MG-Lola EX257

MG had previously had success at the 24 Hours of Le Mans many decades ago, yet had never scored an overall win.

Lola would therefore have to build an all-new prototype design that would center on the light weight and small engines of LMP675.

In 2003, the Intersport Racing team considered that the MG engine was lacking the power necessary for tracks used in the American Le Mans Series.

This car, referred to by its Lola designation only due to the loss of the MG engine, had a short career with some success.

The new MG-Lola EX257 made its competition debut at the 2001 24 Hours of Le Mans, with two cars being run by MG Sport & Racing Ltd.

Improvements to the EX257 provided greater durability, shown at Sebring with Intersport taking the LMP675 win and seventh overall, while KnightHawk took third in LMP675.

After two years of being unable to finish at Le Mans and financial strain on the MG Rover Group, the sports car project was cancelled.

Notably, the #16 Dyson entry, piloted by James Weaver and Butch Leitzinger, took an overall victory at the Infineon Raceway round, the first time an LMP675 car had pulled off the upset.

However, Intersport made an unusual decision for the final round at Petit Le Mans, deciding to replace the turbocharged MG engine with a new naturally aspirated Judd KV675 V8.

A single entry from Intersport failed to finish yet again, due to an engine failure after a mere 102 laps.

The ACO decided to alter the Le Mans Prototype rules due to the inherent problems of the LMP675 class.

Intersport's car was taken out in an accident, while RML's entry blew an engine in the closing hours of the race.

The two former Dyson EX257s were sold to two teams, Highcroft Racing and Autocon Motorsports, who competed in limited schedules in the American Le Mans Series.

Again taking the LMP2 class victory, this year they finished in eighth place overall, a mere 37 laps behind the overall winning Audi R10.

The final original car still in competition, Autocon Motorsport's entry, began the 2007 American Le Mans Series season.

However following three rounds of racing, the team decided to buy a newer Creation CA06/H after the Grand Prix of Long Beach.