He believes Lotus is unique. "Lotus cars have soul. Their vehicles are not just a bunch of mechanical parts fitted together but rather a car which lives and talks to you when you drive it," he adds.Visit supercarchallenge.nl for more info
His love affair with Lotus began at the tender age of eight. His brother's friend let him borrow his yellow Elan to drive around the block. "Since that day Lotus' were something special and I actively started to find out more about them," reflects Dick.
The first Lotus he bought was an Esprit ten years ago and a year later a new Carlton. Currently he owns four Lotus': two Carltons, the Esprit race car and a V8 for daily use.
Dick only started in the last race of the series as the Esprit was still being modified but managed to gain an impressive sixth place on the track after 58 minutes before he had to withdraw because of an overheated CV joint. The Dutchman may have been down but he's definitely not out. He plans to win the GT class at this year's championship. Which brings us to his admiration of Lotus — where did it come from?
The Challenge has four classes: the GT, Supersports, Sports I and Sports II, which is defined on the balance between the weight of a car and its engine power. Each field consisted of 55 cars. ST's, saloon cars, such as Porsche 911, BMW E46, Z3 and Maseraties were part of the line up with competitors coming from the UK, Belgium and Germany to compete.
a quaife 6 gear sequential dogtype transaxle, a 100 litre FT3 fuel system of Fuelsafe, and a modified water and oil-cooling system. The season of 2001 loomed. All eyes were now focused on the inaugural Dutch Supercar Challenge, the successor to the Supercarcup. The event was and continues to be, hugely popular because there is an endurance element to the series, as each of the 10 races are 65 minutes long...
His results improved. In the 1999 season he finished sixth overall and a year later third. But despite the progress, he still strived for move. The winner's podium was the ultimate goal, so at the beginning of last year he decided to completely rebuild the Esprit. The following parts were inserted: a new electrical system, a Motec integrated motor management display and data logging system M800 + ADL, a Lotus V8 engine with two turbos and two chargecoolers,
"It was extensive overhaul. We introduced hand-made carbon bodypanels to the doors, bonnet, the rear of the car and the bumper. The nose became removable. The cooling system was modified to include aluminum radiators, an original rear spoiler from on of the GT Esprits was installed and the car's Intrax suspension system was upgraded. It made a big difference. The Esprit's weight dropped by nearly 200kg to the new figure of 1,105kg," explains Dick.
It was one of only two built by the factory in 1992 for the Dutch Group N series. And so it began. Dick — who has recently sold his own electronics company — debuted in the unmodified Esprit in the Supercarcup at the Assen circuit in Holland in 1998. He finished 16th in a field of 45. Not satisfied he decided to reduce the weight on the car, it weighted around 1,300kg, to increase acceleration.
Dick van Elk wasn't planning to get into racing seriously but it seems he was powerless to stop the momentum. The 45-year-old had initially visited the Kroymans show room in Holland four years ago to look at an old Jaguar. But the Manager after noticing Dick's Esprit V8 in the carpark, proceeded to show him his own personal collection of Lotus'. After much talk, debate and inspection of the two Esprits, Dick was offered one of them to race, a type SE.
A chance glimse of a Lotus Esprit was all that was need to start a beautiful relationship. A relationship which blossomed between a man and a car, and which is developing to take on the giants of the Dutch motorsport world.
He believes Lotus is unique. "Lotus cars have soul. Their vehicles are not just a bunch of mechanical parts fitted together but rather a car which lives and talks to you when you drive it," he adds.Visit supercarchallenge.nl for more info
Sercanius 1 month ago
His love affair with Lotus began at the tender age of eight. His brother's friend let him borrow his yellow Elan to drive around the block. "Since that day Lotus' were something special and I actively started to find out more about them," reflects Dick.
The first Lotus he bought was an Esprit ten years ago and a year later a new Carlton. Currently he owns four Lotus': two Carltons, the Esprit race car and a V8 for daily use.
