Road Legal 2-11 for the Track

[TheDeadPrussian]

I’ve been thinking about acquiring a (road legal) 2-11 for track days.
I used to own a road legal Caterham and have done some racing in a Caterham and also as part of the Fun Cup series and I will probably continue to do so, but I quite fancy a car to drive to and from track days and for some fun on the road.

I am lucky enough to own a 997.2 GT3 RS (for those busy checking my profile), but to be honest it’s not a car I want to track, as it is rapidly becoming an investment (it’s a very low mileage car in mint original condition) and the thought of repair bills if and when I run out of talent, or if something went wrong, scares me!

Having tracked a Caterham before I am also considering another – probably the Superlight R with some bespoke modifications (full cage etc) – but I do love the 2-11 and it comes with some nice additions that the Caterham doesn’t offer such as ABS and programmable traction control.

So to those who own one, what should I know and how do they stack up as an ownership proposition?

I am aware that repairs, should the worst happen, will be considerably more than for a Caterham, but does the drive compensate for the additional running costs?

Thanks very much for your thoughts and assistance.

[Guyemmett]

I have a 2-11 for track days only. I drive to the track and am always surprised how comfortable it is on the road. (Wearing the right gear is the golden rule.) My pal has a Caterham Superlight and we have enormous fun chasing each other down, the 2-11 rewards Jenson style driving and is like a scalpel on the track, there is not much that comes past it, the Caterham as you are aware requires a somewhat different driving style.
Compared to most cars the general running costs are fairly cheap, tyres £6/700 a set (aprox 5/6 track days for the rears and more for the fronts) brakes and general servicing is not expensive (certainly not in the league of the GT3RS). I cannot recommend highly enough Jez at Back On Track in Guildford for looking after the car, he is fully trained and understands these cars(and all Lotus) like no other. He can advise on the general costs of servicing and consumables, give him a call for any advice you may need.
Go and buy one, track it and enjoy it. You will not loose money if you buy right as they are quite rare and hold value well just like your GT3RS.

[Exige77]

Another vote for Jez at Back on Track.

Top Lotus Fiddler and upgrader.

[RobM77]

I've had two Caterhams and bought a 2-Eleven 13 months ago and agree with the above. What you get with the Lotus is far more advanced suspension and aero in a much stiffer yet heavier package. It drives as you'd expect from that and how the reviews say: very accurate and fast but without the famous featherweight appetite for easy sliding fun like Caterhams have; it also has a substantial rear weight bias so isn't as inherently well balanced. I'd hesitate to say one car's better than the other, but I do feel the 2-Eleven is a step on from a Caterham, and much safer in the event of an accident, but not with the flexibility for road use compared with a 7 due to its lack of boot, its larger physical size on the road and low ground clearance. Finally, if you love the slippy slidey fun of a Caterham you may be disappointed with the 2-11 's more planted feel. It's a gorgeous car to drive though and I'm very happy with mine and glad I went for one over an R500, but if I was a richer man I'd probably have both :-)

I can't comment on running costs as I'm only 13 months in. It likes a drink is my only comment so far! It does well under 10mpg on track and in the teens on the road.

If you're local to me (north Hampshire) I 'd be happy to give you a passenger ride. I did the same for another PHer a few months ago and he bought one within a week!

ETA: This video I took at Silverstone may give you a feel for the car: http://youtu.be/v2zeMU3VeSo

Edited by RobM77 on Sunday 29th December 01:39

[the ronin]

Now try a 211 with some serious power, grip and the thought of a high powered 7 becomes a joke.

[TheDeadPrussian]

RobM77 said:

If you're local to me (north Hampshire) I 'd be happy to give you a passenger ride. I did the same for another PHer a few months ago and he bought one within a week!

That's a very kind offer and I may well take you up on it - I'll drop you a PM if my second viewing of a couple of cars goes as expected...it would be good to speak face-to-face with an owner.

[RobM77]

TheDeadPrussian said:

RobM77 said:

If you're local to me (north Hampshire) I 'd be happy to give you a passenger ride. I did the same for another PHer a few months ago and he bought one within a week!

That's a very kind offer and I may well take you up on it - I'll drop you a PM if my second viewing of a couple of cars goes as expected...it would be good to speak face-to-face with an owner.

