2 February 2011 2011

Lotus Cup: All For One And One For All!

Popular Lotus Cup Race Series gets a global makeover

Over the years, the Lotus Cup Race Series has developed into one of the most successful race series brands in the world, often with capacity grids of Elise, Exige, 2-Eleven and Europa race cars racing and jostling for position. Previously operated from several countries in Europe and Japan, the Lotus Cup has now expanded considerably to include the USA, UK and Eastern Europe.

Not only has the Lotus Cup grown in size, the organisation of the series has been consolidated. For the first time this year, drivers will now race to one set of rules, regulations and formats in championships around the world including:

• Lotus Cup UK
• Lotus Cup Europe
• Lotus Cup Italy
• Lotus Cup USA (West Coast)
• Lotus Cup USA (East Coast)
• Lotus Cup Eastern Europe
• Lotus Cup Japan

Director of Lotus Motorsport Claudio Berro said: “Lotus sports car racing is one of the most popular forms of accessible motorsport in the world, both at a spectator and participant level. Now is the time to bring these championships under the Lotus umbrella, to ensure consistent look and feel to the competition. This will have obvious benefits to the current drivers and encourage new racers, ensuring that the cars and components remain good value and the competition retains its accessibility.”

Lotus will provide increased support and investment for these race series and will also ensure that the new Cup Championships retain the community feel and friendliness that an enthusiast based race series needs.

The Lotus Cup Championships will receive a new identity, logos, branding, website and Corporate Identity which are aligned closely to Lotus’ new motorsport strategy and initiatives announced over the last few months and consolidated at the Autosport show last weekend.

Global Calendars for the Lotus Cup Championships (subject to change)

Lotus Cup UK – 2011
19th-20th March Snetterton
17th April Silverstone
25th-26th June Snetterton
22nd-24th July Brands Hatch
13th-14th August Donington Park
30 September – 2nd October Spa Francorchamps

Lotus Cup Europe – 2011
30th April–1st May Dijon Prenois
14th–15th May Magny Cours
1st – 3rd July Nurburgring
22nd – 24th July Brands Hatch
17th – 18th September Zolder
30th September – 2nd October Spa Francorchamps

Lotus Cup Italy – 2011
16th – 17th April Vallelunga
7th – 8th May Imola
11th – 12th June Varano de Melegari
8th – 10th July Rijeka
30th – 31st July Mugello
24th – 25th September Monza
15th – 16th October Franciacorta
12th – 13th November Varano de Melegari

Lotus Cup USA (West Coast) – 2011
5th -6th March Willow Springs Raceway, Rosamond, CA
9th – 10th April Firebird International Raceway, Pheonix, AZ
28th – 29th May Auto Club Speedway, Fontana, CA
25th – 29th June Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, Monterey, CA
27th – 28th August Miller Motorsports Park, Salt Lake City, UT
24th – 25th September Buttonwillow Raceway, Buttonwillow, CA
15th – 16th October Spring Mountain Raceway, Pahrump, NV
5th – 6th November Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Las Vegas, NV

Lotus Cup USA (East Coast) – 2011
9th – 10th May Watkins Glen International Raceway, Watkins Glen, NY
11th – 12th July Virginia International Raceway, Alton, VA
24th – 25th September Barber Motorsports Park, Birmingham. AL

Lotus Cup Eastern Europe – 2011
29th April – 1st May Hungaroring, Hungary
20th May – 22nd May A1 Ring, Austria
24th June – 26th June Slovakiaring, Slovakia
19th August – 21st August Slovakiaring, Slovakia
26th August – 28th August PannoniaRing, Hungary
16th – 18th September A1 Ring, Austria
14th - 16th October Salzburgring, Austria

Lotus Cup Japan – 2011
Dates yet to be confirmed.