Track experience against a Lotus Exige V6

[CB72]

Has anyone encountered an Exige V6 during a track outing?
I know this car is not road legal in the US but apparently it has been imported for track duties?
The design is quite similar to the NSX with a supercharged mid-engine V6 while beeing very light.
It has recorded very fast laps here in Europe but I have not encountered one so far on a track. Here's what the racing version looks like:
http://issuu.com/lotuscars/docs/lotus_racing_brochure/30

 

[scammy]

I have had a tussle with a V6 Evora on track, I lost. It was a supercharged 3.5L same engine as what you linked to and handled well which is where I normally get the higher hp cars through the corners this time I didn't.
It helped me start down the "my car needs to lose more weight" route and need more power parts again.

 

[DDozier]

I actually was looking at one that was for sale at Putnam Park in Indiana. My biggest issue is I do not really fit in the car. The CUP looks to be a fun little car, I think most if not all of the ones that came to the states had a traditional 6 spd but over there you guys could get a slightly harder version than what we could get with an optional sequential box. By all accounts it should be a fast car in the turns. I really do not understand Lotus's aversion to a proper diff as they seem to setup all their track cars with an open rear end. Lots of hardcore options available from the factory. Could be the perfect track toy.

I have been up against every other road legal Lotus on track at some point in time and I do not remember having any issues passing them, but I have not run up against a Exige CUP and I am also at 400whp. With my cars 2950lbs in track form I would still have it beat from a power to weight ratio, so there would be a chance but with the CUP's "Lotus Tuned" race suspension, brake advantage and better aero I would expect to loose with a proper driver at the wheel.

Dave

 

[CB72]

Thanks for the feedback.
The most serious Lotus I raced with was an Exige S 4 cylinder supercharged rated at 220 HP.
At that time I was running with my CTSC and we were on par around the Dijon-Prenois track.
The following year, I met the guy with a Porsche GT3 as he got fed up changing gearboxes on the Exige...
The open diff allows the car to understeer less I suppose when power is applied but you loose of course some traction coming out of the corners.
Development cost must be one of the deciding factors knowing Lotus's financial situation.