Formula One Modelling: Trophy Room - Sean Grainger's Lotus 99T

Camel Lotus Honda 99T, Ayrton Senna, 1987 Detroit Grand Prix

I thought I’d start a new feature, which I hope will differ Formula One Modelling from the other blogs. ‘Trophy Room’ will showcase some of the most impressive models built by some of the best F1 modellers around. If you have a model which you are really proud of, please don’t hesitate to contact me on jkilsh@tiscali.co.uk.

The first model to be featured in the Trophy Room is Sean Grainger’s excellent Lotus 99T.

Thank you for being the first to feature in the Trophy Room with your Lotus 99T. Could you tell us a little bit about yourself please?

What is your full name?

Sean Grainger.

How long have you been modelling?

I have built models since I was about 13.

Your favourite team and driver?

My favourite team is McLaren, and I support Jenson Button.

When did you first watch Formula 1?

I don't remember the first race I watched however I remember Murray Walker and James Hunt commentating so it was probably in the early 1980s.

Great. Could you please tell me a bit about the model?

What is the full name of the car and which driver and race does it represent?

It is a Camel Lotus Honda 99T, driven by Ayrton Senna at the 1987 Detroit Grand Prix.

Which manufacturer is the kit made by?

It is made by Tamiya.

When did you complete the model?

December 2007.

Did you use any detail parts on the model?

Yes. I used Studio 27, Acu-Stion and Thunder Valley F1 parts.

Which paints did you use?

I used Zero Paints ‘Lotus Camel Yellow’.

Did you use any reference material for the build?

I used ‘Grand Prix Fascination Formula 1 by Reinhard Klein’, ‘F1 in Camera 1980-89’, ‘F1 Modeling Issue 5 and Senna Giga Special’.

The 99T was the Lotus entry into the 1987 Formula 1 season. The drivers that season were Satoru Nakajima and the late Ayrton Senna running the number 11 & 12 cars respectively. It used the active computerised suspension system which compensated for track conditions, speed, steering and even weight changes caused by the ever-decreasing fuel load carried by the car. The car won at Monaco and Detroit and showed the way for Formula One to evolve in the next few years.

The dimensions of the 99T dwarfed those of the Williams FW11B which also competed that year. As well as the poorer drag factor of the bigger body the active suspension proved to be a double edged sword. It's hydraulic pump, driven off the back of one of the camshafts, used a chunk of power from the Honda engine and there was a weight penalty of around 12 kilos. In effect the Lotus Honda needed more power and therefore more fuel to match the straight-line speeds of the Williams Honda. With fuel restricted to 180 litres, Senna often had to think economy, which was not his natural way in a race car. Ayrton eventually took third in the driver’s championship; Nelson Piquet took the title with Williams.