MJK Questions

[Kimbers]

Hi all.

Wayne has asked if I could get MJK on the site within the next 2 weeks and I will try, so would like some questions he can reply to. Try and make them suitable for a shortish reply (not along the lines of "Hi Mike tell us the plans of the company") because I can't type that fast!

So shoot and leave em here and I'll get him to check in and answer some.

[Brian Skeoch]

Please ask your dad what ever came of the mid 80's Indy 500 car that was built. It looked like a March C but was badged as a Lotus.

what every happened to that car ?

It had a Cosworth DFV turbo. according to the book Lotus only built one.

where is that car ?

thanks

Brian 88 turbo / Atlanta

[jimmybondi]

Just say 'Hi' to your dad.

Great to see that LOTUS is still going strong.
I will surely look into purchasing the new Eagle or Esprit (or whatever they may be called). Lotus is still something to stand out from the crowd and is in the position to be a serious competitor to all the Germans and Italians.

There is a highly dedicated Lotus community here in Germany/Austria/Switzerland, we all love Lotus and are ready to support the marque wherever we can.

But in the last years we just had the feeling that there was no real interest from the company side to support the local club activities. This seems to be changing slowly now, which I believe is part of your dad's responsibility. We (foreign enthusiasts) really would appreciate to get more 'backup' from Lotus, considering that such major events like the Jim Clark Revival etc. are organized in Germany.

[WayneB]

Hi Mike,

You have certainally worked with alot of notable people in the motor industry.

Who (besides Colin Chapman) has had the greatest influence on you?

http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f355/WayneBarr/TheBigThree-1.jpg

Also, when you were running Lamborghini, did you ever ride as a passenger of Valantino Balboni ?

http://www.timpelen.com/images/persons/balboni.jpg

[jimmybondi]

Also, when you were running Lamborghini, did you ever ride as a passenger of Valantino Balboni ?

http://www.timpelen.com/images/persons/balboni.jpg

Ahh, Valentino is a funny guy :) some years ago I saw him in an interview (he even knows some bits of German):
'No need for a radio, you make noise and have fun by using the pedal... :D

[Martin]

What have you aimed at for direct competition to the up and coming Esprit replacement? (Perhaps in other words, from who do you forsee stealing sales?)

[Kimbers]

Anymore for anymore? Come on, 3 questions between all of us?

He might be over Sunday so we'll see about some answers.

[Brian Skeoch]

Please ask your dad about the type 47. I know Harry Appleby in CA has one with history but what happened with the others ? how many were there and what was the sucess rate ?

[Brian Skeoch]

please ask your dad why the factory decided not to run at the speedway after 1969 ? Mario had the AWD car but Lotus never re appeared after 69.

did they feel like they had won so why go back ?

[Autocross7]

1) With the advent of the new "Esprit" (at some point), can the "real drivers" here expect a real gear box as well as some sort of tip tronic/paddle set up to be offered (like Ferrari and Lambo)?

2) also with the advent of the new "Esprit" will Lotus consider or plan to get back into racing in a top level sport car venue as ALMS - or at least officially support any private team willing to campaign the new car?


Thanks for the chance to question the "source",
Cameron

[Brian Skeoch]

put that new Eagle on the track.. its time to put the Porsche's to sleep .. again.

Doc, David and Andy will do it again..

[WayneB]

I would like to ask Mike as to where he gets his boundless energy from?:confused:

I'm only 48 , and I feel like I need an hour's nap every afternoon.:p

And are the rumours true that Lotus are going to be making under his personal direction a retro 3 wheeler?

http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f355/WayneBarr/bondbug3.jpg

[Brian Skeoch]

" knocking me out with those American thigh's "

[Kimbers]

Now now Wayne you know my dads history with that car. :icon4a:

[Brian Skeoch]

Can you please ask your dad how the relationship of the Judd motors came to be with Lotus and the F 1 team.

most of the teams were using Cosworth motors back then yet Lotus went with the Judd based motor.

why Judd versus the bullet proof Cosworth's ?

did John Judd do any development with the car or just the motors ?

