I can speak to some of this. Chris Custer did name the car Rotus because Japanese can't pronounce Ls. He told me that when he let me drive his car. It was the first one built, and I was working at QuickSilver RaceEngines. He had called and wanted a brake proportioning valve. I had some adjustable ones used on Corvettes. He came down in the Rotus and let me drive it. I only drove it on the street, but it was a very good car. I was surprised it was that well sorted. The only other Rotus I ever saw was at a autocross and it had a Chevy engine complete with some American sedan solid rear axle. It was not a good car.