[7] but finished for the first time in the season finale at Jarama, with its drivers Patrice Roussel and Bruno Boccard taking fifth place overall, and second in class.[8]
1998
For 1998, Didier Bonnet Racing ran the car under the Waterair Sports banner. The team first entered the car at the fifth round of the season, held at Anderstorp, but the car did not start the race.[9] The next round, held at the Nürburgring, saw the car, driven by André Cholley and David Dussau, finish tenth overall, and second in class.[10] Cholley and Pierre Bruneau followed this with class victories at Le Mans and at Kyalami, on both occasions being the only SR2 car to finish the race.[11][12] As a result of the points scored with both the LMP296 and the LMP297, Waterair Sports became the SR2 class champions for the 1998 season, and finished joint twelfth overall.[13] This would prove to be the car's last race, as, although it was entered by Debora in the Sports Racing World Cup (which the International Sports Racing Series had been renamed to) in 1999 for the Donington Park round,[14] the car did not arrive, and was not used again.[2]
References
- ↑ "Debora LMP297". Racing Sports Cars. Retrieved 20 July 2013.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 "All Results of Debora LMP297". Racing Sports Cars. Retrieved 20 July 2013.
- ↑ "Prequalifying Le Mans 1997 - Race results". Racing Sports Cars. Retrieved 20 July 2013.
- ↑ "Le Mans 24 Hours 1997 - Race results". Racing Sports Cars. Retrieved 20 July 2013.
- ↑ "International Sports Racing Series Donington 1997 - Race results". Racing Sports Cars. Retrieved 20 July 2013.
- ↑ "International Sports Racing Series Zolder 1997 - Race results". Racing Sports Cars. Retrieved 20 July 2013.
- ↑ "FIA Sportscar Championship 1997". World Sports Racing Prototypes. Retrieved 20 July 2013.
- ↑ "International Sports Racing Series Jarama 1997 - Race results". Racing Sports Cars. Retrieved 20 July 2013.
- ↑ "2 h 30 min Anderstorp 1998 - Race results". Racing Sports Cars. Retrieved 20 July 2013.
- ↑ "International Sports Racing Series Nürburgring 1998 - Race results". Racing Sports Cars. Retrieved 20 July 2013.
- ↑ "International Sports Racing Series Le Mans 1998 - Race results". Racing Sports Cars. Retrieved 20 July 2013.
- ↑ "2 h 30 min Kyalami 1998 - Race results". Racing Sports Cars. Retrieved 20 July 2013.
- ↑ "FIA SCC - final positions and tables - 1998". World Sports Racing Prototypes. Retrieved 20 July 2013.
- ↑ "SportsRacing World Cup Donington 1999 - Race results". Racing Sports Cars. Retrieved 20 July 2013.