Lotus Festival 2018

[esprit gt3 nickbassett]

On 02/10/2018 at 11:51, Alfa2Evora said:

What a fantastic event - huge thanks and respect to @Bibs et al for putting this together - I've organised a few events over in my other life as an Alfa club rep, including a run to Milan for their centenary, so I can really appreciate just what was involved.

Absolutely well worth returning from Murcia days earlier than I otherwise would have done, and giving the Evora an extended workout over 1400+ miles in 17 hours of driving - "Oh, those signs are in KPH are they officer?" - to get there, albeit somewhat tardy thanks to them only having 1 lane open at the Eurotunnel check-in/passport control, for the BBQ. Big thanks also due to @C8RKH and Bibs (again) for organising me some sustenance upon arrival.

I hope my car's attempt to 'add lightness' during the record attempt didn't cause any others to have to swerve around the debris on the track,  . My 'chavvy' mis-spaced rear number plate fell off somewhere out there (the sticky pads securing it had clearly not endured the Spanish heat in the preceding week) - if it's found, Lotus are welcome to keep it as a momento of my visit, . I also added even more lightness by losing out of the carrier bag, crammed with all manner of 70th goodies, my newly-bought poster somewhere between the 'shop' and my car (gutted I am ) although I didn't discover my loss until I was back at my B&B and so too late to go get a replacement - can I put my name on the list to purchase another if there are any spares please?

Not quite home yet but nearly there - taking a slower pace for the final part of the journey. Stayed over amongst the turnip fields until yesterday morning so I could visit Duxford on Sunday (saw quite a few Lotus from over the channel in the car park) and meet up with my cousin who lives, for his sins, in Stevenage

Stopped in York last night, visit to the Railway Museum this morning then on home tonight.

 

Ah, it was YOUR number plate.  Spent every lap trying best to avoid it!  It was on the far straight directly opposite the grandstand (if that's any help).  The foreign Lotuses at Duxford may have belonged to the three Belgians we hooked-up with on Sunday morning, by accident, at Ketteringham Hall.  After we parted later that afternoon, they were headed there.  An Elise owned by a Lotus Dealership owner and another Elise owned by his two friends.

[esprit gt3 nickbassett]

On 02/10/2018 at 11:50, LotusLeftLotusRight said:

This might be a bit controversial, but I don't think Lotus should stage an event of this magnitude at Hethel every year. It was a great introduction for Geely, but I think they should now concentrate all their efforts and money into realising the newly announced plans, developing the range and increasing sales.

Maybe the next event will be the opening of the planned new buildings, otherwise the 75th anniversary could be the next big one, if 80 seems too far away? What do you guys think?

Yes, I know what you mean.  After a fantastic weekend, we all "want to be back next year".  I would worry about 'Show Fatigue' if it were every year.  I think also organisers would struggle to stage it every year.  Could you get Classic Team Lotus, Lotus Bits, a full turn-out of Lotus owners, every year, year on year?  Could Lotus Cars afford it?  This year, there was no International Lotus Day, and also Lotus 70 incorporated this year's Lotus Festival, so absolutely no excuse whatsoever not to come.  But whenever Lotus 7x is ever held again I think it needs again to incorporate that year's Lotus Festival and it may (again controversially) be worth considering skipping the International Lotus Day in that particular year (and by the way I LOVE the ILD.  It's close to me and we stay over making a weekend of it, so it's an annual highlight for me, and we did miss it not being on this year.)  I'm making the point that we need to maximise attendance at whatever Lotus show is on at any one time.  Farnborough and Biggin Hill alternate their show years, as likewise does Farnborough and Paris.  Otherwise you will always have lower attendance at each as some people will never attend both, but will make a choice.  Perhaps have a bi-annual Lotus Festival at Brands Hatch or Hethel for special years, and ILD on odd years at Brooklands (although that would bugger-up the 75th at Hethel!).  Over to you, Bibs! 

[theelanman]

just thinking out loud........in 5 years time we can celebrate the 75th.......

dont forget it is also the 60th anniversary of Lotus' first ever F1 world title........thanks to a certain Jim Clark drivers Word Champion 1963

 

track laps for everyone........at least 100 each.......

period costume for that weekend I think.......

[Neal H]

I've just looked at the weather forecast for this Saturday. Thank goodness the Hethel event was last Saturday!!

The sun shines on the righteous 😇

[Giniw]

That has nothing to do with chance, it's just @Bibs's organisation!

[Vipers]

A bit late posting on this but just wanted to say a huge thanks to everyone including Mr @Bibs for the Perfect Day last Saturday, it really encapsulated everything that is great about Lotus, beautiful Cars and brilliant, passionate enthusiasts, funnily enough it reminded me of the first Festival of Speed which I attended many years ago but this time just for Lotus Cars, what more could you ask for, Awesome 😍

I loved seeing the Geely top brass snapping away at all the Classics, made me feel confident in the future and that they really appreciate the Lotus History and will bring Lotus back to where they belong, exciting times ahead indeed 👍

[2GOOD]

@Vipers Just wanted to add (& no I can’t afford it) how good I thought your Cup 380 looked in Signature Orange!

[Vipers]

49 minutes ago, 2GOOD said:

@Vipers Just wanted to add (& no I can’t afford it) how good I thought your Cup 380 looked in Signature Orange!

