Ashton’s President’s Prattle: March 2017

President's Prattle

Don’t know about you, but already I am starting to think this that year might be vanishing before my eyes.

Big thanks to the seven stalwarts who braved rather less than perfect weather for the Gerringong Lions Car Show – we scooped two trophies (Ken Miller and Richard Carter – well done gents!) and the photos are on the website. Thanks too to Evan for leading the charge in my absence – a stomach bug picked up in sweaty Brisbane – ’nuff said.

March is upon us, and there is lots to see and do!

Simply Sports Cars has their New Car launch next Tuesday (7th March) so if you haven’t received an invite, call them and invite yourself – you will be most welcome.

CLA hosts the first round of the CSCA sprints down at Wakefield on 11th. As this is the day before my birthday, I have asked the other competitors to be kind enough to let me appear in the top 20 FTD – something tells me that was a red rag to a load of bulls…..

The following weekend is the Phillip Island Histerics, so a number of us will be down there, either racing or (in my case) learning the ropes so that I might get a chance next year

And the 26th March has us invited to Ebony Hall on for Scones and Cream – how frightfully British. We’ll also be running P1 and P2 for September’s Round the Buckets, so come prepared.

Otherwise, life continues apace. Brian Caldersmith’s planning for the mother and father of all Lotus parties is well underway, with expectation for around 100 Lotus cars to attend the Shannons CMC day in August in celebration of the Diamond Jubilee of the Type 14 Lotus Elite (there will be around 40 of these beautiful cars alone). Since it is also the 60th Anniversary of the Seven and the 50th birthday for the Elan +2, Type 49 and Type 51, there are lots of good reasons to put it in the diary (12th-13th August in case you are wondering).

Elsewhere in the “alternate” world (or AntiSocial world) I have been interested to see the rise in quite specific interest groups – one for the 50s-70s Lotus cars, as an example on Faceplant. I do wonder about the long-term sustainability issues some of these platforms might face, and what they may mean for the integrity of the data, but in the short term it is wonderful that so many are willing to post up so much fascinating information.

Anyway, enough of my philosophising. I am sure that I have as usual missed more than I have remembered, so Tom will do his usual tremendous job of sweeping up the mess!

Meantime, I hope to see lots of you out and about this month, so please be safe, keep it upright and on the black stuff.

Pip pip,
Ashton

March 2017 Edition of Chunky’s Chatter Now Available for Download

March 2017 Chunky's Chatter

The March edition of Chunky’s Chatter is on its way to members, and is now available for download from the members’ page. Grab a copy, and enjoy!

Features in this month’s mag include:

  • Bernie Bows Out
  • Great Roll-Up in Gerringong
  • All British Day in Adelaide
  • The Race Version of the Exige Sport 380

And much more! Enjoy Chunky’s lighthearted and sometimes irreverent monthly look at the world of Lotus.

Head to the members’ page to download your copy. And if you’re not a member already, have a browse around the site and hit up our membership page here to find out why you should be!

Lotus Photos & Report: Lions Club of Gerringong Motor Fest

Gerringong Motor Fest 2017

Images thanks to Gino Valdes

The Gerringong Lions Club’s Gerringong Motor Fest was held this past Saturday, the 18th of February and saw a stunning collection of Lotuses join in the show.

The Club Lotus Australia display included seven cars – two Elise series 2s, a Series 1 elise, two Elans, an Elan +2 and an Evora. It was an enjoyable day all ’round, and we’d like to send our thanks to those who came out to enjoy it with us.

Congratulations to Ken Miller, who won a trophy for ‘Best Performance Car’.

Gerringong Lions Club Best Performance Car

Keith Watson of the Lions Club of Gerringong has sent around a lovely report and thank you, which you can find below. Gino Valdes has also kindly shared some photos from the day, which follow the report.

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A Thorough Look at the Correct Fitment of a Race Harness and HANS Device

Jen Hogan has done some great research into the correct fitment of a race harness and HANS device and has some very interesting, and extremely useful findings to share with us here.