No worries, you're welcome anytime - I'm near J5 M3. I drive quite sensibly on the road but it'd be good for you to have a good look at the car and feel what it's like. I'd invite you to a track day, but I tend to book them at the last minute due to weather. That's a downside of the 2-Eleven actually... It handles ok in the rain but unlike the single seaters I used to race there's so little airflow over your visor in the rain that vision is a major problem, but I am quite short in the body I suppose.

[Dave211]

Just picked mine up today and got drenched on way home lol.

Safely home now though :-



Have also had caterham's and a 997 GT3, so looking forward to how the car compares.

[young_bairn]

Awesome!

[TheDeadPrussian]

Dave211 said:

Have also had caterham's and a 997 GT3, so looking forward to how the car compares.

Congratulations! Once you get to know your new car I'd be interested in your thoughts...

I'm still torn between another Caterham and the 2-eleven. Another close look at each is in order I think.

[Ej74]

I was the fellow Ph'der who had a ride with Rob and picked one up a few weeks later

My initial impressions :

Cheap to service / consumables
Compromised due to lack of storage and roof
Avoid humps - will get over most but avoid if possible
Acceleration/ handling is another league - sophisticated suspension setup and adjustable
Track performance is amazing it can hit every apex time and time again - that’s if you’re capable :-)
Lightweight so you can do fairly long track runs
Road presence - puts a smile on peoples and your face all day long
You have to be doing some serious speed to get into trouble especially corners
Does hunt the road imperfections and somewhat tramline
Get yourself a Touratech clip on screen invaluable !

Mine is going up for sale - well may be due to baby on the way !

You are Welcome for a test ride in mine as well based in Surrey

[TheDeadPrussian]

Ej74 said:

You are Welcome for a test ride in mine as well based in Surrey

Thanks for the kind offer of a ride out - and for your detailed feedback about the ownership experience.

I think I may have seen your car; I went down to see Steffen at Analogue Automotive just before Christmas and I think your car was in for a service etc. It looks stunning and very well cared for; it is definitely on the short list if I decide to go down the 2-Eleven route.

[Nur Links]

Ej74 said:

Cheap to service / consumables
Compromised due to lack of storage and roof
Avoid humps - will get over most but avoid if possible
Acceleration/ handling is another league - sophisticated suspension setup and adjustable
Track performance is amazing it can hit every apex time and time again - that’s if you’re capable :-)
Lightweight so you can do fairly long track runs
Road presence - puts a smile on peoples and your face all day long
You have to be doing some serious speed to get into trouble especially corners
Does hunt the road imperfections and somewhat tramline
Get yourself a Touratech clip on screen invaluable !

^^^

What he says. I've a Launch Spec SC, with 'all' options. On track the little lotus is a cracking car even if you're used to really quick stuff. Has anything this side of a really, really well driven GT3 RS for lunch with double the exitement due to the open cockpit, low weight and the purity of the responses. All this at a fraction of the cost of the porker. Side benefit is that they are quite rare, so it feels really special (for me at least).

To be honest, the speed of the thing sometimes still scares the sh*t out of me. It's a mental little car!

[RobM77]

Here's mine at Silverstone in September, trying out my new Go Pro:

http://youtu.be/v2zeMU3VeSo

They're obviously very well suited to track use, and I don't recall ever being overtaken! I've no idea what spec the Elise racer I was following was...

[TobyLaRohne]

Can anyone help confirm to me if you can still buy these cars new or what year they stopped making them?

[Stephanie Plum]

No you can't buy them new. Production stopped about 2 years ago iirc. No engines supply at the time. It was around the time the only offering they had was the Elise 1.6.

[mas3200]

I loved my 2-11. On track when set up right it was as quick as radicals. I sold mine because it was too fast! I'd rather have a lightweight car that's .fun!! My aero was great!

[BrotherMouzone]

RobM77 said:

Here's mine at Silverstone in September, trying out my new Go Pro:

http://youtu.be/v2zeMU3VeSo

They're obviously very well suited to track use, and I don't recall ever being overtaken! I've no idea what spec the Elise racer I was following was...

Good video. I love 2-11s.

That little Clio (182?) was pretty quick for a little while!

[Adam3441]

I have a launch edition 2-eleven. Incredible little car on road & track. If anything the brakes are the best feature....on track they defy physics.