Is the Elan the worst race car he has driven?
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I had the privileged of having a lunch with Jackie Stewart at the recent Australian Grand Prix.
I of course had to ask him if he actually said that the Elan was the worst race car he had driven.
He said yes... as it was very tricky to drive fast and very fragile. He said he did not like the Cortina either. But he said they were both light and fast and as Chapman intended them to be !!! When I said I had been racing mine for 35 years he said.... be careful
cheers
Rohan
I of course had to ask him if he actually said that the Elan was the worst race car he had driven.
He said yes... as it was very tricky to drive fast and very fragile. He said he did not like the Cortina either. But he said they were both light and fast and as Chapman intended them to be !!! When I said I had been racing mine for 35 years he said.... be careful
cheers
Rohan
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rgh0 - Coveted Fifth Gear
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Great post. Thanks.
It's amazing that back in the day so many people (including me, I'm ashamed to say) used to think Jackie Stewart was a wuss for complaining endlessly about safety when so many drivers were getting killed. But he was oh so right and we were oh so wrong.
Be careful indeed!
Nick
It's amazing that back in the day so many people (including me, I'm ashamed to say) used to think Jackie Stewart was a wuss for complaining endlessly about safety when so many drivers were getting killed. But he was oh so right and we were oh so wrong.
Be careful indeed!
Nick
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elanner - Fourth Gear
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Probably a good thing you didn't ask him about Super 7s. As I think back, I can't believe I raced one with A and B Production, A and B sedans. Can remember sitting on the grid at Santa Barbara for a standing start in about the third row. The only way I could tell if the engine was running was by watching the tach. Talk about ground pounders.......
Rob Walker
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1964 Sabra GT
1964 Elva Mk4T Coupe (awaiting restoration)
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Owning a Lotus will get you off the couch
26-4889
50-0315N
1964 Sabra GT
1964 Elva Mk4T Coupe (awaiting restoration)
1965 Ford Falcon Ranchero, 302,AOD,9",rack and pinion,disc,etc,etc,etc
1954 Nash Healey LeMans Coupe
Owning a Lotus will get you off the couch
- prezoom
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Hi
He was not obviously up to Jim Clark standards
He was not obviously up to Jim Clark standards
John
+2s130 1971
+2s130 1971
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Hawksfield - Fourth Gear
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Rohan
What a picture! One of my heroes! And standing next next to Jackie Stewart to boot!
What a picture! One of my heroes! And standing next next to Jackie Stewart to boot!
67 Elan Super Safety
67 Elan +2
67 Elan +2
- seniorchristo
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Great post, thanks Rohan.
I always admired JYS for being a champion clay pigeon shot.
But wee Jimmy was my hero, closely followed by Graham Hill.
Tim
I always admired JYS for being a champion clay pigeon shot.
But wee Jimmy was my hero, closely followed by Graham Hill.
Tim
Visit www.lotuselansprint.com
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trw99 - Coveted Fifth Gear
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Great post Rohan.
And a very cool race. We may have a season in the making with Ferrari back in the mix.
Stu
PS After 35 years I would say you are pretty careful.
And a very cool race. We may have a season in the making with Ferrari back in the mix.
Stu
PS After 35 years I would say you are pretty careful.
Stu
1969 Plus 2 Federal LHD
1969 Plus 2 Federal LHD
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stugilmour - Coveted Fifth Gear
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Fragile I get, but why did Jackie find that the Elan "was very tricky to drive fast"? I'm not disputing the master, just interested.
- daverubberduck
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daverubberduck wrote:Fragile I get, but why did Jackie find that the Elan "was very tricky to drive fast"? I'm not disputing the master, just interested.
By the Elan's nature, the wheelbase is short and the track is narrow. The combintation is less forgiving at the limit than cars with a longer wheelbase and wider track. The combination makes alignment, cornerweights and ride height critical. The earliest race versions used the Lotocones and rubber bushes which made the cars a handful at the limit.
Example: The Elite had a significantly longer wheelbase and was much easier to drive quickly.
There is no cure for Lotus, only treatment.
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StressCraxx - Coveted Fifth Gear
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Does that mean that the +2 is a better handling car?
- daverubberduck
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daverubberduck wrote:Does that mean that the +2 is a better handling car?
Yes.
There is no cure for Lotus, only treatment.
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StressCraxx - Coveted Fifth Gear
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