Modsports & Special Saloons - Lotus Elan

[Gavinm]

Hi

I'm new to the site and am trying to source the history of my modsports Lotus Elan (last run by Mark Campbell around 2001- his old Elan not the newer one) which I have had for a year or so now

I'm just about to embark on a full rebuild but need to access the old modsports and special saloon regs of the late 70's and early 80's to make sure I stay in class.

Was it the BRSCC who ran the Modsports series.

I suspect that my car originally ran in modsports but may have been subsequently entered in a special saloon class because I understand Mark ran a BDG in it rather than a twincam. I am keen to trace the history of the car (and if I can work out how to download a photo -will do so).

Is there anyone out there who can assist with either the regs or history please?

many thanks

Gavin

[rcarr]

Was that the red one or the blue one? I think my Dad raced against him in the blue 1 now and again and it was blindingly quick, took the fight to Tony Sugden's Skoda.

[Gavinm]

The car is currently red but I cant tell if this was the original colour.

If you can give me a steer as to how to download a photo, I'll show one.

Thanks

Gavin

[big andy]

gavin
currently in the uk there is no classic modsport/special saloon racing hence there is very few place you can race cars like this, sports saloon racers are the only real places left the n/w sports saloon is probably the best place to race it there is no real point in trying to rebuild it to period spec as the regs for this type of racing are pretty free is did you buy the car from martin brockhouse

[Gavinm]

Hi Andy

I got the car from Steve Davies who was breaking it. The limited paperwork which came with it indicated Mark Campbell as the driver having some success in 2001 in the Northern Sports & Saloon Championship. I think he has since built a new version of the Elan after selling this one.

Thanks for the advice on championships. My plan is to start hill climbing it until I'm used to it. I would run in the sports libre class which has a Special Saloons category. Based on what I know of the car, I presume I could use the regs as they stood in 2001 (if I could source a set).

In rebuilding the car, I would like to have completely removable bodywork (including the cockpit) but I don't know whether this would be legal. Hence my search for regs.

I think I need a chat with Mark Campbell to see if he was the last driver and if so, what regs he was following. Have you come across him perchance?

Thanks
Gavin

[driftwood]

If the elan race dwith BDg it was likley to have raced in northern sports & GT series or going further back Donington GT series
you really need to find out who the previous owners where of the Elan and look for different colour paint on the car
there where half a dozen or more elans racing in Modpsorts in the 70`s then most went into Donington GT when Modsports died off
when donington GT`s finished late 1980`s the cars drifted into Castle coombe Pembrey and Oulton sports GT races

[GBRM]

Dad raced what I think was a Modsports Elan for Victor Raysbrook in the '70s. There a few pictures and stories in OHFTB which I haven't got to hand at work unfortunately!!

[COLIN STUBBS]

Gregor youve had me rummaging about through a box of old pics. Heres the VRM Elan after an altercation with the long gone "Motorcycling" bridge at Hall bends Cadwell in July 72. Think Dave Brodie was driving it at the time....

[COLIN STUBBS]

And way off topic but from the same meeting and I know youll like it so Ill post it anyway....

http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/b...ycadwell72.jpg

[GBRM]

Originally Posted by COLIN STUBBS

Gregor youve had me rummaging about through a box of old pics. Heres the VRM Elan after an altercation with the long gone "Motorcycling" bridge at Hall bends Cadwell in July 72. Think Dave Brodie was driving it at the time....

That's the one! I think every time Dad raced it he started from pole and led every lap until it retired for a number of differant reasons, a bit like when he drove the Formula Ford Lotus 61L for Victor too.

Thinking about it it was the same with the ex-Bond/Rouse/Hall Lotus Espirit he raced and the BarMoCo Elan "BAR1" he raced too!! He did win a couple of races in them but not as many as he should have, maybe Lotus was an unlucky marque for him!!

[GBRM]

Originally Posted by COLIN STUBBS

And way off topic but from the same meeting and I know youll like it so Ill post it anyway....

http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/b...ycadwell72.jpg

Great picture Colin, thanks. I thought my race car rolled a lot but it looks like Old Nail did at the beginning too, even with the F1 wheels and tyres!!

[GBRM]

Here's Dad in the Elan

[petestenning]

Originally Posted by GBRM

Dad raced what I think was a Modsports Elan for Victor Raysbrook in the '70s. There a few pictures and stories in OHFTB which I haven't got to hand at work unfortunately!!

I remember the VRM Elan Gerry would leave the startline at Snett and after a few yards would be waving the gearstick in his hand, and i dont think this only happened to the VRM Elan either. i am sur i have seen this happen to other Elans.

I wont mention the road cars i have driven, with how shall i say free floating gear levers .

I also saw the Lotus 61, for a big guy he was competetive even in a FF1600


Pete

[markal]

The Vrm Elan was also raced by John (plastic) Pearson in 1973, won the Blue Circle modified sports car race at Thruxton Oct 28, sadly Brian Hough racing a Tvr Tuscan, was killed at Kimpton bend in the same race, regards Alan.

[Gerry Taylor]

Hi Alan, thanks for the e-mail. I shall reply to you.
Gerry.

[driftwood]

John plastic pearson in the jag xk120 car
i think BBC filmed a modsports race at thruxton with him winning?
i beleive the car stillexists and was rebuilt few yrs ago
i recall classic & sports car mag artciie on it
please correct me if im
a wrong
b senile
c dillusiuonal
or all of the above

[markal]

WOW, has anyone got a copy of the film, or the magazine article? would love to see them, have been looking for Modsports films for years, nothing, somebody must have filmed them, John Fletcher has still got the Modsports Elan, i have been looking for John (plastic) Pearson for some time, my hero was Brian Hough Tvr Tuscan 5.4ltr, great days, regards Alan.

[driftwood]

Jon Fletchers elan is meant to be originally a 26R that he converted to modsports car

[markal]

John still got it, i will find out if it was a 26R, needs restoring, he lives round the corner from me.

[bigvalvehead]

Hi all
Jon Fletchers Elan is a genuine 26R and he has rebuilt it back to its original spec. I used to race in the early 70's in an elan and Jon was always only too pleased to help anyone. I spoke to him a few weeks back and he tells me he is thinking of applying for his race licence again.
Dave
Elan 26R