From Club Lotus: We’ve got some not so good news and some very good news. As many of you will know, following the British GP fiasco in 2009/10 (which was nothing to do with the circuit themselves), we were unable to hold our annual show at Donington in 2010. We returned there last year in August which was the earliest date we could due to ongoing renovation work on the Exhibition Centre.
However, whilst the 2011 Show was very successful, the overwhelming feedback from both exhibitors and many visitors was that it should move back to its original April date. Unfortunately for several reasons beyond our control, it became clear very late last year that it would not be possible to hold the Show at Donington this coming April.
We know that everyone feels Donington is the best venue for our Show and therefore we’ve taken the difficult decision not to hold a Club Lotus Show in 2012. The good news is that the Show will be back at Donington in April 2013 and we’ll let you know the date as soon as possible. We know this will disappoint many traders and visitors and it’s not a decision we took lightly. However we hope everyone will understand and look forward with us to a great Show back at Donington in April 2013.
However, that doesn’t mean there will be no Club Lotus events this year. At our Castle Combe Club Lotus trackday on May 26th we’ll be selling trade stands and there will be free autojumble spaces for members. We really want to re-establish this day as a great Club Lotus day out as well as a good value and safe Lotus trackday. Moving away from Bank Holiday weekend will remove the problem of the paddock being taken over by race transporters and motorhomes so we’ll have a completely empty paddock solely for our use. There’ll be plenty of room for all our individual model groups to park together, get the picnic out and enjoy a great day’s entertainment.
Next is the Silverstone Classic on July 20/21/22 where we’ll be celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Elan with special displays including a track parade for all Elans attending the event. There will also be some very special guests and we’ll be selling trade stands within our big Club Lotus area. We’re also planning to run two Elan races over the weekend – we currently have 47 provisional entries and a further 16 drivers have indicated they might also be entering so it looks as though we’ll have a full grid which will make for an unforgettable spectacle.
Then over the weekend August 18/19 we have events at both Shelsley Walsh and Brands Hatch. The Classic Lotus Shelsley Festival will see the 50th anniversary of the Lotus Elan celebrated with two exciting Lotus sprint competitions at Shelsley Walsh Hillclimb organised by Paul Matty Sportscars and Club Lotus. The weekend will include rounds of Paul’s own Lotus Championship and the major British, Midland and Leaders Hillclimb Championship plus an open event for rare and special Lotus competition cars. Entries already include several Grand Prix cars, historic Lotus sports racing cars and entries are still invited. If you have a suitable car and want to enter please contact either Paul Matty or Club Lotus. There will also be Lotus trade stands and a Lotus autojumble.
The Brands Hatch Lotus Festival on August 18/19 features rounds of the Elise Trophy and Lotus Cup UKplus a full race programme on both days. Historic Lotus F1 demonstrations courtesy of Classic Team Lotus will provide plenty of action and there is another very exciting demo at the planning stage which will be confirmed later in the year. There will be a display of rare Lotus cars and as to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Elan there will be an Elan track parade on the full GP circuit on Saturday and reserved Elan parking all weekend. Trade stands at very reasonable rates are available from Club Lotus.
Club Lotus members will be able to buy heavily discounted tickets for all of these events apart from Castle Combe which is free for spectators. More information on all of the above is in the January edition of Club Lotus News and all previous Donington exhibitors will receive details regarding trade stands at these events in February. To buy tickets or for more information please contact us at Club HQ on 01362 694459/691144 or email [email protected]
With kind regards,
Alan, Jane and AnneMarie
Club Lotus
