In the mid-2000s, Peugeot announced its return to the 24 Hours of Le Mans with the 908 diesel, challenging Audi, which had already won five times. This rivalry attracted other competitors, such as Aston Martin and Epsilon Euskadi, a Spanish team originating from the Basque Country, founded in 2004. Created by Michel Lecomte, Joan Villadelprat, and Jordi Caton, this team embarked on an ambitious project: to build an in-house LMP1, the EE1, entirely designed and manufactured locally, featuring a carbon fiber chassis and a Judd V10 engine producing 650 horsepower. The gearbox was supplied by Ricardo, which also equipped Peugeot.

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Epsilon, a birth in France

To fully understand the origins of Epsilon Euskadi and the development of the EE1, we need to go back to Le Mans. In December 1999, Michel Lecomte founded Epsilon by Graff in Changé (Sarthe), after leaving Graff Racing. By 2001, results started to improve, with Franck Montagny winning the Open Telefonica by Nissan (precursor to the World Series by Nissan). However, Ander Vilarino, the Spanish F3 champion that same year, was unable to secure the title in 2002 and 2003 for the team, prompting Michel Lecomte to request an evaluation from his partners. His goal was to merge the team, the R&D center, and the excellence center into a unified structure. This effort succeeded in attracting Spanish investors, on the condition that the project be based in the Basque region. That’s how Epsilon-Euskadi emerged, located in Azkoitia, within the Basque Autonomous Community. The key figures were Michel Lecomte, Joan Villadelprat (director), and Jordi Caton (team manager).
The region committed by providing a 4,000 m² facility to develop a true technical university starting from 2004. The Master’s program, offered in partnership with the University of Mondragon, was a great success—many graduates went on to join teams like Toyota F1, BMW, Red Bull, or competed in GP2 paddocks shortly after graduation.
The team's performance also shone in 2005, with Robert Kubica winning four races, earning the driver’s title, and bringing the “best team” title to Epsilon. Ambitions grew even bigger… Indianapolis 500, Formula 1, 24 Hours of Le Mans: the Spaniards dreamed of tackling a major challenge. Indy? Too complex and geographically distant from the local market. F1? Too expensive and perhaps overly ambitious. So, in one of the large buildings, a wild idea took shape: to build a homemade LMP1.

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The origins of the EE1

Seeing a Spanish manufacturer at the start of the 24 Hours of Le Mans is a rare event, dating back to Pegaso in 1953 with two Z-102s (which participated in testing but not in the race). Yet, the daring endurance project was launched in 2005. Lecomte left the organization and formed a team with Juan Barazi called Barazi-Epsilon.
John Trevis, a former Lola engineer, initially led a team of young graduates from the university for this LMP1 project. In the Basque Country, design and fabrication took place—everything was made in-house! The workshops were well equipped: a paint booth, autoclave for producing composite parts and materials, wind tunnel… An investment of 65 million euros was made at that time.
In 2007, Sergio Rinland joined to finalize what would become the Epsilon Euskadi EE1, replacing Trevis. The prototype was built around a carbon fiber chassis, with front and rear push-rod suspensions. Like Audi and Pescarolo, Epsilon Euskadi sourced the bodywork molds in Italy from Camatini. It was fitted with a Judd GV 5.5 engine, a 72° V10 located centrally, producing 650 to 700 horsepower at 7,000 rpm. The engine was connected to the rear axle via a six-speed sequential gearbox developed by Ricardo. The entire package weighed around 900 kg, giving it a power-to-weight ratio of approximately 1.38 kg/hp.

The EE1 was one of the few LMP1 coupés of its time

Making its debut in 2008, the prototype competed in the Le Mans Series and the 24 Hours of Le Mans, where it showed promising performances. The car recorded impressive times: 1'43"65 at Nürburgring, 2'07"5 at Spa, and 3'32"94 at Le Mans.

The project was ultimately halted due to the economic crisis and a corruption scandal involving Spanish public funds. The EE1 remains the only car built in Spain to have participated in the 24 Hours of Le Mans, symbolizing a passionate and unique adventure.

 

Eligible for Le Mans Classic Legend and the new Endurance Icons series.

Today, this prototype is up for sale and appears to be an ideal candidate for the future Legends of Le Mans series, which will begin in 2026. It will offer a more accessible alternative to diesel LMP1s. This superb LMP1 car is eligible for a wide range of events: HSR races in the United States, the Masters Endurance Legends, the Dubai Historic and, more recently, Endurance Icons by Motor Racing Legends, Legends of Le Mans by Peter Auto and Le Mans Classic Legend.

 

The car is offered as a rolling chassis and a Judd engine can be purchased separately.