4. The Handover...

[sandwer]

1 Bibs

2 Laura

3 Ian (mayesprit)

4 Mark Blanchard

5 Matk

6 John V6

7 & 8 Tony & Charlie (Loteuk)

9 Me Me Me....... Simon350S (Looks good in a dress....!!)

10 Phil - NoneShallPass (who DOESN'T look good in a dress)

11 Kieron - CrazyK

12 Howard - Esprit350

13 GKP (who looks fantastic whether dressed or not)

14 Louise (who'd look good wearing a bin liner)

15 Punky (who just looks good)

16 Dodgy.......... er welcome Kieron

17 James (Tentenths) - who's eagerly awaiting the bin liner look!

18 Ben (ansellb) - who's eagerly awaiting a look at BigSi's spangly new motor!

19. Troy (who is good -fullstop)

20. Caroline (who looks to good for Troy)

21. Esprit22

22 & 23. Mike (MPx) and Fran

24. Martyn (martynv)

25 & 26 Rog (SE OWNER :-D) (Looks good in Royal Mail) and Samantha

27. Bantambunny - Can't wait to see his face over this one

28 & 29. Neil @ Lotus Cars + other 'alf

30. Brian @ Lotus Cars

31,32,33. Alex (the power napper), Caitlin and Calum (miniNMEGs)

34 Peter (Peter_England99)

35 Pinky Kimbers Jnr (wouldn't miss it for the world)

36 & 37 Glyn and Jill (glynherron)

38 & 39 Katie & JBF (EspritV8)

40 & 41 Ade & Gina GT3

42 & 43 Dave & Anita (Oneshot & Mrs Oneshot)

44 & 45 (Mr & Mrs Barrie or Bazza)

46 Paul C

47 Vicki

48 Dan

49 Pete (peteyg) sadly not with S2 but hopefully with new toy on way back from collecting it! Don't worry, I'll park somewhere else, in fact mught start an Esprit owner but not in their Esprit parking section!

50 RichardS3 (was waiting to be #50)

[CAM79]

1 Bibs

2 Laura

3 Ian (mayesprit)

4 Mark Blanchard

5 Matk

6 John V6

7 & 8 Tony & Charlie (Loteuk)

9 Me Me Me....... Simon350S (Looks good in a dress....!!)

10 Phil - NoneShallPass (who DOESN'T look good in a dress)

11 Kieron - CrazyK

12 Howard - Esprit350

13 GKP (who looks fantastic whether dressed or not)

14 Louise (who'd look good wearing a bin liner)

15 Punky (who just looks good)

16 Dodgy.......... er welcome Kieron

17 James (Tentenths) - who's eagerly awaiting the bin liner look!

18 Ben (ansellb) - who's eagerly awaiting a look at BigSi's spangly new motor!

19. Troy (who is good -fullstop)

20. Caroline (who looks to good for Troy)

21. Esprit22

22 & 23. Mike (MPx) and Fran

24. Martyn (martynv)

25 & 26 Rog (SE OWNER :-D) (Looks good in Royal Mail) and Samantha

27. Bantambunny - Can't wait to see his face over this one

28 & 29. Neil @ Lotus Cars + other 'alf

30. Brian @ Lotus Cars

31,32,33. Alex (the power napper), Caitlin and Calum (miniNMEGs)

34 Peter (Peter_England99)

35 Pinky Kimbers Jnr (wouldn't miss it for the world)

36 & 37 Glyn and Jill (glynherron)

38 & 39 Katie & JBF (EspritV8)

40 & 41 Ade & Gina GT3

42 & 43 Dave & Anita (Oneshot & Mrs Oneshot)

44 & 45 (Mr & Mrs Barrie or Bazza)

46 Paul C

47 Vicki

48 Dan

49 Pete (peteyg) sadly not with S2 but hopefully with new toy on way back from collecting it! Don't worry, I'll park somewhere else, in fact mught start an Esprit owner but not in their Esprit parking section!

