Creation CA07 #9 “The Children of Le Mans” – Spark

2007 Creation CA07 #9
Pilots: J. Campbell-Walter, S. Nakano, F. Ortiz 
Team:  Creation Autosportif Ltd. 
Race: DNF (LMP1 class) at Le Mans in 2007
Spark - S1420 (resin)

Published 07/17/26

In 2003 Mike Jankowski and Ian Bickerton founded Creation Autosportif. They began sportscar racing using a Lister Storm, yet soon switched to a Reynard DBA sports prototype. With that car, they managed two pole positions in the LMES (Le Mans Endurance Series) and one in the ALMS. In 2005, at La Sarthe, they managed a 14^th place overall. However, a series of “blow over” accidents in the late 90s caused the banning of flat-floor LMP675s and LMP900s. With that, Creation, in partnership with KWM Motorsport, started the development of a new car, the CA06, ready in 2006. At Le Mans that year, it broke down on the 240^th lap and DNF. Though competitive enough to even match the mighty Audi R8, it was a hybrid – a LMP900 modified to LMP1 specs. In other words, a stop-gap model; therefore, they needed a new car.

Once again Creation reached out to KWM, but this time they would build a car from scratch. They created a brand-new carbon monocoque chassis, with the now mandatory twin roll hoops. The suspension system consisted of double wishbones and push-rod actuated coil springs over dampers. To power the new car Creation chose Judd’s GV 5.5, a 5496 cm³ V10 with 40 valves and DOHC. The GV5.5 was capable of 485 kW (650 hp), with 657 Nm of torque at 7000 rpm. The engine delivered all that power to the rear wheels via a Ricardo 6-speed sequential gearbox. And of course, carbon fiber panels covered everything up, with the car weighing 925 kg. Since the car was conceived for the 2007 season, Creation called it CA07. Yet, they wanted the CA07 to be truly memorable, so they ditched their traditional blue and yellow livery. They wanted an art car 😎.

Creation hired New Zealander artist Mark Olsen to create their livery. They wanted a livery that allured to all the countries visited by the Le Mans Series and Le Mans. Olsen came up with a midnight-blue pearlescent “sky” filled with stars as the backdrop. He then painted seven child-like portraits with features representing each of the countries that were part of the series. Titled “The Children of Le Mans”, the car was a total show-stopper. Nonetheless, despite creating a commotion in terms of looks, when it came to results, things were less than spectacular. The CA07 #9 started out pretty well – 10^th on the grid. However, engine problems began right at the beginning, and by the 55^th lap it was out due to overheating.

To my shame, I have to confess that I never heard about the CA07 #9 before I got it 😲. Despite being an art car, the first time I saw it was when I was browsing MercadoLivre’s auction list. It was listed as a Le Mans car, and I thought it must be a mistake. I investigated, and to my surprise, it was an actual Le Mans art car that I wasn’t aware of 😳! Best part though, was that the price was quite good 😁.

Soooo, art car and great price, here it is. Yet, I’ll be honest: of all my art cars, this is the funkiest 🤔. In model terms, it’s a regular Sparktastic nice model, with a fantastic detail level. But the children painted on? Kind of weird, if you ask me…