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Lotus Elise in Consumer Reports ...

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Might be fun on an airport runway, but I don't think I'd like it on the street. Happened to me in my old CRX in wet weather turning through the greasiest intersection in town. Lucky it's a small car and I wasn't going fast. But definately a weird feeling to suddenly be looking head on at the car behind you.
 
It's amazing how uncomfortable it is to spin a car at speed. I was racing a friend's Miata in a Houston autocross, and approaching the timing lights (at the end of a decreasing radius turn) the rear just lost it. I was going about 35Mph, I'd guess. Fun, but I took the armrest in the side (or something.)

I'm pretty convinced that I could make any car behave like an angry cat! All it takes is a closed course, enough speed and some jerky steering and throttle inputs.
 
Indeed. In Lauda's book "The Art and Science of Grand Prix Driving" he puts it: "Balance. And smooth transitions."

Autocross LOOKS sedate, slow... until you're in the middle of a run /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif WHEEEE!!!! Adrenalin oozes from under the fingernails as much as if you were doin' a road course.

It was an eye opener to sell Alfa and Lotus cars: some prospective buyers should be "discouraged" from purchasing a performance automobile. I got fairly wick at sorting out "who's who" back then. I've the impression the "shoe" for CR is a non-contender as well.
 
hehehehe...

Doc, I've re-read your statement on page 1 a dozen times...
The one about traction issues vs power issues...
Do you mean that the Esprit is underpowered?
 
Fella that taught me a bit in early 60s, said Jack, smoothness counts. Took it to heart and worked well, he could never catch me. hehe. Was really excellent advice.
 
Yes smoothness will always outrun overzealous speed in a tight roadcourse (or autocross). And if it doesn't.... At least everyone will agree your run "looked" better.
 
Yeah,I've noticed when I was autocrossing,someone would
comment on how smooth my driving looked.
I didn't have the heart to tell them that it felt like "a******s & elbows" inside the car!

- Doug
 
[ QUOTE ]
hehehehe...

Doc, I've re-read your statement on page 1 a dozen times...
The one about traction issues vs power issues...
Do you mean that the Esprit is underpowered?

[/ QUOTE ]

Nope. The contact patch is MUCH bigger with an Esprit, is all. Tire technology took an awesome leap at around the same time as the Esprit was released. "Grab 'n Go". You can break 'em loose with ANY Lotus, but why would ya? If the tires are past traction limit, whether straight line or sidewize, you're slowin' DOWN... /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/nonono.gif
 
ahhhh, makes sense now. I forgot they had monster meats under the Esprit.
 
Only two speeds for an engine, full on and full off. Anything else is wasteing your time.
 
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