1 October 2008

New Lotus Cup Europe Race Series

The series will be organised and run by LoTRDC who, with MotorSport Vision Racing run the successful “Elise Trophy” race series in the UK. LoTRDC and MotorSport Vision are independent companies not connected with Lotus. The Proposed Calendar will have drivers racing on some of the most prestigious and demanding circuits in Europe:

The provisional calendar is as follows:

• Donington Park (UK)
• Le Mans (France) or Zolder (Belgium)
• Zandvoort (Holland)
• Brands Hatch Grand Prix (UK)
• Dijon-Prenois (France)
• Spa Francorchamps (Belgium)

The calendar and race regulations for Lotus Cup Europe will be finalised by November; it is expected that there will be three classes available to ensure that the majority of Lotus owners across Europe can compete. The 2-Eleven and the new 2009 Model Year Lotus Exige Cup 260 will also be eligible.

For 2009, Lotus Cup Europe will have a different format from the past race series as follows:

• 20 minutes qualifying
• Race 1 (minimum 20 minutes duration)
• Race 2 (minimum 20 minutes duration)

The grid will consist of Lotus product only and all cars will run on Yokohama A048 LTS tyres.

Paul Golding, LoTRDC Director and Series Coordinator commented: “This is a fantastic opportunity for the Lotus Cup Europe series, the Elise Trophy that we run in the UK has been going from strength to strength. The series has had the privilege to be the support races at such events as A1 GP and DTM within its first two years. With full grids, a top class calendar and a large spectator following it has become the premier club series in the UK. Our aim is to take all our learning from this and bring it to the Lotus Cup Europe series. The sharing of 4 of the calendar events also gives us the opportunity to make this a friendly and financially viable series for those wishing to compete across Europe.“

Mike Kimberley, Chief Executive Officer for Group Lotus comments, “Lotus founder, Colin Chapman started out racing even before he built road cars and it is vitally important that Lotus remains the marque of choice for clubman racers around the world and all our current range of Elise, Exige and 2-Eleven cars will be competitive in this series. There is no better sportscar marque to race with – you never know, you may end up following in the illustrious footsteps of Nigel Mansell, Emerson Fitipaldi, Ayrton Senna, Graham Hill or Jim Clark who all cut their teeth with Lotus over the years.”

Roger Becker, Director of Vehicle Engineering, explains why Lotus cars are perfect for racing, “Racing cars are the foundations of Lotus and history both identifies and records this fact. Through his genius and ingenuity, Colin Chapman created a racing heritage that we continue to uphold with great pride. In every Lotus product there is not only the ability to race at a rewarding pace, there is the facility of being able to drive the car to and from the event as well. We are proud of the Elise, Exige and 2- Eleven racecars for which the Elise Trophy and Lotus Cup Europe race programs have been created and owners now have increased opportunity to exploit their cars and skills on the racetrack.”

Link: www.LotusCupEurope.com