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Lotus Elise 111S

It was one of those choices that could have gone either way - sour or sweet. I had to do a photographic job at the Nürburgring and rather than face the nightmare that European air travel has become, I decided to take the Elise. From my gaff it's a four-hour flog to Heathrow (despite being just 130 miles) simply to get to the check-in desk, then probably another couple of hours before the plane takes off. By that stage, I figured, I could be most of the way to the 'Ring.

By Brett Fraser

September 2003

It was one of those choices that could have gone either way - sour or sweet. I had to do a photographic job at the N΃¼rburgring and rather than face the nightmare that European air travel has become, I decided to take the Elise. From my gaff it's a four-hour flog to Heathrow (despite being just 130 miles) simply to get to the check-in desk, then probably another couple of hours before the plane takes off. By that stage, I figured, I could be most of the way to the 'Ring.

With careful packing the Elise swallowed stacks of gear - far more than I'd have been allowed to take on the plane - and even sticking roughly to the speed limit across Belgium and Germany, I arrived in the N΃¼rburgring paddock eight hours after leaving home. By my reckoning that was quicker than taking the plane/rent-a-car route.

Sadly there was no chance to take the Elise around the track and the following day I had to drive home again. After a day's work, the 424-mile journey ahead was a daunting prospect, but the Elise tackled the role of Continental cruiser with far more flair than I would ever have given it credit for.

My only complaint was that the new Alpine head unit I bought to replace the malfunctioning Clarion stereo which came with the car was no better at picking up radio stations than its predecessor. I suspect it's a fault with the aerial. Still, on the plus side, at least the Alpine lets me play CDs.

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