Catch up on all the Club Lotus news in South Australia, thanks to South Australian correspondent Andrew Stevens.

By Andrew Stevens

November Lotus Run

November saw a big turnout for the monthly Lotus run, with a collection of ’60s and ’70s cars, including Bob Jemmeson’s immaculate Elan Plus 2, joining the usual horde of Elises and Exiges.  After a quick head count, Strathalbyn via Macclesfield was nominated and the cars set off behind Chris’s Exige Roadster.

It was a superb day, and the long run out to Macclesfield allowed everyone to enjoy their cars at their own pace, before converging on historic Strathalbyn for coffee and conversation.  A lot of the discussion centred on the recent Mallala track day and the varied experiences.  Some of the target times being talked about for “next time” were pretty impressive.

2016 SA Lotus Christmas Lunch & December Monthly Run

The 2016 Christmas Lunch and December run was held at our good friend (and Elan S4 S/E owner) David Paxton’s cellar door in McLaren Vale.  While the plan had been for sunshine, picnic rugs, and a display of cars on the lawn, our extended springtime brought showers and a blustery north westerly that confined the cars to the top car park, and their occupants to seek shelter.  Thankfully it had no effect on the good cheer or the availability of wine from Paxton’s historic cellar door.

Having been spied with his Lotus Elise at a trailrunner event in the Hills, newbie Adam Gower brought his son along as company for the first of hopefully many Lotus runs, while the rest of the participants were a range of long and short term Lotus owners.

Following the plan and driving route laid out by El Maestro, Chris Burton, the cars assembled at the Sikh Centre as normal, before heading off to the McLaren Vale visitor centre on a circuitous route that took in the Adelaide Hills and Southern Vales.  The staff at the visitor centre in McLaren Vale were expecting us, and we were soon ensconced on the veranda with some of their excellent coffees and morning tea to sustain us, as the weather tried to make up its mind whether to be sunny or stormy (stormy won!).

Paxton’s biodynamic vineyard and winery is a short 5 minute drive up the hill from McLaren Vale, and the Lotus contingent soon descended upon the pavilion adjacent to the cellar door, where a long table was quickly in place.  With a range of shared food, the BBQs fired up, and a variety of Paxton’s wines being opened, the place was soon humming against the sensational backdrop of McLaren Vale.  Lunch was rounded off with some amazing desserts; my particular favourite being a delicious and spectacular Christmas trifle.  It definitely did not adhere to the Lotus adage of adding lightness.

The cellar door got a decent workout, and a number of our clan were seen working out how to fit the box of wine that they’d just acquired into boot of their Lotus.  All in all, an excellent day, with the weather eventually clearing up for the run home.

Thanks to David Paxton and the staff at Paxton Wines for their hospitality, and to Chris Burton for organising the day.

Merry Christmas from all in SA!  See you in 2017.

Images thanks to Andrew Stevens