Elans at Goodwood

[SADLOTUS]

Only have the pictures I'm afraid. Maybe someone could fill in the details.

[elans3]

Hi, I was there Friday and Saturday, and there were 4 26R's there, the Shapecraft ? fastback Gold Bug, and it's ordinary bodied sister. They were to be driven by Martin Stretton and Jackie Oliver, but I didn't see Jackie run in qualifying on Friday, so presume he didn't race on Saturday ? (I was otherwise engaged in the paddock when the race was on on saturday).
There were Pat Thomas' red 26R number 21, and John Delane's black one, number 46.
It is with much regret that I'm going to have to wait for the video before I see the race !
Steve

[zarelan]

I was at Goodwood on Saturday too and took quite a few pictures of the Elans.

The fastback driven by Martin Stretton was swapping the lead with a Marcos GT....until it broke down. Great racing. That Gold Bug 26R is a very pretty and very fast car. I spent ages staring at it in the paddock.

Here is a photo selection, enjoy!

--Antonio

[elancoupe]

Note how the Pat Thomas car's bonnet has bulged up at speed.

[SADLOTUS]

Tour Britannia at Brands this morning.

[wizzkitt]

Cracking pics, Zarelan.

[elans3]

The red Elan is John Sheldon's multi-rally winning GTS. I've had a really good look around that car and it is very nice, and extremely competitive.
Steve
elans3

[ppnelan]

Note how the Pat Thomas car's bonnet has bulged up at speed.

Are you sure it's not just a modification for improved cooling?

Matthew

[rgh0]

Looks like it just a very very light weight bonnet that bulges in the middle under pressure at speed.

cheers
Rohan

[elansprint71]

#46 is the replica Gold Bug built for Sean Walker a few seasons ago, it is actually as fast, or faster than the all-alloy IWR Elan Coupe (depends on the driver) body by Williams and Pritchard. IWR as in Ian Walker Racing, Sean's dad. Sean sold the car (#46) via Tony Thompson at the end of last season, seem to remember the sticker price being in excess of 80k GBP.

Can anyone confirm that two of these IWR Coupes were built? One was built for Le Mans 1964 but was written off before the event, now there is this Gold one and Paul Matty has a green one which was built from the wreck!

[zarelan]

The fastback we saw at Goodwood is indeed the same one that Paul Matty owned when it was green. See below picture and text from the excellent Duncan Wherret book and check the number plate. Same car. Only one was ever built.

[elansprint71]

Ah that explains it! I did not know that Paul Matty had sold it. The original registration was XJB1, according to Robinshaw and Ross.