The Ascari A410 was a Le Mans Prototype built by Ascari Cars in 2000. The car, which was based on the Lola T92/10 Group C racing car, featured a 4-litre Judd GV4 V10 engine, and was used in European and international sports car racing events. In 2002, it was renamed as the Ascari KZR-1.
Two cars were built.
Development
Following Klaas Zwart's purchase of Ascari Cars in the late 1990s, he had begun to enter the team in sports car racing; initially using the Ascari Ecosse in 1999, before building the A410 in 2000. The A410 was a LMP900-class car and took its name from the 4-litre Judd GV4 V10 engine it was fitted with. The A410 was based on the Lola T92/10 Group C racing car and featured a similar chassis design, as well as similar suspension. Although clearly distinguishable from the T92/10 by its open bodywork – the T92/10 had a closed cockpit – the A410 used several styling cues from the T92/10, such as the flat-nosed front end. Even the 4-litre V10 was related to the T92/10; the Judd GV4 was a bigger version of the 3.5-litre GV10 unit featured in the early car, which itself started out life as a Formula One engine. Two cars were built and the car made its debut in 2000. In 2002, both cars were renamed as the KZR-1 – not to be confused with the Ascari KZ1-R GT3 racing car – and shipped to America.
Specification
The A410 had a carbon fibre monocoque chassis, with double wishbone suspension, with push-rod actuated coil springs and dampers at both ends of the car. The naturally-aspirated Judd GV4 engine produced around at 10,250 rpm, whilst it made of torque at 8,500 rpm. Although the power output was similar to that of the most successful LMP900 car, the Audi R8, the naturally aspirated engine produced far less torque than the 3.6-litre, twin-turbocharged V8 engine in the R8; around less. The A410 used a 6-speed sequential gearbox, driving the rear wheels, and featured carbon fibre disc brakes, as was standard within the class.
Racing history
A410 (2000–2001) The A410 made its debut in the 500 km of Silverstone in 2000, but gearbox problems prevented it from racing. Team Ascari then attempted to compete in the 24 Hours of Le Mans, but due to not having attended the Le Mans Test, were not invited to race. Zwart then entered himself alongside Werner Lupberger and Jeffrey van Hooydonk at the 1000 km of Nürburgring, but, although the car made the start of a race for the first time, they were forced to retire after 41 laps due to another gearbox failure. At the Brno round of the Sports Racing World Cup, an A410 finished a race for the first time; Lupberger and Zwart finished 19th, and last overall, twelve laps behind the next car. This was also the only time the A410 finished a race in 2000; the team retired at Donington Park without completing a lap due to electrical issues, before suffering similar problems at the Nürburgring after 27 laps, and a spin after 29 laps put the team out of the final race of the Sports Racing World Cup season, held at Magny-Cours.
