Embassy to build its own LMP2 cars
Embassy has announced that for 2008, it will change from a race car preparation outfit into a full blown LMP2 race car constructor. The new car, designated WF01 after team owner’s son William, has been designed from scratch by Peter Elleray and his team at ptec design and will be powered by the Zytek ZG348 engine.
Having made the decision to become a constructor, Embassy is committed to building two cars and is expecting to race both in next year’s Le Mans Series.
Obviously to carry out our ambitious plans, we will have to recruit additional drivers, though other than Warren Hughes who has just signed a three year deal, the line-up has not been decided.
Tyre negotiations are also ongoing and a deal will be announced as soon as all the details have been finalised.
Team Principal Jonathan France believes that this approach represents the best opportunity to challenge for the 2008 LMP2 Championship and a future Le Mans victory.
Embassy Racing Constructors
The decision to turn Embassy Racing from a preparation team to a constructor of prototype sportscars dates back to before the beginning of the 2007 season. Even prior to purchasing the Pilbeam MP93, Embassy had set up a small project team to initiate a viability study into designing and constructing its own car. It was always intended that if the findings were positive, the customer car for 2007 would act as an interim stage – providing the team with the prototype racing experience required to launch its own car in 2008.
The feasibility team quickly identified Peter Elleray as the engineer of choice to design the brand new Embassy prototype, he was approached, negotiations concluded and ptec design were commissioned to do the job.
Renewing a working relationship with Embassy Technical Director, Alastair Macqueen, the two having worked together on the Le Mans Bentley’s of 2001-2003, a presentation was made to Team Principal Jonathan France and the go ahead given.
One of the most distinguishing aspects of the project and instrumental in the decision making process of all concerned was the “no compromise – clean sheet” mandate that Jonathan France gave to Peter and his design team. The project was Peter’s, and he was free to design the car that he wanted to build. The budget was available and Peter was given the all clear to design the very best prototype he could.
Alongside the efforts of the 2007 Embassy Le Mans Series programme, the team has been gearing up to handle its new role as constructor. The purchase of new premises near the existing workshop is underway and plans have been drawn up to create a bespoke environment specifically designed to house all the elements required as a constructor, including stores, office space, build workshop and preparation workshop. A further coup for the growing concern is the appointment of Gerald “Duffy” Sheardown from Wirth Research as General Manager.
The Embassy Racing WF01
The Embassy Racing WF01is already at an advanced stage of construction. Considered evolution rather than revolution, Embassy has been careful not to pioneer too much new technology in the WF01, but instead, use refined and well understood options with proven durability. These are typified by the use of the Zytek V8 engine, Ricardo gearbox and the electronics platform which has been developed on the current Embassy LMP 2 car and will largely be carried over.
Having undergone three weeks worth of aerodynamic testing at the RUAG wind tunnel in Emmen Switzerland, the headline aerodynamic figures are very impressive. Once the initial results were analysed fully, the build of the first ever WF01 was authorised. As a preferred Embassy technical partner, RTN also had the job of producing the carbon composite tub and bodywork.
With the build progressing at pace, it is expected that a complete car will be ready for full shakedown testing towards the end of January 2008
The WF01 will be crash tested to LMP1 standard and it has not been ruled out that under the right conditions the Embassy car could compete in the endurance racing premier category.
Team Principal Jonathan France says of the latest Embassy activity:
“From the very first outing with Corvette in British GT, it has always been my aim to become a constructor of prototypes and compete at Le Mans. I have been quietly working towards this point for some years now and a few months ago everything seemed to slot perfectly into place to make the final step. I want to establish Embassy Racing as a distinct and independent business. We have the infrastructure, know-how and investment required to make the transition to constructor and I believe we have the foundations to achieve great success.
“I am particularly proud to have achieved one of my great personal ambitions, that of building my own prototype and even more pleased that I am able to designate it the WF01 after my son William.
“I am under no illusions as to what is involved. My time in motorsport has taught me to expect the worst and prepare for worse. I have learned many valuable lessons over the years and it is time now to put that knowledge into practice. I’m sure there will be more difficulties along the way but I am determined to do everything I can to succeed and it is my goal eventually to see Embassy Racing discussed in the same circles as firms such as RML, Oreca or even Prodrive.”
