PistonHeads, NZ midwinter run! - Details

[htsd]

Glad you all had such a good time, I'm definitely looking forward to attending the next one! My only consolation was that it didn't rain too hard on me while I was golfing.

Can someone tell me what this car is please?

http://dinks.uber.geek.nz/Pistonheads%20Midwinter%20Run%2024-07-2005/DSCF0026.JPG

Its so beautiful I'm speechless...

[Esprit]

htsd said:

Can someone tell me what this car is please? http://dinks.uber.geek.nz/Pistonheads%20Midwinter%20Run%2024-07-2005/DSCF0026.JPG Its so beautiful I'm speechless...

That's quite simply because it IS beautiful.... it's the car that spurned my interest in Lotus (my dad used to have one), it's the Lotus Elite (Type 14). Made from the late fifties to the early sixties.

Was Lotus's first ever real road car, was the world's first glassfibre monocoque (no chassis at all, the entire thing bar a roll hoop structure and a small subframe for the engine and a diff carrier is composite.... VERY elegant design.

That one's gorgeous, near-concourse condition and one of only two in the country (I believe)... was most pleasently surprised when I saw it turn up. Judging by the speed they were keeping, they weren't afraid to punt it around a bit.... simply glorious!

[kiwikid]

Yeah; Thanks guys n gals a good day was had,wouldn't hesitate to do it again. Esprit the photo's are great but how did you organise the weather,just got home, parked in the garage and it hosed down, perfectly judged. See some of you at Puke on the 6th and 14th.

[Esprit]

kiwikid said:

Yeah; Thanks guys n gals a good day was had,wouldn't hesitate to do it again. Esprit the photo's are great but how did you organise the weather,just got home, parked in the garage and it hosed down, perfectly judged. See some of you at Puke on the 6th and 14th.

Oh *slaps head* I didn't realise it was you in the S160.... I should have made the connection given that they're as rare as rocking horse crap! If I'd actually clicked I'd have probably made myself known earlier.... I guess formal introductions will have to wait for the next time! Was great to see you out there and I ADORE your car.... puts my standard Elise (or as I like to call it, my "Elise GL" to shame. I was most surprised to see you in my rear view as we were pulling out of the Domain... I looked back and I was sure I could see an Elise back there but then I thought my mind must have been playing tricks on me... then when we pulled out to Parnell rise I saw the Victory rims and almost wet myself I guess you got held up with all that crap on the southern motorway... if we'd known you were coming we'd have waited for you, but you found us anyway so that's all good

Seeing as I was tour organiser along with Kylie I spent most of the day doing the courteous thing bringing up the rear but I must admit I was really longing to run up the front chasing you and Dean, sounds like you guys were having a whale of a time tailing those Esprits!.... back where I was, I had the TVR crew for company though and that's always fun.... having a car chasing you that's not really a match through the corners yet can eat you alive on the straights makes for a very fun mix.

As for the weather I was REALLY happy with the way it turned out... we had that tiny sprinkle while we were eating lunch, otherwise it was good (although some of those damp-apex corners were fun eh?) I guess it was one of those cases of "it was meant to be" As you'll see, a couple of the shots of your car turned out really nice, if you want the full-size images, just give me a yell and I can e-mail them or hand them to you on a CD next time I see you.

I'm going to talk to Ken during the week maybe and see if he's got a spare spot at the sprints, might be able to squeeze myself in. Rhys with the Blue Elise may have to pull out if his new brake pads don't arrive on time so there may be a free spot. Are you going to be doing the Driver Training day on the 14th as well? If so, and you haven't heard back, don't worry, you will... I inquired and they say they're just taking their time to process the entries, but if you've sent it off, you're definitely in.

In any case I'll see you on the 6th as I'll be spectating if not actually driving.... in any case I hope you and your travelling companion had as much of a good time as we all did yesterday!

[Izza]

[Esprit]

Izza said:

Just means you'll have to organise to get your arse up to Auckland for the next one in early September eh Izza? I think your Peugeot Mi16 would have actually held her own just fine on those twisty roads

And oi... get in touch with me... haven't heard word from you in a week or two! :P