Classic Lotus History - a 1957 Lotus Eleven Series 2 Le Mans.
This Lotus Eleven is one of the highly successful cars developed during the 1950s by Colin Chapman. Colin's original inspiration and his first performance car was based on the amazing Austin Seven.
Many famous racing drivers such as Graham Hill, Roy Salvadori, Mike Hawthorn, Innes Ireland, Cliff Allison and Alan Stacey all drove early Lotus Cars, the Eleven particular. In fact you can read about Alan Stacey's very car on this site!
Even the great 1963 World Champion Jim Clark, raced against this Lotus Eleven; at Charterhall in 1961 - to read more click the Charterhall button above.
Enjoy learning of my involvement with these fabulous Colin Chapman/Frank Costin designed and built cars. At Monza the legendary Team Lotus with Stirling Moss achieved 143 miles in an hour - an amazing record!
The Historic Lotus Club and Historic Lotus Register have both helped with much of the car's history; both their sites are also very useful.
I'm John Gray and I restored this particular Lotus Eleven between 1982/5. For the last 24 years I and trusted friends [Don Hands, Martin Ricketts, Simon Braithwaite and Chris Alford] have raced the car both in the UK and Europe. I have had great fun on circuits such as Brands Hatch, Donington, Mallory Park, Oulton Park, Crystal Palace, Silverstone, Snetterton and Thruxton. In Europe the car has raced at Spa, Nogaro, Nurburgring and LeMans.
The car has also been up famous hillclimbs such as Prescott, Shelsey Walsh, Wiscombe Park and Etretat in France, so it is a really versatile race car.
Please explore Lotusracer and send me details on your car - I'd be very interested to receive your comments. Please email them to:
John Gray
Latest News from LotusRacer.com
Spa Francorchamps - September 2009
A fantastic weekend was had over 26/28 September at the wonderful Spa Francorchamps track. I entered the car in two half hour races, I drove in one and my great friend Don Hands drove in the second. We have a great DVD of the meeting shot by Steve Henderson. If you would like a copy please email me. For now however, please copy and paste these two links to 'YouTube', where you will see all about our great weekend racing at the fabulous Spa Francorchamps Circuit.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ODMqDhnwUDw and
Silverstone Classic Weekend:
The car was on display at the Silverstone Classic Weekend. Pictures will follow.
