Lotus 3 Eleven
Discussion
AlexHat said:
What's it like on track compared to the road?
The 3-Eleven is actually pretty useable on the road. The only downsides are poor rear visibility, getting in and out regularly and having to wear a lid (although I don't mind this). At any speed it's simply a hoot to drive on a summer's day. On track is its natural habitat though. I've been to Goodwood and Castle Combe in it to date. Apart from a bit of a rattle coming from the rear wing (which Lotus Bell & Colvill will check out) it's the quickest thing I've driven on short to medium sized circuits.
More to come!
Smokin Donut said:
Awesome car and best color.
Could you tell me which ppf you used? Also does it effect the luster of the paint and can you see the edges? Sorry for all the questions thinking of getting this done to the front of the Porsche.
Thanks Smokin Donut. Could you tell me which ppf you used? Also does it effect the luster of the paint and can you see the edges? Sorry for all the questions thinking of getting this done to the front of the Porsche.
The ppf is XPEL and was fitted by Race By Design (http://www.racebydesign.co.uk/). I get all my silly cars ppf'd by them and I'm always very happy with the results. It does't effect the luster and you can only see the edges if you search really hard for them! Highly recommended, especially if you are a track day regular.
Thanks for the info Benny. Just got a quote of £1800 to ppf the front of the Porsche. Seems fairly steep as I could re-spray the bumper and sills twice for that. Insurance is over £2000 per track day so can't afford to track this one! However about to start build of Lotus Elise S1 that I will track.
Enjoy your weapon, certainly the weather for it at the moment!
Enjoy your weapon, certainly the weather for it at the moment!
Ben, great and brave choice of car. This and other things is inspiring me to look at something like your car. I too am lucky enough to own a 12c...how do you compare the performance of the two?...my guess is initial acceleration and responsiveness of the 311 will be quicker, but once the 12c is in its stride...big track like Silverstone required, then it will walk away...although maybe not in outright cornering speed due to the aero in the 311? I can imagine that because it is open topped that the senses are overloaded?
CTE said:
Ben, great and brave choice of car. This and other things is inspiring me to look at something like your car. I too am lucky enough to own a 12c...how do you compare the performance of the two?...my guess is initial acceleration and responsiveness of the 311 will be quicker, but once the 12c is in its stride...big track like Silverstone required, then it will walk away...although maybe not in outright cornering speed due to the aero in the 311? I can imagine that because it is open topped that the senses are overloaded?
Yes CTE, you are spot on with your hypothesis. The 3-Eleven is stronger on initial acceleration (thanks to its lightweight and that supercharger) and quicker around tighter circuits like Castle Combe, for example. On longer circuits like Silverstone or Spa the 12C feels quite a bit faster due to its formidable mid-range torque and top end power. The Lotus gives you the impression (and confidence) that it can lap forever however, whereas, even with carbon brakes, the McLaren's weight (hardly a heavyweight though significantly 300kg+ up on the 311) starts to tell. They are a perfect complimentary combination! The 311 though is the only performance car I've ever owned that I will get up super early on a dry Sunday morning and go for a long country blast, just for the hell of it. I don't do that in the 12C. At 1/10 or 10/10ths you're grinning like a cheshire cat in the Lotus - it's sensory overload! An open cockpit mini Le Mans racer experience you just don't get anywhere else. The car is a keeper. Well, until the time I can't physically get in and out of it anymore!
The 3-Eleven is currently at Lotus Bell & Colvill in Surrey having the following done:
- Check brake discs and pads (I may have over heated them with sustained lapping at a Castle Combe track day
)
- Check rear wing (the struts need tightening since there is some vibration above 120mph)
- Reset the passenger side carbon bucket seat padding
- Fit alcantara steering wheel (current one is leather)
- Fit front end winglets
- Fit remaining PPF to roll hoop
- Perform full post track day inspection
Looking forward to picking it up next Monday, hopefully fully fit again.
- Check brake discs and pads (I may have over heated them with sustained lapping at a Castle Combe track day
)- Check rear wing (the struts need tightening since there is some vibration above 120mph)
- Reset the passenger side carbon bucket seat padding
- Fit alcantara steering wheel (current one is leather)
- Fit front end winglets
- Fit remaining PPF to roll hoop
- Perform full post track day inspection
Looking forward to picking it up next Monday, hopefully fully fit again.
I'm starting to get to grips with the Lotus on-circuit now. I look it to a Goodwood own track day on Friday and was relieved the weather stayed sunny and dry all day. There was an exciting mix on cars on the day, including a number of Porsche Cayman GT4s, a 991 GT3 and a McLaren 12C. The highlights for me were getting the 3-Eleven's tail our under power through Lavant Corner; staying ahead of a mad 700bhp Subaru Impreza (just); and, trying to keep up with a young race driver in a Goodwood prepared BMW M4. That last one really brought it home to me the difference between a competent track day-goer (which I think I am now, after 10 years) and a professional. Just as well to stick to the day job!
Spent the whole of Sunday morning getting down and dirty cleaning the 3-Eleven after its track days at Castle Combe and Goodwood before taking it to an excellent local meet in Cobham. This was followed-up with a hugely rewarding drive through the Surrey Hills taking in Ryka's Cafe near Dorking - a bikers' hang-out but they all seemed appreciative of the car's lightweight ethos.
The Lotus is relatively easy to clean below the waist but above it it's a bloody nightmare trying to prevent soapy suds poring into the cockpit! Track day rubber marks are also a real pain to get rid of. Much elbow grease needed, although the PPF helps; definitely worth the investment.
The Lotus is relatively easy to clean below the waist but above it it's a bloody nightmare trying to prevent soapy suds poring into the cockpit! Track day rubber marks are also a real pain to get rid of. Much elbow grease needed, although the PPF helps; definitely worth the investment.
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