Lotus 3 Eleven

Author
Discussion

dom9

8,090 posts

210 months

Saturday 22nd April 2017
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baronbennyt said:
I'd rather avoid the hassle of manually adjusting the ride hight which isn't the work of a moment on the Lotus, but appreciate it might be the only option short of trailering the car which I also want to avoid. Regrettably, B&C don't have any experience getting a 3-Eleven on and off the Eurotunnel. I might give ET a call directly - I really want to avoid driving down there to find I can't drive down to the bloody train without ripping the splitter off!

Would be great to meet for a blast this weekend but sadly I can't - I work in Belgium and have to be in Brussels this weekend frown
Definitely call ET then and see what they say/ can offer (additional longer/ shallower ramps?).

The guys on SELOC might have an idea too, if you're active on there, as there are some 3-11 owners contributing.

Adjusting the spring platforms definitely is a faff but I'm probably a little biased on whether it's 'hard', laying under the Motorsport cars during the Autobytel race weekends back in 2001 and doing it dozens of times a weekend... I did leave after a season though!

Let me know when you're here for a weekend as it would be great to see it and the 12c.

I was invited to the 12c launch when we lived in Singapore and that's the last time I saw one up close though it remains 'on the list'.

baronbennyt

Original Poster:

900 posts

97 months

Saturday 22nd April 2017
quotequote all
dom9 said:
Definitely call ET then and see what they say/ can offer (additional longer/ shallower ramps?).

The guys on SELOC might have an idea too, if you're active on there, as there are some 3-11 owners contributing.

Adjusting the spring platforms definitely is a faff but I'm probably a little biased on whether it's 'hard', laying under the Motorsport cars during the Autobytel race weekends back in 2001 and doing it dozens of times a weekend... I did leave after a season though!

Let me know when you're here for a weekend as it would be great to see it and the 12c.

I was invited to the 12c launch when we lived in Singapore and that's the last time I saw one up close though it remains 'on the list'.
Will do Dom thumbup

Bodged

116 posts

111 months

Sunday 23rd April 2017
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You'll have no problem getting on the euro tunnel as the approach angles are really shallow, I'd stick to the lower level in the train though.

dom9

8,090 posts

210 months

Thursday 27th April 2017
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Have a look here, Benny: https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

Would be good to see your cars smile

baronbennyt

Original Poster:

900 posts

97 months

Tuesday 2nd May 2017
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Hi Dom.

I'm very happy to meet up at any decent pub in the Surrey area. I've heard good things about The Onslow Arms in West Clandon (http://onslowarmsclandon.co.uk/) and The Black Swan in Ockham (http://www.blackswanockham.com/), although I must confess I've only ever driven past them. Also happy to meet at the Fairmile in Cobham since it's close by and has plenty of parking space, although here too I've never frequented. The most important things for me are a decent establishment with a good reputation and parking without speed humps. Depending of the weather I'll bring the Lotus 3-Eleven or McLaren 12C (if it ever gets fixed). Oh, and since I'm in Brussels most week days, weekends are far more do-able for me.

Cheers, and thanks for all your efforts in organising.

Ben

baronbennyt

Original Poster:

900 posts

97 months

Tuesday 2nd May 2017
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Just finished cleaning the 3-Eleven after another long drive, this time through the Surrey Hills. Now up to 1,100 miles. After worrying I wouldn't put many miles on the Lotus I'm now concerned I'm putting too may on! Next on the list is: an alcantara steering wheel; front canards; and, paint protection film (ppf) for the roll hoop (the rest of car is already covered). First track day will be Castle Combe on 15 June with Bell & Colvill.










SpudLink

5,865 posts

193 months

Tuesday 2nd May 2017
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If it turns into a good summer, I imagine the temptation to keep piling in the miles will be too strong to resist.

I look forward to hearing how it goes on track. (I expect the answer will be "it's brilliant".)

TheRocket

1,517 posts

250 months

Wednesday 3rd May 2017
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Cars like this so much cooler with more miles on them imo, they tend to improve with miles too.

dom9

8,090 posts

210 months

Wednesday 3rd May 2017
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Looking good, Ben!

Were you not meant to be at DN17 this week? Was the 12C out of action/ didn't want to take this?

Maybe I have missed an update!

