With no Autobytel Championship this year, Lotus enthusiasts looking for their
racing kicks can now hook up with Lotus Motorsport for a range of options from
the new Elise Scholarship Programme up to full FIA N-GT class racing.
The Elise Scholarship has been designed to allow novice drivers to get
started in motorsport. Following tuition from Lotus experts at the world famous
2.25 mile test track at Hethel, the drivers will be put through their ARDS
(Association of Racing Drivers Schools) licence. Upon successful completion of
the licence the drivers will go onto compete in two sprint races, two hill
climbs and two circuit races.
The newly developed Lotus Sport Elise 190 track car will be eligible for the
Lotus Roadsport Series and the Intermarque Challenge, both of which will feature
in the AMOC race meetings during 2002. The new cars will be able to compete
against other Lotuses including the race cars from last years Lotus Championship
which are now for sale. This will enable competitors to race twice at each
meeting. Both of these races are run in association with Lotus dealers Bell
& Colvill and Stratton Motor Company.
The proposed changes to the FIA GT rules will make both the Elise and Exige
eligible to compete in the new N-GT category against its road going competitors
in this exciting and demanding class of motorsport. This N-GT Elise would come
as a natural evolution of the Lotus Sport Elise, which successfully competed in
the Spa 24 Hour and the Vallelunga Six-Hour Silver Cup Endurance Race during
2001. Chris Arnold, General Manager of Lotus Motorsport explained, "Many
people do not realise that there are already well over 200 Lotus Elises racing
in various classes in the UK, mainland Europe and even as far afield as the USA,
Australia and Japan. The Elise was designed as a racecar for the road, and our
recent racing activities have allowed Lotus Motorsport to develop additional
performance parts."
"Customers can now benefit from our experience and buy sprint or
endurance cars ready to race, or have their current cars updated by the Lotus
Motorsport Division at Hethel. The new Elise Scholarship will give motorsport
enthusiasts an affordable entry level into club racing and a taste of Elise
racing in the Lotus Roadsports Series".
To service customers' new demands Chris Dinnage, former Team Manager of Lotus
Motorsport, has now taken over the role of Lotus Motorsport Sales Manager. Over
the last 3 years, Chris and his Motorsport Team have successfully put Lotus back
on the racetrack through the Autobytel Lotus Championship.
Other Lotus Motorsport activities and services for 2002 include the
following.
- Track cars built to customers' individual requirements, with up to 190bhp
for track or circuit racing
- A range of race options developed during two seasons of racing in the
Autobytel Lotus Championship
- Two Lotus Sport Elises for hire, modified for endurance racing in Europe
at events like Spa 24hrs and Vallelunga 6hrs - drivers who take up this
offer will have the unique opportunity of racing and driving for the Lotus
Factory Race Team.
- Elises and Exiges prepped for the N-GT category of the FIA GT
Championship, a ten race calendar running throughout Europe in which the
Elise and Exige will be the front runners in this class, giving drivers the
unique opportunity to race with the Factory Race Team
- Race accessories for the Elise and Exige
- Lotus Motorsport merchandise.
Elise Scholarship Spec |
Elise Track Cars Spec |
1.8 litre DOHC 16V inline 4 |
1.8 litre DOHC 16V inline 4 |
120bhp @ 5600rpm |
190bhp @ 7800rpm |
123 ft-lb torque |
128 ft-lb torque |
|
Race cooling system, engine
oil cooler |
125mph* |
135mph* |
0-60mph in 5.6 secs* |
0-60mph in 4.4 secs* |
5.5" x 16" wheels
V Rated 175/55R16 tyres |
6.5" x 16" wheels
(tyres to suit application) |
7.5" x 17" wheels
V Rated 225/45R17 tyres |
7.5" x 17" wheels
(tyres to suit application) |
Rigidly mounted
rack and pinion steering rack, 2.8 turns lock to lock |
282mm diameter
ventialted discs, Lotus/AP Racing 2 piston aluminium front calipers and
racing pads |
MSA Approved Roll
Bar |
Race seats and 4
point race harnesses |
Plumbed in fire
extinguisher |
Battery master
cutout switch |
Lightweight
composite body panels |
Optional
Extras |
Custom exterior
paint colour scheme |
Custom interior
trim |
6 Point FIA
approved race harnesses |
Engine oil cooler |
Motorsport Clutch Place |
|
Race 'dog' gearbox |
|
Carbon induction chamber |
|
2 way adjustable Dynamics
Dampers/Eibach springs |
|
Rose Jointed Wishbones |
|
Uprated AP Racing brake kit |
|
LSD |
|
Catalytic Converter |
|
MSA approved passenger seat |