COUGAR C12/20/22 PORSCHE. Having run DFL engined cars at Le Mans between 1982 and '84, Yves Cour

Having run DFL engined cars at Le Mans between 1982 and '84, Yves Courage and his Le Mans based team produced a new design for the 1985 season to be powered by a Porsche 956 engine. The monocoque chassis was designed by Courage and had an aluminium honeycomb tub. The engine was mounted as a semi stressed member and was tilted upwards as in the 956/962 chassis to provide clearance for the under-wing. Cooling was by coolers mounted in the flanks while the body shape was the work of Marcel Hubert who had been the aerodynamic consultant for the 1978 Le Mans winning Renault. His design incorpo-rated bulbous front wheel arches, a nose splitter and a high twin strut mounted rear wing, the overall appearance reminiscent of the victorious Renault.

With 650 bhp on tap and an effective shape the car was fastest on the Mulsanne at Le Mans in '85, recording 231 mph. However, handling shortcomings meant it lined up only 19th. In the race the C12 ran in the top ten until pushed off the track. Delayed by the damage repairs, the car finished 20th in the hands of Courage/de Cadenet/Yvon.

In 1986 the C12 re-appeared at Le Mans with a new body design which re-directed air through the doors to the radiators and intercoolers leaving the flanks unopen. Squarer front arches had also been adopted. Yet the car could now manage only 217 mph. After losing doors, it finished the race 18th.

Le Mans 1987 saw a new C20 chassis with a similar monocoque base, though featuring a titanium floor panel. However, the wheelbase was 20mm. longer and the car was around 30 kg. lighter. The body was based on that seen in 1986 with the wing lower. Fitted with a Motronic engine the car was clocked at 223 mph and started sixth on the grid. Fuel pump problems caused some delays yet third overall was achieved.

In 1988 the C20 returned to Le Mans and crashed in qualifying. Rebuilt, it started the race 17th only to catch fire in the pits, which wiped out its electrical system. Completing a miserable race for the team, a new C22 design with a fully water cooled engine, revised aerodynamics and pull rod front suspension was destroyed in a high speed accident.

COUGAR PORSCHE

C12 - 1985 Boxer 6 Honeycomb monocoque 2.6 litres Suspension: Alloy blocks wishbone front Fuel injected rocker arm rear 24 valves Engine semi-stressed d.o.h.c. Porsche gearbox Twin turbo Ground effect car 650b.h.p.