32767 view(s)  Lancia's first entry under the new Group C rules was the ill born LC1.
Basicly a devellopment of the old lightweight Group 6 barchetta fitted
with a roof, its 1.4 turbo engine was hopelessly outclassed by the Porsches.
To take them on Lancia needed a much bigger engine, bigger than any
engine available.
For 1983 Lancia returned the more powerfull and better
handling LC-2. As with the Stratos of the 1970s, Ferrari was picked
as an engine supplier.
The engine was based on the 32 valve V8 engine used in the 308 QV, downsized
to displace 2.65 litres and fitted with two KKK turbo's.
Responsible for the chassis design was Gianpaulo Dallara. Designed much
along the lines of the LC1's body, the LC2 body was made from carbon-fibre
and kevlar. Mounted low in the nose was a big radiator to cool the engine.
Each side-pod was fitted with an intercooler to cool the hot air from
the turbos. A sophisticated ground effects underbody was fitted to create
additional downforce.
Livered completely in white with Martini stripes, the LC2 looked good
and quick right away. It proved just that at its first 24 Hours of LeMans
in 1983
Recruiting F1 drivers, like Patrese and De Cesaris to drive them it
was more common than not to find an LC2 on pole for a race. Unfortunately,
they lacked 100% reliability. Total failure was not common, but niggling
faults often delayed the cars.
Although, they did win 1000km races, Le Mans victory eluded them as
the Porsches were always there to pick up the pieces.
Best cards for a victory at Le Mans came in 1984 when Porsche was in
a quarrel with the event's organisers and decided to boycot the race,
leaving Lancia as the only competitive works team entered. As in the
previous events the LC2s were stunningly quick in qualifying, resulting
in a front row qualification for the two works cars. After leading the
race, it all went sour again for the Lancia team. Bob Wollek did manage
to record the race fastest lap in the LC2 he shared with Alessandro
Nannini, but teething gearbox problems hampered them throughout the
race. They did not manage to finish higher than an eight position, behind
seven privately entered 956s.
Third time lucky then for the Lancia team in 1985? Alas, no! More modifications
were carried through, but the engine remained the car's strong and weak
point, being immensely powerful but equally unreliable. With a rumoured
850 bhp on the tap, the Nannini/Wollek car qualified third on the grid.
After a good start the LC2 stormed to the front and led for the first
three laps, but again engine related problems struck the cars back.
Eventually the two works cars finished sixth and seventh, the rest of
the top ten was made up of Porsches. At the end of the season Lancia
decided to retire from road racing once more. The LC2 was entered by
priveteers on several occasisns but failed to impress.
Lancia LC 2 (Gr C 85):
Length : 4800 mm (189 in), Width: 1800 mm (70.9 in),Height: 1065 mm
(41.9 in) Wheelbase / Track:2665 mm (104.9 in) / 1586 mm (62.4 in) /
1564 mm (61.6 in), Tyres: Pirelli / / 18" , Wheels : BBS
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