Significant updates for one of sportscar racing’s most successful chassis
The first Le Mans contender to carry the name associated with the Gibson brand will feature a host of improvements that will ensure the car remains at the forefront of the LMP2 category. It is the latest development of the ultra competitive Zytek chassis, which won its class at Le Mans this year, as well as in 2011 and has been an overall victor at some of the most famous race circuits across the world. Eight of the last 10 European Le Mans Series races have also seen the chassis take pole position.
An intensive CFD programme has been undertaken to improve the aerodynamic efficiency - increasing downforce and reducing drag – of what was, hitherto, the Zytek Z11SN. Updates have also been included to ensure that the car complies with the latest ACO/FIA safety regulations, while further improvements have been made to its already impressive serviceability and reliability record. The numerous changes being homologated are possible within the cost cap rules since the car is now four years old.
To date a total of 14 chassis have been built, and since 2011 have been powered by the highly successful Gibson developed Nissan VK45 engine. With the change in company name from Zytek Engineering to Gibson Technology, the opportunity has now arisen to rebrand the car.
‘Over the past few months a great deal of work has been done here at Gibson Technology on these updates, in conjunction with our two Le Mans winning customers Greaves and Jota,’ said John Manchester Operations Director. ‘We look forward to continuing the strong working relationship with both teams again in 2015.’
In addition to updating its highly respected, open top chassis, Gibson is continuing to work on an LMP1/2 coupe in readiness for the release of the 2017 regulations. However, company Chairman Bill Gibson stated, ‘We are not yet willing to complete the design of the all new coupe until the 2017 regulations have been finalized by the ACO.’
Gibson remains one of the leading manufacturers of racecar engines in the world and will be sole supplier to the prestigious Renault FR3.5 Series for the fourth consecutive season as well as, again, powering the whole Auto GP and FA1 grids, in addition to numerous LMP2 teams.
