Lotus Challenge

[Aedo]

Originally Posted by shay2nak

well, i like the design and widths...7" front and 8.5" back. I don't know how much they weigh and I don't know the offsets. What's PCD? These are not 4x100? Or is the wheel center piece and hub different diameters? I don't know why the S2 exige came with widths of 6.5" and 7.5" when the S1 had 7" and 8.5". If the S2 came with these sizes, I wouldn't have to buy a new set of wheels.

All S1 variants had a PCD of 3¾" which is 95.25mm. I don't know the offsets but they are probably the same as the Elise (ET14 front and ET16 rear).
The S1 Exige was a more extreme car than the S2 version which probably accounts for the greater wheel widths. One day I will have one in my garage (just need to get a new house with a garage!)

[shay2nak]

Originally Posted by Aedo

All S1 variants had a PCD of 3¾" which is 95.25mm. I don't know the offsets but they are probably the same as the Elise (ET14 front and ET16 rear).
The S1 Exige was a more extreme car than the S2 version which probably accounts for the greater wheel widths. One day I will have one in my garage (just need to get a new house with a garage!)

hmm, that's interesting...yep, too bad for the S2 owners...I'd rather have a S2 made more like a S1.

[jplotus]

Originally Posted by fishguy

I cannot find the thread, and am not really interested in spending the time to do the search on it.
I remember reading a thread that a bunch of guys(HPDE/track day crowd) were wanting to start a Lotus Challange series out west, and were all saying "I am in" as though , if there were such a series, they would join in a heartbeat, BUT because there is not, they will just "wish" for it to be available.
Well boys,
i raced at the HSR-West event at PIR in AZ this weekend, and guess what group # 8 was........................
it was a lotus challange group.
how many entrants......................? Zero
why, if you guys are serious about what you "say" you want, then why is nobody running in this. i know there are cup car owners in SoCal.
I am letting you know it is/was availble, but who knows for next season with the huge turnout that i saw.
there were 2 newer lotus cars at this event, one exige ,looked like a converted street car with safety updates, and then the sweetest lotus i have ever seen.
it was a factory exige race car, the owner said only one of 4 built, it was the euro version, and was stunning.
I spoke with the owner breifly, he was very cool, and looked to be fast out on the track. i didnt get to watch to much, as my group was up next, so i had to get ready for my race in the Titan.
So, my big question is why are there zero cars out there(from the ET group that says we need to have this, and "if it were available, count me in")? i would think the 2 cars that were already at the event would do the group 8 (lotus challange) if there were more cars in the run group, though i cannot, and do not want to speak for them.

I have pictures of the car, but am going to hold them "hostage" until there is an explaination of why nobody, who is saying "I am in" isnt in fact "In".
Are you guys just full of hot air and bravado, or are you going to take advantage of an opportunity.
Lotus cars was even the sponsor of the HSR west event; either just for this race, or maybe the entire year, i am not sure.
the pictures of the factory race car are really nice........................
BTW, the factory exige car/driver combo would kick arse on all other lotus cars IMO.

I am not sure why there has been so little interst but I am putting together a series called lotus challenge series. It will start out as a time trial series to get as many people interested in the program. Speed ventures will be the organizer and I will basically be promoting the series. Any questions p.m. me.

[fishguy]

Originally Posted by jplotus

I am not sure why there has been so little interst but I am putting together a series called lotus challenge series. It will start out as a time trial series to get as many people interested in the program. Speed ventures will be the organizer and I will basically be promoting the series. Any questions p.m. me.

anything i can do to help in the AZ area, just let me know. I would be happy to give you contact info for the race clubs that run out here at firebird and phx. intl tracks.

fishguy

[jplotus]

Originally Posted by fishguy

anything i can do to help in the AZ area, just let me know. I would be happy to give you contact info for the race clubs that run out here at firebird and phx. intl tracks.

fishguy

Thank you for offering to help. First step is to communicate with other track guys and let them know that a series is being formed. Our website should be up by the end of the month .Thanks again, Jim

[trackelise]

I would love to participate in a Lotus challenge series. I am currently competing in the NASA Mid atlantic PTB group but its not as fun as it could be. If I can help in the Mid Atlantic area let me know. NASA would welcome the series as part of their own group within a group. Jon in Delaware

ps PM me if anyone near me has an interest.

[Darin P Phillips]

FYI The Lotus Elise Motorsports car above is a customer of ours. Check out more images of his and our left hand drive car at:

Picasa Web Albums - dp - ron's car

Picasa Web Albums - dp - Lotus Exige 1...

There are numerous photos of the two cars in action on the home page too.

[fishguy]

I was pitted near Ron, and chatted with him a bit at Cal Speedway a few weeks back.
You wouldnt meet a nicer guy anywhere.
first class, and fast too.

[Darin P Phillips]

I was at that race -- what were you driving?

[fishguy]

Originally Posted by Darin P Phillips

I was at that race -- what were you driving?

I run a swift DB-1 in the formula ford group.
we had ~30 cars on the grid.
i qualified 4th overall for the trophy race on sunday and won my class overall finishing in 5th overall.
the 4 cars in front of me were piloted by 2 ex pros, and 2 others who have been running these things for 30 years.
I actually could have made a few passes into the group of the front 4, but they were in a race in the club ford (1973-1983)group( i am in the newer class+1984), so i figured i would just watch, learn, and get towed away from the field and the second car in my class.
The draft at cal speedway is everything. I could get an extra ~1,000 rpms in the tow.
I am trying to win my class championship this season rather than overall races, and have won 5 of 6 events in my class, with a second place in the other. I am right on track.
really fun track to race on, and I was pleased with my results, especially with it being the first time i have ever been to that track.

[Alphonse]

Hey fishy, that's my race bud Carl behind you in his 61. How'd he do?

[fishguy]

Originally Posted by Alphonse

Hey fishy, that's my race bud Carl behind you in his 61. How'd he do?

carl always does well.
he has a good car, and is a fast, safe driver out there.
very nice guy, and an asset to "The Series" which is the group we both run our Formula Ford cars with.

[Darin P Phillips]

HSR West runs a race each event also called the Lotus Challenge. It was great watching Carl in his vintage Formula Ford right on the tail of our Motorsports Elise and Cup 255. Amazing what the vintage Lotus cars are capable of - vintage driver too - very impressive.