Nowdays, the Judd motor seems to be pretty bullet proof in ALMS. they make the most wonderful sound .

Brian

[eurosport]

Hello Tony and thanks for the opportunity,
Mr Kimberley, we appreciate the audience. I do think that it's your ear to those who carry Lotus in their hearts (and I think you would still give that ear even in the absence of Tony's involvement in so many forums between poker tourneys) along with your engineering and business acumen which will allow Lotus DNA to truly evolve toward future heights.

Right, 3 questions here:
The BioExige was a tremendous exercise, but ethanol-based fuels seem to be a false economy. Will we ever see an APX-based, TDI-powered, biodiesel-fed performance SUV that both the hypocritical greenies as well as the faithful would love? ( I know about ZAP, Tesla, etc. but wonder if the economic and environmental impact of 6k or more batteries per car (multiplied by hundreds of thousands or millions) on the markets of Li and other metals and environmental impact of battery longevity and renewal (in vehicle numbers the greenies hope for) has yet to be reckoned)

Having seen both Pi Research and Prodrive, small, automotive-based engineering enterprises, featured in the past in aviation engineering literature with little or no sightings of Lotus Engineering (tho' I've been out of touch lately), what can Group do to further expand into non-automotive arenas? What percentage of LE activity is non-automotive at this point and what would you like it to be to foster healthy diversity in LE? (no defence secrets need be divulged :) "nudge, nudge, wink, wink, say no more!")

Finally, were there any modifications required for both yourself and Tony Rudd to fit into a Europa for prolonged Alpine journeys? :D (sorry, still having trouble with that visual!)

Thanks and warm regards,
Eric

[Günter]

is it possible to get a free Lotus Cars *industrial practical* time for my studdies. It is a long time in the future [maybe two years or so] but it's better to ask early ;)

[USAndretti42]

First thing I would like to know is what was the first thing he did when he got into the office the morning after Colin died.

How does the culture at Lamborghini compare to that at Lotus?

What does he think of Lamborghini under Audi's ownership?

What is his motivation to keep working so hard when he has already achieved so much?

Which is more trouble, the Lotus factory or Kimbers?

[WayneB]

Which is more trouble, the Lotus factory or Kimbers?

PMSL:D:D:D

[Kimbers]

Just say 'Hi' to your dad.

Great to see that LOTUS is still going strong.
I will surely look into purchasing the new Eagle or Esprit (or whatever they may be called). Lotus is still something to stand out from the crowd and is in the position to be a serious competitor to all the Germans and Italians.

There is a highly dedicated Lotus community here in Germany/Austria/Switzerland, we all love Lotus and are ready to support the marque wherever we can.

But in the last years we just had the feeling that there was no real interest from the company side to support the local club activities. This seems to be changing slowly now, which I believe is part of your dad's responsibility. We (foreign enthusiasts) really would appreciate to get more 'backup' from Lotus, considering that such major events like the Jim Clark Revival etc. are organized in Germany.


MJK: Hi Jimmy

Many thanks for your kind words. As the guys in LEF, LEC and LOG in USA etc will tell you I personally consider you guys to be our best ambassadors in the world and the factory should be ashamed of itself in the last 10 years for not bringing you into the family. Needless to say, my commercial and PR people now have standing instructions to "stand on their heads" for you guys and lets all work together for the good and future of Lotus as a great Marque and the true heritage of 59 years to Colins and hazels foresight and initiative.

For your information I get great support at Group Lotus from Hazel and clive and we look forward to building the company to where it should be. global strength we can achieve by giving pleasure to owners and on an ecological basis.

[Kimbers]

First thing I would like to know is what was the first thing he did when he got into the office the morning after Colin died.

How does the culture at Lamborghini compare to that at Lotus?

What does he think of Lamborghini under Audi's ownership?

What is his motivation to keep working so hard when he has already achieved so much?

Which is more trouble, the Lotus factory or Kimbers?