50 RichardS3 (was waiting to be #50)

51 & 52 Brent (again without the S3T, maybe next year, I live in hope!) & my old man - Neil (without the Esprit SE due to clutch problems)

Edited May 23, 2007 by CAM79

[mike40]

1 Bibs

2 Laura

3 Ian (mayesprit)

4 Mark Blanchard

5 Matk

6 John V6

7 & 8 Tony & Charlie (Loteuk)

9 Me Me Me....... Simon350S (Looks good in a dress....!!)

10 Phil - NoneShallPass (who DOESN'T look good in a dress)

11 Kieron - CrazyK

12 Howard - Esprit350

13 GKP (who looks fantastic whether dressed or not)

14 Louise (who'd look good wearing a bin liner)

15 Punky (who just looks good)

16 Dodgy.......... er welcome Kieron

17 James (Tentenths) - who's eagerly awaiting the bin liner look!

18 Ben (ansellb) - who's eagerly awaiting a look at BigSi's spangly new motor!

19. Troy (who is good -fullstop)

20. Caroline (who looks to good for Troy)

21. Esprit22

22 & 23. Mike (MPx) and Fran

24. Martyn (martynv)

25 & 26 Rog (SE OWNER :-D) (Looks good in Royal Mail) and Samantha

27. Bantambunny - Can't wait to see his face over this one

28 & 29. Neil @ Lotus Cars + other 'alf

30. Brian @ Lotus Cars

31,32,33. Alex (the power napper), Caitlin and Calum (miniNMEGs)

34 Peter (Peter_England99)

35 Pinky Kimbers Jnr (wouldn't miss it for the world)

36 & 37 Glyn and Jill (glynherron)

38 & 39 Katie & JBF (EspritV8)

40 & 41 Ade & Gina GT3

42 & 43 Dave & Anita (Oneshot & Mrs Oneshot)

44 & 45 (Mr & Mrs Barrie or Bazza)

46 Paul C

47 Vicki

48 Dan

49 Pete (peteyg) sadly not with S2 but hopefully with new toy on way back from collecting it! Don't worry, I'll park somewhere else, in fact mught start an Esprit owner but not in their Esprit parking section!

50 RichardS3 (was waiting to be #50)

51 & 52 Brent (again without the S3T, maybe next year, I live in hope!) & my old man - Neil (without the Esprit SE due to clutch problems)

53 Mike

[caulkhead68]

1 Bibs

2 Laura

3 Ian (mayesprit)

4 Mark Blanchard

5 Matk

6 John V6

7 & 8 Tony & Charlie (Loteuk)

9 Me Me Me....... Simon350S (Looks good in a dress....!!)

10 Phil - NoneShallPass (who DOESN'T look good in a dress)

11 Kieron - CrazyK

12 Howard - Esprit350

13 GKP (who looks fantastic whether dressed or not)

14 Louise (who'd look good wearing a bin liner)

15 Punky (who just looks good)

16 Dodgy.......... er welcome Kieron

17 James (Tentenths) - who's eagerly awaiting the bin liner look!

18 Ben (ansellb) - who's eagerly awaiting a look at BigSi's spangly new motor!

19. Troy (who is good -fullstop)

20. Caroline (who looks to good for Troy)

21. Esprit22

22 & 23. Mike (MPx) and Fran

24. Martyn (martynv)

25 & 26 Rog (SE OWNER :-D) (Looks good in Royal Mail) and Samantha

27. Bantambunny - Can't wait to see his face over this one

28 & 29. Neil @ Lotus Cars + other 'alf

30. Brian @ Lotus Cars

31,32,33. Alex (the power napper), Caitlin and Calum (miniNMEGs)

34 Peter (Peter_England99)

35 Pinky Kimbers Jnr (wouldn't miss it for the world)

36 & 37 Glyn and Jill (glynherron)

38 & 39 Katie & JBF (EspritV8)

40 & 41 Ade & Gina GT3

42 & 43 Dave & Anita (Oneshot & Mrs Oneshot)

44 & 45 (Mr & Mrs Barrie or Bazza)

46 Paul C

47 Vicki

48 Dan

49 Pete (peteyg) sadly not with S2 but hopefully with new toy on way back from collecting it! Don't worry, I'll park somewhere else, in fact mught start an Esprit owner but not in their Esprit parking section!

50 RichardS3 (was waiting to be #50)

51 & 52 Brent (again without the S3T, maybe next year, I live in hope!) & my old man - Neil (without the Esprit SE due to clutch problems)

53 Mike

54& 55 Matt (caulkhead68) and Ross

[John V6]

1 Bibs

2 Laura

3 Ian (mayesprit)

4 Mark Blanchard

5 Matk

11 & 6 Kierin (CrazyK & John V6) 6 (do not have Lotus at the present so will come down in MX5, no rude comments please)

7 & 8 Tony & Charlie (Loteuk)

