GTC60 Lotus Elan 26R

ac_legends_gtc_elan_26r

Used at THR from 2023 to 2026

Brand: GTC60 Legends
Country: Great Britain
Class: GT 1600
Year: 1967
Author: SmallBlock Hero & Team WSC Legends
Version: 1.3
Power: 171 bhp
Torque: 196 Nm
Weight: 580 kg
Top speed: 250 km/h
Acceleration: 6.2s 0-100
Power / weight: 3.39 kg/hp

'Adding power makes you faster on the straights. Subtracting weight makes you faster everywhere.' ~Colin ChapmanWhile the featherlight Elan road car received universal praise for its handling, it did require some work to prepare it for the track. Privateer teams like Walker Racing and Chequered Flag took up the gauntlet and carried through various modifications to the steering and braking. Chapman followed the private efforts with great interest and even allowed his works drivers to race the competition Elans. Considerable success was had in the 1963 and 1964 seasons and the machines were piloted by the likes of Jim Clark, Jackie Stewart and Sir John Whitmore. Chapman gratefully incorporated the modifications made by his customers. Additionally the suspension was extensively modified with thicker anti-roll bars and adjustable competition wishbones. The wheel arches of the fiberglass body were widened to make room for bigger wheels and tires. The Lotus twin-cam four cylinder engine was offered with a Cosworth or BRM tuning package. Interestingly customers later figured out that the engine work best with a Cosworth block and a BRM head. Dubbed the 'Elan 26R' the competition car was offered with a roadster body, a roll-over bar and a separate hard top. Although no two cars were alike most 26Rs featured cowled headlights and knock-off wheels.During the 1964 season the Elan 26R was fully homologated. The completed racing car weighed in at around 600 kg while the 1558 cc could produce anywhere between 160 and 180 bhp depending on the state of tune. Its closest rival was the Alfa Romeo Giulia TZ that also sported a potent 1.6 litre engine in a lightweight but slightly heavier package. In true David and Goliath fashion the racing Elan was also more than capable of taking much larger engined machines. This resulted in fascinating battles, which saw the Ferraris, Jaguars and Aston Martins rush away on the straights with the Elan hunting them down again on braking and through the corners.Gordon Murray, designer of the McLaren F1 supercar, reportedly said that his only disappointment with the McLaren F1 was that he couldn't give it the perfect steering of the Lotus Elan.

#GTC60manuallightweightvintagerwdGreat BritainGT 1600Le Mansac_legends_gtc

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Championships4

Events18

Race sessions21

Drivers21

Years active2023–2026

Starts60

Wins6

Race laps1,840

Race distance6,968 km

Race time49.6 h

Event	Championship	Date	Starts	Wins	Drivers	Race laps
CAS - GTC60 IV Round 6 - Castle Combe	GTC60 Championship IV - Top Cup	31 May 2026	6	0	6	283
CAS - GTC60s Season IV Round 6 - Castle Combe	GTC60 Championship IV - Casual Cup	30 May 2026	4	2	2	108
BRA - GTC60 IV Round 5 - Brands Hatch	GTC60 Championship IV - Top Cup	17 May 2026	7	0	7	243
BRA - GTC60s Season IV Round 5 - Brands Hatch	GTC60 Championship IV - Casual Cup	16 May 2026	2	1	1	36
MAR - GTC60 Round 4 - Marlboro	GTC60 Championship IV - Top Cup	03 May 2026	5	0	5	205
LON - GTC60 IV Round 3 - Longford	GTC60 Championship IV - Top Cup	19 Apr 2026	5	0	5	94
BIK - GTC60 IV - Round 2 - Bikernieki	GTC60 Championship IV - Top Cup	05 Apr 2026	6	1	6	204
BIK - GTC60s Season IV Round 2 - Bikernieki	GTC60 Championship IV - Casual Cup	04 Apr 2026	3	2	2	49
ROY - GTC60 IV Round 1 - Roy Hesketh	GTC60 Championship IV - Top Cup	22 Mar 2026	7	0	7	345
ROY - GTC60s Season IV Round 1 - Roy Hesketh	GTC60 Championship IV - Casual Cup	21 Mar 2026	2	0	1	50
PIN - GTC60 IV Prologue - Pinewood	GTC60 Championship IV - Top Cup	08 Mar 2026	5	0	5	71
Eifelrennen	ACL GTC 60s - Casual Cup	15 Oct 2023	0	0	1	0
Trophee des Six Freres	ACL GTC 60s - Casual Cup	01 Oct 2023	1	0	1	17
Masta Trophy	ACL GTC 60s - Casual Cup	10 Sep 2023	1	0	1	13
Chiron Trophy	ACL GTC 60s - Casual Cup	27 Aug 2023	1	0	1	33
Fonteny 150 km	ACL GTC 60s - Casual Cup	13 Aug 2023	1	0	1	7
Fonteny	ACL GTC 60s - Practice Races	12 Aug 2023	2	0	2	4
THR Tourist Trophy	ACL GTC 60s - Casual Cup	25 Jun 2023	2	0	2	78