--- Lew Palmer <lpalmer@roundaboutmanor.com> wrote:
> Does anyone remember one of the early demos of the
> Lotus active (computer
> controlled) suspension? Colin Chapman drove (?) one
> up the steps of St.
> Paul's Cathedral in London. By programming the
> suspension, it literally
> climbed the steps - one wheel after the other.
Yes, I remember that! So cool. Unfortunately, that
was probably the last time that system ever worked
correctly again. Lotus Formula One - floundering due
to lack of financing - had massive, massive problems
with their active suspension. I forget now who their
drivers were at the time, but I think at least one of
them was Johnny Herbert, and I remember him saying
that the car would literally pogo up and down of its
own accord at times. There is footage of the car
jumping itself off the ground during a pit stop, for
no apparent reason. It must have been seriously scary
to drive.
But man, I sure miss Lotus on the F1 grids. I hope
they come back some day.
=====
Paul Misencik - 1971 MGB - www.sopwithracing.com
THE CAROLINA TROPHY - 2005
A vintage driving event in the spirit
of the Mille Miglia, Rallye des Alpes,
and Colorado Grand.
See www.carolinatrophy.com for details.
__________________________________
Do you Yahoo!?
Yahoo! Movies - Buy advance tickets for 'Shrek 2'
http://movies.yahoo.com/showtimes/movie?mid=1808405861
|