Friday 16th June 2006

US Lotus fans enjoy the heat

West Coast Lotus meeting hits the spot

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North American Lotus owners gathered in Morro Bay California last month for the West Coast Lotus Meet. Club111 hosted the three day event which included presentations and discussions from Lotus and Lotus Sport, scenic coastal drives and a track event at Buttonwillow Raceway.

Colin Pierce from Lotus Cars USA and Malcolm Barnett from Lotus Sport, presented plans for the US market. These included the introduction of the Lotus Sport brand to North American enthusiasts. Products will range from the Exige 240R and Lotus Sport Elise vehicles to a host of exciting new after-market enhancements for current owners such as Ohlin shock packages and brake upgrades.

Robert Konick received the first ever "Spirit of Club111" award during the evenings festivities. Sector-111, Blackwatch Racing, Coterie Press, Dave Bean Engineering, Lotus Garage, Speciality Car Craft and various regional dealers also presented at the reception Saturday evening.

Excursions to Big Sur, Eberely Winery and the Hearst Castle gave drivers an opportunity to explore the regional countryside which is home to some of America's best roads.

For many, the highlight of the weekend was the track day at Buttonwillow where the 240R made it's North American track debut. Piloted by Lotus Sports own Malcolm Barnett, the supercharged Exige braved 37 degree C heat during repeated 40 minute sessions. While the event proved the durability of the car under extreme conditions, the venue also served as the first time the car was placed in competition against the Force Fed Turbo modified Elise. The 240bhp factory car not only held it's own against the 400bhp Force Fed but seemed to consistently edge it out at the end of each lap.

The weekend festivities ended with Concours and BBQ which featured an award ceremony.

[Doshy]

I went out to the U.S last year and met up with the lotus guys at the Button Willow track, I also did half a dozen laps as a passenger in the Force Fed car (only had 380 not the full 400 bhp!) and I'm amazed that any other lotus could even get within a sniff of it.

[No Lotus]

From what I heard, the Forced Fed car impressed on track.