Video: Elan 26R fights off AC Cobras at Laguna Seca

20th November 2023

Ethan Jupp

We love a little vs large battle here at Goodwood and frankly, often, we root for the Davids rather than the Goliaths. That’s no disrespect to the Camaros, Mustangs, Galaxies, Cobras and E-Types of our Meetings. We love them too. But when you see battles like this one at the 2022 Monterey Motorsport Reunion, you just have to back the little guys.

Because when a little Lotus Elan 26R decides to square up to not one but two AC Cobras, you root for the one without teeth. Indeed, driver Horatio Fitz-Simon knows the Elan’s greatest strength is the greatest weakness of the Cobra: handling. Laguna Seca’s equal mix of tight turns and long sweepers gives both the Cobras their chance to deploy their V8 bunker busters, and the Lotus its chance to nip up on the inside. The resulting battles are an utter thrill.

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