Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.

[scott_budds]

Hi members! Some of you may have seen my ongoing Lotus Turbo Esprit resto? Well any way I entered a Lotus competition where you try to win a new Evora for a year! Well I got into the first round where I got a test drive and had to write a short review. The people with the most vote go into the next round where you get a track day at the Lotus base Hethel. I would love to do this as I never done a track day so any help would be most welcomed! I also put up a vid there and its a bit of a comedy vid so you will get a bit of a laugh too!! Cheers every one.

http://lotusdiaries.evo.co.uk/profile/buddsy

Buddsy
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Im looking for an Elan plus 2 for my next resto project...if you see one think of me please!!

[scott_budds]

Oh if you didnt look and want a right ole laugh...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A5YN80FUeZA

I dont think they are too happy with me...think Im taking the rise lol hahahah

Buddsy
_________________
Im looking for an Elan plus 2 for my next resto project...if you see one think of me please!!

[scott_budds]

Thanks for anyone who was good enough to vote for me as I got through to the next round! Here is a copy of my account! Not really classic motoring but for me Lotus will always be kinda classic!

Lucky for me I was one of the lucky 20 who was selected to go to Hethel for the next stage of the competition. First thing after meeting and briefing was the Elise driving on the North Circuit. I have never done any track driving and was lucky to have local driving ace Shaun Taylor as my instructor. As someone totally new to track driving I was soon aware how different it is to just being fearless and going fast as possible! I was really surprised how technical it all was. I always thought I was fairly ok at driving but it soon became apparent I wasn’t as skillful as I thought I was. To be honest I’ve always kind of over looked the little Elise mainly due to its small engine and the fact it’s not as quick as some of the other more headline grabbing cars. Big mistake! I have to say I was blown away how good the Elise was. Soon my skills started to improve with Shaun’s input. The steering is so direct; the whole car does work as a complete package. I have read many times before about the Elise but now I was starting to fully understand. Next up we were into the Evora on the south track. Again I had Shaun telling where and how to drive the Evora and me trying to adhere to his experienced words. Following the Elise driving I found the Evora’s steering felt a lot less work but the car oddly felt just as nimble. I benefited too from the power and torque of the engine; It presented me the luxury of not having to shift gears almost throughout the whole circuit while I was able to try to concentrate the technical instructions Shaun was supplying me. A few times I suddenly realised I was entering corners much faster than I had expected but those large brakes were really exceptional at shedding any excess speed.

An excellent lunch followed and was only interrupted but the din of the Jet Alliance Evora drowning out any conversation with the other contestants. The GT2 chaps were doing a shake down following a rebuild before heading off to Silverstone for the week end. The afternoon saw factory, motorsport dept & classic team Lotus tours. I was lucky enough to see the V12 Camel Martin Donnelly F1 car arriving out from the transporter. I’ve been to the factory about 3 times in the last few years and there does seem to be a notable buzz about the place. We were shown the latest factory where the newly furnished trim shop was housed. Although bang up to date the facility is there to compliment the skilled craftspeople, allowing flexibility to provide each customer with bespoke work.

Later we were back on track in the Elise for a few laps before a couple more Evora laps with an in car camera followed by a filmed interview. I felt quite nervous getting back into the Elise but luckily I was able to perform much better second time out. My lines felt cleaner and my driving was much smoother. I’m not saying I was fast but it all felt good progress. My filmed Evora lap and interview seemed to go ok. I’m not really good at that kind of thing so was happy just to feel fairly relaxed about the whole thing. We saw Danny Bahars Ex Special Forces driver arrived and collect him when his helicopter landed too...oh it must be tough at the top!

Our last treat was the “Hot Laps” where our instructors showed us how the Evora should be driven around the track. Immediately I realised just how much more advanced these chaps are! Honestly we were braking into corners so hard it was like an emergency stop before hitting the throttle and into the next corner. Going round bends at over 130mph was fun...it was here I realised I would never be a race driver.

As I was leaving I did notice a car loader lorry loaded up with The Team Lotus livered Caterham Sevens...I thought that was a bit odd maybe TF has sold a few to DB for the driving academy? Or maybe there is a bigger story there waiting to be uncovered?

During the course of the whole day all of the Evo & Lotus staff I met were exceedingly helpful and friendly and so too annoyingly (from the competition perspective) were my fellow competitors! I would be happy for any of them to win the Evora for a year, all were Lotus devotees and I’m, sure would make an excellent choice as Lotus ambassador. For me getting through to the final 20 was winning in its self. It was a truly magnificent day which I will never forget. Only problem that now I want to buy an Elise for my self!


Cheers all

Buddsy
_________________
Im looking for an Elan plus 2 for my next resto project...if you see one think of me please!!