Lotus Esprit Race at Daytona this weekend

[karlfranz]

For those of you who may have not seen my post on the Turbo Esprit List here is the vital info rehashed:

Please read clearly!!

We WILL have a Lotus Car Corral at the Rolex 24 Hour Grand Am Cup Race. Andrew Barron will be arriving on Thursday, Jan. 29th to coordinate our Lotus Corral parking, with the track's parking officials. Dan Adragna, Jim Knowles, Scotty Stout (Scotty91SE), and I will be there on Thursday 29th, to set up the Lotus parking area, including putting up Lotus banners to identify and promote our Corral parking location.

At the moment, there is no additional charge for the Lotus Car Corral parking, so you should only need to purchase your tickets for the races (and possibly pay for on-site parking, if you don't purchase a ticket option which has a parking pass included in the ticket's price). If your going for the entire weekend I recommend purchasing the "Advanced Paddock Ticket" at $75, since parking, infield access, and paddock access is included in the total price (in my opinion, paddock access is the best "perk" of the event). Tickets can be
purchased by visiting the following link: www.speedweeks.com/

If you're going just for the Friday Jan. 30th one day event (Rapier Racing Team's Grand Am Cup Race Day) prices are as follows:

Ticket: $10
Infield Parking: $15
Paddock Access: $6

Additionally, please visit the link above and locate the Daytona Intl. Speedway "Grandstand Map". Viewing this map, our Lotus Car Corral location is currently located at the top of the infield kink, between the two upper infield hairpin turns (in between Lake Lloyd and the kink, next to and behind this kink's grandstand). The race starts at 2:30PM for 3 hours or 70 laps. I plan on being there at or before noon if possible.

The Rapier Racing Team is really excited about the fan's support, and they are continually helping us make this season's race experience a truly memorable one. We do encourage everyone to consider becoming an Associate Sponsor of the Rapier Racing Team. Associate Sponsorship will give you access to the Rapier Team's Paddock Tent, food, beverage, etc. at all of this years Grand Am Cup venues. Details about becoming an Associate Sponsor and its additional benefits, can be viewed at the following link: www.gglotus.org/ggrace/grandamer/grandamer.htm#assocspon


C'ya soon...

Karl-Franz
www.espritfactfile.com

[karlfranz]

Here's a link to pictures from the race:

http://karlfranz.com/Daytona2004

[rob.e]

Great pics Karl. Any reason why they kept the stock mirrors and wing? Also, are the brake cooling vents blocked off?

[karlfranz]

rob.e said:

Great pics Karl. Any reason why they kept the stock mirrors and wing? Also, are the brake cooling vents blocked off?

Hey Rob,

Based on GrandAm racing regulations certain things have to be kept stock on the car. This is part of the reason that the car was not competitive in the race. Since the standard V8 does not have intercoolers, they race car was not allowed to have them either. This meant that the car suffered from high intake temperatures which forced them to lower boost levels. During a driver change the temps got so high the engine was heat-soaked and never recovered so it was retired from the tace with about 15 laps to go.

With the empirical evidence from the race, they can now go plead to the sanctioning body for them to be allowed intercoolers in future races.

As far as the ducts, you must be talking about the oil cooler ducts as the V8 does not have brake cooling ducts. The reason they were blocked off is they put a single transmission cooler further back. Why they chose not to use the existing openings for brake cooling is beyond me but I suspect it might also have to do with regulations. When I find out I'll let you know.

Cheers.