If you are interested in competing in a sporting event in your Lotus, or are just interested in good set up and safety, take a few minutes to read through her article and consider the things she has learned.

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Friday Feature: Brian Caldersmith Tackles Mount Panorama in an Elite

Mount Panorama in a Lotus Elite

Brian Caldersmith pushes his little Lotus Elite around Mount Panorama during the Bathurst Motor Festival held over the Easter long weekend back in 2008.

This is one of five races held that weekend for historic sports cars, and Brian’s surrounded by beautiful sports cars in a packed field. He handles the Elite, and the traffic, magnificently as he navigates Mount Panorama’s many walls and the corners and elevation changes that have made it one of the world’s great circuits.

The Elites will be back out in force this year as we head towards the celebration of their Diamond Jubilee. Brian’s been hard at work organising 2017 Lotus Elite Diamond Jublee, which will be the biggest Lotus birthday party the Club has ever held.

It’ll be held over the 12th & 13th of August, taking over the ‘Amaroo’ section of Sydney Motorsport Park and include a sprint meeting, celebration dinner, gathering and photo opportunity, picnic lunch, parade and much more.

This year is also the 60th anniversary of the Seven and the 50th of the Type 49 Formula 1 car, the Elan +2 and the Type 51 Formula Ford. July 1967 was the first all Formula Ford race – Lotus captured the top seven places. So there is a lot to celebrate!

Nail the 12th & 13th of August in your diary, and enjoy the footage from Mount Panorama!

Registrations Open for April 2017 Lotus Only Track Day at Winton

Lotus Only Track Day

Simply Sports Cars have opened registration for their first Lotus Only Track Day of 2017. The event will be held at Winton Raceway in Victoria on Monday the 24th of April, coinciding with the last day of LOTUS 2017.

Registrations are available on the Simply Sports Cars website, and you can get there by clicking this link!

The goal is to fill Winton with Lotus cars of every speed, shape and size and put on a fun day at the track for all. Part of the LOTUS 2017 weekend, the LOTD is sure to attract some interesting cars and a few good mates to go driving with.

Simply Sports Cars’ Lotus Only Track Days are designed to be fun and inclusive, offering options for people of all skill levels and inclinations to get out on the track in a safe, relaxed and educational environment.

Drive sessions are available for those who just want to take their car out on the track for some fun. If you’re looking to up the competition factor slightly sprint sessions, which are a typical sprint against the clock, are available For the full competitive experience, race sessions featuring practice, qualifying and three races will also be held over one very busy day.

Experienced drivers will be on hand to offer guidance and the SSC-Lotus team will be there to answer questions about your car, its set up and possible modifications. The event will also be supported by Harrop Engineering.

We’ve thoroughly enjoyed all of the Lotus Only Track Days so far, and are sure this will be another excellent event. Entry is available right here.

Image thanks to Paul D’Ambra

Lotus Photos: LOST Run to the Motorists’ Appreciation Day Swansea

Motorists Appreciation Day 2017

Our friends the LOST Fraternity took some time out of last weekend’s Bathurst 12-Hour to run up Pacific Highway to Swansea for the Motorists’ Appreciation Day – M.A.D.

On Sunday the 5th of February they met in Belmont on the Pacific Highway before running up to Bargoed House on the old highway in Swansea. There they enjoyed a few hours kicking tyres and socialising at M.A.D.

Jack McLaughlin has kindly sent through a few photos from the day, which you can enjoy below!

Photos thanks to Jack McLaughlin

The 2017 Jaguar Mountain Rally Sounds Like a Blast!

The Jaguar Drivers Club of Australia will hold its annual Mountain Rally over the 27th and 28th of May this year, and it’s looking like an absolute blast.

Billed as ‘Highlands to Tablelands’, the event will travel through Mittagong, Goulburn and Yass before moving back through Goulburn to finish in Sutton Forest.

The entry cost of $460 includes meals and accommodation for two, making it a great value weekend. Head to the official Jaguar Drivers Club of Australia website here for more details and to register, and read on for their primer on the event.

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