Having forged its reputation in international GT racing, Oxfordshire-based Creation Autosportif switched allegiance to the more prototype-centric Le Mans Endurance Series in 2004. Initially competing with a Reynard-derived DBA03S chassis—subsequently rehomologated as a Creation CA06 for 2006—it emerged as a legitimate threat to the big-budget teams, amassing eight podium finishes in the series between 2004 and 2006.

The new-for-2007 Le Mans Prototype regulations necessitated the development of the all-new, Kieron Salter-designed Creation CA07. Although broadly following the concept of its predecessor, the CA07 was distinguishable by mandatory twin-rollover hoops, a 5.5-litre Judd V-10 engine and sequential six-speed Ricardo gearbox. A prototype chassis contested the 24 Hours of Le Mans that year—albeit unsuccessfully—although a strong finish to the newly renamed Le Mans Series included finishing 3rd in the season-ending Mil Milhas at Interlagos.

Over the winter of 2007/2008, two further CA07 chassis—002 and 003—were constructed, of which this spectacular example is the former. Significantly, both benefitted from a new 90-degree variant of the Judd V-10; the unit’s development funded by Japanese engineering conglomerate AIM and affording the car a lower centre of gravity.

Appropriately, 002 made its race debut in the 2008 24 Hours of Le Mans, in which it was driven by the experienced Anglo-Belgian trio of Johnny Mowlem, Stuart Hall, and Marc Goossens. A capacity 55-car grid included a bumper 22-car LMP1 entry, with chassis 002 qualifying 21st, barely five seconds shy of the top 10. Come the race, the diesel-powered Audi R10s and Peugeot 908s exhibited their customary reliability, with Ingolstadt making it a hat-trick of wins at Le Mans with the R10, and Tom Kristensen taking his eighth La Sarthe triumph. Regrettably, chassis 002 endured a troubled race: a broken rear wing support delayed the car early on, before a puncture caused Mowlem to crash at Indianapolis. Following lengthy repairs, chassis 002 crossed the line in 24th place overall and 11th in class; some 65 laps behind the winners.

Following its Le Mans travails, chassis 002 was entered in the final two rounds of the 2008 Le Mans Series: the 1,000 Kilometres of Nürburgring and Silverstone respectively. On both occasions, Stuart Hall was paired with FIA GT Champion—and long-time Creation driver—Jamie Campbell-Walter; the duo classified eighth in Germany and a superb sixth on home turf. Significantly, the Creation had shown impressive pace in both races; chassis 002 finished on the same lap as the 3rd-placed Pescarolo at Silverstone, just four laps behind the winning Audi R10.

With the European-based Le Mans Series concluded, chassis 002 contested the final two rounds of its American counterpart. The series’ 1,000-mile centrepiece, Petit Le Mans at Road Atlanta in October, had Stephen Simpson and Harold Primat join Campbell-Walter in the car, but gearbox failure eliminated chassis 002 from the race after six hours. However, the North American foray ended on a positive note, with the Creation finishing 17th overall—and 4th in LMP1—in the season-ending 4 Hours of Laguna Seca, in which it was driven by Simpson and versatile long-distance specialist Liz Halliday.

Regrettably, Creation had been beset with financial problems for some time, rendering a return to Le Mans in 2009 the final race both for chassis 002 and the team. A switch from Dunlop to Michelin tyres—and from wide-angle AIM back to narrow-angle Judd engine—was accompanied by a new-look driver line up; second-generation Le Mans racer Vanina Ickx—daughter of six-time race winner Jacky—and experienced long-distance pilot Romain Ianetta joining Campbell-Walter in the car. However, despite their best efforts, chassis 002 was restricted to a second consecutive 24th placed finish, on this occasion 15th in class and some 63 laps behind the victorious Peugeot 908.

Acquired by the consigning owner in 2015, chassis 002 has since been completely rebuilt by leading historic LMP squad BBM Sport of Daventry, Northamptonshire, and is presented with an estimated cumulative mileage of just 1,200 kilometres on its chassis, engine, and gearbox. Indeed, its post-rebuild career extends to just one shakedown test and two Masters Endurance Legends races; one of which culminated in overall victory at the 2018 Imola Motor Legend Festival. However, its fuel cell, fire suppression system, safety belts, and crack testing certificates all require renewal before further competitive use.

Enjoying eligibility for events such as the Classic 24 Hour at Daytona and Gulf Historic at Yas Marina—not to mention the newly announced, LMP-focussed 2026 World Endurance Championship support race series—002 is blessed with a wealth of future competitive possibilities. An accompanying spares package further enhances the car’s appeal, making an overdue return to the tracks—for one of the most charismatic of all British Le Mans efforts—a tantalising yet realistic possibility.