Lotus 60th Birthday New Zealand Alpine/Track tour

[Kylie]

http://www.lotuscars.net.nz/lotus60th/

The purpose of the tour is to not only to celebrate Lotus 60th anniversary, but with Lotus’s historical connection to NZ race tracks, to take in all the current public race tracks in a national tour. Commencing at Auckland Domain Friday 10th Oct 2008 in 4 stages that include New Zealand’s best scenery, roads, and race tracks, 60 Lotus cars accompanied by other British marques, will tour New Zealand in 4 stages, visiting and competing on all 6 track days over an 18 day tour.

[WayneB]

Looks like it is going to be a great event Kylie.:)

Are you going on it?:huh:

I don't know of anything that is being organised over here , sadly.:no:

[Martin]

Holy cow, 18 day tour!!!


Wayne, sounds to me that you have to be the firestarter. :weight_lift::flowers:

[Martin]

Kylie....made the front page there eh?

http://www.clublotus.org.nz/CLNZ2008/index.htm


You're a local hero! :rockon:

[Autocross7]

Hey, is that black #13 in the photos your old car by chance?

Cameron

[Kylie]

Looks like it is going to be a great event Kylie.:)

Are you going on it?:huh:

I don't know of anything that is being organised over here , sadly.:no:


Hi I am thinking about about joining them at the start and meeting up with them in the lower part of the South Island as its quite expensive and my objective would be to actually finish and get the car home back in one peice. So adding track days even if its just a sniff of the track things can happen as they do!!

Im not sure if your a member of a club in Canada Wayne but you guys should do something similar. I know you have the numbers up there.

[Kylie]

Kylie....made the front page there eh?

http://www.clublotus.org.nz/CLNZ2008/index.htm


You're a local hero! :rockon:

I know how bloody embarrasing esp after I was only really just crawling around. I certainly wasnt able to post any competitive times this meet infact a good 6+ secs per lap off proper pace. Lack of driver time behind the wheel of this car and rubbish hard tires was like taking the corner on ice!
That will change next time with new tires and geometry set-up. :steeringwheel:

[Kylie]

Hey, is that black #13 in the photos your old car by chance?

Cameron


No thats Nick Rays car its either a 91 or 92SE with V8 sized wheels. Its also got sime nice Brembos and new adjustable suspension on it. But looking at that pic it could with some tweaking perhaps!! It was his first track day now hes hanging out for his next!

[Kylie]

Less than a month to go, plenty of time to fix up a few little niggles.
Hopefully car should be looking smart :)

[Kylie]

OK got some pics sorted.....Wow what a weekend. Fabulous tour, fabulous people and weather. Were just coming down off a massive high. We got home last night absolutely shattered but wished we could have continued with the group.

We met up at the Auckland Museum in the domain, which was patchy weather wise but fined up soon as we left. A great turn out of Lotus's which was great to see. We put our stickers on, got some pics and promptly set off at 10 in convoy.
http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k181/iotus/Lotus%2060th%20Tour/frontsideviewallcarsnortheastlfacin.jpg
http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k181/iotus/Lotus%2060th%20Tour/CarsinDomainsouthviewing.jpg
http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k181/iotus/Lotus%2060th%20Tour/rearviewofallcarsatdomain.jpg
http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k181/iotus/Lotus%2060th%20Tour/S350frontsidebygunatdomain.jpg

We had a nice lunch at Cambridge then we were presented with tour instructions to take some amazing back roads from Cambridge to Taupo the back way. But in the last few days the local council decided it was a good idea to re surface some of these roads which meant we had to take a massive 10km detour on dirt/shingle roads, only really wide enough for a car and a few sheep! We were met by Jez in his S1 Exige coming back the other way as he decided he had enough of grooming the roads with his low front end, so he went back to take another route. The rest of us decided to take our time and managed to get through it ok with out too many scrapes. I was going to pull over and take a pic as I would have never guessed in a million years to have my car on such roads it was so out of place :laugh: The local farmers had their cameras out taking pics as we went past and answering our main question of are we there yet and how far to go to the hard stuff LOL! Not long after we finally managed to get back on tar seal, an owner of another Esprit their battery light came on thinking the battery is not secure after he changed it last night so we pulled over but lost the rest of the group. It turned out the alternator almost shook itself bits on the rough stuff. When we got to our accommodation our cars were like we had done a NZ Rally stage in the deep south! :ohmy: My whole engine bay looked like it was powder coated with an inch of cream paint so we spent the next two hours getting the cars back to almost presentable again. At least everyone was in the same boat cleaning up ! Some tart with a chamois. :lol:
http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k181/iotus/Lotus%2060th%20Tour/KylieCleaningcaratTaupo.jpg

http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k181/iotus/Lotus%2060th%20Tour/nickcleaningcarattaupo.jpg