Firstly, I'd like to say that dads face dropped a little on this first question, not as he was unhappy, but as he thought about it.

MJK:

Don't I know you from elsewhere?

When I got into the factory that day (don't forget that I was the first person to Colins house that night as Hazel had called me first and we lived next door) I was very tired. I called every employee into the factory and informed them of Colins death. Needless to say there was a shocked silence and not a few tears from all parts of the company, Directors to line workers, maintenance to Engineering. It was a very upsetting time, not only was Colin my boss, but my mentor, inspiration and very close friend.

The Culture at Lamborghini was very political and passionate (as you would expect from Italians...thats no bad thing). Lotus had been, in the last 10 years, slowly falling into lethargy, forgetting it's past and how the company and it's vehicles can inspire passion in others. To this end we have instigated a number of initiatives to show everyone how highly they are thought of by the community. This September we had an Open day specifically aimed at owners, clubs and local people. Needless to say it was a great success with 10,000 people attending and thousands of our products lining the test track. Those employees who were there on the day were amazed at the knowledge and passion of the owners and enthusiasts who attended from all over the world. We set asside factory space for enthusiasts stands and had representation from LEF, LEC, SELOC, Excel index, LOTR, Lotus Carlton Autobahn, Club Lotus, Classic Team Lotus and many others. We fully intend to do an even bigger event next year to celebrate our 60th and invite you to have a stand with the other clubs.

I wish Lamborghini, under Audi, all the best.

My motivation is the 24 years of heart and soul that I have personally invested in the company and to do what Colin would want. that is to see a thriving Lotus once again competing with the likes of Ferrari and Porsche, with value for money performance cars that create the kind of passion that they always did (you guys know that feeling) and to do so with a new level of reliability and design excellence. Believe me, you will be proud of the new cars.

I was going to say the factory but sitting here looking at an extremely hung over son, I am not so sure:( :) I am very proud of Ant, he's followed me into the industry but found his own path and would snap him up to work at Lotus in a second if I could. But he's very successful in his particular field and has already stated that I couldn't afford him!:)

However, I wouldn't say the factory is trouble either.....and I know that question was tongue in cheek!

[Kimbers]

Due to the length of reply of that last one, he's had to shoot to get his tea, but promises to be back and reply to the rest, if not tomorrow then next weekend.

Thanks guys.

[Brian Skeoch]

very cool.

[WayneB]

Thanks very much, Mike:)

[eurosport]

:icon18:
Cheers and thanks for taking the time, Mike!

[jimmybondi]

Thanks to both Kimberleys from Germany :)

[Esprit2]

MJK,

Thanks so much for taking the time to chat with the members of this forum. I've been a Lotus fan since the early 60's and I find it most interesting reading the words of someone who was there, new Colin Chapman well, and was instumental in Lotus' history. Your time is appreciated very much.


I do have a technical question for you. It has to do with the early 907 and is probably of more interest to the Jensen-Healey crowd. J-H owners are pretty casual about using Lotus parts to maintain their engines. However, in the case of cams and pulleys I believe a minor error results from mixing Lotus parts with early, pre-Elite J-H parts. That point seems to have gotten lost in time, and folk mixing parts like all 907's were created equal.

As far as I've been able to reverse-engineer, there is a difference with respect to the keyway location between early J-H cams and pulleys and the Lotus variety. It appears that mixing early 110 MOP J-H cams & pulleys with a Lotus/ later J-H version will cause about a 1.5 degree shift in MOP.

Can you confirm there is a shift and how big it is? I understand that's ancient history, but is there some old codger engineer (like myself) who just might remember that stuff?

CAMS: with 66-26-26-66 event timing at 110° MOP:
B907E0351Y = C-cam, early -- as in early Jensen-Healey
F907E0101G = 101 / C-cam -- Elite/ Eclat/ Esprit/ late J-H.

PULLEYS:
C907E0309Y = 110° MOP pulley, early Jensen-Healey
H907E0309F = 110° MOP pulley, Elite/ Eclat/ Esprit/ late J-H

Thanks for your time.

