13 July 2018

Chapman, cake and champagne for Lotus 70th celebrations at Goodwood Festival of Speed

• Celebrating 70 years of innovation at VIP reception at heart of Goodwood
• Great British brand marked occasion in English garden party splendour at Festival of Speed
• 70th birthday weekend at the Goodwood Festival of Speed continues with Hillclimb spectacles, heritage racers and new Celebration car launches

Proudly celebrating 70 years of innovation and a pure driving experience that’s second to none, Lotus has marked the anniversary of its inception with a birthday cake and Champagne reception with the Duke of Richmond and Gordon at the Goodwood Festival of Speed.

Joining His Grace was Group Lotus’ recently appointed chief executive officer, Mr. Feng Qingfeng, and Clive Chapman, son of Lotus founder Colin Chapman and Director of Classic Team Lotus. A number of VIPs were also part of the festivities, surrounded by the company’s latest line-up of cars as well its racing heritage, on the company’s stand at the Festival.

The entirely appropriate celebration of the thoroughly British brand heralds a new chapter for Lotus, as the company marks its impact on the world of sports and competition cars. From humble beginnings in 1948, it has grown to a global brand, producing iconic road cars and World Championship winning race cars. The current range of Lotus cars is the brands strongest ever line up, and perfectly encapsulates its core principles of founder Colin Chapman’s obsession with innovation through weight reduction and aerodynamics.

Lotus’ unconventional approach and entrepreneurial spirit ensures that the brand remains as agile, fast and responsive as its cars. Lotus continues its founder’s principle by building some of the fastest and best handling sports cars available. With the son of the founder, Clive Chapman, representing the heritage of Lotus, and its racing success, it marks the start of a new chapter for the manufacturer.
Speaking at the event Mr. Feng Qingfeng said: “Colin Chapman had a clear vision for how cars should be engineered and developed. Over the last seven decades we have innovated and influenced the development of sports cars. Colin Chapman’s philosophy of efficiency and effective car design is as relevant today as it was in 1948, and the next 70 years presents us with an amazing opportunity for the marque as it develops the market leading cars of the future.”

Lotus at the Goodwood Festival of Speed 2018
Lotus is celebrating its 70th anniversary at the Goodwood Festival of Speed 2018 as an Automotive Partner of the event. This year’s Festival will allow visitors to see some outstanding cars from the marques’ past running the Hill. This includes Jim Clark’s World Championship winning Lotus 25, Graham Hill’s World Championship winning Lotus 49, Ayton Senna’s first F1 race winning car, the Lotus 97T, and the revolutionary Lotus Type 56 gas turbine Indycar.

Acting as the centre of the celebrations, Lotus’ current line-up of sports cars are proudly displayed on the company’s stand in the main exhibitors’ space. This includes the Celebration Exige Type 79, which is appearing with a Type 79 racing car campaigned by Mario Andretti as part of his Championship winning year. The second of two Celebration cars for Goodwood, the Exige Type 49 can be found in the First Glance paddock, and will be driving the Hillclimb route until Sunday.

In a fitting tribute to Lotus’ most successful racing driver, the British manufacturer is a proud supporter of the Jim Clark Trust, the official charity of this year’s Goodwood Festival of Speed. Working with Lotus, the Trust will be making a special dedication at this year’s Festival with an unveiling that recognises the legacy of the one of motorsport’s most enduring figures.