Not exactly Lotuses (far from it) but you might be interested in this
anyway.
I had a chance to drive a fleet of new Mustang GTs at Willow Springs as
they were flogged by 400 California disc jockeys over two days last
week. I was one of 30 instructors who weren't there to instruct as much
as to give the participants some good, hot laps before they drove.
I was pleasantly surprised by the disc jockeys' demeanor as well as the
Mustangs. The cars have stiffer chassis, 260 hp, much improved brakes
and Goodyear Eagle ZR45 tires. Most were 5-speeds but some were
automatics. There was even a 5-speed V6.
The cars were surprisingly reliable and forgiving (saved a couple of
disc jockeys) and a lot of fun. Pony cars wouldn't be my first choice
but it was really hard to fault these. The tires were also terrific.
Linear feedback, great turn-in and, looking at them, you could hardly
tell we had been throwing them around for two days at the end.
There was a Mustang Cobra there with the twin cam engine and IRS but it
didn't see the track.. darn. 27k USD for that one.
Rod
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