Hall, a veteran Lotus wrench, started with the 1966 Elan street car and turned it into a 26R that's arguably better than the factory original. Except for the engine block and head, original 26R ...

as it's just commissioned a recreation Lotus 26R Elan Le Mans coupe. The cars will be built to the same specification as the ones initially designed to sit on the Le Mans grid in 1964.

But the amiable Scot, also a handy historic racer who pedalled a Lotus Elan 26R to third in September’s Spa 6 Hours, had also proven himself a force in GT racing before entering the BTCC in 2017.