Lotus Esprit GT1 race V8

[jamesjamesjames1973]

This clip isn't from when it caught fire. That clip of the 'fire from the rear end' is from Nurburg when Mike Hazemans was driving the V8. I know about it as I re-built that car and we had it running again within two weeks. Great to see some footage, thanks for posting this.

[wraith01mg]

those v8's had massive potential. shame the gearbox on the road car was so bad they had to limit the motor to 350 bhp, the liners were weak and the fuel pump pressure was liable to peak out causing pressure leaks thus fire, that motor was good for 550 bhp on the road. It just needed more developement. No time, no money.

[Straightsix76]

@wraith01mg The seal between the liner and the block failed on pre 98 cars because Lotus used the wrong sealant which broke down if an engine over heated, not because the 'liner was weak'. This issue was resolved when they switched from Loctite sealant to Hylomar

[dojOdRiFTeR]

my ass a lotus is better than porsche they all suck porsche whoop that little turd aany day

[putonickdemierda]

Impresionante

[leknightcluber]

its anderstop

[Paulysin]

The last known Esprit GT1/GT2 car is for sale right now got to racecarsdirect 'dot' com to see it..

[Pete535]

I have an Esprit V8 engine for parts. PM me.

[Warhead3000]

Apparently the rear of the car was on fire at this stage and the transmission or engine locked up. A few seconds later you see the driver running away from the car. Not sure what caused the fire but the new V8 had many problems. The previous 4 pot esprit sport 300 was much more sucsessful, wining British GT chamionship in 1994 and with Zanardi mixing it with the Mclaren F1's at silverstone and beating them, in addition to F40's and 911's but the gearbox gave out 8 minutes towards the end

[totalfreedom138]

It was a good pass and then a not so good turn.

The Esprit's are very awesome cars.

[dsf3g]

Actually this clip cuts out just before you see the driver literally running away from the car: the engine had caught on fire!!! I'm sure the full clip is on Youtube somewhere. Look for it, it's pretty funny (and sad, tho... I love Esprits and used to own one).

[xjustintimex]

it kinda looks like he locked the rear wheels while downshifting

[FrikZz0r]

While watching the video, I was thinking about this same Esprit in Gran Turismo 2 and how it's god damn hard to keep it under control and how it always manages to fail me in last corner and spins out. And there, it happens in the video as well :)

Despite that, I still love this car.

[zpolukuchka]

seems like a bad down change thru the gears made the back weels spin up

[zpolukuchka]

I love the sound this car makes

[zpolukuchka]

the big wing on the porsche must be slowing it down

[jclafi]

Sick Lotus Esprit GT1 V8 T.T Race Car !!!!

Those Factory Esprit GT1 compete against McLaren F1 and other AWESOME cars.... Very thought competition guys! Unfortunatelly not so reliable but AWESOME cars anyawy...

I want one !!!! :)

[ppappixx]

That's a mistake he shouldn't have made. He down-shifted too fast on the last shift.

[OzGonads]

Completely agree. Compression lock made the rears lose traction. Love that car!

[porscheland]

If Lotus had stayed in GT2 then even i might have been converted after Zanardi's drives at Donnington and silverstone in 1995....on second thoughts nah !!

[porscheland]

insignificant GT2 car eh ? apart from a second place at silverstone in 1996 what did the GT1 esprits,or the elise GT1 do apart from break or catch fire ?

[PaulGreenleaf]

What a weird spin. He was too hot, but never even tried to make the turn. Really weird!

[revolutionday1]

That's a mid-engined car, for ya'. Instant psycho-steer.

[morbidlyobese88]

I enjoy how he phrases "gets its bottom smacked"

[and79]

Fair enough the Lotus would be the car I'd choose and it was faster than the Porsche but who stayed on the track?!!

[digifuwillthepicture]

Excellent love that Lotus V8 Power thanks for posting.

[growling66]

very entertaining

[meanboy2000]

while I appreciate your enthusiam for Lotus, I did a little research and found that car Porsche being passed is in a different race classification. I believe the direct competition was the Porsche 911 GT1.