2007, July, Norfolk, Guess what

[Kimbers]

Spent a bit of time at the factory today and was shown plans for a Lotus Fair....Yes fair.

Late July, factory tours and track parades, shows of vehicles, after sales exhibitions.....who knows what else???

Those invited?

1. LEF/LEW

2. Elite & Eclat Owners club

3. Excel Owners club

4. Club Lotus

Big Big event, Owners only no public

Show area's for each model group

are you excited yet??

So questions, do we want to just be involved on the day or do you want to do a Hotel do? How prominent do you want to be? Party? Charity event? Even bigger convoy and get sponsors per car? Idea's would be great....

[andydclements]

I felt guilty on the Esprit event, so local, should have been able to help - getting car mobile prevented me doing so.

As such, If you want a hand with anything- just say so.

You say just owners, what about if I actually get round to putting the new frame on the Europa, will another person be able to bring that with me driving the Esprit?

If everybody gets together for a convoy, there has to be a point where the cars are in chronological order, and if we are looking at well in excess of 100 cars (I'd guess 250+), wouldn't the local council be willing to help organise some sort of space for a display- Earlham Park?

Andy

Any chance of them running driver training around it? maybe the full days, maybe something like the scare yourself sensible days?

Edited November 7, 2006 by andydclements

[robcun]

kimbers you evil-doer!

you know im way out here on the frontier man and yet you go organizing another awesome lotus event !!

[dodgy]

OH YES you've given me something in life to look forward to again B)

[Tentenths]

Yes, yes and yes to everything Mr K... especially the hooning/convoying and staying up late in the Hotel drinking chatting bits

You can put me down as a definite attendee now - did look for a list but it would seem you've forgotten to start one

James

[cbclotus]

Nice one Kimbers ,got to take melanie this time cheers mate mike mel and claudia

[Guest Steve L]

Oh yes - count me in - looking forward to it already

But Kimbers what colour shirt will you go for this time.

[Loose Cannon]

Those invited?

1. LEF/LEW

2. Elite & Eclat Owners club

3. Excel Owners club

4. Club Lotus

It would be nice to see other models there, whilst simultaneously restricting the number of Elises!

To ensure all the best cars have a chance what about:

5. Lotus Drivers Club

6. Elan Forums

[Jonathan]

Sounds great - quick question but why only those models ? Or has that not been finalised yet.

Elan / Europa ? Elise / Exige (ducks)

I'd like to do a hotel thing again - never got to talk to 1/2 the people and the friends I did chat too (Graham A, Dave W etc) it ended up being a passing chat

Charity thing was a lot of fun as well, it's something I'd be pleased to commit to again.

Other than that I'm a chilled out chap, anything is much appreciated.

Might make an extended few days of it and see Norwich and have a bomb around some of them back roads, I really like Norfolk (no, really).

What about tying it in with a possible Classic Team Lotus visit as well ?

[mayevora]

Spent a bit of time at the factory today and was shown plans for a Lotus Fair....Yes fair.

Late July, factory tours and track parades, shows of vehicles, after sales exhibitions.....who knows what else???

Those invited?

1. LEF/LEW

2. Elite & Eclat Owners club

3. Excel Owners club

4. Club Lotus

Big Big event, Owners only no public

Show area's for each model group

are you excited yet??

So questions, do we want to just be involved on the day or do you want to do a Hotel do? How prominent do you want to be? Party? Charity event? Even bigger convoy and get sponsors per car? Idea's would be great....

Oh, let me think for a minute ...... - I think that might just be a big YES, YES, YES.

It would have to be Hotel for me, too far to come otherwise.

[Tentenths]

As we more than filled the Wensum Valley in October, presumably we'd want to keep the hotel side of any 2007 trip as LEF/LEW only?

Edited November 7, 2006 by Tentenths

[matk]

I'm in, hotel worked well so I'd like to do that again. I'd prefer hotel for LEW/LEF only as I felt we has a special atmosphere.

[Splashout]

can only echo whats been said but would also like to point out one caution to perhaps take into consideration.

When thinking of events keep in mind that what made the factory day was that what was done interested the other halfs as well as us with lotus in the blood.

While I would love to go around the factory again I think it would probably boar Toni a little as its so close to having done it before.

If Classic Team lotus were involved then maybe a choice of tour of the factory or team lotus would be one way around this.

Also dont know what I could do to help but if you think of anything just ask.

[ansellb]

Oh yes. Absolutely DEFINITELY.

I'm still kicking myself for not coming to this year's event. Even if I have to pull a sickie, I'll be there next year.

Put my name on the list please, Kimbers. In permanent marker.

Ben

[jimmybondi]

Count me in for sure. Definitely will come with the car this time!

BUT WHAT DILEMMA!!!! WHICH CAR SHOULD I BRING WITH ME?????

As you might have guessed, I would vote for the Hotel thingy, too...

[bramble111s]

Thumbs up! Big grin!

