Lotus Elan - Bury, Fyda, Lanny and Payne

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elan_bury.jpg (4505 bytes)



Lotus Elan
Engine: Lotus twin-cam 1800cc
Configuration: front-engine, rear-wheel drive
Driver: John Bury
Class: Modified Sports Cars 1501 to 2000cc
Date taken: August 1976, Silverstone paddock
Image Copyright: Robert Brown
This is the same car later driven by Joe Lanny (right). After Joe Lanny, the car went to Nicky Ellis who raced it until he sold it toRhoddy Stewart in 1982. The car is still in existence and is now owed by Mr. Ohashi in Tokyo. John previously drove an MG Midget Modsports car.

elanlanny.jpg (10426 bytes)



Lotus Elan
Engine: Lotus twin-cam 1800cc
Configuration: front-engine, rear-wheel drive
Driver: Joe Lanny
Class: Modified Sports Cars 1501 to 2000cc
Date taken: March 1978 at Main Straight, Croft
This is the same car later driven by John Bury (left). After Joe Lanny, the car went to Nicky Ellis who raced it until he sold it toRhoddy Stewart in 1982. The car is still in existence and is now owed by Mr. Ohashi in Tokyo.

elan3.jpg (13827 bytes)



Lotus Elan
Engine: Lotus twin-cam 1800cc
Configuration: front-engine, rear-wheel drive
Driver: Max Payne
Class: Modified Sports Cars 1501 to 2000cc
Date taken: April 1978 at Main Straight, Croft
Max Payne was one of the top Modified Sports Car drivers of his time, but his begins in motor racing would have put off many. His first race was in 1969, diving a Lotus Elan Plus 2, a heavier, 4 seater version of the sports car. It was wrecked in its second race, forcing Max into retirement for the rest of the season. 1970 saw a new car constructed by Max with the help of Gerry Ashmore. He then bought Norman Cuthbertson's, well proven, Elan for 1971; this car proved successful and he won 7 races and took the Castle Comb lap record in 1972, writing–off the car at the end-of-season race at Silverstone. Another new car was commissioned for ’73, this time built by Paul Ivey and raced by Max from ’73 to ’76. Ark Racing built a new Elan, seen here, for 1977, its super lightweight body and 1800cc engine giving it incredible speed. Its frontal bodywork was extended to cover the wheels and married into a large air dam to produce a GT-like appearance. The rear spoiler extends through the boot to take air from under the car to reduce the upward forces caused by air pressure at high speed. Comparing the rear end to the other Elans, it can be seen that little of the original bodywork is left, most of it having been removed for lightness. During 1978, this car won 7 of its 28 races and took the Silverstone lap record. 1979 saw a move away from club racing to long distance events, a reduce number of races were undertaken in ’78-79 to develop the car for the intended move to international GT racing for the 1979-80 seasons.

elanfyda.jpg (16055 bytes)



Lotus Elan
Engine: Lotus twin-cam 1800cc
Configuration: front-engine, rear-wheel drive
Driver: John Fyda
Class: Modified Sports Cars 1501 to 2000cc
Date taken: April 1978 at Main Straight, Croft
By the time this photo was taken, John Fyda was already well known as a 1000cc Chrysler (Agra) Imp racer. John continued racing into the 80s and drove Mallocks in Clubman.