Lancia Beta Coupe spotted on Speedhunters - Found!

[bunga_bunga]

I saw a really interesting example of a race prepared Lancia Beta Coupe on speedhunters.com some time back. The car looked  interesting and it had been bugging me for a while as to where it "lives" and the specification it runs. The car I am talking about is on this page: http://www.speedhunters.com/2009/06/gallery_gt_gt_wandering_the_paddock_the_idlers_games/

I did some digging and came across some information. As it turns out the car was/is? an entrant into the Idlers Games in Japan. It can be found on their website. The way I found more information on it was through a search for "LCJ Beta Coupe". Anyway, the result of my research is presented in a 50 minute Youtube video featuring the car itself, plenty of race footage, Lancia sound and even some kitsch music to boot! Given it is in Japan there is no English description, so I feel lucky to have found this one.

2009_12h.mp4

Enjoy! PS: There are more videos on it if you visit youtube. Links are on the right. 2010 season is there by the looks of it.

[lanciamad]

Great find, I was looking for more info on that car as well. Glad I fast forwarded the video though, how many times did they have issues with it?

[MattNoVAT]

I watched 90% while on a long conference call, it was very interesting but it did break down quite a few times and I was amused to see even pro/ semi pro race teams resorting to a large metal bar a big hammer. 

[bunga_bunga]

Yes, I agree that it is a shame that it had a few issues. That said, it looked immaculately prepared and did well to finish the 12hr endurance race. In typical Japanese style, the team had all the race wear to boot! I found it mildly bizarre and entertaining. I managed to point a friend to it (not a Lancia owner) who was quick to point out how they spent a lot of time pushing it. With all that being said it did appear to get a ton of attention from the other teams and the like. I always found my Beta Coupe to be an attention grabber.

Unfortunately the 2010 video does not have any sound. I am not sure why. It is good that the kitsch music is gone, but hard to watch without Lancia exhaust noise here and there..

Next item on the list is to hunt down the specification. I am assuming hi compression forged pistons and by the looks of it injection. That said I would like to know more.. It is time for the Japanese Betaboyz members to step forward!