 Haas was the official importer of cars from British firm Lola Cars International to the United States, and wished to associate the more popular Lola name with the team.Lola was however not involved in the project, and played no part in the design or construction of the team's cars.Team Haas's first car, the Oatley-designed THL1, was still under development at the start of the 1985 season and would only be ready to race at the twelfth round, the Italian Grand Prix.