‘The Preserve’ June 2020 Available for Download

The Preserve June 2020

‘The Preserve’ is the newsletter of the Council of Motor Clubs. It’s made available to members of CMC-affiliated clubs, and that means you!

The June edition of the magazine features some important information, including the usual president’s report, the cancellation of the 2020 Shannons Sydney Classic, notes from the CMC’s May committee meeting, a look back at the Mt. Druitt racing circuit, the Mini Car Club of NSW’s Minis Down Under 20201 and more.

You can grab it from the following link, and we’ll archive it on the members page here.

The Preserve, June, 2020 [PDF]

‘The Preserve’ is provided by the Council of Motor Clubs.

Entries Open for the 2020 Victorian 6-Hour Regularity Relay

Victorian 6 Hour Regularity Relay

Photo thanks to Syd Reinhardt

As restrictions around the country slowly begin to lift, event organisers are looking to the second half of 2020 with hope and getting to work on giving people opportunities to use their cars. The Victorian 6-Hour Regularity Relay is one such opportunity, and entries are now open.

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A Long Affair: The Story of a Long and Happy Relationship with a Lotus Elite

Brian Caldersmith and his Lotus Elite

Lead image by Brian Caldersmith, images with thanks to Brian Caldersmith

When Brian Caldersmith wrote to us to share his latest portrait work, completed during our nationwide nap time, and included some words on his time together with the lovely Elite featured in it, I asked if he’d be interested in sharing a couple stories. A few days later, I received the wonderful story which follows, chronicling a life of motoring, motor sport and mateship.

Read on and enjoy, with huge thanks to Brian Caldersmith.

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Calling all Canberrans!

Ellie Hamilton Photo

Trevor James of the Canberra Lotus Group is looking to bring together Canberra-based Lotus owners for Lotus adventures in the area once we enter the post-apocalypse.

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Ashton’s President’s Prattle for May, 2020

Land Rover Project

Hello fellow isolationists,

As we plough on into month three of the isolation process, there is all sorts of chatter about how and when the degree of separation might change.

I for one am no clearer as to what the next few weeks and months might include, but in the meantime, it has been an interesting exercise in social observation. Many of our neighbours have become much better known to us and the dog has never been so well known in the area. There has been a marked increase in the development of productive gardens. Standing desks have become more popular, inventive exercise routines have become more commonplace, and (ahem) alcohol consumption might have gone up. Or is that just our household?

What is in no doubt is that some things have changed forever, and some things will spring back largely to where they were. It’s just a case of which is which.

So, will Syd, Martin and all the others continue their newly found hobby of sim racing once the tracks are open again? Will I finish rebuilding the Land Rover? And will it ever get used?! What will happen to all those chickens that people have bought for their backyard farms? And will the seeds that were sown out of season ever emerge?

Never mind, we are continuing to plan for the Tour of Tasmania in February, assuming that things will start to return to normal in the next few months, and that by February Tasmania will need all the dollars we can take them. So, although we have not yet started to either pay for or ask for payment for the event, if you are interested in joining us, make sure you register your interest by emailing Anne at [email protected] or contact us via the website Lotus2021.com.au

We are all very much looking forward to seeing you once we get out the other side of this somewhat tiring and trying time.

In the meantime, please keep safe and well, keep your distance, and make sure the infirm and immuno-compromised are well looked after, and we’ll all come out the other side.

Pip pip,
Ashton

What Now? Sim Racing Through the Apocalypse

As we work our way through month two of the lockdown, we catch up with long-time Club Lotus Australia member and sprint competitor Syd Reinhardt to find out how he’s using his time away from the track to spend more time on the track.

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CLA Build Stories: TUFT’s Eleven April 2020 – The Rebuild

TUFTs Lotus Eleven Rebuild April 2020

Between 2014 and 2016 we followed the build of the TUFT’s Eleven from the birth of the idea through to the car hitting the road in spectacular fashion at the 2016 Targa High Country. Well, after three years of happy campaigning, the Eleven, or more specifically its trailer, hit a little bump in the road. So, we, with the help of Automotive Craftsmen and Alister Rees, are picking the story up again for the car’s return to glory.

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