Best Regards,
Tim Engel

[jimmybondi]

Hmmm,

this is the first time that I saw Tim asking a question...instead of giving very helpful advice to millions of Lotus owners out there. :)

Your knowledge is just amazing!

[WayneB]

The only person I could think of at Lotus who might have the answer to Tim's question would be Brian Angus.

I will pm him and see if he knows.

If you are interested Tim, I have a 7 page paper on the development of the Ron Burr designed Lotus 907 engine written by Tony Rudd for the Institute of Motor Engineers I can post on the forum.

My friend Mike Brewer in England found it and kindly sent me copies about 2 years ago.

Makes interesting reading.:)

[Martin]

Wayne, good idea. Go ahead and post it if you don't mind, I know I would like to see it.

[Martin]

Also, thanks to Mike for taking the time to share great Lotus history and insight. I look forward to hearing more.

[Mark Blanchard]

Mike,
Fascinating to read this. Thanks very much for responding to the questions :).

[WayneB]

Heres that Tony Rudd paper on the 907.(courtesy Mike Brewer) :)

http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f355/WayneBarr/TRudd9071.jpg

http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f355/WayneBarr/TRudd9072.jpg

http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f355/WayneBarr/TRudd9073.jpg

http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f355/WayneBarr/TRudd9074.jpg

http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f355/WayneBarr/TRudd9075.jpg

http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f355/WayneBarr/TRudd9076.jpg

http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f355/WayneBarr/TRudd9077.jpg

[Bill]

This is truely an honor to have such a great automotive icon answering questions. Thank you.

Since Lotus has a great racing history, are there any plans to go racing at Le Mans or Formula 1? I know it's very expensive, but is it in the plans?

- Bill

[Martin]

Wayne, thanks!!!!

[4re308]

WOW I am honored to be on the same website as MJK. This is amazing!

[WayneB]

MJK,

Thanks so much for taking the time to chat with the members of this forum. I've been a Lotus fan since the early 60's and I find it most interesting reading the words of someone who was there, new Colin Chapman well, and was instumental in Lotus' history. Your time is appreciated very much.


I do have a technical question for you. It has to do with the early 907 and is probably of more interest to the Jensen-Healey crowd. J-H owners are pretty casual about using Lotus parts to maintain their engines. However, in the case of cams and pulleys I believe a minor error results from mixing Lotus parts with early, pre-Elite J-H parts. That point seems to have gotten lost in time, and folk mixing parts like all 907's were created equal.

As far as I've been able to reverse-engineer, there is a difference with respect to the keyway location between early J-H cams and pulleys and the Lotus variety. It appears that mixing early 110 MOP J-H cams & pulleys with a Lotus/ later J-H version will cause about a 1.5 degree shift in MOP.

Can you confirm there is a shift and how big it is? I understand that's ancient history, but is there some old codger engineer (like myself) who just might remember that stuff?

CAMS: with 66-26-26-66 event timing at 110° MOP:
B907E0351Y = C-cam, early -- as in early Jensen-Healey
F907E0101G = 101 / C-cam -- Elite/ Eclat/ Esprit/ late J-H.

PULLEYS:
C907E0309Y = 110° MOP pulley, early Jensen-Healey
H907E0309F = 110° MOP pulley, Elite/ Eclat/ Esprit/ late J-H

Thanks for your time.

Best Regards,
Tim Engel

I asked Brian Angus from Lotus about this and this was his reply.

Wayne, I have looked into this issue.
Tim was interested to know if there was any reason for the variation in Cam Timing using different level Cams and Pulleys.
Having looked into the Drawings, this is what is recorded.

Camshaft:
The B907E0351Y is the "Base cam" drawing and has all the machining details except for the cam profile.
This base cam is designed to have the following profiles:-
F907E0101
J907E0103
A912E0104
A912E0107
The machining tollerance on the position of the cam lobe is 1/2 degree.
The only significant dimension change made to this drawing ,was the position of the pulley to realign it for belt run out (the change to "B Level" in September 1974.