But why no Elise owners? Surely we are all one happy family?

(they could be made to sign a best behaviour agreement first?)

Perhaps Lotus are planning a general public open day as well?

Went to the last one, and extremely oversubscribed, so worth another go I am sure, I am sure Lotus could use the extra moula, and it was a great day.

[Loose Cannon]

But why no Elise owners? Surely we are all one happy family?

Sheer weight of numbers matey! Nothing personal or against the car (how can you diss the car that has kept our favourite manufacturer afloat for the last decade??? All I meant was if numbers were limited like last time it would be a shame for a rarely seen car like a 1st generation Elite to miss the opportunity to make way for *another* Elise.

Agree that it would be fantastic to involve Classic Team Lotus, maybe with track displays B) (gets on knees and prays).

[Evil_Dr_Fish]

Hotel - deffo if I get the same suite - I would sugegst that perhaps we try not to pack the schedule *quite* so full this time to allow us all a bit more 'socialising' time between all the various events?

First thought is that I would also echo Glyn's comments of trying not to repeat as much as possible as we have just done (same drive / Yarmouth etc)

[Kimbers]

Sounds great - quick question but why only those models ? Or has that not been finalised yet.

Elan / Europa ? Elise / Exige (ducks)

I'd like to do a hotel thing again - never got to talk to 1/2 the people and the friends I did chat too (Graham A, Dave W etc) it ended up being a passing chat

Charity thing was a lot of fun as well, it's something I'd be pleased to commit to again.

Other than that I'm a chilled out chap, anything is much appreciated.

Might make an extended few days of it and see Norwich and have a bomb around some of them back roads, I really like Norfolk (no, really).

What about tying it in with a possible Classic Team Lotus visit as well ?

These are just the clubs currently being chatted to. There is no Elise owners club hence only thos who are members of Club would prob be invited.

Neil, who will be on the Lotus stand at Stoneleigh, is organising their end of it so tell him when you see him how much you would love him should this get off the ground.......

As we more than filled the Wensum Valley in October, presumably we'd want to keep the hotel side of any 2007 trip as LEF/LEW only?

Agreed.

If Classic Team lotus were involved then maybe a choice of tour of the factory or team lotus would be one way around this.

I believe that is the plan.

First thought is that I would also echo Glyn's comments of trying not to repeat as much as possible as we have just done (same drive / Yarmouth etc)

Agreed, also with more time to organise we could possibly raise money by sponsorship for the convoy rather than actually collecting money. Maybe make it a public event but more for us to socialise than to collect money. I'm sure with some notice we could all get

[martynv]

If it does all happen you all need to get names down early as it will fill very quickly with so many owners clubs involved.

If its just the factory tours that would limit the numbers maybe the people who did the tour last time could opt out of this bit and increase the number of available places ?. There seemed plenty of parking space at the factory so there would be plenty of space each of the Lotus models to park up together etc...

I'd definitely vote for doing the hotel thing again, really enjoyed meeting everyone . On the charity side maybe we could do some sort of sponsorship for miles driven over the weekend, the guys from europe could make a fortune .

Martyn B)

[Advantage]

I'm up for doing it all over again. I don't mind admitting I'm a sucker for this stuff!

As far Elise owners clubs go, if you're a member of SELOC and own something other than an Elise you're in a minority. Might be worth popping in and seeing what the response would be. Bear they're a buch of internet geeks, though. Oh, hang on....

[dazmans3]

Yes yes yes yes yes yes!.......................... count me in.

Only this time I will have my esprit with me. It make me get off my back side & get the engine sorted. Target date Jun. hope to have done sooner than that with a bit of luck.

Totally agree, more socialising time needed.

[Kimbers]

I'm up for doing it all over again. I don't mind admitting I'm a sucker for this stuff!

As far Elise owners clubs go, if you're a member of SELOC and own something other than an Elise you're in a minority. Might be worth popping in and seeing what the response would be. Bear they're a buch of internet geeks, though. Oh, hang on....

I don't think SELOC will be invited. I know a certain high up manager who frequents SELOC but gets slagged off whenever he says something constructive. I think the poor experiences certain Lotus people have had on that site will prohibit them.

Also we want to keep it strictly enthusiast and nice people. They only tend to fit one of those descriptions.

[david]

and a yes from me as I foolishly missed the last one due to work commitments. Any chance of setting the date early so we can reserve it?

[Jonathan]

SELOC doesn't do itself a lot of favours but thats the price of having 1000's of members, not always possible to get quality over quantity. They have a lot of social stuff on anyways.

I do understand it - I'd say there were more Elise's on the road than most of the other Lotus models put together, I dunno - I feel that promotes an "us and them" situation.

If limited # of spaces were offered to each model I think it'd work nicely.

Having said that I know of a few smaller clubs like the Kent Lotus Owners club who are nice friendly people and drive Elise's too (as well as other models).

Anyways I'd be a definate turner upper.