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Lotus-on-Track, Europe's largest trackday club, have for the past eight years organised a week-long trip to France, allowing enthusiasts – not just Lotus owners – to take-in a variety of circuits.
This annual summer event known as ‘French Frolic’, or FF for short, costs around £750 per car and attracts around 60 cars with Lotus enthusiasts coming together from Britain, France Belgium and Holland to enjoy three or four track days at different circuits. The organisational back up includes a mechanic and spare parts van, whilst lunch and drinks at the circuit are taken care of. Otherwise those taking part are free to organise time between meeting up at the tracks and hotels.
The week began on Sunday when LoT took over the Mercure Hotel in Le Mans for two nights, the car park rapidly filling up with a mixture of Elise, Exige, 340R, Caterhams and VX220's plus the odd BMW. An extra 20 cars joined the core 60 at the first two track days, Le Mans and Val de Vienne. Inevitably there was some last-minute preparation work as some worked late into the night changing brake pads and even radiators, whilst the rest enjoyed a few beers, catching up with old friends.
Monday morning saw a short trip to the nearby Le Mans Bugatti track, a fast and safe circuit with plenty of run-offs, but not really one for the beginner. However, a relaxed open pit lane day made it possible to cater for the whole range of experience levels from the novice through to seasoned racer. There was some very quick non-Lotus cars taking part too, such as a supercharged Ariel Atom, the Ultima SS and some tweaked BMW’s adding to the variety.
Inevitably there were a few problems; with around a dozen cars experiencing overheating despite the mild temperatures, some had electrical problems whilst others soon wore tyres out. Nevertheless all but two cars were sorted in time for the next day. From then on not a single car was lost to mechanical trouble, a tribute to the way in which club members always come to the aid of others.
Tuesday was a relaxed day, where everyone drove at their own pace to the next destination, the Ibis hotel in Limoges, which was to be our base for the rest of the week. Previous experience had shown the organisers that it was better to do it this way rather than keep changing hotels, even if it meant longer journeys to the different tracks.
It was back to track action on for the next three days, starting with Val de Vienne, a fast circuit situated near to Le Vigeant. This track was new to LoT and included some very technical sections with plenty of gravel traps, some of us likening it to a larger and faster version of Abbeville. The day was hot, so the drinks provided were very welcome, as was the limited shade provided by the pit garages. A small restaurant called La Ferme, situated in the infield, provided lunch. As with Le Mans no damaged cars even though a couple of regulars played in the gravel after some sideways driving.
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An important chapter in the history of Lotus closes today (17th July) with the retirement of Mike Kimberley, Chief Executive Officer of Group Lotus plc. It's a measure of the strength of character and high regard in which Mike is held by many both inside and outside the company that the decision has come as a complete surprise despite the fact that he will turn 71 next month. That not withstanding, the decision has come about through medical reasons rather than age.
Since returning to the company in 2005 – already at an age when many would have been considering retirement rather than attempting to turnaround the fortunes of a sportscar maker – Mike has maintained a punishing schedule that would have seen off many a younger man. He was initially charged with assessing the company on behalf of owners Proton, before being appointed full-time to the Group Lotus plc Board (he stepped up to CEO a year later). The mere fact that the Proton hierarchy were situated in Malaysia, on the other side of the world, meant that Mike was regularly in the office before dawn in order to put in calls to head office. And of course he was often the last to leave in the evening to. No wonder his long-suffering wife was not too enamoured at him taking up the job, knowing full well that his love of Lotus would be a 24/7 affair!
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It’s that time of the year when folks grab their kaftans and wellies, fire up the old VW Camper Van and head for Somerset, although these days it is just as likely to be a helicopter ride and corporate hospitality that takes you to Glastonbury Festival. Back in the sixties it was all so much more free and easy though – it was the time of peace, love and Flower Power.
 Lotus were in on the scene too; the company’s larger-than-life Sales Manager Graham Arnold was never one short of an idea for a stunt or two and in 1967 he came up with the idea of converting a Lotus 51 Formula Ford for road use. The Formula Ford class was itself new on the scene that year, having been devised by Brands Hatch boss John Webb as a low-cost entry-level form of motor racing. Equipped with a standard Cortina GT 1500cc engine, it was a stipulation that cars should cost no more than £1,000 to purchase. Lotus Components were quick off the mark with the Type 51, which actually had its origins in the Type 22 Formula Junior and Type 31 Formula 3 cars, so not a lot was expended on design work! Conveniently Lotus pitched the car in at £995 and Colin Chapman, ever one to spot a potential set about trying to sell fleets of cars to the racing schools.
Folklore will tell you that the very first Formula Ford race took place at Brands Hatch on 2nd July 1967 when former soldier Ray Allan drove Motor Racing Stables’ Lotus to victory ahead of the similar car driven by Malcolm Payne on behalf of rival educational establishment, the Jim Russell Racing Drivers’ School, from Snetterton. However some three weeks before that, on 11th June, a Single Seater race at Snetterton included a Formula Ford class packed out with JRRDS school cars, so should we really call that the first Formula Ford race? I have the programme and pictures to prove it but unfortunately cannot tell you whom the winner was.
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With final details of the Lotus Festival at Snetterton on Sunday 14th June now confirmed the event really will be a festival of all things Lotus rather than just a race meeting.
Let's take a look at the whole day and try and answer any questions you may have.
Sunday timetable: click here to down load a timetable
09.00 - GT Cup - Free Practice
09.30 - Toyo Tires Racing Saloons - Race
10.00 - Elise Trophy - Modified/211 Class - Race 1 (25 mins)
10.35 - Historic Lotus Club Parade
11.05 - Elise Trophy - Production Class - Race 1 (25 mins)
11.45 - GT Cup - Race
12.25 - Lotus World Record Attempt
13.25 - Lunch - including pedal kart race at 13.45 and Lotus Elan Central M110 20 years parade
14.25 - Elise Trophy - Production Class - Race 2 (25 mins)
15.00 - Classic Team Lotus - Type 79 F1 car demonstration
15.35 - Production BMW Championship - Race
16.05 - Historic Lotus Club Parade
16.35 - Elise Trophy - Modified/211 Class - Race 2 (25 mins)
When you arrive at Snetterton if you plan to take part in the record attempt you will need to complete an indemnity form and will be given a wrist band so that organisers know you have completed the form. Those arriving in a Lotus will then be directed to one of three main Lotus car parks. Car park 1 will be filled first, then 2 then 3 if your not in a Lotus you'll be directed to a general car park. Those with Historic Lotus Club, LEC, Esprit Forums, NYLOC and East Anglia Lotus Club will all be directed to their club areas.
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Well, that’s got your attention. Yes, the Evora has finally arrived and a few selected journalists have been given the opportunity to drive the car.
The words at the top of the page were not written this week, or even this year. They in fact appeared in the March 1974 edition of Car magazine, the leading monthly having scooped the new Elite a couple of months ahead of launch, with a series of pictures taken on the side of the road in Wymondham. However, those words could be equally true today.
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