#11 & #12 COURAGE C70, #24 & #35 COURAGE C75

June 7, 2007 - Installed at the Technopark of Le Mans Yves Courage let race since 1993 his own cars at Le Mans. Despite restricted financial means he manufactured a large number of Le Mans prototypes. In 2005 there was good hope that Courage Compétition could eventually build more competitive cars after a long term deal with the Japanese tyre manufacturer Yokohama was signed. It gave enough financial means to transform the C60 Judd in a more competitive hybrid version. For the 2006 season it was time to contact Paolo Catone (assisted by Ben Wood)  for 'clean sheet' design. Because of the way the current LMP1/2 regulations are drawn up, it was possible for Courage to design a car that could be used in both classes without compromising too much. While Courage's first designs following the new aerodynamic regulations were not very well liked, the LC70 and LC75 are very good looking cars, proving that a LMP1/2 does not have to be ugly as was initially feared. The most striking features are the pointy double roll-hoop structure and the pointy rear fenders. Initially the LC70 was equipped by the Mugen V8 engine. Not satisfied by that unreliable motor, Courage opted in 2007 for the 3.6-litre twin turbo charged AER P32 motor in the LC70. Not satisfied by the results of the LC60 Yokohama didn't prolonge the sponsoring deal, what resulted in the eternal financial problems, so typical for a small prototype-manufacturer. After the poor results in 2006 - a fifth place at the Donington 1000-kms and a third place at the Jarama 1000-kms were the lonely good finishes, in all other LMS races the Courages C60 were retired - no LC70 cars could be sold in Europe. So, the two LC70s entered in 2007 at the LMS series and at the Le Mans 24 hours will be raced by Courage Compétition themselves.  

RESULTS 2007 - The new package first outing was the annual Paul Ricard test weekend at the end of March of 2007. To fully test the reliability, the AER engined LC70 was tested throughout the night.  At the Monza 1000-kms the #12 and #13 qualified as fifth and sixth, being only preceded by the two Peugeots 908, by the Charouz Racing Lola B07/10 Judd and by the fastest Pescarolo Judd. Jean-Marc Gounon brought the LC70 home as a fine fifth (the other LC70 finished 22nd). At the Jarama 1000-kms the #12 was the lonely LC70 entry. Qualified as twelfth the car had to retire before mid-race. At the Le Mans Test Day the LC70s could not convince. The #12 realised only the 14th time, nearly ten seconds behind the pole. Gounon's #13 never worked perfectly, so that he realised only the 18th time, being even preceded by the two Barazi Epsilon Zyteks 07S/2. It looks as if the LC70s will play no role at all in this year's Le Mans 24 hours.

LMP1
engine: AER P32, 75 degree V8 3,595cc, 620 bhp (torque 700 Nm), twin turbo
engine weight: 114 kg
turbochargers: twin Garrett turbos
Valvetrain: 4 valves per cylinder DOHC
gearbox: Courage paddle-operated 6 speed Manual
fuel capacity: 90 litres
weight: 925 kg 
tyres: Dunlop

The Courage LC75 is the LMP2 version of the LC70, just as in 2006 the LC65 was the LMP2 version of the LC60. The car is equipped by the 4 cylinder AER Ford P07D motor, a twin turbo charged 2-litre engine, circa 530 bhp strong. A copy of the new AER was sold to America's Acura. They made some aerodynamically improvements, let it been raced under the name Acura ARX-01A and caused sensation by finishing second at the 2007 Sebring 12 hours. A copy was sold to Andretti Green Racing, another to Highcroft Racing. At the five first AMLS rounds the Courage Acuras finished twice as runner up and seven times in the top-6. In Europe the LC75 AER was sold to Noel del Bello Racing and to Saulnier Racing.

RESULTS 2007 - After a difficult start at the Monza 1000-kms, where only Saulnier's LC75 AER was present  - the LMP2 cars performed well at the Valencia 1000-kms. Saulnier's finished eight overall and second in its class, whilst Del Bello's was brought home as eleventh and third in its class. At the Le Mans Test Day, however, the Courages LC75 AER could not confirm their fine Valencia performance. Del Bello's machinery was crashed too early to realise a sharp time and Saulnier's #35 came not further than a 30th place, preceded by no less than five LM GT1 cars. Up to now no other Courages LC75 AER were seen in competition in Europe.  [JPVR]

LMP2
engine LC75: 1,995cc AER P07D Straight  4, 530bhp at 7,500 rpm (torque 620 Nm)
engine weight: N/A
turbochargers: AER
Valvetrain: 4 valves per cylinder DOHC
gearbox: Courage/Hewland paddle-operated 6 speed Manual
fuel capacity: 90 litres
weight: 775 kg 
tyres: Michelin