After the successes achieved by the Lancia Beta Monte Carlo in Group 5 of the FIA World Championship, the Italian brand decided to enter the top category of the competition, Group C. The first prototype of 1982 was closer to the performance of the Group 6, until later the Lancia LC2 reached the necessary performance for try to battle the Porsche 956.
The Lancia LC1 had a single-hull chassis designed by Dallara and prototype spyder body. This car was fitted with a 4-cylinder Turbo engine of 1.500 cm3 displacement and a power of 450 hp. While participating in the Group 6 category, it was almost an undercover Group C and was subsequently disqualified by the AIF for Group 6.
The Lancia LC1 debuted with a drop in the 1000 Kilometers of Monza 1982. In his second race at Silverstone Lancia won the Porsche 956. The next race in would see a new victory for Lancia LC1 that caught the attention of the FIA.
In the 24 Hours of Le Mans, Lancia's illusions were thrown away. Porsche placed its three 956 cars on the podium while the Lancia abandoned due to mechanical problems. In the rest of the season, the LC1 achieved two other victories, although overshadowed by lack of constancy and reliability.
Group C was characterized by limited fuel consumption regulations, so the Lancia 4-cylinder impeller adapted smoothly, although extremely low in power.
In order to challenge the brand new Porsche 956, Lancia turned to Ferrari to provide them with high-performance engines already developed. Ferrari then delivered 32-valve and 2.650 cm3 V8 engines very similar to those equipped with the 308 QV. These engines included two KKK twin turbos.
The reason why the original engine capacity was reduced is that it was intended to supply Indy teams with these V8 engines, and must then comply with the regulations imposed for the Indianapolis 500 Miles.
Subsequently, the engines were reconditioned by Abarth for maximum performance. The displacement was brought back to 3,000 cm3 and the power in ratings (with higher pressure in the turbo) reached 850 hp.
The Lancia LC2 V8 engine was mounted directly on an aluminum monocoque designed by Dallara, who also designed the LC1 chassis. The new body was made of kevlar and carbon fiber. The car equipped front radiator and side air inlets for the intercoolers that cooled the turbo. The rest of the mechanics was completed with a 5-speed Hewland manual transmission box.
Perhaps the most significant of Dallara's work was on the ground, as it was faired to create ground effect that provided downward force that gave good stability to the whole. Dallara had previously worked for Lamborghini and now formed his own company, which currently manufactures Formula and Indy racing cars .
The Lancia LC2 debuted in Pool C of the FIA World Championship in 1983 with no success, with succession of abandonment and great frustration at Le Mans, where the car was fast but unreliable. After 13 hours of racing, the three Lancia were out and Porsche finished the race taking the first eight places. The only positive result was an almost surprising second place in Kyalami.
By 1984 Lancia showed greater optimism and confidence in its prototype. The LC2 had been reconfigured for better performance thanks to aerodynamic improvements and adjustments to its now larger engine. Even fuel consumption was lower.
The 1984 season began with a promising third place for the Lancia LC2. But the real ambition of the Italian brand was to succeed in the 24 Hours of Le Mans. That year Porsche had clashes with the organizers of that race and the official team did not participate. Lancia would try to take advantage of the situation.
The LC2 qualified in the first two places and led part of the race. Until bad fortune came back. One of the Lancia left and the other had mechanical problems that relegated him to a mediocre eighth place, behind Porsche 956 prototypes belonging to private teams.
In 1985 Lancia tried again to conquer Le Mans. They again qualified well, placing the first LC2 third in the grid. At the start of the competition Lancia LC2 reached the tip, although it only lasted three laps. The lack of mechanical strength affected the Italians again, relegating the Lancia to sixth and seventh place.
Poor results led Lancia to abandon prototyping competitions. The Martini Racing team continued with a few more efforts until 1986, although without good results. The LC2 is remembered as the only possibility in the first half of the 1980s to disrupt Porsche dominance.
As a balance, Lancia was second in the brand championship during his three years of activity in Group C, achieving only two victories.
© Adrián Blanco 2007 - No full or partial reproduction of text and/or images without explicit written consent of the author. —
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