Some say it will never be bettered. We have to agree!
In 2010, Classic Team Lotus gathered the 35 Team Lotus F1 cars in one place at one time. The grid at Snetterton was filled in date order with all of Colin Chapman’s innovative and ground breaking machines that dominated F1 for most of his career in racing, lead many of the technological advances in the sport and lead to huge leaps in automotive technology.
Colin’s son Clive keeps many of these cars in perfect order via Classic Team Lotus, based in Potash Lane in Hethel. His company have now, in partnership with reputed publisher Coterie Press produced an excellent souvenir of the day which is a 72 page full colour photo album style book and 60 minute DVD. The book is a collection of pictures taken on the day by the organisers, staff and also those who attended the Festival as a visitor so offers many different perspectives of the event. It includes the overhead shot taken from 35m aloft of the cars all gridded up and also Hazel Chapman at the head of the grid, arms stretched wide in that famous pose Colin struck on the grid at Brands Hatch. The book also includes the behind the scenes shots, general photography and many up close images of the cars which made the day and the people who made it happen. Very recommended for any Lotus fan, either as a souvenir if you made it or as a catch up if you didn’t. Available from here for £22.00 + shipping.
The DVD includes interviews with Hazel Chapman, Clive Chapman and past Team Lotus employees as well as 2 bonus chapters: Clive Chapman reveals how all 35 cars were brought together in an extraordinary race against time plus: Black Beauties Back on Track, featuring exclusive footage of a unique reunion of three JPS type 79s. The DVD is excellent viewing, very well produced by Kevin Piper Media Productions and a must have in any Lotus fans collection. Order yours today from here for £15.60 + shipping. If you want to save some money, you can buy the book, DVD and a commemorative keyring for £40.00 + shipping from here, saving enough for a couple of litres of petrol and a Mars bar, aren’t we good to you!