Surrey meet is on the 4th of June, if you're about. And if you're home this weekend, let me know if you fancy a run out somewhere.

SpudLink

5,865 posts

193 months

Thursday 4th May 2017
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At Brands Hatch today there was a 3-11 with the same colour scheme. It really does look very good in the flesh.

baronbennyt

Original Poster:

900 posts

97 months

Thursday 4th May 2017
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dom9 said:
Looking good, Ben!

Were you not meant to be at DN17 this week? Was the 12C out of action/ didn't want to take this?

Maybe I have missed an update!

Surrey meet is on the 4th of June, if you're about. And if you're home this weekend, let me know if you fancy a run out somewhere.
Hi Dom. Sorry, I can't make this weekend since I'm in Brussels and I can't make 4th June either since I'm off to Le Mans for the Test Day. Please keep me in mind for future meets though. Cheers, Ben thumbup

dom9

8,090 posts

210 months

Thursday 4th May 2017
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No problem, Ben!

Hopefully this first meet will be a success and there will be many more! biggrin

baronbennyt

Original Poster:

900 posts

97 months

Saturday 20th May 2017
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Nice day for a blast in the Lotus; took it to Dorking and back. The bikers seemed to like it!
It's first track day will be at Goodwood this Monday. I can't wait biggrin


baronbennyt

Original Poster:

900 posts

97 months

Monday 22nd May 2017
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Took the Lotus to Goodwood motor circuit in Sussex today for its first track day (with Porsche Club GB).

It took me quite a while to get to grips with the 3-Eleven because it's so stiff and flat you don't receive telegraphs when you're close to running out of grip. I shouldn't have worried though - I was nowhere close to getting the maximum from the car! Plenty to look forward to then as I get to learn how to get the best from it on-track over the summer.




dom9

8,090 posts

210 months

Wednesday 24th May 2017
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Was that you on the Portsmouth Road, heading towards Cobham, half an hour ago, Ben?

If so, that was me waving at you from Mrs9's grey Fiat 500... I'd been tasked with the Sainsbury's shop.

Car looks great - perfect weather for it! Was more than a bit jealous I was doing chores and not out on the road, having fun!

baronbennyt

Original Poster:

900 posts

97 months

Wednesday 24th May 2017
quotequote all
dom9 said:
Was that you on the Portsmouth Road, heading towards Cobham, half an hour ago, Ben?

If so, that was me waving at you from Mrs9's grey Fiat 500... I'd been tasked with the Sainsbury's shop.

Car looks great - perfect weather for it! Was more than a bit jealous I was doing chores and not out on the road, having fun!
Thanks Dom, it was most probably me!

I'm in the UK for the week so making the most of my time here plus the great weather of course biggrin

baronbennyt

Original Poster:

900 posts

97 months

Tuesday 13th June 2017
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I'm off to Castle Combe in the 3-Eleven on Thursday with Lotus Bell & Colvill. Wish me luck!

Smitters

4,004 posts

158 months

Wednesday 14th June 2017
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Enjoy - that's my local. Weather looks excellent. I'm sure they'll brief you, but be aware 90% of the circuit is nice new tarmac and the final corner, Camp, is old tarmac. In the dry the grip difference is fairly slight. If it gets wet, it's starkly different.

From reading your posts you're obviously well versed in track driving, but if you've not been to Combe before, of for a while, this is a great watch, especially on the differences between the two chicanes:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0eIZVvnm7xg

AlexHat

1,327 posts

120 months

Saturday 17th June 2017
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What's it like on track compared to the road?

baronbennyt

Original Poster:

900 posts

97 months

Monday 19th June 2017
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Smitters said:
Enjoy - that's my local. Weather looks excellent. I'm sure they'll brief you, but be aware 90% of the circuit is nice new tarmac and the final corner, Camp, is old tarmac. In the dry the grip difference is fairly slight. If it gets wet, it's starkly different.

From reading your posts you're obviously well versed in track driving, but if you've not been to Combe before, of for a while, this is a great watch, especially on the differences between the two chicanes:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0eIZVvnm7xg
Thanks Smitters thumbup

There was a bit of rain in the morning at Castle Combe so I took it very easy but it allowed me to get a good feel for the car at this circuit. Late morning and the hot sun came out at which point the 3-Eleven simply flew!