Tag Archives: Yamaha

2ZZ-GE – Lotus Exige Series 2

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While the Lotus Elise had to be updated to Series 2 spec to meet in order to safety requirements in 2000, the Lotus Exige Series 2 was not updated until 2004.

Lotus Exige Series 2, Race Retro, Stoneleigh

The Exige Series 2’s combination of air splitter, hard (fibreglass) top, engine cover and rear spoiler are enough to give the car 100lbs of aerodynamic down force when travelling at 100 mph as opposed to just 13lbs of aerodynamic down force for the soft top Elise Series 2 at the same speed.

Lotus Exige Series 2, Race Retro, Stoneleigh

The big mechanical difference between the Exige Series 1 and Series 2 is that the Rover K Series motor has been replaced by a 190 hp 2ZZ-GE motor designed by Yamaha and built by Toyota which provides power for the rear wheels through a close ratio 6 speed gearbox.

Lotus Exige Series 2, Race Retro, Stoneleigh

From rest an Exige like the 2006 example seen here at last years Race Retro will accelerate to 60 mph in 4.7 seconds, reach 100 mph in 12.9 seconds and has a top spedd of 147 mph.

Lotus Exige Series 2, Race Retro, Stoneleigh

Since 2006 several supercharged variants of the Exige S2 have been manufactured topped by the 158 mph 265E which has an engine mapped to run on 85% ethanol.

Thanks for joining me on this “2ZZ-GE” edition of “Gettin’ a li’l psycho on tyres” I hope you will join me again tomorrow. Don’t forget to come back now !

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Giant Killing Potential ? – Jedi Mk4

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Today we are looking at a Jedi Mk4 run by 2 time 1000 cc Monoposto Champion Arty Cameron that appeared at Castle Combe for the Free Single Seater Series the week before last.

Jedi Yamaha Mk 4, Castle Combe

Arty is from a big racing family who’s father Tim started racing in 1958, 3 of Arty’s 7 siblings also compete.

Jedi Yamaha Mk 4, Castle Combe

The Jedi Mk4 was designed by racer John Corbyn and built in Wellingborough to accommodate a variety of motorcycle engines, Arty uses a 1000 cc / 61 cui Yamaha R1 motor which produces 183 hp

Jedi Yamaha Mk 4, Castle Combe

that is transmitted to the rear wheels by chain drive.

Jedi Yamaha Mk 4, Castle Combe

Thanks to a high power to weight ratio, car and driver 400 kgs a potential acceleration time of 0 – 60 in under 3 seconds is possible,

Jedi Yamaha Mk 4, Castle Combe

Arty beautifully translated this potential into this memorable start at Castle Combe two weeks ago in which starting from 5th he led the opening lap

Jedi Yamaha Mk 4, Castle Combe

against faster Formula 3 cars with larger tyres and more powerful motors with ease during an all comers race.

Jedi Yamaha Mk 4, Castle Combe

The Jedi flew around the corners, Arty displaying masterful car control as it did so.

Jedi Yamaha Mk 4, Castle Combe

Unfortunately the giant killing act was judged to have been the result of a jump start and Arty’s 10 second penalty became irrelevant after his engine grenaded, possibly the result of an oil leak during qualifying.

I look forward to seeing what Arty can do next time out which I hope will be next weekend at Castle Combe for the August Cup.

If you have an open wheel vehicle that can meet the 108db limit, and I have seen some 7 litre V8’s and an 8.3 litre V10 meet that requirement recently, why not come along to Castle Combe and join in the fun. Should you looking be looking for a driver, you could do worse than give double Monoposto Champion Arty a call, he is certain not to disappoint.

My thanks to Geoff E, Simon Lewis and JMH of The Nostalgia Forum for coming up with additional details for today’s post.

Hope you have enjoyed today’s Monoposto edition of ‘Gettin’ a lil’ psycho on tyres’ and that you will join me again tomorrow. May the force be with you and don’t forget to come back now !

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