Pulley:-
The "H Level" of pulley was introduced in 1979.
This was when it was redrawn for lucidity and was "Metricated".
The pulley width was also changed from 32.4 mm to 31.15mm.
No change to the timing was made.
The timing tollerance is 1/2 degree.

I have discussed the issue with our lads in Technical Service,and they are not aware of any design changes that involved the ajustment in the MOP settings.

I can't comment on the component quality in the early 70's, -maybe the parts were not machined to the required drawing requirements resulting in the variation talked about.

If Tim wants to contact me, direct and have a chat about it , that is fine with me.

Hope this is some help to him,

Cheers,
Brian.

Brian Angus,

Lotus Engineering,

Tel:+44 (0) 1953 608122

Thanks for you help , Brian!

Wayne:)

[Autocross7]

This is truely an honor to have such a great automotive icon answering questions. Thank you.

Since Lotus has a great racing history, are there any plans to go racing at Le Mans or Formula 1? I know it's very expensive, but is it in the plans?

- Bill


If I was in a position to do so... I'd push for ALMS. It is an international event where drivers are conserned, but it also has a big following in the USA where Lotus need to build up recognition again (IMO)...

Cameron

[USAndretti42]

Many thanks for the replies, Mike.

May I be so bold as to ask another question? I have read that you got Colin Chapman to agree to add two inches to the wheelbase of the Esprit but you then had to go away on business and, when you got back, the car development had continued to progress with the original wheelbase to the extent that is was too late to force the issue. My question is was a model or drawing of the long wheelbase car ever made? If so, where was the length added? Was it in the door glass or in front of the A post? Did it spoil (or improve) the looks?

Sorry. I just realised that's 4 questions. I'm being greedy. :pig:

[Esprit2]

I asked Brian Angus from Lotus about this and this was his reply. (Snip)...

Wayne,

Thanks so much for contacting Brian and posting his reply. Please forward my thanks to him for me.

While I greatly appreciate the time Brian put into researching the answer for me, I'm afraid it still leaves me confused... the math (my math) doesn't add up. I guess I'll take another look...

Could you forward my e-mail address to Brian... or his to me off-line?

Regards,
Tim Engel

[WayneB]

Thought of some more question(s) for the Commander in Cheif.

Mike, what were the circumstances that lured you from your job at Jaguar to go and work for the relitively small (by comparison ) Lotus ?

Did you happen to meet up with Mr.Chapman (by Chance) or did you simply answer a job ad in the paper?

Is Tony still hard at work on your autobiography?

Wayne:001_smile:

[Kimbers]

Wayne, as you know I have just been on the phone to the old man and I quickly asked him this one for you (as it was fresh on my mind). His reply was....a little longer than I thought:

"Where do I start? A little background perhaps. In the late 50's/early 60's I was in Jaguars design office working on Transmission and powertrain. Primarily on the up coming E type and V12 engine. Alot of my designs went into the 5 speed gearbox and I also did alot of work on the Laycock de Narmanville overdrive unit. I found it interesting but ultimately moved into vehicle dynamics, working with Tom Jones (head of vehicles and new concepts) primarily on the e-type suspension and mkII 2.4's. Shortly after I was promoted to special projects under Malcolm Sayer, working for Bill Heynes. Derek White was there too but he left shortly after I started and I was promoted to section leader on the XJ13 project. I was actually sitting in the car with David Hobbs when we set the record of 162.5mph at MIRA.

I always thought I had maybe a guardian angel in Sir William Lyons, ever since the fire at the factory in 1957. I remember going back in 7 times to rescue our cars, with Oxy-acetylene bottles going off like bombs and the glass from the roof dripping down like rivers. I got out a D type we were developing into an SS and a load of MkII's and Mk VII's. I was about to go back in and I distinctly remember Sir William, with tears running down his face, holding on to me and begging me not to go back in. After that my career seemed to move on a pace.

