RML - what are they really up to in 2008?

**Bentley03** · 29 Nov 2007, 10:05 (Ref:2077839)

Intrigue, intrigue and more intrigue.................

Having read the RML snippet from 'Malcolm and Graham's Road Trip' on DSC last night, I'm desperately trying to work out what they're up to in 2008. Sure, a quick question to the right person and I could probably find out, but what's the fun in that?

This is what Malcolm wrote (forgive the copy and paste, Malcolm!):
"Are the rumour merchants correct about RML’s LMS project? Well you might ask yourselves first and foremost why you haven’t read those rumours here and then you might want to read our full visit report later this week when we’ll tell you what lurks behind the shutters in Wellingborough!"

Intriguing, isn't it! I've got a few ideas myself (which I'll add later), but what do you guys think?

knighty · 29 Nov 2007, 10:18 (Ref:2077844)

my guess is they will be going up a class to LMP1 with the new closed top Lola......or possibly stay in LMP2 but again - with the new closed top Lola, as Lola are saying they think they have discovered a significant gain in a closed top LMP2.......just my 2 pence worth!

The Badger · 29 Nov 2007, 11:14 (Ref:2077872)

There was a rumour knocking about that they had bought the ex Charouz Lola and plan an assault on LMP1 .....

But nothing has been mentioned for fact .

Then there is the possibility of RML running the "new" Lola B08 Coupe too .

I reckon its one of the above . They have been loyal to Lola for the past few years and I see no reason for them to change .

But ..... ya never know !!!

zac510 · 29 Nov 2007, 11:28 (Ref:2077877)

Why don't you ask where their primary source of funding is coming from? MG still?

OT - if they've bought Charouz's Lola then where are Charouz going? It would be a shame to see them go.

Tim the Grey · 29 Nov 2007, 11:51 (Ref:2077891)

MG? They don't pay RML anything...
http://www.rmlmallock.co.uk/web/Partners-and-Links
is the list of who does.

zac510 · 29 Nov 2007, 11:55 (Ref:2077892)

The source of funding for their sportscar programme; unless they put the MG stickers on there out of the goodness of their hearts!

isynge · 29 Nov 2007, 11:58 (Ref:2077895)

Quote:

Originally Posted by zac510

The source of funding for their sportscar programme; unless they put the MG stickers on there out of the goodness of their hearts!

I think it might well come down to that. Historically there may have been some MG funding - but post collapse of MG Rover I'm not sure there's much more than plain sentimentality in that bit of branding.

**Bentley03** · 29 Nov 2007, 12:43 (Ref:2077919)

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Badger

There was a rumour knocking about that they had bought the ex Charouz Lola........

To me, the DSC article knocks the Charouz link well and truly on the head.

Also, "......what lurks behind the shutters in Wellingborough!" suggests the car, whatever it may be, is already there. The P1 closed Lola (B08/60) is in build at Huntingdon, so that's not lurking behind the shutters..........the closed P2 (B08/80) was only revealed mid October, at which point both existing and potential new customers had been to see the windtunnel tests with the model. Unless this project is way further down the line than has been implied, there won't be one of these lurking behind the shutters either.

**Bentley03** · 29 Nov 2007, 12:46 (Ref:2077920)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tim the Grey

MG? They don't pay RML anything...
http://www.rmlmallock.co.uk/web/Partners-and-Links
is the list of who does.

My guess is that you probably need look no further than Mike Newton for the answer.

isynge · 29 Nov 2007, 13:08 (Ref:2077933)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bentley03

To me, the DSC article knocks the Charouz link well and truly on the head.

Also, "......what lurks behind the shutters in Wellingborough!" suggests the car, whatever it may be, is already there. The P1 closed Lola (B08/60) is in build at Huntingdon, so that's not lurking behind the shutters..........the closed P2 (B08/80) was only revealed mid October, at which point both existing and potential new customers had been to see the windtunnel tests with the model. Unless this project is way further down the line than has been implied, there won't be one of these lurking behind the shutters either.

Does that DSC quote knock the Charouz rumour on the head? What it does say to me is that RML are in posession of something. If we assume that the Lola coupes are still at the factory that bit of speculation could be seen as being disproved, but couldn't the Charouz Lola Judd be in Wellingborough - behind shutters?

Really enjoyable thread incidentally - shades of the Rollcentre one last year.

knighty · 29 Nov 2007, 13:18 (Ref:2077938)

what about one of those epsilon-eukasadi coupe things, or however the hell you spell it!....... that the ex Lola designer has designed for the spanish company.........it looks like a very serious piece of kit, and they have confirmed 2 will race next year (I think), so they must have a car in build now......perhaps thats behind the shutters?

failing that, how about this years Pescarolo, its worked for shorty, so why not RML

The Badger · 29 Nov 2007, 13:25 (Ref:2077943)

Quote:

Originally Posted by zac510

if they've bought Charouz's Lola then where are Charouz going? It would be a shame to see them go.

Talk of running a Peugeot 908 HDI VAP !!!

What does HDI VAP stand for anyway ?

The Real DMN · 29 Nov 2007, 13:26 (Ref:2077945)

Quote:

Originally Posted by zac510

The source of funding for their sportscar programme; unless they put the MG stickers on there out of the goodness of their hearts!

