Panoz Esperante GTLM Team PTG 2009

[RACECAR]

​

After building and racing a series of unconventional prototypes, Panoz would switch to GT racing. At a conference in Sebring, the Panoz Esperante GTLM was unveiled to the public alongside its new road going variant. It featured a 420 bhp supercharged version of Ford's modular engine. To prepare for the racing ahead much of the car's exterior was refined to produce more downforce. To even out the various engine configurations and displacements, the sport's governing bodies required all cars to run an intake restrictor with a variable size depending on displacement and method of induction. A Supercharger unfortunately did not work very well with a restrictor so Panoz opted to fit a slightly larger, Naturally Aspirated version of Ford's versatile V8. Prepared by Elan Motorsport, this 5 liter engine proved to be good for 500 hp even with the restrictors. In 2004 after the Sebring 12 Hours, the Panoz development team tested the new car to see how competitive it was with the other GT cars it would face in the ALMS championship. After a number of successful test sessions, the car debuted in the second round of the season at Mid Ohio. In the race it ran as high as third in the Porsche dominated class before being forced to retire. The remainder of the season was used to further develop the car and prepare for a full assault. In 2005 at the second round of the season, the hard work paid off and the Esperante GTLM scored a heavily fought win in class in the Grand Prix of Atlanta. Sadly the winning performance could not be continued in the following races where the cars were often plagued with issues. The team spent a few weeks in Europe for the 24 Hours of Le Mans race where they matched the Porsches' pace, but again suffered with reliability issues. In 2006, a European effort was established with Team LNT taking two Esperantes while At the same time, Panoz had its two car works team. It would be the most successful season for the car as it managed to score two major victories, first at the 13 Hours Of Sebring in the hands of the factory Multimatic Team and then at the 24 Hours Of Le Mans with the Privateer LNT Team. From 2007 to 2009, the car would be run by former BMW team PTG and no longer as a factory effort.

The Addition of this car would add another unique car to the Panoz name.

​

Engine: Ford Modular 5.0L Naturally Aspirated V8
Horsepower: 500 hp
Transmission: Hewland 6-Speed Sequential
Weight: 1200Kg
Drivetrain: RWD

 

[CORRUPTEDDISC]

Panoz is one of my favourite racing teams so yep!

 

[StarLight]

This is one good looking Panoz.
👍

 

[cbarbosa]

Voted! 👍