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Long Term Tests

Lotus 340R

Things haven't gone according to plan this month. I was meant to be enjoying the all- round ability of the newly fitted Yokohama Advan Neovas, culminating in a good thrash at this month's Brands Hatch evoactive day.
On road the tyres felt much nicer than the previous semi-slick A038s, with more detailed information coming through the steering wheel and good grip from cold. Opinions of wet weather performance will have to wait until it rains but overall we were pleased with the choice.

By Harry Metcalfe

June 2002

Then things went badly wrong at the track. Once they were hot the old A038s generated incredible grip that you could really lean on through the quick corners, making it relatively easy to drive to the outer limits, but the new Advan Neovas never got close. Grip was feeble, understeer was overwhelming, and overall they felt truly awful. Even after a whole day pounding around the Grand Prix circuit there wasn't a sign of wear on the tread and they never even got warm, cementing the conclusion that the tyres just weren't working with the car. This was all very strange given that the Yokohamas were Lotus's recommendation.

So the hunt goes on for another tyre that will make the most of the 340R's amazing performance. Perhaps it's a good job we kept the old A038s.

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