This just in:

Images thanks to Mel & Gino Valdes

Sunday the 15th of October saw the 2017 CSCA Sprint Season wrap up with Round 7 at Wakefield Park. The newly-formed Club Lotus Australia Motorsport Committee have kindly shared a report on the round and a wrap-up of the 2017 results, and you can enjoy that below!

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Image via Peppers Craigieburn

Our annual Christmas Lunch is confirmed for Sunday the 3rd of December at Peppers Craigieburn, including a run south from Loftus Oval and a coffee break very kindly hosted by Ed and Kath Burton just outside of the lovely coastal town of Kiama.

The cost will be $55 per head for a casual buffet lunch, not including beverages. Children are, of course, most welcome. We will book your place upon confirmation of payment to the CLA bank account. Please deposit $55 per head as follows by Friday the 24th of November:

BSB: 633 000
Account: 1442 79056
Name: Club Lotus Australia Inc
Payment ref: Xmas Joe and Joanna Bloggs (your name)

It would be very much appreciated if you could do this ASAP so that we can provide final confirmation of numbers to Peppers Craigieburn.

The plan for the day is as follows:

• 8AM: Meet for the run at Loftus Oval (Farnell Ave, Sutherland NSW 2233)
• 8.15AM: Run departs, heading south the scenic way to Ed and Kath’s place near Kiama
• 10AM: Arrival at Ed and Kath. If you would like to join us there, the address is on the members’ page
• 11:30AM: Depart Ed & Kath for drive to Peppers Craigieburn
• 12:30PM: Arrival at Peppers Craigieburn in Bowral for a 1PM lunch. Meeting those not joining us on the run and parking up to eat, drink (if not driving) and be merry.

We’re looking forward to seeing everyone, catching up, reminiscing and celebrating another fun and rewarding year in Club Lotus Australia.

Oh my goodness, it’s nearly Christmas already and in the chaos of the last month I have completely forgotten to remind everyone that we have our Christmas Party on Sunday the 3rd of December.

The plan is to meet at Loftus Oval at 8.00AM for an 8.15 departure. We will then head south the scenic way for coffee chez Ed and Kath Burton near Kiama, before taking the fun roads to Peppers Craigieburn in Bowral. There, we will park, eat, drink (for those not driving) and be merry. If you would prefer to join us there you are, of course, most welcome!

We will book your place upon confirmation of payment to the CLA bank account. Please deposit $55 per head as follows by Friday the 24th of November:

BSB: 633 000
Account: 1442 79056
Name: Club Lotus Australia Inc
Payment ref: Xmas Joe and Joanna Bloggs (your name)

Caroline and I are very much looking forward to seeing lots of you to close out what has been a tumultuous and busy, but ultimately fun and amazing year – we do hope you will join us for a lovely day out.

In other news, I am delighted to see that we continue to dominate the CSCA series. Many thanks to the Motorsport Committee for this month’s report and the glorious photos already on our website from Gino and Mel Valdes.

Personally, I must apologise for not having participated in as many rounds this year as I would have liked. Having retired the Elise from track work, and broken the Eleven, I find myself missing a car suitable for the last couple of rounds!

As I am writing this, the third of this year’s Simply Sports Cars Lotus Only Track Days (LOTD) is wrapping up at Winton. All reports suggest another fabulous event, so many thanks to all involved in the organising. I’m very much hoping that next year I can get to more than the one I managed in 2017. These days are what Lotus ownership is ALL about – plenty of track time, lots of friends having a great time, and the whole thing running like a Swiss clock thanks to SSC’s organisation. Can’t wait!

Following fast on the heels of LOTD is Targa High Country in two weeks time (10-12 November). This year we have a record 26 Lotus teams participating, with representation all the way through the field and plans for a lot of fun over the long weekend. Giles and I are using Targa to start accruing some cabin time while the Healey we’re prepping for Peking to Paris 2019 is still in pieces – we’ll let you know how we go.

And before you know it, it will be our Christmas party, and then everyone will be parking up cars for the festivities of December, when driving is generally a bad idea 🙂

Sad news reached me this week that Peter Lumsden, who famously piloted the well known Elite WUU 2 to victory at Le Mans, passed away earlier this month. Another great driver has headed to the great racetrack in the sky. While this is terribly sad news, on the subject of Elites, it is heartening to read that several Elites have changed hands in recent months, including Richard Fewster’s, which is now in the hands of CLA member Frank Foster. Similarly, one sold shortly after being passed in at Motorclassica in Melboune recently, so hopefully the next generation of owners will bring them out to play!

Righto, I’d better get this to Tom so I don’t hold up yet another Chunkie’s Chatter. Looking forward to seeing you all at Craigieburn in Bowral! In the meantime, take care, stay safe and keep it upright and on the blackstuff,

Pip pip,
Ashton

Image via Tough Mudder Australia

The Simply Sports Car team are taking on Tough Mudder this November, in support of beyondblue, and have four spots free for members of the Lotus community.

The Sydney Tough Mudder will be held in Glenworth Valley on the 18th & 19th of November, 2017. It’s a 16 kilometre event featuring 20 obstacles. Further details about the event itself can be found here.

Spots in the Simply Sports Cars team have already been paid for, so all that is required of you is toughness, willingness to get muddy and some help promoting the team and raising funds for beyondblue. If you would like to join the team and participate in the event, please contact Paul at Simply Sports Cars.

The team’s fundraising page can be found right here:

https://toughmudder-sydney.everydayhero.com/au/simply-sports-cars

Thank you for your help in supporting this great cause, which is both incredibly important and close to our hearts.

CARnivale, Sydney’s annual celebration of all things automotive, is coming up with alarming speed. The event will be held on Australia Day, the 26th of January, at Parramatta Park. We’d love to be involved with a Club Lotus Australia display, and registration is open now.

The event at Parramatta Park is gaining significant steam and has been drawing better and better crowds each year. Organisers have been hard at work improving the experience and adding to the festival atmosphere. This year the event will include the signature display of classic vehicles as well as a hot air balloon display, the Parramatta BBQ Festival, family zone, the Hottest 100 Party in the Park, concert acts and a fireworks finale. Full details can be found at ausdayparramatta.com.au and www.australiaday.com.au.

CARnivale is looking for cars to display on the day, and have reached out to us to put together a Club Lotus Australia display. Cars must be over 30 years old, built before 31 December 1987, or be an identical model run-on. The closing date for entries is Friday the 17th of November, 2017.

To register, head to www.australiaday.com.au/carnivalerego

The schedule for the day is as follows:

• From 6am, vehicles will arrive at the convoy assembly area
  • You must arrive at the time specified in your confirmation pack
  • Enjoy a free breakfast, courtesy of the Rotary Club of Granville
  • Leave the assembly area and drive to Parramatta Park
  • Follow directions from marshals at all times
  • Take your position in the CARnivale
  • Ensure any flags and banners are attached securely to your vehicle
• Until 5pm, stay in your allocated position (for crowd safety reasons)
• After 5pm, you may leave under the direction of marshals and event security