Lola T70 Spyders
SL70/3

SL70/3 was sold to John Mecom on 11th March 1965. 4.7 Ford engine. Metallic blue.

John Mecom was the Lola distributor in the United States and ran his own race team. In 1965, Walt Hansgen was his driver in the USRRC series, although John Cannon and Jack Saunders were his drivers at the 1965 running of the Sebring 12 Hours on the 15th March. There, John Cannon qualified the car in sixth place.

John Cannon led the first lap and then, in deference to the "little" Ford 289 engine, settled down to an easy pace. When Jack Saunders took over, he crashed the car and broke the oil cooler. This probably didn’t make a lot of difference, as the steering rack had started to come away from the front bulkhead. The car was then retired.

27/3: Sebring 12 Hours: J. Cannon/J. Saunders, #22; DNF.

After this, Walt Hansgen took over driving the Lola in USRRC races.

11/4: USRRC Pensacola: Hansgen; DNF.
24/4: USRRC Stardust GP, Las Vegas: Hansgen; 2nd.
02/5: USRRC Times GP, Riverside: Hansgen; DNS.
09/5: USRRC Monterey GP, Laguna Seca: Hansgen, #11; DNF.

July: Tested by Road & Track.
??/7: Galveston: Hansgen; DNF.
30/8. Guards International Trophy. Brands Hatch. Ford 4.7 liter fitted. Hansgen. DNF in 1st heat with fuel blockage. 4th in 2nd heat. 9th OA.
05/9: Elkhart Lake 500: Hansgen; DNF.
12/9: Road America 500, Elkhart Lake, USRRC: Hansgen, #11; Pole position in practice (2:27.8). DNF. Pitted twice whilst lying 2nd then 3rd.
19/9: Bridgehampton 500 K’s. Hansgen, 4.7 Ford engine. Pole position (1:39;6) DNF after ten laps. Rear upright broke.
25/9: USRRC Players "200" Mosport Park: Hansgen; Crashed in practice. Destroyed.

John Cannon was contracted to drive the team’s second car, SL70/6. Sadly, just before SL70/6 was delivered, Walt Hansgen wrote off SL70/3 at Mosport (25/9: USRRC Players "200" Mosport Park: Hansgen; Crashed in practice, suffered chest injuries.)

The engine and gearbox were saved and used in SL70/6 and Cannon was left without a drive, as Walt took over SL70/6. Some usable spare parts were kept by the John Mecom team.