where to rent bike-eng. kitcar and tryt before buying?

[turbolach]

Hi,
I'd like my next car to be a bike-engined lotus 7 type car, but I still need some convincing that's something I can live with. The car will be strictly a fun weekend roadcar.
I sometimes race a yamaha-R6-midengine crosscart (120bhp/300kg offroad). As it's not the aim of the competition, I think it'd be hard to drive that cart at a leisurely pace or not to be alert at all time. Something that will happen on road at some point

I'd like to experience such a car on road and track before committing. Having a huge opinion of myself, I'd like to try a westfield megabusa.
Can you recommend a company renting those out, perhaps with trackday package already in place?

Please feel free to send email, if you don't want to post the info on the forum.
thanks

[carsounds_dan]

get in touch with the companys making them, the dax rush in it's various forms is fantastic and I know that if you talk nicely enough a longer test drive could be arranged. Also try westfield and see what they'll do on that front, I know when my old man brought his a few years back they charged him so much for it but refunded it when he made the purchase...

[Snake the Sniper]

As far as I know, there are no companies that hire out these type of cars given that, if mis-treated, they can break easily. I maybe wrong though. The best bet, as said, is to ask the companies that make them. You'll get a drive in a demonstrator, but as for being allowed to track one yourself, I don't know. I've certainly never seen a manufacturer let a customer loose in one, although the company drivers will take you out.

[turbolach]

Thanks for the suggestions.
I can understand the reluctance in letting one take off in such a car.
But some form of insurance should cover that, otherwise no exotic would be up for rental.
I sent the company an inquiry about the possibilities. If it goes further, the idea of a deposit might come in handy.

Best regards

[peter.brown]

try mark@ mansol motor sport in norfolk

[Furyblade_Lee]

Your best bet is to just go to a meet and ask someone to take you for a drive as a passenger, and go down A-roads, B-roads and through town centres. TRUST me they drive exactly like a normal kitcar when you have adjusted to having no flywheel effect on the clutch, hillstarts, holding it on the clutch is no problem. The main gripe for some with a BEC is a clonking with the sequential box, drivetrain shunt and lack of windscreen. Also you need to get used to the acceleration, noises, and attention they recieve. ALL these sensations can be felt through the passenger seat. Even Caterham only (used to) let people out to drive "normal" Caterhams, The R300, R400 and R500 were passenger only for obvious reasons. If someone is only used to FWD and driving aids then trying to get any meaningful performance from a BEC / high power Caterham would probobly end up in an accident.

[turbolach]

The replies I got on my inquiries, indicate I'll need to buy my own to drive a BEC. More than anything else, I think it's because the cars aren't simply available (as in built to order) or the one who's built it, knows too well how much time he's spent on it to let an unknown play with it.
Good suggestion though: next time I get the elise to a track, I'll try to get a ride from a seven driver, if present. I also plan to go to a UK kitcar trade show to get close up time with different models. I've looked at several build webdiaries, and some constructions seem not too sturdy.
The more brutish aspects of BEC-driving, I can live with. I think the crosscart prepared me for that (although the first times out, I could't get to a single grid without multiple stalls)
And as for attention: sitting with an open elise in a traffic jam, going from envious looks to being laughed at... when the rain started, learns one to (try to) ignore attention.

[Snake the Sniper]

turbolach said:

......And as for attention: sitting with an open elise in a traffic jam, going from envious looks to being laughed at... when the rain started, learns one to (try to) ignore attention.

But at least in the Elise you have the option of taking the little folding roof with you. In a BEC you will just have to grin and bear it. Although it is good to hear of another convert to the dark side of 7's!

[Furyblade_Lee]

I have sat in stationary traffic on the M25's Bridge in the pissing rain, crash helmet, on getting thoroughly drenched! I got about 10 thumbs up, cheers, claps and waves, not 1 negative comment. I just laughed myself, when i got home took of my helmet and wetsuit, bone dry, no problem. I LOVE IT!

[Snake the Sniper]

Furyblade_Lee said:

I have sat in stationary traffic on the M25's Bridge in the pissing rain, crash helmet, on getting thoroughly drenched! I got about 10 thumbs up, cheers, claps and waves, not 1 negative comment. I just laughed myself, when i got home took of my helmet and wetsuit, bone dry, no problem. I LOVE IT!

I find that the worse the weather the more looks, waves and smiles you get. I was out recently in freezing fog and every other car had kids in it looking around at the lunatic in the little yellow car.

[turbolach]

UK motorists must be friendlier than belgians(am one) then.
but I'm convinced: the next one will be a BEC (with optional wetsuit already making room for it the garage.

[Furyblade_Lee]

I have also exprienced the Belgiams i the rain in it during some trackdays at Zolder. It may have helped the car was stickered up and had Belgian flags and the names of Jacky Ickx, Beltois and 2 other Belgian racers on it. maybe they cut me some slack!

[turbolach]

Don't count on it. Not in the least because Beltoise is French

[danny k]

hi if you are ever in the uk mk sportscars hire there bike engined cars out to the public as long as on of there drivers is in the car with you.

[turbolach]

Thanks,good to know. I'm going to Stoneleigh Fair in May, perhaps I can squeeze it in.
Mk is on my shortlist for the car. Mainly because I read somewhere that they were building a mid-engined model. But that seems not to be available yet (or stopped?). Another mid-engined was/is the fury menace - but also not ready for production.