Happy 2015 everyone!
A big thank you to all those who turned up to the Christmas Party in early December, making it the largest we have had to date, I think – and certainly putting the acid on us to find a bigger location for this year.
And just before Christmas, Lee and the team at Simply Sports Cars held the first joint Lotus Only Coffee Break (name still to be confirmed!) with CLA, which was enormously enjoyable – lots of friends chewing the fat over decent coffee and very conveniently located in Artarmon – so watch out for the next one!
I hope you all had a relaxing and enjoyable break, and are back with lots of achievable resolutions for the New Year. I say achievable with some trepidation, as I have several, including trying to get the Eleven running in time for the Nationals in October. As you will see elsewhere, progress is slow, but steady.
Last year was one of significant change in a number of areas, not least our communications with you, and I hope you have all found your way to the website (let’s face it, you aren’t likely to be reading this if not!) and our new Facebook page.
As everyone gets busier we are trying to become as responsive as possible, and that means adopting modern communications techniques where we can. So you will see much more emphasis on the use of the website and Facebook page for communications to you. If you are still having any issues, or know of anyone who is, please put them in touch and we will sort it out.
And the New Year means about 160 of you (we now have over 300 full members plus associates I am pleased to report) are due to renew your dues. You should have received an email from Elliott asking you to renew – please, can we ask you to do so promptly (like NOW!) as I would hate for it to get forgotten, and for you not to receive correspondence for the rest of this year, the next calendar or EOI for overalls, or whatever we have in mind for this year! Remember we are still offering a three-year membership deal for $100, which makes CLA one of the (if not the) most cost-effective car clubs to be a member of, and I hope you feel you get good value from it – so go to the website fill in the Membership form, direct deposit your dues (details on the form) and email the form to Elliott.
A warm welcome to all of the new members who have joined over the last year – we are well represented nationally now, with members in all states and most territories, and I would like to take this chance to ask that, if you have any photographs to share, or even better, an article to go with it, please make sure to send it either via your local State rep, or direct to Tom (Editor) and Seth (Webmaster) – they will ensure it is published with your name in lights. Contact details are here on our website (is that a recurring theme I hear?).
And so we plunge headlong into the fun for 2015 – in fact we will have already had the first two by the time you read this – CARnivale is the annual motorfest on Macquarie St, on Australia Day. This year for the first time in a long time (possibly ever?) Club Lotus had a presence – albeit a relatively small one (see the photos and a note elsewhere) but I hope it is the beginnings of something bigger.
Next year I would love to have at least ten cars there, so all those with a car over 30 years old, please look out for the notification in about September and come along – the atmosphere is very convivial, and there’s plenty to see and chat about.
This weekend just gone (1st Feb) James Chan has organised our first run up the coast to catch up with our friends in Newcastle – photos on the website I hope. While you are there, have a look at the calendar, where we are trying to keep as up-to-date as possible with all the events across Australia that might interest you.
February’s General Meeting will kick off the batting at the Woolwich Pier Hotel so please come along and have a steak and catch up on plans for the year. This includes the more advanced stages of planning for Lotus 2015 in the Barossa Valley – by the time you read this the booking website will be up and running at www.lotus2015.com.au so head over and get yourself booked in for the fun. And contrary to popular opinion, there are still rooms available at the Barossa Motor Lodge (not the Weintal, which is full) – contact details through the website BUT you MUST mention Lotus 2015, otherwise you will be told it is full.
We are also looking into the possibility of flat-bed transport for cars to and from Adelaide, so if you are thinking of driving one and taking another, get in touch and I will add you to the list of potentials.
I think that’s enough of my rabbit. I’m off to get the seats in the Elan reupholstered so they don’t wreck my back again…
See you out there on the road soon I hope, and in the meantime, keep safe, upright and on the blackstuff,
Pip pip,
Ashton