Mid-Ohio American Le Mans Series: The Last of the Privateers Show How It’s Done. Jonny Cocker Puts the Cellulosic Ethanol Drayson Lola on the Pole

by Robert E. Kozak (Advanced Biofuels USA) We’ve written a fair amount about Lord Paul Drayson’s Green Racing efforts and for good reason. Since joining the ALMS circuit in 2008 Paul and Elspeth Drayson, and the team led by Dale White, have effectively shown how sports car racing can be used to promote renewable, sustainable energy and science education.

And, remember that until several months ago, racing wasn’t Paul’s day job. He was in the Cabinet of Great Britain’s government holding the position of Minister of Science and Innovation. Paul is a principled man and made it very clear that the team would not accept any corporate sponsorship while he held office. By holding to this belief, the Draysons became the sole source of funds for the team.

Back in the day, meaning the 1950s and early 1960s, the British had a colorful term for gentleman like Lord Drayson who put their own money into competing against the factory sponsored teams. They were called “privateers.” Generally speaking, they were supposed to win at the small races, but when it came to the big-time circuits they were supposed to step aside for the big teams. Some teams of that era like Rob Walker’s didn’t get that memo and had their fair share of good performances. Apparently, Paul Drayson and Company didn’t get that memo either.

Late last season, the Drayson team took the big jump from GT class (modified production sports cars) to prototypes (cutting edge technology and current-edge speed). The top speed of a prototype is 210+ mph at a circuit like Le Mans or Road America while a GT will top out at 160-170 mph. Le Mans prototypes are at the pinnacle of motor sports. To say the least they are a challenge to set-up and to drive.

Getting to terms with the V-10 Judd powered Lola prototype has been a challenge for the Drayson team. And getting a reliable cellulosic ethanol supplier has also been a challenge. But, the team persevered. Their cellulosic ethanol comes from Iogen and all year they have been getting faster.

The first sign of their dominating speed came Friday morning. Just before the end of the first practice session Jonny Cocker ripped off the fastest time of the day. Then, in the second practice he did the same thing. The young Mr. Cocker, who has been with the Draysons from the beginning, was outdistancing Le Mans champions like David Brabham and Simon Pagenaud.

When it came time to qualify it was simply Jonny Cocker and then everyone else. When it was over he had put the Lola on the pole with a speed of 116.069 mph. The closest anyone else could get was 114.545 mph. A 1.5 mph differential between 1^st and 2^nd qualifiers is generally unheard of in motor racing. It’s usually more like .15 mph.

Jonny looked like he was in that “zone” where a driver and car are so united that the driver can be thinking about the next corner because the car has already been placed in the perfect position to go through this corner as fast as physics allows.

In response to a question at the post-qualifying press conference Jonny said the team had given him a car he was very comfortable in and one that he could drive very fast.

If this were a perfect world, this next paragraph would be about how the Drayson Lola ran away with the Mid-Ohio race. Unfortunately, it’s not. Paul started the race and unfortunately fell behind the trio of the Intersport, Dyson Lola, and Highcroft Accura. Even more unfortunately, a very slow Porsche GTC that was being lapped by Paul tangled with the Lola causing the Drayson car to spin into a sand trap. The steering gear was damaged forcing the car to retire before Jonny even got a chance to do his magic.

Well, as Paul said after the race, the next ALMS adventure on August 22^nd will be at Road America which has long straightaways that that the Lola Judd will like! They will have another chance to take the cellulosic ethanol-fueled Lola through its paces to prove again the top performance that biofuels can provide.

For those who couldn’t make it to Lexington, Ohio for the race (and for those who can’t wait to see it again), CBS will be rebroadcasting the race Sunday, August 15^th at 12:30 pm EDT. (Check listings for your local time.)