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- In a certain pond
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Abstract: The first ever team run by a university that entered in 24 Hours of Le Mans used this car, and the car has several unique aspects, even though it ended up retiring due to the driveshaft failure.
In 2001, a Japanese private university called Tokai University started the project team to build an LMP car and to complete 24 Hours of Le Mans. This project was led by Prof. Yoshimasa Hayashi, a former Nissan engineer who created the VRH35Z engine, which was mounted inside Nissan R91CP at Daytona 24 Hours in 1992.
In 2005, the team first made a car for further study. It was called "Study Car", which used Jaguar XJR-15 as a base body and mounted a newly made engine inside it. The engine is called YR40T and made by the team and YGK, an engine supplier. It is like a size-shrunk VRH35Z and develops 950 ps without a air restrictor. Also in the same year, the design of TOP03 (Tokai Original Prototype 03) was completed, but because of the engine size, the team had to create a original chassis. Tokai University and YGK negotiated with various chassis constructors such as Lola, Radical, and Creation. Finally, they bought a monocoque of Courage-Oreca LC70 for TOP03. However, they not only put the engine inside it, but also they made their unique exterior parts designed by students and put them together into the monocoque. The construction of TOP03 was completed in 2008.
In 2008, the team was allowed to enter 24 Hours of Le Mans by ACO. They entered in LMP1 category with TOP03 (in the entry list, this is called Courage-Oreca LC70-YGK), but their aim was completing the race. Therefore their drivers, Masami Kageyama, Haruki Kurosawa, and Toshio Suzuki, were told to drive slowly so as not to crash. At Le Mans, the team suffered with many troubles, as students were not used to maintenance of the car. Therefore, R&D Sport were called out as mechanics. Also, their qualify time did not meet the 107% of the fastest time recorded by Peugeot 908 HDI FAP, 3'18.513, so they were going to be eliminated. However, ACO allowed them to race, on the condition that they had to start from the last place. They suffered with electric and brake troubles, but they overcame them, and even the night session. Unfortunately, its driveshaft coming off forced them to retire, on the lap 186. Mr. Hayashi said it was disappointing that they had to retire, but the engine they made did not blow up during their race, for 17 hours and 39 minutes.
In 2009, 2010 and 2011, the project team was short of money, so they had to give up entering in Le Mans again. However, they entered in Asian Le Mans Series. They completed the 1000 km race at Zhuhai in 2010 and 2011. Sadly, the project ended in 2012, due to Mr. Hayashi's retirement.
The team made history in Le Mans as the first college-running team, and the engine was based on VRH35Z, which was a 1000ps-developing monster engine. I think these facts are enough reasons for TOP03 to be included in the future Gran Turismo.
Drivers: Masami Kageyama (JPN) / Haruki Kurosawa (JPN) / Toshio Suzuki (JPN)
Specs:
Drivetrain: MR
Engines: 3,998 cc V8 (YR40T) Twin-Turbo DOHC
Power: More than 500 PS
Length: 4,461 mm
Width: 1,990 mm
Height: 1,034 mm
Weight: Heavier than 900 kg
If you are interested in my other car suggestions, click here.
In 2001, a Japanese private university called Tokai University started the project team to build an LMP car and to complete 24 Hours of Le Mans. This project was led by Prof. Yoshimasa Hayashi, a former Nissan engineer who created the VRH35Z engine, which was mounted inside Nissan R91CP at Daytona 24 Hours in 1992.
In 2005, the team first made a car for further study. It was called "Study Car", which used Jaguar XJR-15 as a base body and mounted a newly made engine inside it. The engine is called YR40T and made by the team and YGK, an engine supplier. It is like a size-shrunk VRH35Z and develops 950 ps without a air restrictor. Also in the same year, the design of TOP03 (Tokai Original Prototype 03) was completed, but because of the engine size, the team had to create a original chassis. Tokai University and YGK negotiated with various chassis constructors such as Lola, Radical, and Creation. Finally, they bought a monocoque of Courage-Oreca LC70 for TOP03. However, they not only put the engine inside it, but also they made their unique exterior parts designed by students and put them together into the monocoque. The construction of TOP03 was completed in 2008.
In 2008, the team was allowed to enter 24 Hours of Le Mans by ACO. They entered in LMP1 category with TOP03 (in the entry list, this is called Courage-Oreca LC70-YGK), but their aim was completing the race. Therefore their drivers, Masami Kageyama, Haruki Kurosawa, and Toshio Suzuki, were told to drive slowly so as not to crash. At Le Mans, the team suffered with many troubles, as students were not used to maintenance of the car. Therefore, R&D Sport were called out as mechanics. Also, their qualify time did not meet the 107% of the fastest time recorded by Peugeot 908 HDI FAP, 3'18.513, so they were going to be eliminated. However, ACO allowed them to race, on the condition that they had to start from the last place. They suffered with electric and brake troubles, but they overcame them, and even the night session. Unfortunately, its driveshaft coming off forced them to retire, on the lap 186. Mr. Hayashi said it was disappointing that they had to retire, but the engine they made did not blow up during their race, for 17 hours and 39 minutes.
In 2009, 2010 and 2011, the project team was short of money, so they had to give up entering in Le Mans again. However, they entered in Asian Le Mans Series. They completed the 1000 km race at Zhuhai in 2010 and 2011. Sadly, the project ended in 2012, due to Mr. Hayashi's retirement.
The team made history in Le Mans as the first college-running team, and the engine was based on VRH35Z, which was a 1000ps-developing monster engine. I think these facts are enough reasons for TOP03 to be included in the future Gran Turismo.
Drivers: Masami Kageyama (JPN) / Haruki Kurosawa (JPN) / Toshio Suzuki (JPN)
Specs:
Drivetrain: MR
Engines: 3,998 cc V8 (YR40T) Twin-Turbo DOHC
Power: More than 500 PS
Length: 4,461 mm
Width: 1,990 mm
Height: 1,034 mm
Weight: Heavier than 900 kg
If you are interested in my other car suggestions, click here.
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