Elan 26R - Racing history - LotusTalk

Vampyre · 01-23-2008, 04:45 AM

Lotus racing history question...

Did the Elan 26R ever race against the ford GT40 in the 1960's?

Randy Chase · 01-23-2008, 06:45 AM

http://www.classicscars.com/wspr/res.../bscc1967.html

UKphil · 01-23-2008, 06:56 AM

I suspect that Gerry Marshall had something of a problem with power to weight ratio.

Do you think anybody told Colin they were adding an extra 60 lbs or so to the intended racing weight?

mopho · 01-23-2008, 09:50 AM

I have a video ( from a few years ago) of an Elan racing a GT40, the Elan was up his "six" until they hit the big straightaway, then the GT40 was gone, the Elan was never able to catch up.

Just like the Elise, it all depended on how tight the track was for it to be competitive, in which case, the Elan made a lot of Corvette, Mustang, Ferrari etc owners unhappy.

Back then the 26r's only had 140-160hp too (my road Elan has more than that now), current vintage raced Elans make in the 180-200hp range

Elan vs Cobras at LeMans Classic

Elan vs Lightweight E-Type

glb · 01-23-2008, 10:09 AM

MO -

Great videos, thanks for posting them.

Vampyre · 01-24-2008, 09:52 AM

thanks for the info and links.. .and great video!!!

DeanG · 01-25-2008, 12:53 PM

Back at one of the Atlanta LOG’s the track day was held at Road Atlanta. A well prepared 26R Elan was doing laps. Its twin-cam wound up much higher than any other I’ve ever heard and sounded beautiful.

A track prepared Ferrari 512 was also doing laps. Coming down the hill onto the pit straight the Elan was always right on the Ferrari’s tail only to fall back on the long straight. After a few laps of this the Ferrari driver pointed the Elan by. The very Lotus biased crowd went nuts!

glb · 01-25-2008, 03:24 PM

I occasionally attend the Vintage Fall Festival, Labor Day, @ Lime Rock. Every time I can remember, there are two Lt Wt E-types and a few Elans (one is #26) and the two Es finish 1st and 2nd, Elans 3-5th. So, it was good to see an Elan come out on top here.

(Funny how wide these E-types seem to get...)

jkolb · 01-25-2008, 03:57 PM

Part of the magic of the 26r was that its homologated weight was only 580 KG, (1,279 lbs) with fluids and spare, but without fuel. Makes even the early Elise seem heavy!

Jerry

mopho · 01-25-2008, 06:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jkolb

Part of the magic of the 26r was that its homologated weight was only 580 KG, (1,279 lbs) with fluids and spare, but without fuel. Makes even the early Elise seem heavy!

Jerry

Lets see some pics of yours

smokin orange · 01-25-2008, 09:10 PM

great videos

01-23-2008, 04:45 AM	#1 (permalink)
Vampyre Sports Cars Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Rochester, NY Posts: 1,635	Elan 26R - Racing history Lotus racing history question... Did the Elan 26R ever race against the ford GT40 in the 1960's? __________________ 2006 Chili Red / Touring / LSD / TC / Forged Wheels / Hard & Soft Top / Lifestyle Paint / Desnorkeled / Odyssey Battery / Sector 111 Extinguisher Bracket / Sector 111 LidBone / CF Splitter / CF Bits / Pure X C3 Corvette 383 TPI Stroker 6.3 liters of Torque / 1976 MG Midget, fun run about / Buick Rainier CXL AWD, for the elements / Dodge Van for hauling stuff / http://www.photobucket.com/mygarage

01-23-2008, 06:45 AM	#2 (permalink)
Randy Chase El Jefe - Agent 111 Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: San Diego and where ever the roads lead Posts: 23,906 Images: 761	http://www.classicscars.com/wspr/res.../bscc1967.html __________________ *** V E R I T A S * A E Q U I T A S *** We have been feeling the buzz since 2002 2006 Noble M400. Getrag tranny, Quaiffe LSD, Hinged clams. Duratec dual turbo V6. Hoosier 315-18 tires. 2350 pounds. 0-60mph in 2.9 seconds. ..is a stranger in an open car. Tempt you in and drive you far away

01-23-2008, 06:56 AM	#3 (permalink)
UKphil former contributor Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Pittsburgh PA Posts: 1,046 Images: 79	I suspect that Gerry Marshall had something of a problem with power to weight ratio. Do you think anybody told Colin they were adding an extra 60 lbs or so to the intended racing weight? __________________ '06 LRG Elise...