Sercanius 1 month ago
Dick only started in the last race of the series as the Esprit was still being modified but managed to gain an impressive sixth place on the track after 58 minutes before he had to withdraw because of an overheated CV joint. The Dutchman may have been down but he's definitely not out. He plans to win the GT class at this year's championship. Which brings us to his admiration of Lotus — where did it come from?
Sercanius 1 month ago
The Challenge has four classes: the GT, Supersports, Sports I and Sports II, which is defined on the balance between the weight of a car and its engine power. Each field consisted of 55 cars. ST's, saloon cars, such as Porsche 911, BMW E46, Z3 and Maseraties were part of the line up with competitors coming from the UK, Belgium and Germany to compete.
Sercanius 1 month ago
a quaife 6 gear sequential dogtype transaxle, a 100 litre FT3 fuel system of Fuelsafe, and a modified water and oil-cooling system. The season of 2001 loomed. All eyes were now focused on the inaugural Dutch Supercar Challenge, the successor to the Supercarcup. The event was and continues to be, hugely popular because there is an endurance element to the series, as each of the 10 races are 65 minutes long...
Sercanius 1 month ago
His results improved. In the 1999 season he finished sixth overall and a year later third. But despite the progress, he still strived for move. The winner's podium was the ultimate goal, so at the beginning of last year he decided to completely rebuild the Esprit. The following parts were inserted: a new electrical system, a Motec integrated motor management display and data logging system M800 + ADL, a Lotus V8 engine with two turbos and two chargecoolers,
Sercanius 1 month ago
"It was extensive overhaul. We introduced hand-made carbon bodypanels to the doors, bonnet, the rear of the car and the bumper. The nose became removable. The cooling system was modified to include aluminum radiators, an original rear spoiler from on of the GT Esprits was installed and the car's Intrax suspension system was upgraded. It made a big difference. The Esprit's weight dropped by nearly 200kg to the new figure of 1,105kg," explains Dick.
Sercanius 1 month ago
It was one of only two built by the factory in 1992 for the Dutch Group N series. And so it began. Dick — who has recently sold his own electronics company — debuted in the unmodified Esprit in the Supercarcup at the Assen circuit in Holland in 1998. He finished 16th in a field of 45. Not satisfied he decided to reduce the weight on the car, it weighted around 1,300kg, to increase acceleration.
Sercanius 1 month ago
Dick van Elk wasn't planning to get into racing seriously but it seems he was powerless to stop the momentum. The 45-year-old had initially visited the Kroymans show room in Holland four years ago to look at an old Jaguar. But the Manager after noticing Dick's Esprit V8 in the carpark, proceeded to show him his own personal collection of Lotus'. After much talk, debate and inspection of the two Esprits, Dick was offered one of them to race, a type SE.
Sercanius 1 month ago
A chance glimse of a Lotus Esprit was all that was need to start a beautiful relationship. A relationship which blossomed between a man and a car, and which is developing to take on the giants of the Dutch motorsport world.
Sercanius 1 month ago
sex wee.
Fastwunz 9 months ago
what gearbox are u running?
Straightsix76 1 year ago
WONDERFULL !!!!!!!
stephanefr19 1 year ago
0:08-0:11 made tears in my eyes and music to my ears. It sounds so awesome when you shift.
Rsimon859 2 years ago
That sounds like a 50 cc Puch XD
0Bart043 2 years ago
nice driving...
i have a full v8 engine minus the running gear for sale if you interested... located in northern ireland
Pete535 3 years ago
O.M.G
:D
jclafi 3 years ago
music to my ears 5 star car
artofwheels 3 years ago 6
are there cross-cut gears in that thing, ( can hear gear whine) fabulous machine either way though
yamahonkawazuki 3 years ago
If you can't hear that, you are deaf
It does remind me of a BMW driving on the same track, making even more of the same noise.
qwerty123456789jhdtg 2 years ago
pure lotus lovin it
DEADREST 3 years ago
beautiful
fobdaddie 3 years ago
very cool in the rain too!
altaduong 4 years ago
omg i love that sound
dmc081 4 years ago 5
is this not dik van elk from dutch supercar challenge? :|
djfistfull 5 years ago
Sounds fantastic. Beautiful car.
drewj12 5 years ago