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Lola LC88

Lola LC88
Category Formula One
Constructor Lola Cars
Designer(s) Eric Broadley (Technical Director)
Chris Murphy (Chief Designer)
Hans Fouche (Aerodynamicist)
Predecessor Lola LC87
Successor Lola LC89
Technical specifications
Chassis Carbon fibre monocoque
Suspension (front) Double wishbones, pullrods
Suspension (rear) Double wishbones, pullrods
Engine 1988: Ford Cosworth DFZ, 3,494 cc (213.2 cu in), naturally aspirated 90° V8. Longitudinal, mid-mounted.
1989: Lamborghini 3512, 3,496 cc (213.3 cu in), naturally aspirated, 80° V12. Longitudinal, mid-mounted.
Transmission Hewland FGC 5 Speed
Weight 515kg
Fuel BP
Lubricants BP
Tyres Goodyear
Competition history
Notable entrants Larrousse & Calmels
Notable drivers France Yannick Dalmas
Japan Aguri Suzuki
France Pierre-Henri Raphanel
France Philippe Alliot
Debut 1988 Brazilian Grand Prix
Races Wins Poles F.Laps
17 0 0 0

The Lola LC88 is a Formula One car that the Larrousse team used to compete in the 1988 and (in upgraded LC88C form) one race in the 1989 Formula One season. It was an evolution of the previous LC87 model, except for major changes to the front suspension.

The LC88 was designed by Eric Broadley, Chris Murphy and Hans Fouche, and a total of five cars were built. It was powered by the Ford Cosworth DFZ and (in 1989) Lamborghini 3512 engines.

At the LC88's debut event, the 1988 Brazilian Grand Prix, French drivers Philippe Alliot and Yannick Dalmas qualified their cars 16th and 17th respectively, but both retired from the race. Dalmas's engine cut out on lap 33 when he was running ninth, and Alliot pulled in with a broken engine mounting eight laps later, also while running ninth. The nose and front suspension were revised for the next race at San Marino, where Alliot qualified 15th with Dalmas 19th. Dalmas finished 12th, two laps down, and Alliot finished 17th, three laps down after spending time in the pits with a suspension problem. Both drivers complained of a lack of grip. Dalmas subsequently tested the car in France and further suspension modifications were made, and at the following race in Monaco, he qualified 21st with Alliot up in 13th. Dalmas raced well and was running sixth on the last lap with a chance of a World Championship point, but was passed by Riccardo Patrese before the chequered flag, and finished seventh. Alliot had run as high as ninth before baulking Patrese's attempt to lap him at Mirabeau; the subsequent collision left Alliot's car heavily damaged after contact with the tyre wall.

The LC88's strength was demonstrated at the next race in Mexico, when Alliot had a massive accident in practice. He was exiting the 240 km/h (149 mph) Peraltada Curve leading to the main straight when he drifted onto the outside kerb. This pitched the car directly across the track and into the pit wall, before it somersaulted back across the track and finally landed upside down on the grass opposite the pits. Alliot qualified 13th and was cleared to race the next day, and the car was rebuilt as the team had no spare car after the Monaco accident. Dalmas qualified 22nd. On race day, Alliot stalled on the grid and started from the back, and retired on lap 1 with a cracked suspension upright. Dalmas climbed to ninth by the finish, three laps down. The team's problems with damaged cars continued in Canada, where Dalmas crashed heavily in practice and was unable to qualify for the race in the fully repaired spare car that Alliot had used in Mexico. Alliot qualified 17th and climbed to seventh before running out of fuel on lap 67. He was classified tenth.


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