Thanks Steve, I am really having seconds thoughts about selling it at the moment as I absolutely love it but I can't get the thought of a GT40 out of my head, really need to find a way to have both really, if only 🙄

[2GOOD]

4 hours ago, Vipers said:

Thanks Steve, I am really having seconds thoughts about selling it at the moment as I absolutely love it but I can't get the thought of a GT40 out of my head, really need to find a way to have both really, if only 🙄

I was parked near you briefly outside Asda in Newmarket early on Saturday morning (Metallic Orange Exige Sport 350) & hadn’t seen Signature Orange Cup before in the wild, only the burnt orange car at Bell & Colvill, much prefer yours. I saw some lovely cars at Hethel but do love an orange Lotus!

With regards to a GT40 I’m presuming you mean a proper classic one. Classic cars are lovely things to look at but your Cup 380 surely feels just as special to hop into & yet it’s something you can use?

[j141]

We had a great day thanks to all involved, such a a shame to hear we didnt get the world record, we were down the back 1/4 and we had zero information other than someone saying we must stay 2 car lengths apart, without any more information I and possibly others interpreted that as minimum. We had the form to fill in with name/contact info it would have been good to have a sheet with some instructions for the record attempt.

[Steve V8]

On 01/10/2018 at 01:04, Steve V8 said:

I dont think she spoke publicly Mark, but she seemed pleased to be reunited with her old Elite and spoke to @makkyh as he went onto the parade lap, she also gave me a little wave which made a great day even better,

Here she is....caught on film with clive, waving frantically at myself and @Dan E

[stephenwhyte]

Where is the video screenshot above taken from Steve? Can’t find that one anywhere?

[Steve V8]

Hi Stephen, It's from Lotus cars Facebook page.

[Bibs]

[Bibs]

http://www.itv.com/news/anglia/2018-09-29/norfolk-based-lotus-celebrates-70th-anniversary/

[Dragon]

5 hours ago, j141 said:

We had a great day thanks to all involved, such a a shame to hear we didnt get the world record, we were down the back 1/4 and we had zero information other than someone saying we must stay 2 car lengths apart, without any more information I and possibly others interpreted that as minimum. We had the form to fill in with name/contact info it would have been good to have a sheet with some instructions for the record attempt.

 

Edited October 5, 2018 by Dragon

[j141]

I did not get that, would have been handy 👍

[Vipers]

On 04/10/2018 at 21:39, 2GOOD said:

I was parked near you briefly outside Asda in Newmarket early on Saturday morning (Metallic Orange Exige Sport 350) & hadn’t seen Signature Orange Cup before in the wild, only the burnt orange car at Bell & Colvill, much prefer yours. I saw some lovely cars at Hethel but do love an orange Lotus!

With regards to a GT40 I’m presuming you mean a proper classic one. Classic cars are lovely things to look at but your Cup 380 surely feels just as special to hop into & yet it’s something you can use?

Yeah I have to agree Steve Orange takes some beating, the hardest part of buying the 380 was which shade of Orange to go with but really happy with the end result, have to say I was totally smitten with the below last Saturday, it is up for sale and if I wasn't focused on getting the GT40 I would probably go fo it -

As for the GT40, I am trying to figure out a way to get the money together, whilst keeping the 380, to get a Limited Edition Superformance continuation of the P1075 GT40 that won LeMans in 1968 and 1969, it's a real collectors piece but not cheap unfortunately, can anyone lend me a tenner 😉

[100th_Idiot]

Keep posting. They may make this an annual event.

 

http://www.edp24.co.uk/business/norfolk-car-maker-lotus-wants-feedback-on-70th-anniversary-event-1-5723602

[PaulCP]

A couple of pretty negative comments by Joe public at the bottom of that article, one from a very misinformed person who just wanted to point out what L O T U S stands for. 

These “nay believers” need something really positive to put a rocket up their rear end and educate them. A clear case of the British disease of locals running down local businesses 

[Barrykearley]

How anyone can slag off an iconic British brand I will never understand.

we all know the problems of the 1970s manufacturing - but let’s remember even back then some of the cars were utterly fantastic 

[100th_Idiot]

Didn't bother reading those bits. I'll continue to ignore idiots. Annual event would be superb.

[Stuart Monument]

I know we all have a passion for the brand and may be biased however ,  the people who have commented on that atricle on the EDP website really do need to be put down.  

Jealous , horrible, irrelevant, oxygen thief’s who want everything to fail.  It is those type of people who make my blood boil.

[johnpwalsh]

On 05/10/2018 at 15:24, j141 said:

I did not get that, would have been handy 👍

And so say all of us. All we had was " stay two cars apart". Shame. But good target for next time when we all know whats required.

[top-plumber]

On 06/10/2018 at 08:04, Vipers said:

Yeah I have to agree Steve Orange takes some beating, the hardest part of buying the 380 was which shade of Orange to go with but really happy with the end result, have to say I was totally smitten with the below last Saturday, it is up for sale and if I wasn't focused on getting the GT40 I would probably go fo it -

As for the GT40, I am trying to figure out a way to get the money together, whilst keeping the 380, to get a Limited Edition Superformance continuation of the P1075 GT40 that won LeMans in 1968 and 1969, it's a real collectors piece but not cheap unfortunately, can anyone lend me a tenner 😉

Had a splash of Orange on my S2 ( circa 1983) always thought it suited our cars...