"Lotus Sport Cadena GT3 For BGT
After a highly successful 2004 running a Lotus Elise in the British GT Championship (as Gavan Kershaw Racing), then switching to a Mosler in 2005, Cadena � in the guise of Lotus Sport Cadena � switches back wholeheartedly to the Lotus brand for 2006, not with a programme in the European FIA GT3 Championship, but in the Avon Tyres British GT Championship, in the GT3 Class.
Lotus Sport, the performance division of Lotus Cars, and Cadena have confirmed a two-year association, as Lotus Sport Cadena, with two Lotus Sport Exige GT3 cars to be campaigned in the British GT Championship in 2006 with an expectation of also entering FIA European GT3 Championship in 2007.
The Lotus Sport Exige GT3 has been developed by Lotus Sport and is a derivative of the new Lotus Exige S coupe model. Weighing in at approximately 750 kg, it stays true to the �performance through light weight� core Lotus philosophy. The car uses a race prepared 1.8 2ZZ-GE VVTL-i engine with a Roots type supercharger and air-to-air intercooler which utilises the Lotus T4e Engine Control Unit to produce 285 hp (289 PS) at 7,800 rpm. This gives a power to weight ratio of 380 hp / tonne.
Drivers are yet to be confirmed for the two chassis.
Chris Arnold, General Manager for Lotus Sport sees this as �the essential next stage in the development of the Lotus Sport Exige GT3 race car. The British GT Series is a very competitive championship and features some very exciting racing as well as some fine cars, drivers and teams. Although this is not a full factory team, we are working closely together to build the Lotus Sport brand in GT racing for global success in the future. Lotus has a fine tradition in GT sportscar racing over more than 50 years, and I am delighted to see Lotus Sport Cadena on the grid for 2006.�
�2006 will be a year of discovery for Lotus Sport Cadena,� commented Paul Whight. We expect to sign four drivers very shortly, and look forward to working very closely with Lotus Sport to develop both the team and the cars during the 2006 season. Looking beyond 2006, we have our sights on the FIA European GT3 Championship in 2007 so we will view this year as one of development for the future.�
So suddenly the British GT Championship, not European GT3s, has the bonus of the lightweight Lotus Exiges this year. Doubtless the likes of Gavan Kershaw and Barrie Whight will be hounding the GT Cup Porsches mercilessly, just as they did in 2004.