Video: On the limit in a Lotus Elan 26R

04th October 2024

Adam Wilkins

Small car, big track. That’s the juxtaposition with this tearway Lotus Elan 26R being driven right on the limit at the Sonoma Raceway in California. Brit Horatio Fitz-Simon, who’s no stranger to the Goodwood Revival, was the man wrestling the diminutive sports car around the expansive circuit for the 2023 Velocity Invitational. Against a host of sports cars of a similar era, he set the pole-winning time of 1min 50sec.

The 26R was known at the ‘Comp Elan’ in period, reflecting the fact it was optimised for motorsport use. It was even lighter than the featherweight road car it was derived from, and speed was further enhanced by engines tuned by Cosworth and BRM. The transformation was thorough: the backbone chassis was altered and the suspension upgraded, while larger brakes peeped through magnesium knock-on wheels. Even the bodywork was altered in the pursuit of speed.

This on-board footage shows Fitz-Simon working hard at the wheel to extract every possible second from the car as it circulates the American raceway. He’s busy at the wheel on the way into, through and out of every corner and making the most of every inch of track width in this dramatic traffic-free run. Hold on tight.

Welcome to Goodwood Elevenses, a helping of motoring-related amusement to help break up your day. Watch the last video: Carlos Sainz vs Colin McRae head-to-head battle