Lotus Elan and Lotus Elan Plus 2 Forums

Good afternoon, all. First time poster here.

I've been bitten by the Vintage Racing bug, and have been researching an Elan as my vehicle of choice.

But, I'm having trouble finding answers to a few questions- just how much can (or cannot) be done with the Elan and still pass Tech in Vintage events?

I'm looking at SOVREN, VARA, CSRG, and SCCA Vintage events.

For instance- are the Spyder chassis/ roll cage/ suspension updates accepted, if required by the condition of an Elan I would consider purchasing?

Are Weber 45 D.C.O.E. carburetors accepted? There are homologation papers elsewhere on this site- makes them legal?

Last question- removal of the rubber doughnuts in favor of CV joints in the rear suspension- again, homologated and therefore recognized by the Tech Inspectors?

Thanks for any and all advice!

Scott Campbell
Santa Rosa, CA

Hi there,

The best advice I can give you is contact the clubs that your interested in racing with and ask them to send you a list of the tecnical regulations. The lists should have a guide to what can and can't be done. I'm not aware of those clubs as I'm based in the UK but I would expect them to have a road going class where there are limited modifications to engine and drive which help keep the cost down while still being competitive!!!

Have fun..

Finn has good advice Contact your vintage racing orgs.

Also someone on this forum has a copy of the 1966 [or so] SCCA GCR pages for the 26R which might also be worth getting [ at least I think it was the scca gcr pages ':?:' ]

In any event, someone at one of the vintage clubs should be able to put you in touch with someone running a vintage Elan on the west coast. That would be a great start.

John

Thank You, all.

Off to the vintage organizations I go!

srcampb

It's my understanding that the Elan S-1 races in a different vintage class than the S-2 and later Elans. (At least this used to be the case with the SVRA I was told.) As such, the S-1 is very competative within its group, but later Elans are not as competitive in theirs. If you're not springing 100K for a 26R, the S-1 may be the vintage racing Elan of choice.

Gary
'71 Elan Sprint
Miami, FL

In FIA periode "F" ( -65 ) you can run S1 and S2. ( Type 26 ) Later types, 36 and 45 are FIA periode "G"-cars . If you want to build for inst. a 26R replica, which you are now allowed to do, you will have to run in "F" according to the homologation of that periode. The Elan is very (!) competitive in GT/GTS in periode "F" , but you are right ; later on other cars came along.....
Dag

Thanks again, for all the insights. It sounds like the search is narrowing to an S1.

There was a very competitive Elan at the SCCA Vintage races at Laguna Seca last month- of course I didn't get the exact year, or the preparation done, etc.

Which I'm now kicking myself for!

Thanks again, all.

Scott C.
Santa Rose, CA

just a side note ----- driving quickly on a track is a serious pastime ---TAKE A DRIVER SCHOOL and learn to go fast slowly --ed

srcampb wrote:But, I'm having trouble finding answers to a few questions- just how much can (or cannot) be done with the Elan and still pass Tech in Vintage events?

I'm looking at SOVREN, VARA, CSRG, and SCCA Vintage events.

For instance- are the Spyder chassis/ roll cage/ suspension updates accepted, if required by the condition of an Elan I would consider purchasing?

Are Weber 45 D.C.O.E. carburetors accepted? There are homologation papers elsewhere on this site- makes them legal?

Last question- removal of the rubber doughnuts in favor of CV joints in the rear suspension- again, homologated and therefore recognized by the Tech Inspectors?

Scott,
As other have suggested check with the various groups since it is they who will make the final decision.

Having said that there are some common acceptable mods that can be made for running with the 4 groups listed.

Chassis - strengthening the stock chassis is acceptable (adding doubling plates, etc. Moving suspension pick-up points may not be depending upon the group. Spyder chassis is most likely unacceptable with CSRG & SOVERN.

Suspension - Adjustable arms, shocks, are typically okay so long as they are modifications to stock and not wholesale replacements such as tubular front A-arms.

Tires/Wheels - per allowable, typically 5" or 5.5" max on tread non-R tires. Again SCCA & VARA will likely let you run sticky rubber.

Engine - stock displacement, steel crank/rods OK, 45's OK. Pretty much all common racing upgrades. No ECUs or electronic FI. Again, period correct would be the rule of thumb.

Safety - Roll cage recommended and racing seat.

Body - Fender flares are likely a no-no with SOVERN & CSRG, but most likely the SCCA & VARA would allow them. Replacing the stock windscreen with a faring is acceptable by all 4 groups.

There was a set-up vintage racing Elan for sale about a year ago. I don't it sold and maybe available. email me for details.

Cheers,
Kiyoshi
GGLC webguy (webguy-at-gglotus.org)

goggle the sanctioning bodies most of the rules are on their web site ed

Hello -

if you looking to get a quick read on what may be acceptable look to the FIA web site ( very conservative for gt and gts prep) or SVRA here in the states , they have car specific guidlines calling out what is permitted, with few exceptions SVRA cars are usually compliant almost anywhere.

I race an elan with SOVREN -- feel free to call me if you have any questions. Pete 206 355 0857

Pete,

Thanks for the offer- when I know enough to be worth taking up your time, I'll give you a ring.

Until then, I'm curious about why Elans are placed in the race groups they are- for instance,

I'm looking over the entires for the Columbia River Classic held at PIA last September 4th and 5th.

The SOVREN Historics are split into Group 2, the Small Bores, and Group 3, the Large Bores.

In group 2 are '68 and '69 BMW 2002's, '65-'69 Alfa GTVs, a whole bunch of '63- '66 MGB's, "60 to '68 Porsche 356's and 912's, a couple of TR4's and others- all with displacements in the range of 1.6 to 2.2 liters.

Then there are the Large Bores, with 289 Mustangs, Vettes all the way up to 427's, 4.2 liter Jag XKE's, 2 liter 911's- and poor Karen Gaston and Bill Hegy with '66 1558 cc Elans!

Does someone have it out for Lotuses??

I've found a very "preparable" appearing Lotus 45 Elan for sale- but a guy (especially a beginner like me) could get run over in a race group like that!

What's up?

Thanks,

Scott C.

I know nothing about SOVREN classing or the regs for the classes. My comments are from a very long distance away in Australia but the classing makes sense to me as I race most of these car types here in our historic racing. A well prepared and well driven Elan would walk away from everything in the small bore class. In the big bore class, of the cars listed the only thing that would give a good Elan a problem would be a well prepared 7 litre corvette and that only on a fast track.

In general with Elans the tighter the tyre restrictions and the tighter the track the better an Elan gets versus the competition.

Rohan

Scott, I have just caught up on the posts and see you are from Santa Rosa and I'm from Cotati. You have received the best answers from all over the world, par for the lotus family. So there is nothing I can add. I have just restored my 67 S3 elan coupe by the local shops. Let's talk as I have done some of the things you asked about. 481-6700
The cool thing about the elans is what Rohan said about the performance.
Sarto