Photo: Lola T430 driven by Ken Smith
However at the SKOPE Classic meeting at Powerbuilt Internatinoal Raceway over the weekend Hyde got to drive a similar Lola T430 owned by Todd Stewart. Hyde couldn’t stop smiling and seemed to enjoy every minute of the experience, one that put a dilemma into his mind, albeit momentarily. Which marque did he prefer?
So what are the key differences between the two cars?
The 1973 McRae GM1 was built three years earlier than the Lola. while the Stewart T430 (HU3) was built in 1976 and was originally the Haas Racing spare car for Brian Redman in the US. It is quite different to the earlier Lola T332.
“The T332 was a superb all round car and renowned for its speed. The T430 was the successor to that car,” comments Hyde.
“The difference between them is my McRae is old school geometry, it drops in the nose quite nice (under brakes) which makes the car turn in reasonably well , but under entry brakes it is not as good (as the Lola). Hence the back end stays where it is and you can come out of the corner n throttle earlier. It is sitting at the geometry where it is supposed to be so when you put your foot down all hell breaks loose earlier.”
Hyde explains that the Lola is designed to squat. “It has a whole lot more down force and as a more modern car it has incredible braking because the whole car squats onto the ground on entry (into the corner). “
“It is outstanding under brakes, outstanding in mid corner but it takes a bit for the rebound of the car to rise back up to where it is supposed to be on throttle application. So when you come on the power it takes a little bit to rebound back up.” Hence the McRae accelerates out of the corner quicker.
“You can increase the rebound by playing around with the car which I think Kenny (Smith ) has got sorted. It is just a delay on throttle; you can’t get the power to the ground as soon as the McRae because the McRae is sitting where it is supposed to be in the back end.”
Hyde finds the handling of the Lola incredible. “The are astonishing under brakes and the gear box is incredible with the modern linkage system.”
So does this call for two different driving styles?
“You have to weigh up which is better. If you want throttle application and better exit you chose the McRae as it works on slow in and fast out (of the corner) where the more modern cars (including the T430) work on fast in and not as fast out. Though the advantage of the Lola is that you can out brake others going into a corner and get them round the outside.”
Do some circuits suit the Lola better?
“Yes, under the tighter circuits where there is more stop and go it suits Kenny’s car. For example Taupo and Hampton Downs because they have more slower and tighter corners.”
“However at circuits like Phillip Island (Australia) the McRae is untouchable. I was four seconds quicker than anyone else mainly because it is such a flowing circuit and the car is on full rebound so it can handle the corners better. At Pukekohe the McRae’s have always been quick, Teretonga is similar. In theory the Lola should be quicker as they hold all the lap records and are the fastest cars out there.”
So what is Chris Hyde’s preference?
“I’m devoted to the McRae. It was a New Zealand built car and they suit me and they have a better power to weight ratio, and I’m loyal to them at the moment.”