Anyway, back to your question. Sir Bill never lost his grip on the company and Lofty too when he took over, but he was ultimately struggling against the imposition of rules and regulations imposed from elsewhere in centralised HQ. I became very frustrated with the seeming lack of decision making at Jaguar and really wanted to be involved with "Whole of vehicle design".

I looked around and Lotus jumped out at me. It had a growing reputation for forward thinking and the products were innovative. It was also ruled autocratically, which I liked as decisions could be made without committee and this is when real innovation is created, you have an idea, take it to the boss and if he likes it you put it into production. None of these rules and regulations we suffer from today that stifle good design. (Hence Colins famous quote)

So I sent in a letter and was interviewed, culminating in Colin creating a new post of "Head of Current Engineering". As you know my first job was the Engineering design on the Europa TC, but in my new position I also got to be involved in the body and interior design.

My Autobiography is on hold as Tony has been writing his own articles. he's had 6 published so far, 2 in Remarque, one in Lotus International and I know he's had at least 3 published in his role with Honda. I'm also, daily, adding to my own story and am very busy creating new exciting, innovative cars that you will all, hopefully, see as new classics, in the future.

I am adamant that I will get round to answering all the questions on this new, great site and hopefully seeing some of you at shows in the US and Canada.

[WayneB]

Thanks for the reply Mike and Tony, I found it interesting and insightfull, there are not many men left in the world who have worked with two of the most inspiring self -made figures in the British motor industry, Sir William Lyons and Colin Chapman. I wonder If they ever met?

I remember the British Leyland years as well(I was at Rover for a little while in 1978), and it was a most frustrating and difficult period in the British car industry!

Still must have been hard though to leave a reasonably secure job , and have to move a wife and kids from Coventry to the wilds of Norfolk to work for a tiny (by comparison to Jaguar) company.

Know how that feels having moved a family to Canada!

[GregWO]

Thank you so much for your time. I have been glued to this forum.... Its truly amazing to be here talking/mostly listening to well.... a legend, Mr. Kimberly!

There are great and extremely knowledgeable people on this site... thank you, as well. You know the questions to ask that makes this forum really special.

Is there a remote chance that MJK will be attending the LOG28? Sorry, this is a stupid question, but it would be an honor to meet you.


:icon15:

[Autocross7]

Great replys... thanks from me as well. Hope that book gets on burner that is lit in the near future though...


Cameron

[Kimbers]

Please ask your dad what ever came of the mid 80's Indy 500 car that was built. It looked like a March C but was badged as a Lotus.

what every happened to that car ?

It had a Cosworth DFV turbo. according to the book Lotus only built one.

where is that car ?

thanks

Brian 88 turbo / Atlanta

Brain

I'm not sure whether Clive has it in his collection, but I will ask Clive during the week.

MJK

[Kimbers]

Hi Mike,

You have certainally worked with alot of notable people in the motor industry.

Who (besides Colin Chapman) has had the greatest influence on you?

http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f355/WayneBarr/TheBigThree-1.jpg

Also, when you were running Lamborghini, did you ever ride as a passenger of Valantino Balboni ?

http://www.timpelen.com/images/persons/balboni.jpg

Wayne

Sure did and he's still going strong and is one of Lambo's bigegst assets and best ambassadors worldwide. I'm pleased to count him as a personal friend. The scariest ride of the lot with him, was in an LM002, where you would not believe the drive if I told you, as it brakes every rule in the Italian motoring code!

In reply to who else, apart from Colin has effected me: Lofty England and Sir William Lyons. Also Chairman of Toyota, Ejai Toyota ans President Shirodo Toyota, plus Jack Smith and Rick Waggoner.

[Kimbers]

What have you aimed at for direct competition to the up and coming Esprit replacement? (Perhaps in other words, from who do you forsee stealing sales?)

Martin.

All Lotus's new vehicles will be unique niche models with full Lotus DNA as laid down by Colin and now, the basis for industry standards. There is no real direct competition but conquest sales will obviously come from Porsche, BMW, some Lambo's and Ferrari's.

