Modified elan racing 1977- 78

[steveh]

Not sure if these have been seen before -apoligies if they have ! .
These were recently pointed out to me by a pal who raced and took part [not Lotus].

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lt96wUTp6zo

[url][https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4mT5mJzg644/url]

Steve

[StressCraxx]

Great video. I believe they were called "Modsports" at the time. There is one owned by Rich Kamp at Kampena Motors in Sonoma, CA.

[batfish]

Gino was having an Ark Elan built but not seen any posts from him recently.

[Andy8421]

Great videos, thanks for posting.

They capture the 70s club motor sport scene as I remember it, cold, wet and all a bit grim. I never camped at a circuit, I can only imagine how that must have been.

From the perspective of 2021, the aerodynamic bodywork (if that's the word for it) all looks very amateur. I wonder if it actually did any good. It may be the camera angles, but the cars don't seem to be going all that fast - which is probably a good thing given the state of the track.

[seniorchristo]

Those are some butchered up Elans! Reminds me of the Dekon Monzas in 70's Trans Am races.

[Certified Lotus]

Great period film! Had to laugh at the aero mods done to the cars. And the amount of body roll in the corners.

Very much “backyard” mechanics with limited budgets. Note the lack of crash protection inside the cars, only a roll hoop. No side or front crash protection. And the guy with the pipe in his mouth handing over the fuel cell in the rear of the Elan. Safety was pretty much ignored. Never the less, a dedicated bunch that was always enthusiastic about Motorsports!

I remember going to racing events during that time frame at Watkins Glen in the US. I would camp out at the circuit on a regular basis. As a spectator, you could go anywhere. No fencing, just Armco for the cars in corners. Those were the days.

[elansprint71]

Jon Fletcher is still around and still has the Elan. It was one of the two cars built from Lotus Components bits by Graham Warner's Chequered flag outfit. these, along with the two cars Chapman supplied to Ian Walker Racing were effectively the first 26/Rs. The Chequered Flag (or "tattered rag" as they were called by "friends") cars were driven by Mike Spence and Jackie Stewart while the IWR cars were driven by Pete Arundell and Jim Clark; as Jack Brabham and Graham Hill were also driving in these races they must have been quite something to watch.

I've copied the link to Jon Fletcher; thanks for posting it. Steve.

[gino1]

Hi ,
The Ark Racing Modsports '801 has been placed on hold for a while now but is very near completion.
Most of the parts of the car that was purchased including the rights to its design etc. from Derek Matthews, have been replaced.
Most of the bodywork and chassis and mechanical work except for the engine was carried out in UK by expert companies in the Birmingham area.
I've added a few pics to show the level of work that has gone into the making of this car.
If it's successful as it looks, it should be a winner !

Gino

[Gazzerb]

What a great video of club racing in the 70s.
Also, Mallory is my local circuit that I have been regularly visiting since 1969.
As a very young boy had a dark green anorak complete with Lotus badge - clearly there was never any hope for me!
Gary

[steveh]

I've copied the link to Jon Fletcher; thanks for posting it. Steve.

Good that we can easily share Pete.
It makes you wonder how much more unseen period car film/ pictures there are .
My pal John 2nd on the grid in the E had not seen it until a few weeks ago-- the mustard imp driven by Paul Haywood--[Sherwood Restorations] had such grip off the line it left everyone standing, as did the elans out of the hairpin
I did get to Mallory once in 1977 - to see the great Barry Sheene and Co

[elansprint71]

Carole Fletcher told me that herself and Jon had not seen the film before and it brought back memories of friends from times past.