9 Me Me Me....... Simon350S (Looks good in a dress....!!)

10 Phil - NoneShallPass (who DOESN'T look good in a dress)

12 Howard - Esprit350

13 GKP (who looks fantastic whether dressed or not)

14 Louise (who'd look good wearing a bin liner)

15 Punky (who just looks good)

16 Dodgy.......... er welcome Kieron

17 James (Tentenths) - who's eagerly awaiting the bin liner look!

18 Ben (ansellb) - who's eagerly awaiting a look at BigSi's spangly new motor!

19. Troy (who is good -fullstop)

20. Caroline (who looks to good for Troy)

21. Esprit22

22 & 23. Mike (MPx) and Fran

24. Martyn (martynv)

25 & 26 Rog (SE OWNER :-D) (Looks good in Royal Mail) and Samantha

27. Bantambunny - Can't wait to see his face over this one

28 & 29. Neil @ Lotus Cars + other 'alf

30. Brian @ Lotus Cars

31,32,33. Alex (the power napper), Caitlin and Calum (miniNMEGs)

34 Peter (Peter_England99)

35 Pinky Kimbers Jnr (wouldn't miss it for the world)

36 & 37 Glyn and Jill (glynherron)

38 & 39 Katie & JBF (EspritV8)

40 & 41 Ade & Gina GT3

42 & 43 Dave & Anita (Oneshot & Mrs Oneshot)

44 & 45 (Mr & Mrs Barrie or Bazza)

46 Paul C

47 Vicki

48 Dan

49 Pete (peteyg) sadly not with S2 but hopefully with new toy on way back from collecting it! Don't worry, I'll park somewhere else, in fact mught start an Esprit owner but not in their Esprit parking section!

50 RichardS3 (was waiting to be #50)

51 & 52 Brent (again without the S3T, maybe next year, I live in hope!) & my old man - Neil (without the Esprit SE due to clutch problems)

53 Mike

54& 55 Matt (caulkhead68) and Ross

[Tentenths]

John, was it your intention to add your name?

[superdavelotus]

Bibs

2 Laura

3 Ian (mayesprit)

4 Mark Blanchard

5 Matk

11 & 6 Kierin (CrazyK & John V6) 6 (do not have Lotus at the present so will come down in MX5, no rude comments please)

7 & 8 Tony & Charlie (Loteuk)

9 Me Me Me....... Simon350S (Looks good in a dress....!!)

10 Phil - NoneShallPass (who DOESN'T look good in a dress)

12 Howard - Esprit350

13 GKP (who looks fantastic whether dressed or not)

14 Louise (who'd look good wearing a bin liner)

15 Punky (who just looks good)

16 Dodgy.......... er welcome Kieron

17 James (Tentenths) - who's eagerly awaiting the bin liner look!

18 Ben (ansellb) - who's eagerly awaiting a look at BigSi's spangly new motor!

19. Troy (who is good -fullstop)

20. Caroline (who looks to good for Troy)

21. Esprit22

22 & 23. Mike (MPx) and Fran

24. Martyn (martynv)

25 & 26 Rog (SE OWNER :-D) (Looks good in Royal Mail) and Samantha

27. Bantambunny - Can't wait to see his face over this one

28 & 29. Neil @ Lotus Cars + other 'alf

30. Brian @ Lotus Cars

31,32,33. Alex (the power napper), Caitlin and Calum (miniNMEGs)

34 Peter (Peter_England99)

35 Pinky Kimbers Jnr (wouldn't miss it for the world)

36 & 37 Glyn and Jill (glynherron)

38 & 39 Katie & JBF (EspritV8)

40 & 41 Ade & Gina GT3

42 & 43 Dave & Anita (Oneshot & Mrs Oneshot)

44 & 45 (Mr & Mrs Barrie or Bazza)

46 Paul C

47 Vicki

48 Dan

49 Pete (peteyg) sadly not with S2 but hopefully with new toy on way back from collecting it! Don't worry, I'll park somewhere else, in fact mught start an Esprit owner but not in their Esprit parking section!

50 RichardS3 (was waiting to be #50)

51 & 52 Brent (again without the S3T, maybe next year, I live in hope!) & my old man - Neil (without the Esprit SE due to clutch problems)

53 Mike

54& 55 Matt (caulkhead68) and Ross

56 Dave Walters (Superdavelotus) c/w costume on the day!!!!

[lottylotus]

57 Nigel(lottylotus)

[Bibs]

I'm just heading off now to help Alan set up. Wish us luck for tomorrow

[markt]

All the best for tomorrow guys Would love to be there but geographically a bit difficult... Looking forward to Monday reading up on the response - Will have a few beers for you all tomorrow to toast your efforts

[Katie]

Looking forward to seeing everyone tomorrow. Batteries are on charge for the camera.....I just have to remember to bring them with me this time!

