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Debora LMP200

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Debora LMP200
ConstructorDebora
PredecessorDebora LMP299 and Debora LMP2000
Technical specifications[1]
EngineBMW 3,000–3,200 cc (183.1–195.3 cu in) naturally-aspirated I6
Mader-BMW 3,393 cc (207.1 cu in) naturally-aspirated I6 mid-engined
TyresAvon
Competition history
Notable entrantsDidier Bonnet Racing
Debora Automotive
Debut2001 1000km of Estoril
RacesWins
7 (10 entries)2 (LMP675 class)
Teams' Championships1: (2001 ELMS, LMP675 category)

The Debora LMP200 was a Le Mans Prototype, built by Debora in 2001 for use in the European Le Mans Series. Initially fitted with a 3.2-litre BMW straight-six engine, it was refitted with a 3-litre BMW straight-six in 2002, and then a 3.4-litre Mader-BMW straight-six in 2003.[2] One car is known to have been built.[1] The LMP200 was used by Didier Bonnet Racing when they won the European Le Mans Series in 2001.

Racing history

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2001

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The Debora LMP200 was first entered in the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2001 by Didier Bonnet Racing, but the team's entry was not accepted.[3] Instead, the team debuted the car at the Estoril 1000 Kilometres, which formed part of the European Le Mans Series; the car was fitted with a 3.2-litre BMW straight-six engine, and David Dussau, Guillaume Gomez and Xavier Bich were selected to drive.[4] However, after one-and-three-quarter hours, and 57 laps, the car lost a wheel and was forced to retire.[5] At 2 Hours 45 Minutes Most, the car (driven by Dussau and Gomez) was classified in 13th overall, and second in the LMP675 class;[6] but had retired after an hour and fifty minutes, and 48 laps, due to overheating caused by a water leak.[7] The LMP200's final appearance in 2001 came at the 2 Hours 45 Minutes Vallelunga, where it finished for the first time; the car, driven by Bich and François Jakubowski, finished twelfth overall, and won the LMP675 class.[8] Didier Bonnet Racing won the LMP675 category of the European Le Mans Series, with 77 points; 5 more than nearest rival Dick Barbour Racing.[9]

2002

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In 2002, Didier Bonnet Racing once again attempted to enter the LMP200 in the 24 Hours of Le Mans; however, their entry was again rejected.[10] The car was next entered by Debora Automobiles in the Magny-Cours round of the FIA Sportscar Championship; however, the LMP200, driven by Gilles Duqueine, Jean-François Yvon and Michel Maisonneuve and refitted with a 3-litre BMW straight-six engine for the SR2 category,[11] retired due to electrical failure after one hour, having completed 47 laps.[12] The factory entered the car in the following round, held at Dijon-Prenois; Duqueine, Dominique Lacaud and Didier Miquée finished eighth overall, and fifth in class.[13] The car made its final appearance in 2002 at the Spa-Francorchamps round of the FIA Sportscar Championship, with Debora entering Bich and Roland Bossy; the team were running ninth overall, and fourth in class,[14] when the race was halted around the two-hour mark due to heavy rain.[15] Debora were classified fourth in the SR2 Manufacturer's Championship with 24 points, 24 behind Lola, and 14 ahead of Rapier 6.[16]

2003

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In 2003, Didier Bonnet Racing tried for a third time to enter the LMP200 at the 24 Hours of Le Mans; once again, their entry was declined.[17] Instead, the car made its first appearance of 2003 in the 1000 km of Le Mans; Didier Bonnet Racing entered Bossy and Renaud Derlot in the event, with a 3.4-litre Mader-BMW straight-six being fitted for the event.[18] However, exhaust problems forced the team to retire after five-and-a-quarter hours, having completed 141 laps.[19] This proved to be the car's last ever race, as it was not entered again.[20]

References

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  1. ^ a b "Debora LMP200". Racing Sports Cars. Retrieved 31 July 2013.
  2. ^ "Debora LMP200 – Photo Gallery". Racing Sports Cars. Retrieved 31 July 2013.
  3. ^ "Le Mans 24 Hours 2001 - Race results". Racing Sports Cars. Retrieved 31 July 2013.
  4. ^ "Estoril 1000 Kilometres 2001 - Photo Gallery". Racing Sports Cars. Retrieved 31 July 2013.
  5. ^ "Estoril 1000 Kilometres 2001 - Race results". Racing Sports Cars. Retrieved 31 July 2013.
  6. ^ "European Le Mans Series at Most, Czech Republic". IMSA Racing. 5 August 2001. Archived from the original on 20 October 2012. Retrieved 31 July 2013.
  7. ^ "European Le Mans Series Most 2001 - Race results". Racing Sports Cars. Retrieved 31 July 2013.
  8. ^ "European Le Mans Series Vallelunga 2001 - Race results". Racing Sports Cars. Retrieved 31 July 2013.
  9. ^ "Point standings: European LeMans Series - Season 2001". Speedsport-Magazine. Retrieved 31 July 2013.
  10. ^ "Le Mans 24 Hours 2002 - Race results". Racing Sports Cars. Retrieved 31 July 2013.
  11. ^ "FIA Sportscar Championship Magny-Cours 2002 - Photo Gallery". Racing Sports Cars. Retrieved 31 July 2013.
  12. ^ "FIA Sportscar Championship Magny-Cours 2002 - Race results". Racing Sports Cars. Retrieved 31 July 2013.
  13. ^ "FIA Sportscar Championship Dijon 2002 - Race results". Racing Sports Cars. Retrieved 31 July 2013.
  14. ^ "FIA Sportscar Championship Spa 2002 - Race results". Racing Sports Cars. Retrieved 31 July 2013.
  15. ^ "FIA Sportscar Championship Spa 2002". Racing Sports Cars. Retrieved 31 July 2013.
  16. ^ "2002 Sportscar Championship". FIA. Archived from the original on 26 February 2004. Retrieved 31 July 2013.
  17. ^ "Le Mans 24 Hours 2003 - Race results". Racing Sports Cars. Retrieved 31 July 2013.
  18. ^ "Le Mans 1000 Kilometres 2003 - Photo Gallery". Racing Sports Cars. Retrieved 31 July 2013.
  19. ^ "Le Mans 1000 Kilometres 2003 - Race results". Racing Sports Cars. Retrieved 31 July 2013.
  20. ^ "Debora LMP200 – All results". Racing Sports Cars. Retrieved 31 July 2013.