Hello all from Vancouver BC Canada,
A couple of years ago I bought my first Lotus, this +2 race car #502105:
bringatrailer.com/listing/1971- … -race-car/
The previous owner in Colorado ran it as a road car, then converted it to a vintage race car, last raced in 2006 in Denver. I’ve only seen one other +2 race car here in North America, an almost identical one which sold about 4-5 years ago out of ‘Fantasy Junction’ in Calif.
So, after being distracted somewhat with long-circuit shifter kart racing with my son, I am finally getting to recommissioning the +2 for this season of vintage race events here in BC, Washington State, and Oregon. Along with the expected brake system rebuild and replacement of 10 year old tyres, I’ve had additional side and footwell protection put in the cage and need to add silencing to meet current race rules. Next jobs will be to sort out rain tires, and gearbox and gearing. The car has what appears to be the stock 4 speed and diff in it, I’ll have to get the car up on the stands and figure out what the actual 4th gear/final drive ratio is - two of the tracks we run have very long main straights and I suspect the gearing will be too short. I did receive a new uninstalled LSD with the car, so it may make sense to install this along with a tall (3.5?) final drive. At some point, a race gearbox may be the way to go if budget allows. Anyway, I’ll scan the forums for gearing discussions.
My car & racing issues started with kart racing as a teen in 1979, roadracing 'bikes and Formula Fords (at the greatly missed Westwood circuit near Vancouver, now houses), then F2000 and rallying in Ontario up to the mid 1990’s. I’m a mechanical engineer, having worked first in aircraft structures, then medical devices. It has been great to come back to racing via karting with one of my two sons. The +2 has been on my wishlist for years, along with an Elite (a little out of reach now, though).
Great forum, love the no-nonsense guidelines
Cheers!