[pcc]

Good luck tomorrow guys, hope everything goes as planned. Was trying to get down but work commitments have put a stop to my plan. I'll just have to settle for lots of pics.

Jon

[98GT3]

Bibs

2 Laura

3 Ian (mayesprit)

4 Mark Blanchard

5 Matk

11 & 6 Kierin (CrazyK & John V6) 6 (do not have Lotus at the present so will come down in MX5, no rude comments please)

7 & 8 Tony & Charlie (Loteuk)

9 Me Me Me....... Simon350S (Looks good in a dress....!!)

10 Phil - NoneShallPass (who DOESN'T look good in a dress)

12 Howard - Esprit350

13 GKP (who looks fantastic whether dressed or not)

14 Louise (who'd look good wearing a bin liner)

15 Punky (who just looks good)

16 Dodgy.......... er welcome Kieron

17 James (Tentenths) - who's eagerly awaiting the bin liner look!

18 Ben (ansellb) - who's eagerly awaiting a look at BigSi's spangly new motor!

19. Troy (who is good -fullstop)

20. Caroline (who looks to good for Troy)

21. Esprit22

22 & 23. Mike (MPx) and Fran

24. Martyn (martynv)

25 & 26 Rog (SE OWNER :-D) (Looks good in Royal Mail) and Samantha

27. Bantambunny - Can't wait to see his face over this one

28 & 29. Neil @ Lotus Cars + other 'alf

30. Brian @ Lotus Cars

31,32,33. Alex (the power napper), Caitlin and Calum (miniNMEGs)

34 Peter (Peter_England99)

35 Pinky Kimbers Jnr (wouldn't miss it for the world)

36 & 37 Glyn and Jill (glynherron)

38 & 39 Katie & JBF (EspritV8)

40 & 41 Ade & Gina GT3

42 & 43 Dave & Anita (Oneshot & Mrs Oneshot)

44 & 45 (Mr & Mrs Barrie or Bazza)

46 Paul C

47 Vicki

48 Dan

49 Pete (peteyg) sadly not with S2 but hopefully with new toy on way back from collecting it! Don't worry, I'll park somewhere else, in fact mught start an Esprit owner but not in their Esprit parking section!

50 RichardS3 (was waiting to be #50)

51 & 52 Brent (again without the S3T, maybe next year, I live in hope!) & my old man - Neil (without the Esprit SE due to clutch problems)

53 Mike

54& 55 Matt (caulkhead68) and Ross

56 Dave Walters (Superdavelotus) c/w costume on the day!!!!

58 & 59 Phil (98GT3) and Son

Edited May 25, 2007 by 98GT3

[Killboy]

It was always 'touch & go' wether I would be able to make it today and unfortunately it turns out that I won't. :crybaby:

I hope the day goes to plan, at least the weather is looking good.

[Sy V]

Hopefully this'll work. Here's Si after he'd got back to his feet having seen the car on the track.

...and the workforce.

Just a quick word of congratulations to Bibs and the gang.

You all pulled it off in great style. Myself and the other LEC members thought it was absolutely phenomenal - well done!

[lotus4s]

Well done!

[Sy V]

Nice touch lads...

[Paul C]

What a great day!!!

For me there were the following moments:

1, All the Esprits!

I've been going to castle combe for years now and that is by far, by miles, the

biggest turnout of Esprits. This of course was due to the handover and showed

just at a glance how much people cared about this guy, there were people there

looking at a seven hour drive home...

2, The arrival of the car.

Big Si was still hours away, but his car arrived and made it's way up the paddock.

For someone like myself, who had no mechanical skill to offer and was there merely

as one of the many that Donated to the fund, this was a great sight in itself. The sun

shining (rare in itself here) on the circuit.

3, The arrival of Big Si.

For some it was the first time they had met him, and him them. He had no idea what

was going on, and despite so many people knowing, he was still in the dark right up to

the handover moment. Those that spoke to him will have found him to be such a nice

bloke, and understand just why all this was done for him without question.

4, Si seeing the car in the Paddock.

Heading out onto the track, lights up, horn beeping. I'm sure i was not the only one thinking

(as the big man fell on his arse in floods of tears) that perhaps we might have over done it!

5, Simon walking to his car.

