Bro is in the last 20 of EVO Lotus Diaries. Any one else?
Discussion
I've not had a chance to talk to him as he is away at the mo. I better ask him before putting his name on PH!
I'm pretty sure it isn't based on the star rating.
I didn't even get my initial 200 word entry on the site and I got an email telling me there were a huge amount of entries etc etc.
What has surprised me is some of the crap initial entries such as this that got through to the second round:
http://lotusdiaries.evo.co.uk/profile/jenellen
compared to some of the much better ones that don't seem to have been offered the test drive.
I'm pretty sure it isn't based on the star rating.
I didn't even get my initial 200 word entry on the site and I got an email telling me there were a huge amount of entries etc etc.
What has surprised me is some of the crap initial entries such as this that got through to the second round:
http://lotusdiaries.evo.co.uk/profile/jenellen
compared to some of the much better ones that don't seem to have been offered the test drive.
ChipsAndCheese said:
I think they extended it, because they didn't call me until the 18th August! The dealer said that they had had a call from Lotus that day saying that they have decided to release a few more accounts. I didn't see any deadline on the site either, and people still seemed to be adding reports this week.
Top 20 was only after you had done the testdrive and submitted your review/videos/pics etcandyroo said:
I was selected for the final twenty - it's very exciting!
http://lotusdiaries.evo.co.uk/profile/andyroo
Good review. http://lotusdiaries.evo.co.uk/profile/andyroo
I still hope my bro beats you though! 
Ok, bro is still on holiday, been so busy that I've still not had chance to contact him. I'll try now.
Anyways, here is my late entry that didn't even get through to the first round.
As a young lad all it took was a smooth talking Roger Moore, accompanied by a gorgeous Barbara Bach, obliterating evil henchmen while driving an even more gorgeous Lotus Esprit. This electrifying chase, followed by a breath-taking plunge into the sea and inspirational conversion into a fully Q’d up submarine, was more than enough to trigger a love of Lotus that I have yet to completely satisfy.
Lotus cars have crossed my path over the years, from a test drive of a £2000 Eclat that for once my aching heart lost out to my stubborn head, along with track day drives of a VX220 turbo and the Lotus DNA origin Caterham R400. Ownership of a mk1 MX-5 brought me close to that lightweight, precise, confidence inspiring handling and at one feeling that only Lotus can do, but a clone however good is just not going to cut it.
Having owned an eclectic collection of cars, the chance to live and breathe and share a year with a Lotus would give this true car enthusiast a chance to confirm that Nobody Does it Better.
Too cheesy?! I was going to go with I've got bigs tits etc, but I am a man!!!
ETA: Maybe mentioning Caterham was not such a great idea...
Anyways, here is my late entry that didn't even get through to the first round.
As a young lad all it took was a smooth talking Roger Moore, accompanied by a gorgeous Barbara Bach, obliterating evil henchmen while driving an even more gorgeous Lotus Esprit. This electrifying chase, followed by a breath-taking plunge into the sea and inspirational conversion into a fully Q’d up submarine, was more than enough to trigger a love of Lotus that I have yet to completely satisfy.
Lotus cars have crossed my path over the years, from a test drive of a £2000 Eclat that for once my aching heart lost out to my stubborn head, along with track day drives of a VX220 turbo and the Lotus DNA origin Caterham R400. Ownership of a mk1 MX-5 brought me close to that lightweight, precise, confidence inspiring handling and at one feeling that only Lotus can do, but a clone however good is just not going to cut it.
Having owned an eclectic collection of cars, the chance to live and breathe and share a year with a Lotus would give this true car enthusiast a chance to confirm that Nobody Does it Better.
Too cheesy?! I was going to go with I've got bigs tits etc, but I am a man!!!
ETA: Maybe mentioning Caterham was not such a great idea...
Edited by Emeye on Friday 2nd September 19:39
The Pits said:
Post your bro's up and we'll see if it's any better!
Being cynical it does come across a bit like you're not in a position to buy a brand new Evora S, which may have counted against you. I didn't think your piece was bad at all. I was seven when Roger dunked his Esprit in the drink so it had a profound effect on me too!
There's no question that part of the plan was to get more people test driving Evoras. Lotus, not unreasonably, would appear to think that they'd sell more Evoras if only more people actually tried one. No doubt if enough people with the means to buy one were sent down to the dealers then it should help both the dealers and Lotus to some degree.
