Proper Lotus...
Posted: Thu Apr 25, 2013 2:32 pm
"As [the Lotus engineer] puts it, the period tires are crap and the suspension doesn't work with modern rubber; it's prone to fuel starvation; the sequential, H-pattern ZF five-speed is fiddly and never seems happy.
...
Brown talks him through driving the 49 - stay above 4000rpm for oil pressure; don't push until the water hits 50 degrees, preferably 90; first gear often jams the box, so start in second.
...
His debrief, as befits him, is quick, concise, dense. He found the car surprisingly drivable, even on cold, treaded rubber, with sharp but consistent responses. The straight-line speed is surprising - he was ready for the lack of grip but not the always-there wallop under his right foot. There's no real drama; the engine gives good, smooth power, the chassis offers plenty of warning when necessary. The car never feels planted, but it's not unpredictable. It's a physical car, and he's glad he kept up his neck training."
