OT: But must see...Lotus 49 at cota

[Sea Fury]

I watched the comparisons. The Lotus was about 3 seconds faster than the Vette. The lap times were a little over 2 minutes. They said the Lotus was geared a bit too short and was running out of revs on the straights. Surprisingly, they said the two cars' times through the corners were almost identical, the ZR-1's better tires making up for the weight disparity. The Lotus got out of the corners better until the ZR-1 caught up with power. Seems that the Lotus' advantages mainly came on those corner exits.

[Frank Capua]

2:17.51

2:20.63

[Nigel Red5]

I watched the comparisons. The Lotus was about 3 seconds faster than the Vette. The lap times were a little over 2 minutes. They said the Lotus was geared a bit too short and was running out of revs on the straights. Surprisingly, they said the two cars' times through the corners were almost identical, the ZR-1's better tires making up for the weight disparity. The Lotus got out of the corners better until the ZR-1 caught up with power. Seems that the Lotus' advantages mainly came on those corner exits.

Pretty much typical story of the lotus and the little cooper climax cars of the day. smaller, lighter, but better p-w ratio. beat em through the corners, stay far enough ahead of them to make it to the end of the straights and then be able to outbrake teh bigger car into the corners. We used to beat the pants off of vettes in a mini and a mgb.

[ArtVandalay]

I don't think it was still true in 1968, but in the early 60's I remember reading somewhere that some F1 cars ran almost the entire season using one set of tires. Anyone know more about this?

[editor]

I don't think it was still true in 1968, but in the early 60's I remember reading somewhere that some F1 cars ran almost the entire season using one set of tires. Anyone know more about this?

Might you be referring to use of Dunlop's celebrated green spot tires?

[Spike]

I don't think it was still true in 1968, but in the early 60's I remember reading somewhere that some F1 cars ran almost the entire season using one set of tires. Anyone know more about this?

The tires were often used for multiple races - something that was particularly true in the early sixties. I have some great books on the Lotus 25 and 33 and there is mention made of the tires and how long they lasted.

By the way, I'm fairly certain the Lotus 49 featured in the video is the one I sat in a number of years ago when it was owned by my late friend, the legendary Pete Lovely. Pete bought the car from Colin Chapman back in the day and raced the car as a privateer in F1 (running the same tires race after race, btw). Pete kept the car for decades and later raced it at vintage races for many years before finally selling the car in 2006. It is now owned by Chris MacAllister who had the car returned to its original configuration.

You can read more about the amazing history of the car here: http://trackthoughts.com/2011/12/13/...otus-49-cn-r2/

[rjbh20]

The tires were often used for multiple races - something that was particularly true in the early sixties. I have some great books on the Lotus 25 and 33 and there is mention made of the tires and how long they lasted.

By the way, I'm fairly certain the Lotus 49 featured in the video is the one I sat in a number of years ago when it was owned by my late friend, the legendary Pete Lovely. Pete bought the car from Colin Chapman back in the day and raced the car as a privateer in F1 (running the same tires race after race, btw). Pete kept the car for decades and later raced it at vintage races for many years before finally selling the car in 2006. It is now owned by Chris MacAllister who had the car returned to its original configuration.

You can read more about the amazing history of the car here: http://trackthoughts.com/2011/12/13/...otus-49-cn-r2/

You're correct -- its Pete Lovely's old one. It was subsequently discovered to be the one that Jim Clark won Zandvoort with the first time out and the current owner had it restored by Classic Team Lotus. Simply the best looking F1 car ever (OK -- tied with the 67 Eagle-Weslake)

[Spike]

Simply the best looking F1 car ever (OK -- tied with the 67 Eagle-Weslake)

Two monumentally beautiful (and significant) cars.

[mdkiel]

Two monumentally beautiful (and significant) cars.

Growing a little older has it's pitfalls but I got to see those cars run in the flesh. Pretty powerful memories for a 9 year old. Probably one of the main reasons I'm still here (racing addiction).

[flatlander_48]

Always good to hear a DFV!

In watching that video I remembered a story about the DFV. When Lotus started to race it, they discovered that you had to be careful with the throttle application. At one point in the RPM range, the power come on in a tremendous rush such that it made the car difficult to control. I think it was Hill who complained the most. The Lotus folks had Keith Duckworth come out to see what the situation was and he didn't believe that the engine had a problem. Duckworth got in the car and took off down the airport runway. He experienced what the drivers were saying. The car was all over the road before he got it under control and drove back to where the others were waiting. When he got out of the car, he was decidedly pale and vowed to fix the problem.

[lotuspoweredbyford]

Anyone can appreciate this. Those who have driven the Grand Prix Legends sim and tried not to crash it can appreciate it more...

As you might imagine, I appreciate you posting this !