24900 view(s) In 1994 Michel Hommell, a wealthy French publisher brought back the mythical
Bugatti name to Le Mans.
A "Quatro" GT
His Synergie prepared EB110 was a unique entry as it was the only 4
wheel drive GT.
Seriously lightened with carbon parts, it had been completely reshaped
improving both aerodynamics and cooling.
Complementing the "Quatro" style were 4 Turbo's feeding the
3.5 litre V12.
Producing no less than 600 hp some of this power was lost in the drive
train, but in Pre Qualifying it was still the fastest GT on the track.
LM '94'
In the race the EB 110 was less fortunate, Porsche had staked the decks
with its "fake" Dauer GT, and a last minute fuel leak didn't
help the Bugatti cause, nor did running half tanks until the "quick
fix" araldite dried.
After changing all 4 turbo's (some twice) Bugatti and Michel Hommell's
dreams were finally smashed when Bouillon hit the barriers in the final
hour. Rebuild after Le Mans the EB110 SS was put on display in the Le
Manoir de l'Automobile museum at Lohéac in France.
Monaco Racing Team 95/96
In 95 Bugatti's commercial have ended, Gildo Pastor Pallanca, a
Monaco resident, buys the remaining stock and as Monaco Racing Team,
enters an EB110 in the GTS class of the US IMSA series. Although the
car makes a big impression on the public it fails to do so on the competition.
Racing in the (BPR) Suzuka 1000 km , the Bugatti runs 10th overall but
dnf due to mechanical problems.
Slipsliding away
In 1996 the Monaco Racing Team's EB 110 races in the Daytona 24 where
the team runs as high as 6th overall during the rain, but fails to finish.
During it's last international outing at the Le Mans Prequalifying,
Bugatti's hopes are dashed as (this time with Patrick Tambay at the
wheel) the car crashes into the guard-rail. Seriously damaged (although
repairable) the Team decided to withdraw its entry....... Bad call!!
1996 turns out to be one of the wettest 24hrs in its history, with its
4wd Bugatti would have been a real winner in a rain swept race!!!
Bugatti EB110 LM (LM 94 GT 1):
Length : 4400 mm, Width : 1970 mm, Height : 1120 mm, Wheelbase :
2550 mm, Tyres : Michelin 27/65 x 18 & 30/70 x 18, Wheels : BBS
10x18 & 12x18
|