RML MG Lola EX-257 by Scalextric

Under the Lola banner were two completely different types of cars and three engines. Beside the elder B2K/10s were the EX 257 built for MG in 2001. The EX 257 was desig- ned for the LMP 675 category and was powered by a 4-cylinder turbocharged engine. The excellent power to weight ratio saw this Lola to worry the audis but reliability had been their Achilles heel in the Sarthe in former years. RML was back for the 3rd year running with a LM P675 car but this year it was upgraded to LM P1 due to its carbon fibre monocoque. This entry was the latest version of the straight 4 MG XP-20 with a new aluminium block and new cylinder heads. The drivers line-up for Le Mans 2004 was Thomas Erdos, Mike Newton and Nathan Kinch. Erdos qualified for 13th spot with a 3m 42,298 secs.

The RML Lola in its distintive tricolour livery was making steady progress after an early starter problem. It was right in the thick of the LM P1s in 16th place until exhaust problems intervened. The Lola lost more than two hours due to this problem and by 22h00 it was down in 42nd place, a blow from which the team never recovered. Therefore its only aim was to finish but even that was denied the team. The Lola went out just after midday with less than three hours left and had the dubious honour of being the last retirement in this years Le Mans.

Hour by hour: Start - 13th 1h - 21st 2h - 33rd 3h - 19th 4h - 16th 5h - 39th 6h - 42nd 7h - 40th 8h - 39th 9h - 39th 10h - 39th 11h - 36th 12h - 33rd 13h - 31st 14h - 30th 15h - 29th 16h - 29th 17h - 25th 18h - 24th 19h - 23rd 20h - 22nd 21h - 23rd 22h - 26th 23h - 24h -