Atom vs. Brooke vs. Caterham vs. Elfin vs. Lotus

[Noel]

5 purist, track ready bare minimalistic sports/super cars. Let loose with normal drivers for 18 hours.

The results is a no brainer, but the commentary is priceless especially on the one who came all the way from down under.

Have a laugh, compliments of YouTube.

[TAFKA TMB]

I’d say that Stuart Sutcliffe would be a better (braver) driver than me for sho, hardly an average driver.

I’ve driven an Elfin Streamliner and it wasn’t friendly for a first timer. I had a ride next to one of the owners of the business (who now racers historic single seaters) and it really boogies when driven well.

[rG`]

Lotus 211

[euGeR]

How much for the lotus noel ... I'll go half with you

[IcemaN]

ohhh yess baby,
i would still take the atom!

[Noel]

How much for the lotus noel ... I'll go half with you

[OZ-227]

Hmmm, very interesting.
I'm going to build a PRB Clubman (Caterham) with a Honda S2000 engine & 6 speed gearbox, with a Subaru diff (need the 4.9). I should get the kit early next year.
About 6mths to build....... Then the fun starts.

[Page]

Make sure you get the ignition key start thingo of the s2000 or you will run into ECU pros with the immobiliser.
What were they going on about the elfin looking queer??? no more queer that the rest IMHO

[TAFKA TMB]

Oz-227 – great choice!

Is that the widebody kit? I’m a tradionalist who likes the old narrow bodies (as long as they are as stiff) but then again I used to prefer clamshells to cycleguards on clubmans many moons ago.
What is the diff between widebody and normal (stiffness, weight, how much extra width at the drivers seat – do you need it)? They all seem to be getting the fronts wishbones (track) as wide as possible these days.

Are they still bringing in the Birkin kits from S/A?

One of my dream cars would be the composite roadster/racer with an S2000 driveline.

[OZ-227]

Oz-227 – great choice!
Is that the widebody kit? I’m a tradionalist who likes the old narrow bodies (as long as they are as stiff) but then again I used to prefer clamshells to cycleguards on clubmans many moons ago.
What is the diff between widebody and normal (stiffness, weight, how much extra width at the drivers seat – do you need it)? They all seem to be getting the fronts wishbones (track) as wide as possible these days.
Are they still bringing in the Birkin kits from S/A?
One of my dream cars would be the composite roadster/racer with an S2000 driveline.

Yes, it the new Wide Body. It's designed so you don't have to dry sump the motor & get more room in the foot-wells (due to S2000 Bellhousing). Seating doesn't change (& no I don't need it ...hahaha) About the same weight, not quite as stiff. The old ones, like the birkin S3 (Yes still available & made in Sth Africa), doesn't flex at all. They reacon the old ones were so stiff, they ended up just messuring the take-up flex in the jig.
Alittle flex with 205Kws at 600KGs, should be a good thing. Not so Snappy...who am I kidding.
Composites - Yes, Carbon/Kevar everything... See what that does to the 600Kg mark. A friend of ours is brilliant with all sort of molding. His in the middle of an S2000 GT Bodykit. ( it CF doors weight 2Kgs.. bare).

It'll turn-up looking like this.... Notice the rear diffuser... that's new with the wide-body.

But, I'm no BLOODLY GOOD at waiting!

[TAFKA TMB]

Did you ever consider running “naked”? Chris Barry on the S2Ki forums reckons that you can legally get away without running a windscreen on the road (although I’d want an all-over 6 point roll cage) – less frontal area, don’t need washers, wipers or demisters.

Everyone seems to be getting in on the aero tweaks on the clubmans – I guess there are big gains to be made. I remember reading an Autosport article where they took a Seven in to a windtunnel (MIRA?) and were tweaking the various bits and pieces – diffusers, aero tube. Standard they were getting a lot of lift at the front wheels and they were trying to chase the holy grail of low lift/downforce and low drag. Makes a difference at highish speeds (100 kmh?) and as long as you aren’t adding weight……

Love all Clubmans (from Lotus 7 S4 to Frasers to Daxes to Tigers to Elfins to Caterhams to Donkervoorts)