Debora LMP200

The Debora LMP200 was a Le Mans Prototype, built by Debora in 2001 for use in the European Le Mans Series. Initially fitted with a 3.2-litre BMW straight-six engine, it was refitted with a 3-litre BMW straight-six in 2002, and then a 3.4-litre -BMW straight-six in 2003.^[2] One car is known to have been built.^[1] The LMP200 was used by when they won the European Le Mans Series in 2001.

Racing history[]

2001[]

The Debora LMP200 was first entered in the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2001 by , but the team's entry was not accepted.^[3] Instead, the team debuted the car at the , which formed part of the European Le Mans Series; the car was fitted with a 3.2-litre BMW straight-six engine, and , Guillaume Gomez and were selected to drive.^[4] However, after one-and-three-quarter hours, and 57 laps, the car lost a wheel and was forced to retire.^[5] At , the car (driven by Dussau and Gomez) was classified in 13th overall, and second in the LMP675 class;^[6] but had retired after an hour and fifty minutes, and 48 laps, due to overheating caused by a water leak.^[7] The LMP200's final appearance in 2001 came at the , where it finished for the first time; the car, driven by Bich and , finished twelfth overall, and won the LMP675 class.^[8] Didier Bonnet Racing won the LMP675 category of the European Le Mans Series, with 77 points; 5 more than nearest rival .^[9]

2002[]

In 2002, Didier Bonnet Racing once again attempted to enter the LMP200 in the 24 Hours of Le Mans; however, their entry was again rejected.^[10] The car was next entered by Debora Automobiles in the Magny-Cours round of the FIA Sportscar Championship; however, the LMP200, driven by , Jean-François Yvon and and refitted with a 3-litre BMW straight-six engine for the SR2 category,^[11] retired due to electrical failure after one hour, having completed 47 laps.^[12] The factory entered the car in the following round, held at Dijon-Prenois; Duqueine, Dominique Lacaud and finished eighth overall, and fifth in class.^[13] The car made its final appearance in 2002 at the Spa-Francorchamps round of the FIA Sportscar Championship, with Debora entering Bich and ; the team were running ninth overall, and fourth in class,^[14] when the race was halted around the two-hour mark due to heavy rain.^[15] Debora were classified fourth in the SR2 Manufacturer's Championship with 24 points, 24 behind Lola, and 14 ahead of Rapier 6.^[16]

2003[]

In 2003, Didier Bonnet Racing tried for a third time to enter the LMP200 at the 24 Hours of Le Mans; once again, their entry was declined.^[17] Instead, the car made its first appearance of 2003 in the 1000 km of Le Mans; Didier Bonnet Racing entered Bossy and in the event, with a 3.4-litre -BMW straight-six being fitted for the event.^[18] However, exhaust problems forced the team to retire after five-and-a-quarter hours, having completed 141 laps.^[19] This proved to be the car's last ever race, as it was not entered again.^[20]

References[]