Bonjour tout le monde!

I’m writing this from our hotel in Grasse, having spent today driving the Monaco Grand Prix circuit followed by some VERY wiggly roads out at the back of Monaco and Nice, en route to Paul de Vence for a spot of culture vulturing. So apologies that I am not fully up to speed with goings on in Australia, but internet connections are a bit intermittent!

I gather however that a thoroughly good time was had at the General Meeting on Tuesday last at Simply Sports Cars, including an unexpected and, by the sounds of it, thoroughly fascinating speech by Jim Smith, ex-Lotus Indy team mechanic and now Bondi resident, who PJ happened to meet at Westfield Bondi – the things that happen, eh?! So Jim is now fully inducted into the Club scene, including an introduction to Ron Tauranac, which I gather went well. A huge thanks as always to Lee, Stu, PJ and all at SSC for a fantastic evening.

And on the subject I also gather the latest SSC Lotus Only Track Day went off with much fun had by all, so a grateful thanks to all the team and particularly Mark O’Connor who puts so much into organising these days. I’m just sorry I missed it but don’t expect much sympathy given where I am.

While I’m over this side of the world I’ve been lucky to be introduced to Eddie Hopkins of Riversdale Restorations who is a complete Lotus nut. He has restored his two Elevens, two Elites, an S1 Seven with Eleven rear – the only one built that way – his Europa, Elan Sprint, and Elan +2 he’s owned since he was 19, and still has time to build Eleven replicas for clients – quite the man to know. I also dropped in on Mike Brotherwood who was very happy to chat all things aluminium over a cuppa. On our return to the UK I have a day up at Hethel, meeting Vic Thomas, the Eleven Registrar, for a coffee and popping into Classic Team Lotus too, so that’s still to look forward to.

Shame I can’t be here all of May to take in so many other events, including the 50th anniversary of Jim Clark’s most successful year up at Duns. Hey ho, better go and have another glass of wine and find some more food to eat – just as well I bought the Porsche – I’m not sure I’ll fit in the Elise or Elan when I get back.

Have fun without me and I look forward to catching up with all the news at the May General Meeting, by which time we will be back.

In the meantime have fun and keep it safe, upright and on the blackstuff!

Pip pip,
Ashton