Paul Morris also drove the Elise. Owner and workshop weren't happy he was driving in boots rather than something more appropriate. Elise pedals are closer together than most cars so you have to be a bit careful about the shoes you wear or you unintentionally hit the brake and accelerator. That said, I have wide feet and just choose shoes that don't have very wide soles.
I believe that same Elise is back this year and it has been given more power. Last year it had between 250 and 300hp, this year it is closer to 400. A well sorted, well driven Elise on slicks with that sort of power is capable of lapping EC in less than 1.30. There is one with about 250hp that recorded 1.35 a few weeks ago. Cars that quick weigh a couple of hundred KG less than the one n the Tuner challenge
You are right when you say the Lotus is not the fastest thing in the wet but most people don't ralise that what makes a car fast in the dry works against it in the rain. The Elise/Exige is quite light and has relatively wide tyres which may be more prone to aquaplaning. It has a short wheelbase which really helps it turn in but has a low polar moment in loose conditions. ie you don't get much chance to catch itwhen the tail starts to go. Has only ever happened to me on the racetrack or skidpan, never on the road unless I intended it.
If you like shooting brakes, and I also love that style, look for pics of the E-type Jag from the movie Harold and Maude. Sadly it was destroyed at the end of the movie. A few corvettes have had SB conversions and Nissan/Datsun actually had a Shooting Brake option in the early design concepts for the 240Z. Then there is the Volvo P1800ES. Much better looking than the coupe. And last but not least the Chevy Nomad based on the 55 to 57 Bel-Air
http://www.joefuda.com/56%20Nomad%20RF.jpg
Bookmarks