Run under the Pilot Aldix banner throughout 1995, chassis 74045 had originally been one of Ferrari's F40 prototypes (explaining its very early chassis number) and was later rebuilt by Michelotto to LM specification for Rene Herzog. Delivery took place in May 1992 but the car wasn't subsequently raced until RFR bought it from Herzog in anticipation of contesting a full seasons racing in BPR. However, difficulty sourcing enough spares meant the team were forced to miss Round 1 of the championship in Jerez. Paul Ricard hosted Round 2 where Michel Ferte unfortunately retired after just six laps having qualified an impressive sixth. At Monza, Ferte went even quicker, putting 74045 third on the grid behind Ferrari Club Italia's pole-starting F40 GTE and the West Competition McLaren. Reliability problems prevented the Ferrari from making the finish, a broken fuel pump starving its engine of fuel. Ferte then qualified fourth for the Jarama 4 Hours, only to be disqualified.
After starting second at the Nurburgring, 74045 once again retired in what was fast becoming a frustrating season for the all-French team. Absent from Donington, the results didn't improve at Montlhery's 1000km race where crash damage and engine woes again forced them out of the running. Things came good at Sweden's Anderstorp 4 Hours though where, having started from pole, Ferte and Thevenin took a historic victory from the McLaren's of West Competition and Gulf Racing. Normal service was resumed at Suzuka for the 1000km race where after qualifying a fine third, 74045 went out with electrical problems. Silverstone's Empire Trophy yielded another grand result after the RFR car started way back on the grid. Ferte and Thevenin were joined by Italian Onofrio Russo, the trio recovering to place second overall. This was the cars final hurrah for 1995 as the Nogaro 4 Hours ended in disappointment, the RFR LM retiring after starting seventh. |