Feffman

Good Morning: I hope this finds each of you in good spirits as we trek through Fall toward Winter. I for one think a more southern location is in the cards. HMMM, perhaps Austin, Texas?! For the fourth year in a row, it’s time to think about three days of driving on America’s only purpose built F1 track, Circuit of The Americas (COTA) in Austin, Texas. MVP Track Time has scheduled our 4th annual three-day COTA track event for February 26 – 28, 2016. Now for the moment you’ve all been waiting for, the investment to play at COTA. The entry fee for all three days is $1,375, the same as 2014. Like our previous visits to COTA, this event will be for Advanced and Intermediate experience level drivers only. If you are in doubt whether you meet the Advanced or Intermediate criteria, don’t hesitate to call me at (314) 249-3770. As with previous years, there are a limited number of spots available for COTA. Yes, they fill fast. STEP 1 The $1,375 entry fee for all three days at COTA can only be completed with Pay Pal (you can use any major credit card through the Pay Pal system if you don’t have a Pay Pal account) at the link below: https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=JQ3XJ9LSZHJUN STEP 2 Once you have completed the entry fee, head over to the “Registration Page” of MVP’s web site (link below) to register. You’ll need to scroll to the bottom of the page to complete the blue outlined registration box. Click on the“Event” drop-down menu and choose Circuit of The Americas (COTA): February 26-28, 2016. http://www.mvptracktime.com/id92.html After we have allocated the registrations by run group, based on individual track experience, we will send out group confirmation e-mails to each run group. We will have four (blue, green, yellow and red) run groups allowing us to schedule two hours of track time daily. In the spirit of transparency, the rental of COTA, as you can guess, is rather costly, so once you register, MVP will not be able to give you a refund until COTA is sold out and we have a replacement for you. If/when we can replace you, there will be a $100 cancellation fee. Inside of four weeks (January 29, 2016 and later) prior to the COTA event there is no refund. This is the reality of renting Circuit of The Americas. If you have any questions, grab the phone and call me at (314) 249-3770 or you can e-mail Feffman@MVPTrackTime.com. Happy Motoring and I hope to see you at COTA. Enjoy your day. Mark Pfeffer – MVP Track Time www.MVPTrackTime.com Phone: (314) 249-3770 E-mail: Feffman@MVPTrackTime.com

Looks like Renault is saving the day! http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/121002 Feff

Reserve is $38,000.

Good Morning: MVP Track Time (www.MVPTrackTime.com) is hosting our 3rd annual “Flyin’ Turkey Trot” track weekend at Road Atlanta November 19-20, 2011. All are welcome and invited to join us for the on-track fun. We schedule a minimum of six, 20-minute run sessions for each of the three (Novice, Intermediate and Advanced) run groups each day. We have qualified instructors available for the Novice group. Visit our web site for details and/or registration (on line or mail-in registration) for Road Atlanta or any our 2011 track events. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to call me at (314) 249-3770 or e-mail Feffman@MVPTrackTime.com. Happy Motoring and I hope to see you at the track! Feff

HI All: Couple of years back I sold my black/tan 1999 and am interested in tracking it down. Last known area was Ashville, NC. Easy to spot as it now has center exit exhaust, updated round tailights (not my doing), newer mesh style 2002+ wheels, limited slip, may evne have the 5-point harnesses I installed, the dash face plate is carbon fibre, the engine intake and valve covers are powdercoated red, and the shift knob is combo black leather and aluminum with Lotus logo atop. Call (314) 249-3770 or e-mail Feffman@yahoo.com if you have any ideas. Feff

Hi All: I was speaking with JJ Mills, a partner in the new "St. Louis Lotus". For those of you not familiar with them, they also own the Bentley, Maserati, Bugatti and Lamborghini dealerships in St. Louis. They have a new stunning building which Lotus will share (equally) with Lamborghini. If history holds true, no one will be disapointed by the sales and service from St. Louis Lotus. Ironically JJ's partner is none other then Graham Hill! Feel free to contact JJ Mills at (636) 449-0000. Feff

Carbotech (www.CTBrakes.com) Panther XP Plus on street and the XP8 or XP10 on the track. Feff

There was a guy at LOG 26 in Dallas last year who went ballistic when Lotus Cars USA (LCU) announced the Exige S. He'd been told over and over again by the local dealer that LCU would NOT bring the Exige S to our shores. He was sitting in the bar very publicly crucifying his dealer, LCU and anyone involved for "Devaluing" his 8 week old Exige by 25% for not being up front about the Exige S. Feff

Colin Chapman to Mike Kimberley 1969: " There are 14 days to every week, today, tonight, tomorrow, tomorrow night etc etc" Tony: It's those 14-day work weeks Chapman told your father about. Feff

Tony: Don't get me wrong, I'm holding off on another Esprit V8 awaiting the Eagle or Esprit(??) replacement. In the US, sans the UK's VAT, the Vantage ($120K), 911 Turbo ($120K), 911 GT3 ($125K) are all in the same SPECULATIVE price arena as the Esprit replacement. Several competitors, Corvette Blue Devil ($100K), Nissan GT-R ($80K) and Honda/Acura NSX ($100K) will require less outlay but will be right in the ball park of the proposed/specualted Eagle price. All this being said at that price point it's about passion and the bottom line, will the new Lotus' inspire the passion the original Elite, Elan, Europa, Esprit, etc. did? I hope so! Feff

Cameron: This is definitely a key point for US buyers. My Lotus dealer is a used car dealer in a facility that leaves a lot to be desired. I can't see leaving a $120,000 Lotus there to be worked on if it's to be left outside over night. They may be able to pull this off with a $45,000 Elise (not meant as a slap in the Elise's face) but when buyers are spending $100K plus, they expect a nice facility. Tony, I agree the 911 is becoming a little prosaic, but you can't argue with the sales success. My guess is your father, Arnie Johnson and the other powers that be at Group Lotus would kill for the sales success and profit margins the 911 produces. My numbers may be off, but the question remains. At essentially same price, do you buy the new Esprit replacement or something else, particuarly if the Lotus doesn't have have a bespoke engine? Happy Lotusing! Feff

Hi All: I hope everyone has their Lotus Christmas wish list ready. A pseudo poll here. If the new "Esprit" (Esprit replacement) is priced $120,000 - $140,000 US dollars as we hear indicated, what else will you consider at that price (Aston Martin Vantage, 911 Turbo, 911 GT3, Corvette Blue Devil, Radical SR3/SR5/SR8, Lexus LF-A, Nissan GT-R, Dodge Viper, Audi R8, new Honda NSX, a combination of cars, etc.)? Feel free to expound and "NO" it can't be a pre-owned something or other, strictly new. Feff

Hi All: Buddy of mine in St. Louis is looking for another ECU for his Esprit V8. Anyone have an extra V8 ECU they'd like to part with. Let me know at Feffman@MVPTrackTime.com Feff

I think Porsche (soon to own most of VW) would jettison Lotus quickly as the Elise/Exige competes with the Cayman. It's no secret the new Eagle chassis Lotus is developing directly competes with the 911. Throw the Esprit replacement into the mix and it creates even greater competition for the more upscale 911s (Turbo, GT3) and Audi R8. How about Dave Richards and the guys at Aston Martin owning Lotus?? Ready supply of great engines, previous work on Aston chassis by Lotus engineering, cool cars all around and seemingly plenty of cash to develop new models. "OH Feff stop dreaming!" Feff