WR LM94
| Industry | Motorsports |
|---|---|
| Founder | Gérard Welter |
| Headquarters | France |
| Products | Racing cars, including WR LM94, WR LM95, WR LM96 |
The WR LM94 along with its subsequent models, the WR LM95 and WR LM96, were prototype racing vehicles engineered, constructed, and campaigned by Welter Racing during the 1994 and 1995 24 Hours of Le Mans endurance events.
Development
Following the WR LM93, the WR LM94 was developed to comply with LMP2 class specifications. This model showcased a Spyder-style bodywork powered by Peugeot’s 2-liter turbocharged V6 engine. The collaboration with Peugeot was strengthened by team principal Gérard Welter’s background as a designer at Peugeot. The car featured an exceptionally low profile for an LMP prototype, highlighted by a full-width rear wing positioned very close to the ground to enhance aerodynamic efficiency.
Racing history
During the 1994 Le Mans 24 Hours race, the LM94 participated alongside the LM93, piloted by Hervé Regout, Jean-François Yvon, and Jean-Paul Libert. The team qualified in tenth place, nearly eight seconds behind the pole sitter Alain Ferté in a Courage C32. Unfortunately, early turbocharger complications led to engine failure after completing 86 laps.
By the 1995 race, with Group C entries having withdrawn from Le Mans, the field was primarily composed of GT cars. Despite this, the LM94s remained among the fastest prototypes on track. Welter Racing’s approach emphasized creating swift vehicles with minimal downforce tailored for Le Mans’ high-speed stretches; however, this often resulted in mechanical fragility that hindered race completion. Both LM94 entries earned front-row starting positions: William David (teaming with Bernard Bouvet and Richard Balandras) secured pole position with a lap time of 3 minutes 46.050 seconds, while Patrick Gonin shared the #8 car alongside Pierre Petit and Marc Rostan.
Gonin led the race initially until the first refueling stop after ten laps. Shortly thereafter, Welter briefly held first and second positions before Bob Wollek’s Courage C36 advanced to third place. Both cars experienced early technical setbacks; notably, Petit’s #8 required a power transmission replacement after approximately 90 minutes, resulting in a three-lap deficit despite efficient pit work. Later that night, under wet conditions near the Mulsanne Straight, Gonin suffered a serious accident involving a single rollover and significant impact on the right side of the circuit. He sustained severe bruising and multiple rib fractures, necessitating hospital care.
The #9 vehicle faced windshield problems early on that demanded immediate pit intervention and later encountered transmission troubles after an hour of racing. It maintained reliability until a fuel pump malfunction at 8 a.m. forced its retirement.
In 1996, both chassis were sold to private teams. Although they had achieved pole position in 1995, without further enhancements the cars were no longer competitive in qualifying sessions at Le Mans in 1996.