A&Q about Lotus
Q:
HEE HEE HEE.........
First time on track with the 06 Elise yesterday (Touring pack, crummy tires). First session was sub 1:40 (Mosport) - when I came in the organizer met me. He was gobsmacked by my lap times. So much so that in the third session he asked to ride alongside.
He had some interesting observations. Most intersting was my carried speed through 2, which was about 165-170kph - serious territory there. When we got out of the car he was raving about the grip - he just couldn't believe it. He also loved the lurid 4 wheel drifts through 5 (got to keep on the cam at the exit). He wants one.
One of the other organizers is part of a drving school instriuctor group (old school - been around for years). He asked to ride alongside a couple of sessions later. Not too proud to take a few tips, I gladly obliged. He told me after the session that he was certain we would be off the road on my outlap (!!!!!) going through 2 - then on the next lap I was about 50% faster through there! He was astonished at the car's capability, and felt that I was probably getting 95% out of the car (which felt pretty good for an old racer with not much track time the last few years). He wants one.
I suspect I sold a couple cars for the local dealer yesterday - as they are new to Canada this year, none of the guys present had yet seen one on track. I thought you might be interested in the cars present, and which ones were quicker than I:
Cars present:
944 Turbo
944 Turbo
SL66 AMG
NSX
360 Stradale
M3
F430
911 Turbo
S4
350Z
S2000
Vette
Boxster
911
Viper/S4
Elise
911
911 Turbo
Vette
C2S
323
M3
Vette
CLK
911 targa
S4
Of these, the only car consistently faster was the NSX (totally tricked out, supercharged 390 hp at the wheels, huge brakes and tires), the 430 (when driven not by the owner but by his professional coach), and the Stradale (had it showed up!).
Conclusions:
- I need more tire: suggestions?
- May remove front shims (had't yet - ran out of time)
- I need MORE TRACK DAYS
Cheers,
Bill Tebbutt
A:
Sounds impressive. I always get beat by "better" drivers no matter what they are driving. I see a big sedan and think I have a chance. Turns out it's driven by an instructor and he drives away from me.
I have let a few instructors drive my car and they all have the same response that you encountered.
Now you will be jonesing (sp) for more track time.
A:
take out the front shims, and spend the cash on tires, it will be cheaper than fixing your car if your pushing that hard.
be safe, and have fun
Josh