Top gear invite
Discussion
Anyone got the invite for the top gear elise special?
They're still looking for the following cars in standard unmodified condition:
Series 1 Sport 190
Series 2 Sport 160 (think they mean S2 111S)
the GT1
Top Gear said:
Fancy a day at the Top Gear test track? The chance to ride with the Stig and even see if you can outdo the demon driver at his own game? Without having to pay a penny? Well, we have an unusual but exciting request from BBC Top Gear magazine...
To coincide with the launch of the Lotus Elise 111R and the new Exige, BBC Top Gear magazine will be gathering all the key Elise variants for a photoshoot and story at its Top Gear Test Track, Dunsfold, near Guilford, Surrey. In order to do this, they need OLC members' help. Well, more to the point, they need you to bring your car along and take part in a great day out.
The date is 07 April, lunch will be provided (although a thermos and warm jacket is recommended!), and all cars will be fully insured by BBC Top Gear magazine. They'd like The Stig to have one lap in your car - with you sat alongside, of course, going as fast as you're happy with - and there's the chance to drive the track yourself or enjoy more passenger rides if you prefer.
The cars that Top Gear magazine is after (and they MUST be unmodified) are as follows:
Elise "S1":
K-series 118hp (standard)
111S
Sport 135
Sport 160
Sport 190
GT1....!
Elise "S2"
K-series 120hp (standard)
Sport 135
111S
Sport 190
Exige S1
340R
Lotus will supply a new Elise 111R and an Exige "S2".
If you are able to help then call James Mills at BBC Top Gear Magazine on 0208-433-3717 or email him at james.mills@bbc.co.uk. Hurry though - it's a first come, first-served basis!
They're still looking for the following cars in standard unmodified condition:
Series 1 Sport 190
Series 2 Sport 160 (think they mean S2 111S)
the GT1
Well, it was a great day out and the weather held off - just.
There was lots of waiting around, particularly at the start of the dya when they were assembling the group shots of all the cars. All the models on the list showed up apart from the GT1
All the VX models were represented too and Vauxhall tried to trump the Exige by bringing along a VXR (240bhp + 290lb/ft concept).
The driver for the day wasn't the Stig but Julian Bailey (ex F1, GT and Le Mans winner). He took my car out first and treated it sympathetically apart from the standing start and even that wasn't too savage. It was the first time he had driven an Elise and he posted a 1 minute 40 which wasn't too bad considering he didn't know the car and probably wasn't giving it ten tenths. At the end of the day my little S1 only gave away 3 seconds to the Exiges which I'm happy with. The fastest car on the day (apart from the VXR) was an S2 Sport190 then the S2 Exige which Mr Bailey described as 'very cammy'.
Once all the drives were done and photos taken we got half a dozen laps of the circuit behind a Focus RS 'pace car'. I was second in line behind a VXT which, despite getting away on the straights lost out in the corners which can be put down to driver exuberance most likely (if the driver is reading this, I'm not taking a pop at you or your car
)
Managed to blag a ride in a 340R which did my desire to swap no good whatsoever, fantastic piece of kit and not as draughty as I thought!
The article is to be in the June edition of the magazine, due out in May sometime.
Thanks to everyone who made it so enjoyable and memorable despite all the hanging around and
to anyone who was there.
Edit> Forgot to mention there a new McLaren Merc testing on the runway - sounds lovely
. Also if you own an Elise you NEED to get it on a track, the car just comes alive when pushed into doing things you can't do on the road - knackers to being able to put 'no trackdays' 
>> Edited by cuzza on Thursday 8th April 15:03
There was lots of waiting around, particularly at the start of the dya when they were assembling the group shots of all the cars. All the models on the list showed up apart from the GT1
All the VX models were represented too and Vauxhall tried to trump the Exige by bringing along a VXR (240bhp + 290lb/ft concept). The driver for the day wasn't the Stig but Julian Bailey (ex F1, GT and Le Mans winner). He took my car out first and treated it sympathetically apart from the standing start and even that wasn't too savage. It was the first time he had driven an Elise and he posted a 1 minute 40 which wasn't too bad considering he didn't know the car and probably wasn't giving it ten tenths. At the end of the day my little S1 only gave away 3 seconds to the Exiges which I'm happy with. The fastest car on the day (apart from the VXR) was an S2 Sport190 then the S2 Exige which Mr Bailey described as 'very cammy'.
Once all the drives were done and photos taken we got half a dozen laps of the circuit behind a Focus RS 'pace car'. I was second in line behind a VXT which, despite getting away on the straights lost out in the corners which can be put down to driver exuberance most likely (if the driver is reading this, I'm not taking a pop at you or your car
) Managed to blag a ride in a 340R which did my desire to swap no good whatsoever, fantastic piece of kit and not as draughty as I thought!
The article is to be in the June edition of the magazine, due out in May sometime.
Thanks to everyone who made it so enjoyable and memorable despite all the hanging around and
to anyone who was there. Edit> Forgot to mention there a new McLaren Merc testing on the runway - sounds lovely
. Also if you own an Elise you NEED to get it on a track, the car just comes alive when pushed into doing things you can't do on the road - knackers to being able to put 'no trackdays' >> Edited by cuzza on Thursday 8th April 15:03
shnozz said:
sounds a great day Cuzza. I went to just the usual filming last year and enjoyed it so this must have been a right laugh.
340R - well jacko is your man. Shame we couldnt do that beer last night cos he is usually in there until 8 ish....
Now I know how close it is I might head up there for the filming sometime, I can now explain the nuances of the track to the uninitiated
Not sure I should be hanging around anyone with a 340R at the moment - could be bad for my wallet. Work permitting we'll sink some beers next week
cuzza said:
sounds a great day Cuzza. I went to just the usual filming last year and enjoyed it so this must have been a right laugh.
340R - well jacko is your man. Shame we couldnt do that beer last night cos he is usually in there until 8 ish....
Now I know how close it is I might head up there for the filming sometime, I can now explain the nuances of the track to the uninitiated
Not sure I should be hanging around anyone with a 340R at the moment - could be bad for my wallet. Work permitting we'll sink some beers next week
cool. drop me a text even if its last minute - its hardly far to travel
jacko is a good guy - has offered me a go on the track in the R and no doubt would be happy to give you a passenger lap or 2. He is on PH but rarely posts - jacko340R
Here you go - should give you an idea of what went on. As far as I know I was the only PHer there.
http://community.webshots.com/scripts/show.fcgi?t=slideshow&ID=134188629&key=bFppQw
There is some video too but I haven't had the time to sort it out yet.
http://community.webshots.com/scripts/show.fcgi?t=slideshow&ID=134188629&key=bFppQw
There is some video too but I haven't had the time to sort it out yet.
Gassing Station | Elise/Exige/Europa/340R | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff