To many, racing at Le Mans is a childhood dream and that may be the origin of the constructor’s brand name, which is the Japanese for “dream”. The first two Domes were launched in 1979 under the name Dome Zero RL and were powered by Ford-Cosworth Formula One V8 engines. Pink Floyd drummer Nick Mason drove a Dome chassis for his penultimate Le Mans race in 1983. The Japanese constructor was a regular competitor at Le Mans until 1984 but its best result was 25th place for Chris Craft and Bob Evans in 1980.

The turn of the century saw Dome return to the prototype fray at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, notably under the impulse of Dutchman Jan Lammers, a former winner. Under the “Racing for Holland” banner, the “dream cars” cut a dashing figure in their chequered livery, with each square bearing the name of a sponsor. Along with the Panoz “Batmobile” prototypes, the Domes attracted plenty of attention and were popular with photographers and spectators alike. Powered by a 4-litre Judd V10 engine, they were regularly in the top 10: eighth in 2002, sixth in 2003 and seventh in 2004 and 2005. Jan Lammers and his team obtained the car’s best results at Le Mans.

A Dome LM P1 last raced in the French 24-hour marathon in 2012. It was entered by Henri Pescarolo and driven by Sébastien Bourdais, Nicolas Minassian and Seiji Ara. The Strakka Dome raced in the World Endurance Championship LM P2 class earlier this season, at Silverstone, Spa-Francorchamps and Le Mans, and now the LM P3 version is ready to take to the track with Onroak Automotive (France), ADESS AG (Germany), Ginetta (UK) and Riley Technologies (USA).

Jean-Philippe Doret /ACO – Translated from French by Emma Paulay

Photo: LE MANS (SARTHE, FRANCE), CIRCUIT DES 24 HEURES, LE MANS 24 HOURS, SATURDAY 14 & SUNDAY 15 JUNE 2003. Jan Lammers (at the wheel), John Bosch and Andy Wallace reaped the Dome’s best result yet. Lammers and Wallace had previously taken the Le Mans crown in 1988, along with Scotsman Johnny Dumfries, in a Jaguar