RML
AD Group on Dunlop Rubber in 2010
 RML
AD Group is pleased to announce that the team’s
Lola HPD Coupé will be running on Dunlop
tyres in the 2010 Le Mans Series and Le Mans 24
Hours.
The
move to Dunlop restores a partnership that has
helped Ray Mallock Limited (RML) to many successes
over the years, including the emotive return of
Ecurie Ecosse to the British Touring Car Championship
in 1992-1993 with the late David Leslie, and a
dominant season in the European Le Mans Series
of 2001. On Dunlop tyres, the RML designed, built
and managed Saleen S7-R won all but one race and
took the team, drivers’ and manufacturers’
titles.
In
2003 and 2004, RML entered a pair of Dunlop-shod
Saleens in the FIA GT Championship (above
right), with Mike Newton and Thomas Erdos
also competing in the 2003 Le Mans 24 Hours.
 Later
in 2003 RML and AD Group teamed up with Dunlop
to run the ex-works MG Lola EX257 in the Le Mans
1000 Kilometres; the inaugural event of the Le
Mans Endurance Series. The RML AD Group EX257
employed Dunlop tyres throughout the 2004 season,
including the Le Mans 24 Hours (left).
That was the start of the team’s sports
prototype programme that has since netted two
class wins at Le Mans and the Le Mans Series LMP2
title in 2007.
“We’re
really looking forward to beginning an exciting
new partnership with Dunlop,” said Phil
Barker, Team Manager at RML. “Dunlop has
made great strides forwards recently, especially
with their LMP2 tyre compounds, and we’re
feeling very positive about the outcome. We hope
their advances will give us an edge this year
that should allow us to challenge for podiums
right from the start of the season.”
"Dunlop
has ambitious and exciting plans for the Le Mans
series. Working with RML is a key part of our
aim to add to our 34 overall wins in the Le Mans
24 Hours and recent class championship wins in
the Series,” stated Jean-Felix Bazelin,
General Manager, Dunlop Motorsport EU. “We
have enjoyed a successful partnership with the
professional team at RML in many other championships,
including the Dunlop British Touring Car Championship,
and hope to build on this relationship in 2010"
RML
enjoyed considerable success in the 2009 British
Touring Car Championship, where the RML-built
Racing Silverline Chevrolet Lacetti, fitted with
Dunlop tyres, took Jason Plato to seven wins and
the runner-up position in the championship.
 Thomas
Erdos is delighted to be returning to the manufacturer
that helped him towards the British GT title.
“The very first sportscar I ever raced was
on Dunlops, and in 2002 we won the British GT
championship with Dunlop,” said Tommy. “I
have always had an excellent relationship with
Dunlop, and in my early years as a professional
driver I learned a great deal about how to look
after my tyres and how to get the best out of
my relationship with the tyre engineers, thanks
to their personnel. I feel we have made the right
choice in choosing Dunlop as our supplier for
2010 and I’m really looking forward to getting
to know the new crop of LMP tyres. I have no doubt
that with Dunlop’s support the RML AD Group
Lola-HPD will be a very competitive package.”
The
team will be carrying out a shakedown test of
the Lola B08/80 HPD this week ahead of the season’s
first official test at the Paul Ricard circuit
at Le Castellet, near Marseille, on March 7th
and 8th.
Photographic
credits: Photos (1) and (2) to Marcus Potts/CMC,
and (3) to David Lord/DSC
Further
information please contact:
RML: Rupert
Manwaring, Sponsorship & Marketing Director
Telephone: +44 (0)1933 402440
AD Group: Pauline
Norstrom, Director of Worldwide Marketing.
Telephone: +44 (0)1928 706 449
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