[Kimbers]

please ask your dad why the factory decided not to run at the speedway after 1969 ? Mario had the AWD car but Lotus never re appeared after 69.

did they feel like they had won so why go back ?

No, it was a question of focus. We were head to head with Ferrari in F1 and to win you have to be totally dedicated to F1.

[Kimbers]

1) With the advent of the new "Esprit" (at some point), can the "real drivers" here expect a real gear box as well as some sort of tip tronic/paddle set up to be offered (like Ferrari and Lambo)?

2) also with the advent of the new "Esprit" will Lotus consider or plan to get back into racing in a top level sport car venue as ALMS - or at least officially support any private team willing to campaign the new car?


Thanks for the chance to question the "source",
Cameron

1. YES.
2. YES. If we can generate the funds.

[Kimbers]

I would like to ask Mike as to where he gets his boundless energy from?:confused:

I'm only 48 , and I feel like I need an hour's nap every afternoon.:p

And are the rumours true that Lotus are going to be making under his personal direction a retro 3 wheeler?

http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f355/WayneBarr/bondbug3.jpg

Wayne.

My Energy comes from, as you know, our great marque, Lotus and my determination to build the company both car model wise and Engineering technological, leading edge envelope. But Globally it's the adrenaline boost which keeps you going, even though during my last 3 day visit to the Middle East, I spent 18, 21 and 25 hours working Flat out. Before climbing on a plane, getting 2 hours sleep and then straight into a board meeting at Lotus.

In regards to the 3 wheeler I would like to say something rude but I'll refrain just now.

[Kimbers]

Thank you so much for your time. I have been glued to this forum.... Its truly amazing to be here talking/mostly listening to well.... a legend, Mr. Kimberly!

There are great and extremely knowledgeable people on this site... thank you, as well. You know the questions to ask that makes this forum really special.

Is there a remote chance that MJK will be attending the LOG28? Sorry, this is a stupid question, but it would be an honor to meet you.


:icon15:

I would love to attend the next LOG meeting, however at this moment I'm spending 3 weeks abroad, building our business and hope to be getting 8 days Christmas holiday!!

[Kimbers]

This is truely an honor to have such a great automotive icon answering questions. Thank you.

Since Lotus has a great racing history, are there any plans to go racing at Le Mans or Formula 1? I know it's very expensive, but is it in the plans?

- Bill

Bill.

I am the one to be honoured by you owners who are our worlds best ambassadors, thankyou.

I would love to take Lotus back into racing and you never know. It would obviously depend upon having a major OEM engine supplier and investment from a team, because, as Colin always said (and I agree with him), there's no point in going F1 racing unless you're going to win. Second isn't good enough!!

[eurosport]

Mr. Kimberley,
Thank you for taking time out of your endless schedule to sate our curiosity. Your current involvement as head of LCU must add tremendously to your time demands. :weight_lift: Do you have a timeline for handing the reins over to another to manage LCU operations?

Also curious, who's idea was it to use the tail lights from a Fiat X1/9 on the S1 Esprit and did GG care that an element of a Bertone-styled car was used on "his?"

Also, has there been any outside interest in production of the Lotus-designed, supercharged V6 as developed for the APX? Even Proton, perhaps?

Warm regards,
Eric

[Brian Skeoch]

Mr. Kimberly, we cant thank you enough for taking time out of your day to respond to us. this is a reason why Lotus people are the nicest of the car bunch.

Brian 88 turbo Atlanta

[Günter]

Mr. Kimberly -as we now have read something about gearbox setups in the new Esprit. Can we also expect a real handbrake lever in the middle of the chassis, or goes it to be a modern "electronic"parking brake switch in the end ?

[WayneB]

Mike, many thanks for your interesting and informative replies.:001_smile:

I just want to thank you for all the hard work you are putting in atm, doing your level best to ensure that our favourite car company,Lotus will have a long and prosperous future.

Thanks again Mike, we all owe you a BIG drink!:beerchug: