Lotus Elise

[tmak26b]

I don't think any cars are driveable in the rain at Lime Rock. I remember the track had less grip in the rain than I do on the highway, that pavement is beat

Company called Forcefed offers their 380R Turbo package. Garrett GT2871R ball bearing turbo, Spearco intercooler, rebuilt engine bottom end, ECU and custom valve job. 380HP and 280lb/ft torque. 0-60 in 3.1 seconds

As i recall, that day at LRP one Loti guy had major mods including turbo, another had a Loti factory race car or some such. Both cars were doing stunning laps, but when the rain came down the factory-type car was ok while the turbo guy dialed the turbo down and he said his car was still 'undrivable' due to wet conditions. Sorry, forget what rubber he had, though believe he had a few sets so am guessing even with grooved tires the turbo made the car a bit of a handful.

I know a guy in a Mustang can do 1:04 and 1:05 all day long, like a 00 GT with a little work to it.

Can do 1:06 no problem with the 2,900 lbs car 180HP/165TQ and Mich Pilot Sport PS2 rubber, though yes 2 seconds is a LIFETIME at LRP.

FYI: i LOVE LRP, even in the down pouring rain! This spring will be doing top end work on the Italian engine (~45 track days and a few over revs does that to an engine) and then add a blower and Hoosier R06 rubber Am very much looking forward to seeing the possibilities at LRP once that is done. Hope COMSCC gets LRP during a nice warm day in 2008, that would rock!!!

[jlwhorf]

This thread started with me asking about a roll bar for the Elise, which I have decided not to track and have a buyer for it

Dan, too bad you sold the elise, they do get around lrp quite well. Last time I was there (with scda), the hunting ridge club had about a dosen or so of them there.

As for the dammage factor, there was an elise there that had almost as much color matching tape as it had original body panels.

Jonathan
900 Monte Carlo PA

[DanDarcy]

Hi Jonathan ; I haven't sold the Elise yet I have an offer but no money yet ! Money talks and BS walks.

Sorry to hear you won't be at NHIS1, I have sign up for it but I too don't think I can do WGI. Being a motorcycle dealer the event comes at a very busy time of the year for me

[enjoythemusic]

I don't think any cars are drivable in the rain at Lime Rock. I remember the track had less grip in the rain than I do on the highway, that pavement is beat

LRP is different in the rain, agreed. Yes the grip is variable, especially at the brake point at the end of the straight, but there is some decent grip if you know where to look for it in other places. The pavement is really smooth due to age and being used so much. Of course driving a heavy, low TQ car like mine helps per se and see where some guys with lots of TQ would be at a disadvantage sorta kinda if you know what i mean. LRP is like, well, driving on an iced lake or a snowed parking lot in some ways, it can catch you out and if you go over the fragile limit things get very dicey.

DISCLAIMER: i did not find the grip per se so it is not me (with lacking of talent and experience), a few 'locals' and Carl Lopez helped point out some tricks to LRP in the rain. G-d bless them for cluing me in, as it makes LRP in the wet quite fun... or perhaps my version of fun and others is a bit, well, different.

Still kinda pissed off at myself for going into wall T3 at NHIS in the rain in Nov 2006, so there is A LOT to learn from this nut behind the wheel.

[chaos4NH]

Quote: FYI: i LOVE LRP, even in the down pouring rain! This spring will be doing top end work on the Italian engine (~45 track days and a few over revs does that to an engine) and then add a blower and Hoosier R06 rubber Am very much looking forward to seeing the possibilities at LRP once that is done. Hope COMSCC gets LRP during a nice warm day in 2008, that would rock!!!

Hold a sec, Steve. Did we (I) miss something? Was it not the purpose of the open wheeled car to stop pumping the $ into the 308, and retiring it to street duty?

[tmak26b]

eee...I couldnt feel the grip at all. I think the fastest I could go was 80mph down the straight, the backend started skipping if I drop the hammer down. I was going through big bend at 30mph as people were spinning left and right around me. I was so ashamed of it that I didnt even put teh video online, it was sad. Thankfully the track dried up and we were able to lay some good speeds down.

I don't think any cars are drivable in the rain at Lime Rock. I remember the track had less grip in the rain than I do on the highway, that pavement is beat

LRP is different in the rain, agreed. Yes the grip is variable, especially at the brake point at the end of the straight, but there is some decent grip if you know where to look for it in other places. The pavement is really smooth due to age and being used so much. Of course driving a heavy, low TQ car like mine helps per se and see where some guys with lots of TQ would be at a disadvantage sorta kinda if you know what i mean. LRP is like, well, driving on an iced lake or a snowed parking lot in some ways, it can catch you out and if you go over the fragile limit things get very dicey.

DISCLAIMER: i did not find the grip per se so it is not me (with lacking of talent and experience), a few 'locals' and Carl Lopez helped point out some tricks to LRP in the rain. G-d bless them for cluing me in, as it makes LRP in the wet quite fun... or perhaps my version of fun and others is a bit, well, different.

Still kinda pissed off at myself for going into wall T3 at NHIS in the rain in Nov 2006, so there is A LOT to learn from this nut behind the wheel.

[enjoythemusic]

Hold a sec, Steve. Did we (I) miss something? Was it not the purpose of the open wheeled car to stop pumping the $ into the 308, and retiring it to street duty?

Hey, we all have addictions, you know how it is.

The top-end work on the 308 is free (parts exchange, amazing what crappy old Italian parts are worth to some guys). The complete blower setup for the 308 is only $5k as the car has all the others bit already in her. So guess $5k to increase power to rear wheels by 50% or so IS worth it to me, but all the OTHER finances to keep her going, well... guess it depends on how many track events i choose to attend in 2007.

So far looks to be around 40 track days for the FC/F2000 alone. If i decide to joy ride the tintop, that number could climb to 60 easily, or perhaps just have a friend run the Ferrari to NHIS while i trailer the FC during open track days and just run both cars all day long. Life is about choices and my friends are already egging me on to do the SCDA/FCA 4-day tintop event at WGI (or 6-day if we count Tmasters).

Problem is, i got a 'driving problem' that seems to require doses of seat time at tracks. While the doctor says it is nothing too serious, the 'cure' can be costly. It appears the dis-ease is ever-growing and requires massive doses of finances to continue 'the treatment'. Speaking of which, i need to go to the bank(s) today, had to spend $XXX (read: obscene) at one place for fluids and other bits for the FC, and then my old and heavy Bell M2 won't do so had to get a new super light CF state-of-the-art helmet... and two sets of Hoosier 35's for the FC... and a super low front jack...

<ring ring telephone> Er, um, doctor, the dis-ease is getting worse...

[chaos4NH]

I hear you! Oh, to have unlimited resources; I would never be home!
Good luck! See you at the track.

[enjoythemusic]

eee...I couldnt feel the grip at all. I think the fastest I could go was 80mph down the straight, the backend started skipping if I drop the hammer down. I was going through big bend at 30mph as people were spinning left and right around me. I was so ashamed of it that I didnt even put the video online, it was sad.

LRP in the rain is scary, even 30mph through Big Bend. MANY guys i know refuse to do LRP in the damp, let alone wet conditions. No need to be ashamed, really, LRP is a bear in the wet.

Wish i had video rolling, but the position of the cam inside the car and not near the windshield wiper would have probably have resulted in a bad, very blurry video. Stay near middle and play around with a bit right or left on the straight in the rain. The usual far left is getting really uneven/worse with each passing year. Agree that braking at the end of front straight is a bad situation, as that pavement pretty much across the board is bad and ground down. i found ALMOST no place where there is good grip except to take the entire right turn from the straight and through Big Bend wide. Depends on conditions and your rubber as to if the cement sections are slick as heck or grippy.

The braking point and leftthander has very good grip (relatively) and was surprised how well the Mich Pilot Sport PS2 were doing there. My car seems to LOVE the lefthander wet or dry.

While there IS a puddle on the righthander before no name, corner/apex i take advantage of the dip in the road. This is where having tires with the right pressure and that can move water is very helpful. Perhaps the low TQ and have dialed in my car for LRP wet many times so know it well... Your milage may vary as for taking that turn.

As for the uphill... lay in too much power or get it wrong and either you slide WAY left or spin right or... with oversteer/overthrottle you... well... just be careful. One time in the wet took it TOO far to right and the car oversteered and the back end tried squirming further right(!) to the inside of the turn so some correction was in order. Phew, that was a Pampers moment.

Decent grip at West Bend and the downhill is not too bad, i just take a slightly modded line and of course slower than when dry.

DISCLAIMER: this is me with the car i had under me. A heavy, low TQ car with good data/experience to dial her in. Rain at LRP is a nice equalizer as those guys with major TQ in light cars and near slicks might be at a disadvantage depending on driver's talent. i LACK talent yet have quite a bit of seat time at LRP in damp condition, and wet days, but only 20 minutes in TORRENTIAL rain until they black flagged me off the track (as previously mentioned, i was the only wack-job on track willing to give it a go). Bet under normal circumstances they would have NEVER let me on that track in that severe rain, yet it was a Ferrari PUBLIC event where LRP sold tickets, promoted the show, etc. So maybe they let me drive in those conditions due to paying customers watching the event and i was the only 'show' during this torrential rain and not swerving all over the place. Have seen them close LRP under lesser rain conditions for DE events.

[tmak26b]

Unfortnately, the videos were so blurry that i erased all of them. The only thing I have left from are these pictures

http://www.cartct.com/results/06-22-06/062206134.jpg

http://www.cartct.com/results/06-22-06/062206140.jpg

http://www.cartct.com/results/06-22-06/062206144.jpg

The track dried up after the first session, but it was enough for me to know LRP is not worth it in the rain. It's funny I drove into another t-storm that same weekend, my car had more grip on the highway than the track.

[enjoythemusic]

Unfortnately, the videos were so blurry that i erased all of them. The only thing I have left from are these pictures

Yup, that LRP in the wet alright with some puddling. Good to see guys on the track in your pics as MOST of the Fcar guys did not even bother trying (and some do not bother bringing anything other than slicks, a pity).

The track dried up after the first session, but it was enough for me to know LRP is not worth it in the rain. It's funny I drove into another t-storm that same weekend, my car had more grip on the highway than the track.

Easily believe you. LRP can be akin to driving on an iced with light snow lake... or oiled glass. Perhaps my car loves LRP or have done that track and have logged enough data to dial her in ok (said 'ok'... not 'great or 'excellent' imo). Wet or dry, there is something about LRP i love... on second thought it could be insanty kicking in (pun intended).

Though yes, LRP in the very wet is not for the shy, timid or those with the incorrect tire choice. Wearinga set of Pampers for those slick wet track moments is optional and most severe of those moments after about 45 track days (for me) was the uphill at LRP.