Lotus GT series return with Exige GT4
June 16, 2008 by George Skentzos
The Lotus brand builds some of the quickest, lightest and most nimble cars on the planet – and those are just the ones for the road.
Lotus Australia has announced that it has just acquired the first allocation of four race specification Lotus Exige GT4 cars in readiness for the 2009 GT Championship.
Recent rules changes to the GT Championship have created a new three-tier structure allowing new and existing Lotus sports cars to become eligible for competition, previously restricted to GT3 Class vehicles only.
“We are delighted that both CAMS and the Australian GT Championship have confirmed the changes which will introduce the brand back into mainstream Australian Motorsport.” Jonathan Stretton, Lotus Sales & Marketing Manager.
Together with the Exige GT4, Lotus has also confirmed the introduction of the Sport Exige Cup 260 – a race-prepped version of the flagship Exige S.
Full details of the Australian spec Exige Cup 260 cars and the Lotus Sport Exige GT4 will be announced shortly.
“These new cars themselves will also provide a number of options for Australian motorsport enthusiasts who want to race a Lotus at the front, from circuit racing to tarmac rallies.”
The GT series restructuring has also made ex-Lotus Trophy Series Exiges and Elises available for purchase for motorsport use following a thorough rebuild.
The Elise race cars run an 89kW 1.8-litre Rover-engine with a CAMS-approved roll cage, fire extinguisher, dual battery isolator, racing harness, race suspension and brakes.
The Exige race cars are similarly race prepared, with the added performance of the 141kW 1.8-litre VVTL-i engine and aerodynamic package.
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so does this mean Lotus is going to run a 4 strong factory team in the championship or are they just saying that 4 privateers have bought cars?
They have acquired four of the race-only GT4’s for privateer purchase. To my knowledge they haven’t actually been bought yet.