Zoom Here comes the Dome

These last few years, Japan has been only lightly represented at Le Mans, but there are signs that a strong return is in the works with the presence of three LMP1 class contenders for this year's edition. Are these simply private efforts or a real-world test for an interested constructor?

The Dome-Judd S102 will surely be a major attraction at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. This brand-new car has not been seen in Europe yet, and Le Mans will be its first race. After various testing on Japanese circuits, the team moved to a Belgian site at Roeslare occupied by the outfit of former F3 and DTM driver Yves Olivier, JB Motorsport, which will be leading the Japanese assault.

The Dome participated in a test session at Spa, where Jan Lammers was sharing driving duties with test driver Daisuke Itoh, who is very familiar with the constructor's previous models. It seems the Dome performed powerfully well.

Since the Japanese team has much experience at Le Mans, a surprise on the famous Sarthe-based circuit is a possibility. Whatever the case may be, following the progression of the first next-generation closed-cockpit gas-powered LMP1 car will prove interesting indeed... especially with three Toyota drivers at the wheel!

The two other cars to be raced by Japanese teams both have a Courage LC70 chassis in common. The model entered by the Terramos outfit is very close to the Courage-Mugen cars seen at Le Mans two years ago. This car competed in the Japan-based Le Mans Series in 2007 and has probably not been upgraded very much since, unless Mugen wishes to try something new with the engine since the car was prepared in their shops. 61-year-old veteran Yojiro Terada will be racing at Le Mans for the 29th time.

In regards to the Tokai University-entered Courage, the car has been through many modifications, if only to adapt the YGK engine designed by Yoshimasa Hayashi. Before becoming a professor at Tokai University in 1994, Hayashi came to know the Le Mans 24-hour race very well when he was leading Nissan's Motorsports Planning & Development Center in the 1980s.

It was during this period that he conceived the VRH35Z V8 turbo, capable of reaching 1,200hp during qualifying! Hayashi kept the V8 architecture in order to design the YR40T, a bi-turbo 4-litre engine built in Japan by YGK.

The project, which counts many university students, is as original as it is surely fun. But we may wonder if such a team, pairing students and experienced technicians, will be prepared enough for the challenge. It can be said that setting the car on the starting grid will be a success in itself; everything else will be a rightly deserved bonus.

Also of interest is the presence of Toshio Suzuki behind the wheel, one of the Toyota heroes of the 1999 edition.

Daniel BASTIEN © CAPSIS International
Source: François Hurel