Lola – The First 50 Years ..

DVD IS LAUNCHED TODAY

Stephen Fry narrates the story of Lola

Lola Group announces the launch of ‘Lola: The First 50 Years’, a DVD that charts the remarkable story of Britain’s best loved and most prolific racing car manufacturer.

Celebrating it’s Golden Anniversary in 2008, Lola has designed and built more racing cars than any other constructor. Almost 4000 cars proudly wear the famous Lola badge and a majority of Formula One champions have raced and won in Lola cars during their careers.

The film details the firm’s humble beginnings, in the South East London suburb of Bromley  where, in 1958 Lola originator Eric Broadley built the foundations for the successful Lola brand in a tiny workshop loaned by a friend. The story continues through to the present day multi million pound state-of-the-art facility that Lola operates in Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire. Among the many racing successes documented are the Indy 500 wins of 1966, 1978 and 1990, the famous ‘Hondola’ F1 win at Monza 1967 and the full history of Lola’s assaults on the Le Mans 24 Hours. All are colourfully depicted by great archive footage and the recollections of the drivers and crews that won for Lola on the world stage.

Current owner and Executive Chairman of Lola Group, Martin Birrane, along with a cast of famous racing personalities such as John Surtees, Sir Jackie Stewart, Damon Hill and AJ Foyt, chronicle the remarkable story of Lola. The DVD also traces the desperate days of 1997 when Lola was within days of ceasing to exist and  this very British company found itself at a significant crossroads.

Exciting archive footage and contemporary film recalling some of the spectacular celebrations during the 50th year make for absorbing viewing. So too the insights and memories from such as Brian Redman, Mark Blundell, Michael Andretti, Al Unser Jnr, Bobby Rahal. Sebastien Bourdais and Paul Tracy.

As well as looking at Lola’s significant victories on the track, the film charts the less well-known diversification into other industries. During Martin Birrane’s ownership the Aerospace, Defence, Communications and Automotive industries have benefited from Lola’s engineering skills and its renowned capabilities in composite technology.

A 2008 visit by His Royal Highness The Duke of York is also featured  as is the novel sight of a Lola LMP1 car lighting up its tyres in the directors car park!

Martin Birrane reminisces on his first ever memories of both racing and owning Lola cars; “This is the most substantial story ever told of Lola’s epic journey over the years. Eric Broadley was the talented innovator and founder of a great British marque. Sadly it fell upon hard times in 1997. I then took on the challenge of resuscitating and saving the brand. This was accomplished despite the hardships encountered by motorsport in the late 90’s and early part of the present decade. I am delighted to say we have had many successes in the past 11 years, all hard earned but all very rewarding. Lola has been described as a pretty young girl that grew into a beautiful and sophisticated woman, never out of fashion and I feel that is quite an accurate observation. What this film shows is the depth of feeling that so many people have for the brand and also for its staying power during the last 50 years. I am sure hardened enthusiasts and new fans to the sport of motor racing will enjoy this film in equal measure.”

At 80 minutes long, narrated by Stephen Fry, in his unmistakeable style with some superb extras, ‘Lola – The First 50 Years’ will hold interest for racing fans worldwide.

Lola – The First 50 Years is available now at motorsportdvd.com/lola/products/lola_the_first_50_years/page_1 and is priced at £14.99.


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