CARS

RML, in association with AD Group, entered the international sportscar arena in late 2003 with an ex-works MG Lola EX257 in the inaugural race of what was then called the Le Mans Endurance Series, or LMES.

Over the next five years the team remained loyal to the MG brand, actively developing the chassis in partnership with Lola Cars of Huntingdon, and winning the LMP2 class in the Le Mans 24 Hours two years in a row; 2005 and 2006. Throughout this period the regular driver pairing of Thomas Erdos and Mike Newton established a reputation as front-runners in LMP2 prototype racing, adding the 2007 Le Mans Series drivers' title to their haul of race wins and lap records.

At the same time, the cars they drove were enhanced and developed, and underwent a series of name-changes too. The AER-engined MG EX257 was replaced by the EX264, initially with Judd V8 power (2005), and then reverting to the turbocharged two-litre AER engine for the 2006 season. Further development allowed the EX264 to complete a second season in 2007, which netted the Le Mans Series LMP2 titles not only for the drivers individually but also the team as a whole. A comprehensive upgrade for 2008, including updated MG XP-21 engine, resulted in re-homologation of the chassis as the MG EX265. This culminated in the MG marque's last-ever appearance with RML AD Group when the MG EX265C coupé made its debut (and, it transpired, one-and-only race) at Silverstone in September 2008.

With the MG-derived engine reaching the end of its development potential, and with no sign of the promised support coming from MG's new owners in China, a line was drawn under what had been a remarkable period of success for RML AD Group in endurance racing.

The signing of a new engine and technical support deal with Mazda at the end of 2008 heralded a new era, and in February 2009 the new Lola Mazda took to the track for the first time at Snetterton. Regrettably, the unit's early promise was never truly realised, and the 2009 season was punctuated by a succession of disappointing engine failures that denied the team any degree of success. Despite this, the car was consistently on the pace, and amongst the quickest in LMP2.

In February 2010 RML AD Group revealed a new engine deal with Honda Performance Development Inc (HPD) that sees the team's Lola B08/80 Coupé fitted with the naturally-aspirated HPD LM-V8 for the 2010 season. For full details on that car, click the larger image below. For further details about the RML Lola Mazda B08/86, or to discover more about the MG LMP2 sports prototypes, chose between the two smaller links underneath: