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GT 40 vs lotus 211

Discussion in 'British' started by boxerman, Apr 15, 2008.

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  1. boxerman

    boxerman F1 World Champ
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    #1 boxerman, Apr 15, 2008
    I know these may appear to be very different cars. Purely for track use I have a lotus 211 on order, but delivery is delayed, which is aggravating particularily as I am gone the latter half of the summer.

    So given the delay I have looked at the idea of getting a superformance gt40, pretty much the real thing, instead.

    My concern is that the GT40 which would be built to track spec is that it is too much car to learn on.
    I have done both Skip barber 3 day and 2 day advanced a number of lapping days too, as well as track days with the ferrari club in my boxer and M3.

    One freind said the GT40 would be like riding a guided missile. The GT40 weighs 2400lbs 500bhp the lotus weighs 1500lbs 255bhp. so they are both up there in performance.

    I do want to learn how to drive better. Is the GT40 just too much go to really learn on. The dealer engine builder says they are great cars to drive and not too bad to learn on. But like skiing with only the best equippment one might never learn properly.

    Cool car though.
     
  2. Pantera

    Pantera F1 Rookie

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    #2 Pantera, Apr 15, 2008
    Superformance GT-40 has any covered who wants a GT-40
     
  3. fastback33

    fastback33 Formula 3

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    #3 fastback33, Apr 15, 2008
    What?

    The 2-11 isn't road legal in the u.s. which i'm sure you know, but you're still able to drive the gt40 on the road. I'm assuming you ahve a trailer and other equipment to haul the lotus to the track? If not the choice would be easy. Or you could just buy an exige S 240, which i've heard is just as good.
     
  4. boxerman

    boxerman F1 World Champ
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    #4 boxerman, Apr 15, 2008
    Yeah I have the trailer, track cars are too compromised on the street and visa versa.
     
  5. Adrift

    Adrift Formula Junior

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    #5 Adrift, Apr 15, 2008
    So how many track days are we talking? If not a whole lot, then I would finish learning on a mid-power car and then go high power. Otherwise there could easily be an expensive and potentially painful lesson in your near future.

    Big power can lead to big crashes. Personally I find it boring to be in the fastest car on the track, cuz then you can suck and still pass 95% of the people. No challenge at all.
     
  6. boxerman

    boxerman F1 World Champ
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    #6 boxerman, Apr 15, 2008
    10-15 days over a 4 month period. I hear the point about not having too much power. My concern is it gets in the way of learning.
     
  7. davem

    davem F1 World Champ
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    #7 davem, Apr 15, 2008
    You will learn more driving a slow car fast rather than a fast car slow. Im in the midst of buying an E36 M3 track car! Cant' wait.
     
  8. boxerman

    boxerman F1 World Champ
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    #8 boxerman, Apr 16, 2008
    True, one of my best drives ever was taking a 1300cc renault R5 from Paris to Switzerland and back, we had to cane it the whole way and always maintain momentum.


    Hey Dave where are you going to run that M3.
     
  9. lotustt

    lotustt Formula 3

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    #9 lotustt, Apr 16, 2008
    If you can handle the wait, It sounds like waiting for the 2-11 is y our best bet. Its a very light car with good power and you will most likely learn a lot while still going very fast in a great overall package.
     
  10. davem

    davem F1 World Champ
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    #10 davem, Apr 16, 2008
    First event will be at Pocono north on 5/9 with Cartct.com. Wont be at LRP til September i think with the repaving and the club taking away spots.
    I need to join the BMWCCA as well now to get more opportunities.
    PM me your email Sean and ill see if i can get you a spreadsheet with all the dates available with diffrent clubs.
     
  11. Adrift

    Adrift Formula Junior

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    #11 Adrift, Apr 16, 2008
    Of course, it is always easy to SAY "drive the slow car fast", but then how many of us actually drive miatas? lol

    Easier said than done I realize.

    Big power in a relatively crude car (like a GT40 kit) can REALLY get away from you easily. I don't think I would want to drive a really big power car without some of the modern age nannies for when I did something stupid (except on the track).
     
  12. Pantera

    Pantera F1 Rookie

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    #12 Pantera, Apr 16, 2008
    I know the 2-11 would have to be trailered to the track unless its a complete kitcar and you build it to be streetable.

    Exige S is a great choice though if only I can fit into one without a problem.:D
     
  13. boxerman

    boxerman F1 World Champ
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    #13 boxerman, Apr 16, 2008
    Exige has the same power and weighs 500lbs more. Being street legal means insurance cots registration etc, Also to install roll cage belts etc in and exige brings the cost close to that of a 211.

    Thought about just getting an elise supercharged as at least there is a financial savings.

    My thinking is to just wait the extra 2 months now and get the 211. Great problem to have. Maybe a few years from now my skills and finances will allow for the GT40.
     
  14. fastback33

    fastback33 Formula 3

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    #14 fastback33, Apr 17, 2008
    Sorry, been a way for a bit. Well you know, the GT-40 may ahve more power and "feel" faster, but, just an uneducated guess, i think the 2-11 would be the faster car around a race track and since you have all of the gear for the 2-11 (truck,trailer), i would just go for it. Not many people will have one either so it would be cool to see some different machinery running around. :D
     
  15. Ryan S.

    Ryan S. Two Time F1 World Champ
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    #15 Ryan S., Apr 17, 2008
    dont listen to these nancy boys...get the big power, go with the GT40...

    jkjkjkj...but only somewhat...the sound of the 40 would be amazing and just for that reason alone i would probably buy it....
     
  16. Ispeed

    Ispeed Karting

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    #16 Ispeed, Apr 18, 2008
    My own .02$ opinion: definitely get the GT40 (to track/street), but also get a "beater" track car, I suggest an already prepared 944 turbo. You can get seat time there and a mistake won't be tragic.
    Look in the classifieds on Rennlist, there are probably 5 ready to go.
     
  17. boxerman

    boxerman F1 World Champ
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    #17 boxerman, Apr 18, 2008
    I looked at the rennlist site. There are a number of 944's. Based on the advertised work done to each car it is easy to speculate that any number of other things may go wrong. Apart from this all adding up quickly one needs the time and patience to deal with the garravation of looking after a car.

    The appeal of the Lotus is it is to the extent possible turnkey, like a spec miata, but high performance. Being new and designed to live in a track enviroment indicates it can comfortably run an entire season without needing care beyond fluids pads and tires. Certainly the 211 I saw at the lotus factory has been running laps daily for 6 mos and appears not to have needed anything drastic.

    While the GT40 still has great appeal, and I agree the sound is enough to recomend it alone, it is probably too much car to learn how to drive properly on(ie to the limits).

    So even with the delay I think the lotus is where I am headed, with hopefully a GT40 track car somewhere in the future.
     

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