This coming weekend's season opener for the Elise Trophy was looking like a disaster on Thursday night, when news broke that the opening round at Donington Park on 18th-19th April had been cancelled, due to Donington's lack of a circuit licence.

How things changed over the Bank Holiday weekend!

Elise Trophy organisers put their heads together with event organiser MSVR and other series organisers and pulled off a remarkable turnaround for their drivers. The race meeting was moved from Donington to Silverstone on Sunday 19th April. Unfortunately the Elise Trophy now has just the one grid. This is already confirmed as having a full complement of 40 starters, plus the maximum 8 reserves. However, drivers have slightly more track time; giving them the opportunity to learn a circuit some have never driven before and, with the inclusion of 4 other series on the day, it gives a fantastic afternoon of racing.

What's more, LoTRDC (organisers of the Elise Trophy) made an ambitious bid to purchase the entire gate from Silverstone at short notice and have announced that entry on Sunday will be FREE for everyone! Yes that's right, an afternoon of packed grids and fantastic racing and it's totally FREE. Just turn up on the day and you won't get charged to enter.

It would help if you could spread the word amongst the Lotus Community, as it would be great to see a large number of you support this amazing last-minute race meeting.

With the Lotus Show still taking place at Donington Park just 50 miles away, there would be time to head to the show on Sunday morning and make Silverstone for an afternoon of racing.

Confirmed Timetable

GT Cup - Practice - 09:00-09:30
GAZ Shocks Production BMW Championship - Qualifying 09:40-10:00
Lotus Elise Trophy - Free Practice - 10:10-10:25
Toyo Tires Racing Saloons - Qualifying - 10:35-10:55
Bells.. 10:55-11:10
GT Cup - Qualifying - 11:10 - 11:30
GAZ Shocks Production BMW Championship - Race 1 - 11:40-12:00
Lotus Elise Trophy - Qualifying - 12:10-12:35
Lunch... 12:35-13:35
Toyo Tires Racing Saloons - Race 2 - 13:35-13:55
Lotus Elise Trophy - Race 3 - 14:10-14:30
GT Cup - Race 4 - 14:45-15:10
GAZ Shocks Production BMW Championship  - Race 5 - 15:25-15:45
Lotus Elise Trophy - Race 6 - 16:00-16:20
Toyo Tires Racing Saloons - Race 7 - 16:35-16:55

Elise Trophy entry list - click here

Links

www.elisetrophy.com

www.msvracing.co.uk

Information on Club Lotus Show at Donington Park can be found HERE

Statement from Motorsport Vision regarding cancellation of Donington Park race meeting

Finally, are you a registered user for Lotus Central? then why not help test our new comments software and tell us what you think about this Sunday's opening round of the Elise Trophy.