Hence the problem. Round 2 was all about test drives. On that basis it makes more sense to send down Mr GTR or Mr 911 than Mr MX5 as your post suggests.
Pure speculation of course but that's my take.
How dare you!!! The mx5 was my third car I'll have you know young man! Granted that was a third car to a company MK1 SEAT Leon Cupra and the ex's Fiesta, but still....Being cynical it does come across a bit like you're not in a position to buy a brand new Evora S, which may have counted against you. I didn't think your piece was bad at all. I was seven when Roger dunked his Esprit in the drink so it had a profound effect on me too!
There's no question that part of the plan was to get more people test driving Evoras. Lotus, not unreasonably, would appear to think that they'd sell more Evoras if only more people actually tried one. No doubt if enough people with the means to buy one were sent down to the dealers then it should help both the dealers and Lotus to some degree.
Hence the problem. Round 2 was all about test drives. On that basis it makes more sense to send down Mr GTR or Mr 911 than Mr MX5 as your post suggests.
Pure speculation of course but that's my take.
My bro turned up in his 2004 E39 530i Sport, having just downgraded from a Z4 coupe, so not so sure if you're right. The impression I got was that the first people who entered got a test drive. I entered a couple of days before the first round finished.
Then again, admitting along with my entry to my current fleet of a 97 1.8 Alfa 155, 1999 Freelander 1.8, a SORN E34 525i Touring (now scrapped) and the wife's Zafira probably didn't help my case.
Still, I'm not bitter, I'm not jealous. If my bro does win I could always break his legs and offer to stand in for him!
Oh, and just a thought, how many journalists could afford to buy an Evora?
Well, it's the big day today and I've yet to make contact with my bro even though he is back in the country!
Here is his entry:
http://lotusdiaries.evo.co.uk/profile/r5pny
I'm almost as excited as he is, but the bugger is so busy he's not returned any of my calls today!
Anyone know if there is any footage from today anywhere? I'm trying to find something as I type.
Here is his entry:
http://lotusdiaries.evo.co.uk/profile/r5pny
I'm almost as excited as he is, but the bugger is so busy he's not returned any of my calls today!
Anyone know if there is any footage from today anywhere? I'm trying to find something as I type.
Well, finally little Penney called me on his way back from Lotus HQ.
He was buzzing - had an amazing day and got to do a decent amount of circuit driving along with tours of the factory, the motorsport factory and the Lotus classic garage - he really seemed to enjoy the nostalgia of that.
I hadn't realised that there was a further round where the finalists have to go and be interviewed.
Fingers crossed - if he does win I just hope there is a friends and family clause in the insurance!
He was buzzing - had an amazing day and got to do a decent amount of circuit driving along with tours of the factory, the motorsport factory and the Lotus classic garage - he really seemed to enjoy the nostalgia of that.
I hadn't realised that there was a further round where the finalists have to go and be interviewed.
Fingers crossed - if he does win I just hope there is a friends and family clause in the insurance!
Finally got around to joining PH after all these years of me going on about 'eh bro? Prepare to get less work done now! Lol
R5PNY said:
Mate,
Still buzzing now. There is a Family and Friends clause, sadly it is that they cannot drive it! I wouldn't worry though mate, based on my piss poor performance in front of camera, I am pretty sure I won't be one of the final 5 going down to EVO for the interview.
Whilst trying to be calm and collected for my interview and answer their questions professionally, I ended up being a grinning idiot babbling on and when asked, "What one word would you use to summarise the Evora?", I said "Ace" in a rather enthusiastic high pitched manner. To be fair I had just gotten of the track and was still full of adrenalin! but it hardly showed journalist instinct!
EVO will be posting the videos online later this month and doing a 2 page spread in the next edition of EVO which they said is published at the end of this month.
Still buzzing now. There is a Family and Friends clause, sadly it is that they cannot drive it! I wouldn't worry though mate, based on my piss poor performance in front of camera, I am pretty sure I won't be one of the final 5 going down to EVO for the interview.
Whilst trying to be calm and collected for my interview and answer their questions professionally, I ended up being a grinning idiot babbling on and when asked, "What one word would you use to summarise the Evora?", I said "Ace" in a rather enthusiastic high pitched manner. To be fair I had just gotten of the track and was still full of adrenalin! but it hardly showed journalist instinct!
EVO will be posting the videos online later this month and doing a 2 page spread in the next edition of EVO which they said is published at the end of this month.
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