Elan NP01 Prototype Spec Racer- Plavan Racing #02

[C.Plavan]

[Maui1972]

Cool looking car and fast too

[Sgt.Gator]

Awesome looking series racing!

[C.Plavan]

Awesome looking series racing!

Just as fast or faster than 997 Cupcars at Laguna, Faster than all the new GT4 Clubsport race cars (~3 sec), ~2 seconds slower than the new 991 GT3 Cupcars. Remember we are not on slicks (Crappy Toyo's) If we were on Hoosiers, we would for sure be faster than the 991 Cupcars. The Pirelli Porsche Cup was there with us that weekend.

We had a total of 7 NP01's, I think another 3 were sold that weekend. We should have 15 cars towards the end of the year on the West Coast. The only problem, there are team owners hiring pro drivers....... WTH??? This is amatuer racing!

[C.Plavan]

Funny Vid-

[Sgt.Gator]

Tail Happy Porsches!

[C.Plavan]

I loaded it down with lead ballast to race in ST3 this last weekend (1840~1850 pounds-vs. NP class is 1725 pounds). I took home 2 wins, with a new ST3 (10:1 Weight/HP class) Lap Record (1:29). This was with 3 race weekend old tires (I had Stickers, but I just saved them). I was 3+ seconds faster than the 2nd place ST3 car. The car 's aero is awesome. So awesome, the car needs more power at Willow Springs. The grip was so good at speed, the motor could not keep up and would scrub speed on long fast corners. Not bad for a car with 167 RWHP! I managed to beat a few 997 Cup cars and lapped a new GT4CS factory race car. Fun car!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tcfHochB3eU

[C.Plavan]

Just a quick video from the start of Saturday's race. Down on HP to the ST1 and SU cars ahead of me, but can easily get by them in corners. The corning is phenomenal.

Someone sent me a message from Facebook here and wanted to ask some questions- I lost the message, so please send me another. FYI- The ambient temp was over 100 degrees, unlike when I was here with the 818R (50 degrees). The NP01 was still faster with all the ballast 1840 pounds (ST3 class) / 167 RWHP with the required Toyo RR spec tires which are no where as good as the Hoosier R7's... For comparison, the 818R was @ 2166 pounds with detuned 283 RWHP on Hoosiers @50 degree ambient temps.

Thunderhill race is this weekend!

https://m.facebook.com/Plavan-Racing-1659691177614220/

[Sgt.Gator]

Very cool. Why are you running ST3? Not enough cars in the NP01 class yet?

[C.Plavan]

Very cool. Why are you running ST3? Not enough cars in the NP01 class yet?

It wasn't a Pacific NP01 series race weekend- just a normal race weekend.

[C.Plavan]

Here is a cool new video about the Series and Drivers. I dont have the direct link, but you should be able to see it from Facebook.
https://www.facebook.com/DriveNASANP...0346288004298/


https://www.facebook.com/DriveNASANP...0346288004298/

[Sgt.Gator]

You're a movie star!

[C.Plavan]

Here are a few laps from the last race. I raised the rear of the car for more rake, but forgot to check the rear camber after (Doh!). I went from the comfortable -2.5 degrees of camber in the rear to -1.8. I did not have the grip that I should have. Fixed it the next session and finished 4th in the championships, 4th in the Series. Next year will be better!

[C.Plavan]

2017 Livery Update and Series Dates-

Pacific Series:

Race 1,2 March 18-19 Willow Springs
Race 3,4 April 22-23 Buttonwillow Raceway
Race 5,6 May 26-28 Circuit of the Americas
Race 7,8 June 17-18 Sonoma Raceway Sears Point
Race 9,10 August 4-6 Utah Motor Campus
Race 11,12 October 6-8 Thunderhill Raceway








The NP01 Finished 6th OVERALL at the 25hr of Thunderhill. It only changed tires every 11.5 hours!

[Sgt.Gator]

I spent quite a bit of time at PRI checking out the NP01 and Superlite Aero. Both are awesome cars. For raw performance I have to give the Aero the edge. A pretty large edge. For a race car I can live with for the long term I'd give the nod to the NP01. I think I went back to the NASA / NP01 booth 5 times to ask questions and sit in the car. It will probably be my next car.
I'll be bringing my STI south to Thunderhill and Sonoma this year, hope to see around.

[C.Plavan]

I spent quite a bit of time at PRI checking out the NP01 and Superlite Aero. Both are awesome cars. For raw performance I have to give the Aero the edge. A pretty large edge. For a race car I can live with for the long term I'd give the nod to the NP01. I think I went back to the NASA / NP01 booth 5 times to ask questions and sit in the car. It will probably be my next car.
I'll be bringing my STI south to Thunderhill and Sonoma this year, hope to see around.

Yes- The Aero will of course have a performance advantage. It's a darn V8 . I'm not sure I really like the body on it, I wish it looked more like a Prototype (side pods). It might grow on me. Keep in mind, the car has not even turned a wheel on a track. The Elan guys went over and looked at it. They liked it, the fit and finish was still being worked on. They just don't think they will be able to keep it at that price. They also do not think they can make that many fast (since they have so many other kit cars they produce). No Sequential either

I might be a little biased though

There is a now few extra "Packages" from Elan now you can purchase if you don't want to race Spec. St1 package (More engine power (240hp), High Downforce package (new front splitter and new rear tray diffuser), Engine Ram intake extension, Rear Anti-roll bar kit. The "NP02" is what we call it. Its a Monster! https://www.facebook.com/franklin.fu...0652418999585/

[C.Plavan]

Update: Well....... When you realize you had your front shock settings (Rebound and Compression) backwards all last year, you actually have a car that handles 100X better! I have won 3 of the 4 Series races, finished 2nd in the other. I'm leading the Points race. Next stop COTA Memorial day weekend. We should have 15+ NP01's there! Best time at Willow Springs was a 1:27. I had Aero Push. Once I dialed that out I'm sure a 1:26 or high 1:25 would be easily possible.

Quick little video of why we dislike Backmarker Mustangs......