JB Motorsport has announced that they will compete in next years Recaro Formula 3 Cup series with a pair of Opel-Spiess powered Lola chassis.
The former title winning team, based in Roeselare, Belgium, have secured the partnership with Lola to race and develop the constructors updated B05/30 chassis that won three rounds of this year’s British Formula Three International series in the hands of Danilo Dirani and Steven Kane.
JB Motorsport and Lola’s relationship started in June of this year when both were entrusted with the official Marlboro entered cars for the International masters race at Zandvoort. The team again plan to enter the race again next season.
JB Motorsports Team Principal Yves Olivier was delighted with the announcement and said: “This is a very important day for the JB Motorsport team as it sees the start of a close partnership with Lola who will be represented in Europe for the first time since 2004. I am sure that there will be some success in store for the team and also for the Lola F3 programme.”
“Our first connection with Lola was at Zandvoort in the summer and although the results didn’t go our way then, we were very impressed with what Lola delivered and their determination to win in F3, something which is shared by the whole team at JB Motorsport,” continued Olivier.
The team are set to name their drivers shortly and will begin their test schedule in the New Year. Both of the JB Motorsport Lola B06/30’s will run with a Pankl gearbox and Opel-Spiess engines.
Commenting on the news of JB Motorsport’s 2006 plans, Lola Group Managing Director Rupert Manwaring said; “JB are undoubtedly one of the most professional and ambitious teams in European F3 racing. We are highly delighted that they have chosen Lola chassis for 2006 and look forward to more race wins and a Championship title.”
JB Motorsport’s Yves Olivier also commented on his previous experience of driving Lola designed cars when he competed.
“ I drove the Lola B99/50 Formula 3000 car so I know first hand what an excellent constructor they are. Also, with my connections at Opel from when I competed in DTM for two tears, I feel that we have a very strong package coming together for next season and beyond.”
The 2006 Recaro Formula Three series kicks off at Hockenheim on April 29/30. The calendar also includes a race on the complete oval at Lausitzring on 1/2 July.
JB Motorsport
In 1996 the team JB Motorsport started as the only Belgian team in the German F3 championship. The German championship was considered as the strongest F3 competition in the world. The team started in the B-class in which they achieved a 3rd place with Yves Olivier.
For the 2001 season, JB Motorsport had signed Tom van Bavel and current F1 driver, Robert Doornbos.
In 2003 JB Motorsport participated in the German F3 Cup with one Dallara F302 car.
One of the fastest Formula 3-drivers of previous years came back to German Formula 3 with JB: Joao Paulo de Oliveira. The gifted Brazilian had a very successful season and won the championship with many race victories.
In 2004 JB started with the young Irishman Michael Devaney, who had been very successful in Formula BMW ADAC. Devaney won his first race for JB at Oschersleben.
In the middle of the 2004 season Jan Heylen, joined the team and went on to finish 3rd in the series with Devaney just behind him in 4th place.
2005: Participation in German Formula 3 cup with Ferdinand Kool and Ho-Pin Tung2004: With Michael Devaney (4th) and Jan Heylen (3rd) in German Formula3 cup2003: Champion of German Formula 3 cup with Joao Paolo de Oliveira. Second driver: Adrian Wolf2002: Participating with Stefan de Groot, Rizal Ramli, Joao Paolo de Oliveira and Shigeki Ebihara in German F3 championship and with Rob Austin and Stefan de Groot at Marlboro Masters2001: Participating with Tom van Bavel and Robert Doornbos in German F3 championship2000: 17th place German F3 championship with Nicolas Stelandre and 20th place with Val Hillebrand1999: 5th place German F3 championship with Yves Olivier and Rookie of the Year with Walter van Lent1998: 9th place German F3 championship with Yves Olivier1997: 15th place German F3 championship with Yves Olivier1996: 3rd place German F3 championship class B with Yves Olivier
Lola Group
Lola Group is a globally recognised supplier of technology services to the motorsport, automotive, aerospace, defense, communications and marine sectors.
Highlights of Lola’s racing achievements include:
- 9 time CART Champ Car champions and 3-time winner of the Indy 500
- Supplier of chassis designs to 5 F1 Teams from 1962-1993 including 1967 race winning Honda
- Exclusive supplier to A1 Grand Prix and Formula Nippon
- Le Mans 24 Hours LMP2 winners in 2004 and 2005
- Exclusive supplier of chassis to FIA International F3000 1996-2004
- Le Mans designs commissioned by Ford, Nissan and MG
- Motorsport Industry Association 2004 Business of the Year
Highlights of Lola’s F3 campaign so far include:
- Returned to F3 in 2003 with Dome Cars of Japan with the Lola-Dome F106/03. BAR Honda test driver Adam Carroll scored best result of 5th place in the British series. Robbie Kerr and Joao Paulo De Oliveira also drive
- Took pole and wins in first season of Japanese F3 competition
- Three wins for Marco Bonanomi and Christian Montanari in Italian F3 series
- First win with Danny Watts at Castle Combe in 2004. First non Dallara to win in the UK since 1993
- Runners up in 2004 Japanese F3 series with Joao Paulo De Oliveira
- Three wins with Danilo Dirani and Steven Kane in 2005 British F3 International series
- Pole positions at Spa, Donington, Silversone and Mondello Park
- 4th position on the grid for 2005 Marlboro Masters International race at Zandvoort with JB Motorsport Lola B05/30