Walking along the trackside fence, with a crowd behind and either side, but a clear path ahead,

i swear, it was like a scene from Ghandi or something. Here came the moment i myself could have

blubbed: Simon walked towards the back of his car and glanced into the (now mint) engine bay...

And he's off again, along with several other pink eyed guys, albeit most of them hiding behind shades.

6, The work done.

Talking to troy of the hours involved, and seeing the work. It really is humbling what these guys did.

The guys that were there yesterday, and the guys that went down to wales that week to help with all

the work, you have deep admiration from myself. Not only for your obvious skills, but for the time and

effort you generously put into helping Si. Well done.

Paul C

So sunburnt i was to embarrassed to go to the pub last night...

[glynherron]

You made me cry again Paul, b**stard!!

What a fab day, that I never wanted to end. I just wish I had been involved more

I'm sat doin absolutely nothing, and just cant be bothered to either... Very strange for me ...

My memory is really poor, but I'm sure this will be 1 day that I do remember forever - I could definetely feel the love in the air.

Learnt some new names and faces (Rog,sam, James, Phil, Simon, punky) and forgot a few again - I'll get there eventually

Take care guys and see you soon

Glyn

must do night classes to learn how to express myself better, cos at the moment all I get is y = mx +c

[Bibs]

Just a quick post folks while I'm trying to get the forum back on it's feet to say a huge huge thanks to everyone who came along yesterday. 46 Esprits (well, 47 from 2pm onwards!) and a huge crowd made the handover of Si's car all the better.

This has been a real eye opener and thank you to everyone involved from the largest to the smallest contribution, it was a real team effort.

I've got a couple of hundred pictures to upload and a couple of forums to fix, be back soon

[sandwer]

4, Si seeing the car in the Paddock.

Heading out onto the track, lights up, horn beeping. I'm sure i was not the only one thinking

(as the big man fell on his arse in floods of tears) that perhaps we might have over done it!

Heres the moment just after the bit you descibed. I was wondering if it wasn't going to turn out a bit like a scene from one of those spanish bull runs

So sunburnt i was to embarrassed to go to the pub last night...

It was bloody fierce wasn't it? My nose is peeling. Mad dogs and forum members I suppose...

Rich

[Advantage]

The penny dropped.

Earlier on Simon350 trundled into Combe with BigSi's shiny car.

Some last minute whispering:

Troy got so excited he jumped on the fence to get a better view (I think he needed help back down )

After a short break to dry eyes and regain composure (of everyone standing nearby) the big fella had a closer inspection of his car.

I think he liked it, it certainly seems to suit him:

Troy and Simon were so overcome with emotion, they decided to use the day as the time to announce their engagement (Notice how Simon is busy phoning his Mum to share the good news)

[Kimbers]

Kudos to Bibs for arranging, with the help of the Smurf man, Simon and Punky.

Likewise I wouldn't have missed the day for anything, to be a part of it was special for everyone concerned and really brought us even closer together. Great curry the night before and seeing Bibs frantically running to catch an offlicence before it closed was classic! (The only thing that would get him running methinks!).

Great fun Hooning with the Man, Tentenths, for 7 1/2 hours down and 5 back.

Loved BigSi's speech, which though hastily thought of, covered what we were all thinking. "LEF isn't just a forum, it's not even a Community.....it's a family and one that I'm proud to be a member". Oh god, welling up again!

Loved the fact that there wasn't a dry eye around (myself included).

Hated the fact that, like Paul, I'm glowing red and very sore, from sunburn.

Great to see you all.

[Kimbers]

Ok everyone, here's the full days....s

Firstly, my pocket rocket......hmmmm nice!

Hooning...well stationary....with James AKA Tentenths...for 7 1/2 hours!!!!!!

Curry night and after a few beers and a curry we go to a bar....I have 6 piccies of everyone there. Unfortunately they all look like this as someone kept getting in the way!

Ahhh, one without bibs in, James.

Hehe...she'll kill me for this. Our designated driver for the night....and very happy about it as well!

After erm....several beers and a couple of double whiskeys we drunkenly examine Glyn's and Phils cars.....

Thats the Friday. Saturday in a minute......gotta cook the kids lunch!

[matk]

Well I've just discovered we're back on line. I took video of the moment of realisation and also as Paul states the "Ghandi" walk to the car. They've come out brill and as soon as I can get them to Bibs he's going to post up. Capture the moment brilliantly!

It was a special occasion and I've reflected on it all weekend, made me feel good about Si, our community and myself.