01-23-2008, 09:50 AM	#4 (permalink)
mopho goofn' with the bees Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: out of a suitcase- my stuff lives in LA Posts: 4,150	I have a video ( from a few years ago) of an Elan racing a GT40, the Elan was up his "six" until they hit the big straightaway, then the GT40 was gone, the Elan was never able to catch up. Just like the Elise, it all depended on how tight the track was for it to be competitive, in which case, the Elan made a lot of Corvette, Mustang, Ferrari etc owners unhappy. Back then the 26r's only had 140-160hp too (my road Elan has more than that now), current vintage raced Elans make in the 180-200hp range Elan vs Cobras at LeMans Classic Elan vs Lightweight E-Type __________________ ________________ 2004 Caterham 7 Superlight R - 67 Lotus Elan www.morgansegal.com www.socalsportscar.com

01-23-2008, 10:09 AM	#5 (permalink)
glb Unattractive Nuisance Join Date: May 2005 Location: Chester, NJ Posts: 3,436	MO - Great videos, thanks for posting them. __________________ 05 elise (PES chip, SSRs, Sirius, shift tower reinforcement, Multivex; HID low beams) 05 Corolla XRS; 72 Elan Sprint, 170 hp (Sold) "I can resist anything except temptation" O. Wilde. "Political language is designed to make lies sound truthful and murder respectable." G. Orwell, 1946.

01-24-2008, 09:52 AM	#6 (permalink)
Vampyre Sports Cars Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Rochester, NY Posts: 1,635	thanks for the info and links.. .and great video!!! __________________ 2006 Chili Red / Touring / LSD / TC / Forged Wheels / Hard & Soft Top / Lifestyle Paint / Desnorkeled / Odyssey Battery / Sector 111 Extinguisher Bracket / Sector 111 LidBone / CF Splitter / CF Bits / Pure X C3 Corvette 383 TPI Stroker 6.3 liters of Torque / 1976 MG Midget, fun run about / Buick Rainier CXL AWD, for the elements / Dodge Van for hauling stuff / http://www.photobucket.com/mygarage

01-25-2008, 12:53 PM	#7 (permalink)
DeanG Registered User Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 202	Back at one of the Atlanta LOG’s the track day was held at Road Atlanta. A well prepared 26R Elan was doing laps. Its twin-cam wound up much higher than any other I’ve ever heard and sounded beautiful. A track prepared Ferrari 512 was also doing laps. Coming down the hill onto the pit straight the Elan was always right on the Ferrari’s tail only to fall back on the long straight. After a few laps of this the Ferrari driver pointed the Elan by. The very Lotus biased crowd went nuts!

01-25-2008, 03:24 PM	#8 (permalink)
glb Unattractive Nuisance Join Date: May 2005 Location: Chester, NJ Posts: 3,436	I occasionally attend the Vintage Fall Festival, Labor Day, @ Lime Rock. Every time I can remember, there are two Lt Wt E-types and a few Elans (one is #26) and the two Es finish 1st and 2nd, Elans 3-5th. So, it was good to see an Elan come out on top here. (Funny how wide these E-types seem to get...) __________________ 05 elise (PES chip, SSRs, Sirius, shift tower reinforcement, Multivex; HID low beams) 05 Corolla XRS; 72 Elan Sprint, 170 hp (Sold) "I can resist anything except temptation" O. Wilde. "Political language is designed to make lies sound truthful and murder respectable." G. Orwell, 1946.

01-25-2008, 03:57 PM	#9 (permalink)
jkolb Registered User Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Bend, OR/Austin, TX Posts: 368	Part of the magic of the 26r was that its homologated weight was only 580 KG, (1,279 lbs) with fluids and spare, but without fuel. Makes even the early Elise seem heavy! Jerry __________________ 2007 Laser Blue Exige S 1965 Elan (26r clone) vintage race car 2005 Audi S4

01-25-2008, 09:10 PM	#11 (permalink)
smokin orange Registered User Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 276	great videos __________________ 05 Elise, stage 2 exaust, sector 111 front skirt, 5 point harness (sold) 2002 BMW 330ci convertable, M package 1998 Range Rover 1972 BMW 2002 supercharged, fuel injected, liquid intercooled, Haltech E6A ECU...and lots of other stuff

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