2eleven question
Discussion
So I want a trackday lotus, I live in Spain but I will occasionally want to use it on some of the amazing and quiet roads near where I live. I know driving a car without a windscreen can be dangerous, but for country lanes etc would sunglasses surfice? Does anyone here have any experience of driving 2elevens in this way?
Or are the risks just to great? The other option I am considering is an exige s and taking the roof off if the mood takes me (see my other post). What do people think?
Or are the risks just to great? The other option I am considering is an exige s and taking the roof off if the mood takes me (see my other post). What do people think?
I used my Caterham on the road with only an aero screen. Up to 40mph it's quite nice with just shades. Much above that you'll want ear plugs as the wind roar is deafening and painful. Flying insects hurt your head too and a stone chip would draw blood.
It's ok for dawdling but for going fast you want a helmet.
It's ok for dawdling but for going fast you want a helmet.
Hardly Ableson riders wear sunglasses but they are a/ posing and b/ travelling a lot slower than a Lotus on empty Spanish roads.
Why not use a crash helmet with a proper visor? You dont want to risk your sight. What happened to Massa is more likely on public roads with lots of pebbles about.
Why not use a crash helmet with a proper visor? You dont want to risk your sight. What happened to Massa is more likely on public roads with lots of pebbles about.
I'd wear a helmet, no question.
You'd think Lotus would offer a windscreen and detachable sidescreens as options and take the 2-11 to near the original Elise concept (though obviously still a bit heavy....) There's probably a fair amount of profit in each 2-11 and they'd probably sell a few more if these options were available.
You'd think Lotus would offer a windscreen and detachable sidescreens as options and take the 2-11 to near the original Elise concept (though obviously still a bit heavy....) There's probably a fair amount of profit in each 2-11 and they'd probably sell a few more if these options were available.
No actually most people wouldn't think that at all. It's a track car. Any use on roads is always going to be compromised. Windscreens mean wipers and washer jets, extra controls, more weight. It moves the car further from it's raison d'etre - a track toy. That's why we have the Elise - if you want a windscreen you buy one of those 
I've just got back after spending a week in the 2-eleven round Europe. We spent 2 days at the 'ring and 2 days at Spa. The only time I wore my helmet on the road was for an hour in England when it was raining - that really hurts the forehead! Other than that I just wore Oakleys, you do get the odd bug hitting you, but it's worth it for the smells of different regions. It is a fabulous car - At Spa it was going at a similar pace as the radicals which were on slicks, and I've just driven back. The motorsport team at lotus also told the garage I use the settings for Spa, and the speed the car went was amazing. You can use the car as a very compromised road car...
mas3200 said:
I've just got back after spending a week in the 2-eleven round Europe. We spent 2 days at the 'ring and 2 days at Spa. The only time I wore my helmet on the road was for an hour in England when it was raining - that really hurts the forehead! Other than that I just wore Oakleys, you do get the odd bug hitting you, but it's worth it for the smells of different regions. It is a fabulous car - At Spa it was going at a similar pace as the radicals which were on slicks, and I've just driven back. The motorsport team at lotus also told the garage I use the settings for Spa, and the speed the car went was amazing. You can use the car as a very compromised road car...
Sounded like a good hols!! Thanks for the report ... opinion seems to be split, but it's good to hear from someone who's just done that kind of trip in one. kz1 said:
mas3200 said:
I've just got back after spending a week in the 2-eleven round Europe. We spent 2 days at the 'ring and 2 days at Spa. The only time I wore my helmet on the road was for an hour in England when it was raining - that really hurts the forehead! Other than that I just wore Oakleys, you do get the odd bug hitting you, but it's worth it for the smells of different regions. It is a fabulous car - At Spa it was going at a similar pace as the radicals which were on slicks, and I've just driven back. The motorsport team at lotus also told the garage I use the settings for Spa, and the speed the car went was amazing. You can use the car as a very compromised road car...
Sounded like a good hols!! Thanks for the report ... opinion seems to be split, but it's good to hear from someone who's just done that kind of trip in one. Thanks for write up!
mas3200 said:
The only time I wore my helmet on the road was for an hour in England when it was raining - that really hurts the forehead! Other than that I just wore Oakleys, you do get the odd bug hitting you, but it's worth it for the smells of different regions.
It's a bit like Russian roulette isnt it? You get away with it and think there's isnt really any risk until one day - bang. It's your eyesight and your decision, but one trip or even ten trips to Spa prove nothing.I've been driving aeroscreen'd cars on the road for around 20 years, now.
Like Stephanie and MAS, I'm happy wearing ski goggles (apart from anything else, your eyes dry out and become irritated due to the airflow if you only use sunglasses, though wraparounds work better).
Yes, you catch the occasional bug or stone in the face, and yes, it smarts. And as MAS says, rain at speed feels like being gritblasted. Ski goggles will protect you from eye injuries, though, and you've got to bear in mind that anything big enough to cause serious injury is just as likely to kill you by breaking your neck or causing you to lose control as by direct impact, and in those instances a helmet won't save you.
There are quite regular instances of bikers being killed by hitting pheasants at speed and they are all wearing helmets...
Sure, there is some minor risk involved, but if you are so risk averse that it actuallty bothers you, may I respectfully suggest that you need to buy a Volvo.
Like Stephanie and MAS, I'm happy wearing ski goggles (apart from anything else, your eyes dry out and become irritated due to the airflow if you only use sunglasses, though wraparounds work better).
Yes, you catch the occasional bug or stone in the face, and yes, it smarts. And as MAS says, rain at speed feels like being gritblasted. Ski goggles will protect you from eye injuries, though, and you've got to bear in mind that anything big enough to cause serious injury is just as likely to kill you by breaking your neck or causing you to lose control as by direct impact, and in those instances a helmet won't save you.
There are quite regular instances of bikers being killed by hitting pheasants at speed and they are all wearing helmets...
Sure, there is some minor risk involved, but if you are so risk averse that it actuallty bothers you, may I respectfully suggest that you need to buy a Volvo.
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