2013 - 2016 Ursula RSR-1 Hybrid LMP1 Racecar
https://i.imgur.com/5gYsjRG.jpg
Shown here is the 2016 LMP1 model, showcase version
Prior to that, besides it’s successful DTM, GT and rally programs, Ursula briefly joined F1 with the help of American tuner Rockford Racing in the 2004 - 2008 seasons, but ended up being a failure with only 5 race wins in 4 years. In the end of the 2008 season Ursula have announced that they will not join F1 starting from the next season, and therefore the company ended it’s formula racing programs.
https://i.imgur.com/nddv1lJ.jpg
However, Ursula racing division’s leader have expressed interest in the Le Mans Prototype (LMP) series racing, and with the support of the management, things initially went smoothly. But the impending economic downturn have caused massive losses on the company, and to cut costs, the LMP projects had to be scrapped.
https://i.imgur.com/7fonjGy.jpg
In early 2012, with profits returning to pre-recession levels, the company decided that it’s LMP projects will be resumed, and tailoring it’s entry to the upcoming 2013 FIA WEC season. Later in June, the company has established Ursula RSR Racing, with several famous racers and expert engineers under the team, as the company’s official WEC team. With all efforts, the finalized vehicle was showcased in a special event in Berlin on January 2013, with plans for LMP racing has confirmed at the same time.
The RSR-1 is an all-wheel drive hybrid LMP, sporting a twin-turbo 3.2 V8 and a hybrid motor, with it’s power controlling all of it’s wheels for maximum traction and handling. At it’s peak, the LMP racecar can go up to 350 km/h while producing more than 1000 kgs of downforce, and despite it’s brute it’s only a 980 kg vehicle thanks to a heavily engineered carbon fiber chassis.
https://i.imgur.com/aoU12wH.jpg
The RSR-1 was finally debuted in the 2013 season under the LMP1-H category, starting with 6 Hours of Silverstone race that year. Ursula sent 3 vehicles to the race, and in that day the team unexpectedly won the race with a 1st, 4th and a 5th place in it’s maiden race. And Ursula RSR Racing went on to be dominant on the season, racking up several race wins, and ultimately winning the season with 180 points and several podium finishes.
https://i.imgur.com/lUNZKXM.jpg
In 2014, a revised RSR-1 was released for the 2014 season, with it’s original 3.2 V8 now generates 600 hp, a 50 horsepower boost compared to the 2013 season, several aero and handling improvements and a revised suspension to give the vehicle a more stable ride. Like 2013, the 2014 season is also proved to be another good year to Ursula RSR Racing, as the company proceeded to dominate the season as well.
https://i.imgur.com/ao2m7sj.jpg
Shown here is the actual race vehicle for the 2016 season
2015 marks another victorious year for the team as the improved RSR-1 came on to be another massive success, especially in the Le Mans 24 Hours race, with British racer Tom Malroy broke the fastest lap record, beating the last record by 4 seconds. It was a bitter sweet victory, however, as the team had it’s first (and only) loss in 6 Hours of Fuji race, where 2 of the vehicles DNFed due to a crash and another one only got a 11th place, marking a massive loss of the team.
https://i.imgur.com/86EwViZ.jpg
The proceeding season is still under the dominance of the RSR-1, now a 1000-hp all-wheel drive machine, and it went on to make 2016 the 4th year in a row of Ursula’s championship wins. But when things is still going well, a shocking news has somehow confirmed in Bremen: Ursula announces that it’s WEC program will come to an end as the races didn’t help the company’s profits, as well as to make the team focus on Formula E and other events. This decision, marks 2016 as Ursula’s final year of WEC domination, after more than 20 race wins, 4 constructor championships and 3 driver championships on all 4 seasons.
https://i.imgur.com/6VXuylY.jpg
All generations of the RSR-1 is currently showcased on Ursula’s museum in Bremen, and the car is still shown in several major events as well.
And with the recent confirmations of Ursula’s return to the championship next year, hopes of the new vehicle being the true successor of the RSR-1 is still a possibility. But the success of the RSR-1 makes it truely a worthy LMP legend, just like the greats of the past.
saltySky | 8:14 AM
BannedByAndroid | 8:39 AM