This is the only car of its kind in existence. Car designed by Barney Hatt (Principal Designer for Lotus Design) under the direction of Russell Carr (Chief of Design). Body Panels manufactured by RTN, the team responsible for the Le Mans winning Bentley. Car constructed in 6 months.
Late June of 2004 Construction begins on the project Lotus Sport Exige after a deal is negotiated with the son of Proton Cars in Malaysia. The project is negotiated at approximately $200,000 USD. The car is to be built to custom specifications for the intentions of being able to run in a multitude of GT events in Asia.
*Body Panels Under Construction*
Link to Article About Panel Construction
January 2005 Lotus Sport Exige debuts at Autosport International Show
March 2005 Lotus Sport Exige showcased at Geneva Auto Show
March of 2005 Post Geneva:
*Last look of the car in a garage in the UK*
Car is shipped to Malaysia whereupon the Super GT standards are applied with proper roll cage, fuel cell and updated engine restrictions. At this time there are also some exterior modifications made (e.g. roof scoop, hood scoop and light fixture adjustments) Car is tuned and receives current red/white and black paint job. Proton Motorsports (Race Rally Research) [R3] in conjunction with Amprex Racing does the work. The cars name is thus changed by Proton Motorsports to the 300RR, supposedly based on the 300 hp restriction applied by the Super GT restrictions.
June of 2005 Lotus Exige 300RR enters Malaysian Round of the Super GT Series in Sepang. Exige qualifies a respectable 14th out of 26 cars in GT300 class, but Does Not Finish (DNF) race. [Mechanical Problems, Fuel Problems, Overheating]
Qualifying Times
*Shot of the car in the trailer (pre race)*
August of 2005 Lotus Exige 300RR enters Merdeka Millennium Endurance Race. 12 hours - Sepang Circuit (5.543km). Wins overall race with drivers Tony Ricciardello/Genji Hashimoto/Tengku Djan Ley completing 279 laps [Fuel and Oil Temp problems impact car early
rain conditions cool motor and no further problems]
Race Results
October of 2005 Lotus Exige 300RR participates in Round Nine of the FIA GT Championship at the Zhuhai Circuit in China. Finishes 2nd in the GT2 class to team Belgian Racing and their Gillet Vertigo. [Fuel Leak forces pitting 4 times instead of 1]
Race Results
*Photo Supplied by Elisetalk's own Patrick O'Neil*
Late May-June of 2006 Lotus Exige 300RR displayed at the Kuala Lumpur international motor show. [technical problems worked out, fuel pump addressed]
July of 2006 Lotus Exige 300RR spotted during an R3 time trial
August of 2006 Lotus Exige 300RR enters Merdeka Millennium Endurance Race for second year in a row. 12 hours - Sepang Circuit (5.543km). Wins overall race with drivers Tengku Djan Ley/Damien French/Faidzil Alang completing 271 laps. [horrible weather conditions but no further problems]
Race Results
End of 2006- Early 2007 - Lotus Exige 300RR does not compete in any other Super GT or FIA GT events. Car misses FIA GT opener in Zhuhai in March of 2007
April 2007 -- Lotus Exige 300RR recorded on video at an HKS time attack event on the Sepang Track in Malaysia
The Future: June 22nd will see a Super GT race at the Sepang circut... will the Lotus Exige 300RR be there...? Only time will tell. My hope is yes- that and lotus should at least make one more of this beast
Link to Specs and Original Story
{credit for photos given to their respective owners}
Love this car!