Arn't RML involved with X-Power?

Dauer 962 · 29 Nov 2007, 14:01 (Ref:2077964)

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Real DMN

Arn't RML involved with X-Power?

Yes, it is / was RML company for aftermarket sales of MG parts and the reason why there was still an MG branding on the Lola

http://www.rmlx-power.com/

Don’t know if it stills exits, site is down.

johntt · 29 Nov 2007, 14:54 (Ref:2077991)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dauer 962

Yes, it is / was RML company for aftermarket sales of MG parts and the reason why there was still an MG branding on the Lola

http://www.rmlx-power.com/

Don’t know if it stills exits, site is down.

x-power, reminds me of this:

JorritVD · 29 Nov 2007, 15:12 (Ref:2077995)

They running/(making etc.) the Chevrolet team in the WTCC

The Badger · 29 Nov 2007, 15:38 (Ref:2078001)

Quote:

Originally Posted by johntt

x-power, reminds me of this:

XPower reminds me of this !!!

http://gallery.mg-rover.org/data/543.../1dsc00732.jpg

**Bentley03** · 29 Nov 2007, 15:38 (Ref:2078002)

Quote:

Originally Posted by JorritVD

They running/(making etc.) the Chevrolet team in the WTCC

They are indeed, as well as the cars for the Mercedes SLR Trophy, but they will also be racing in the Le Mans Series.

The359 · 29 Nov 2007, 16:28 (Ref:2078018)

When MG went under, RML bought up the X-Power division I believe.

**Dani Filth** · 29 Nov 2007, 17:30 (Ref:2078071)

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Badger

Talk of running a Peugeot 908 HDI VAP !!!

What does HDI VAP stand for anyway ?

it's HDI FAP..
high pressure Diesel Injection Particle Filter

JAG · 29 Nov 2007, 17:42 (Ref:2078085)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bentley03

To me, the DSC article knocks the Charouz link well and truly on the head.

Also, "......what lurks behind the shutters in Wellingborough!" suggests the car, whatever it may be, is already there. The P1 closed Lola (B08/60) is in build at Huntingdon, so that's not lurking behind the shutters..........the closed P2 (B08/80) was only revealed mid October, at which point both existing and potential new customers had been to see the windtunnel tests with the model. Unless this project is way further down the line than has been implied, there won't be one of these lurking behind the shutters either.

Maybe the Lola Coupe is being prepared at RML ready for it's shakedown test?

johntt · 29 Nov 2007, 17:53 (Ref:2078089)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bentley03

They are indeed, as well as the cars for the Mercedes SLR Trophy, but they will also be racing in the Le Mans Series.

RML could easily run those Mercs in GT1. Its been long enough and the Mulsanne hump is no longer there

. All they need is a cheque from
Mercedes.

Quote:

Originally Posted by JAG

Maybe the Lola Coupe is being prepared at RML ready for it's shakedown test?

I'm looking forward to seeing the Lola. According to their windtunnel figures it could give an RS Spyder a run with the right engine inside.

eddsc · 29 Nov 2007, 22:13 (Ref:2078248)

Good - delighted to see that we've got you speculation mongers going. Good fun!
MC

rdjones · 29 Nov 2007, 22:22 (Ref:2078261)

Quote:

Originally Posted by JAG

Maybe the Lola Coupe is being prepared at RML ready for it's shakedown test?

From what I have just read on DSC that is still sat in Huntingdon.

I post on another forum who have built up a link with RML over the last couple of year due to the current car being badged an MG and we can't wait to find out what they are planning for next year.

**Bentley03** · 30 Nov 2007, 01:05 (Ref:2078352)

I don't think we've come up with the answer yet...........

What about the outrageous? Well, Audi have indicated that the R10 could be made available to 'privateers' (I use that word very loosely). Would RML not fall into the same category as Veloqz, Oreca and Goh in this respect? They certainly have the technical resources and expertise for such an undertaking.

RS Spyder? I think we'd know if another Spyder had been built and sold.

Lola? Well, it won't be a closed one and if it's a brand new open P1 it was ordered some time ago because the company are still talking in terms of 'the next prototype sold will be the 50th since MB took over in 1998'. They surely wouldn't buy another open P2, but the purchase of an existing P1 is a possibility (Charouz, unlikely after the DSC article, but what about Bob Berridge's Chamberlain car, what are they doing next year?). If they have bought a 'used' example, my bet would be the ex Swiss Spirit chassis complete with a lease for Audi engines.

Pescarolo? Unless they've snapped up the Listerolo very quickly or bought last year's 16 or 17 (which I very much doubt), I believe all chassis are accounted for.

Radical, Courage, Epsilon Euskadi, Creation? All very unlikely.

Embassy? Won't sell.

Which really just leaves Zytek. There have been no rumours of additional unaccounted for tubs built, but who knows? Zytek (P2) power ruled the roost at Le Mans this year and the car appeared to be marginally quicker than the Lola. If they remain in P2 next year, I reckon a Zytek would be the most likely replacement. And P1? If the Arena/Zytek/Audi rumours are true, why not an RML/Zytek/Audi P1.

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