Overall the S350 didn't miss a beat and this time on track performed as it should so am really happy at the moment, its got so much grip now and surprisingly able to keep up with the Lizes on the twisties and pull away from most on the straights. This time Simon and I both shared the Esprit on track so was great that he could finally see what it can do as well. No donuts from either of us so all was good. But each time I went out, Lizes were spinning out in front of me so gives me an indication how much grip I am getting. All good. :steeringwheel:

Enjoy

[Kylie]

More images
Pics of cars lined up at track :icon15:
http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k181/iotus/Lotus%2060th%20Tour/carslinesupattrack.jpg
http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k181/iotus/Lotus%2060th%20Tour/S2S350andExigeS1attrack.jpg
http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k181/iotus/Lotus%2060th%20Tour/S350attrackfrontsideview.jpg
http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k181/iotus/Lotus%2060th%20Tour/S1Exigeattracksideview.jpg
http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k181/iotus/Lotus%2060th%20Tour/S1Exigecarbonfibreairintake.jpg
http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k181/iotus/Lotus%2060th%20Tour/S1Eliseattrack.jpg
http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k181/iotus/Lotus%2060th%20Tour/Opelattrack.jpg
http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k181/iotus/Lotus%2060th%20Tour/BlueEuropaattrack.jpg
http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k181/iotus/Lotus%2060th%20Tour/LotusExigeS2Blackattrack.jpg

[Kylie]

http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k181/iotus/Lotus%2060th%20Tour/Esprit91SEattrack.jpg
http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k181/iotus/Lotus%2060th%20Tour/Europaattrack.jpg
http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k181/iotus/Lotus%2060th%20Tour/Cobraattrack.jpg
http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k181/iotus/Lotus%2060th%20Tour/Espritsnosessideviewattrack.jpg

My friend Grahams XTR2 that Simon and I got rides in.
http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k181/iotus/Lotus%2060th%20Tour/WestfieldXTR2attrack.jpg
The Westie is just an amazing track focus machine and makes all other cars look very average like they are standing still !! If I win Lotto im going to get one!

We met up afterwards for drinks and food and a few track tales before heading back to Auckland. Was kinda sad seeing everyone off on their journey ahead, wish we were joining them.
http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k181/iotus/Lotus%2060th%20Tour/Someoftourgroupaftertrackday.jpg
How you should park your Lotus... nothing like taking up four parks :hehe:
http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k181/iotus/Lotus%2060th%20Tour/S350andExigebylakewithmountainbackd.jpg

That was the best experience we have both had in ages.

[Dan]

Awesome.

Love the shot with the snowcapped mountains in the background.

[WayneB]

Fantastic photographs Kylie, everything looks absolutely great.:thumbup:

[Mark B.]

Thanks for sharing those pics Kylie. Wow, didn't know there were so many Lotus's over there! And please to see some Europa S's in against them.

[clockwork]

Lovely write up and pics.nice to see such a good turnout and to hear that you`re grip is getting better (DON`T GO THERE) Clockwork :)

[Kylie]

Thanks guys, there are quite a few Lotus's about but sadly many are tucked up in their garages and you seldom get to see them. People tend to pick and choose their events as it suits them so that is fine too :)

I did however catch up with my old car which turned up at the track to say hello but I didnt manage to get a pic as the owner only stayed for a short time. I am now dissapointed I didnt get my act together to organise this.

[GregWO]

Really great pics, Kylie! Love the light in New Zealand... just beautiful accents to those beautiful cars. Especially your 350.. WOW looks amazing!!!


must of been way too much fun....:thumbup:

[Martin]

Thanks and for the write up and the pics. I am jealous.

You could make a poster out of that mountain shot!

What is the story with the AC Cobra?

[Autocross7]

Good show for sure. I have NEVER seen more than 10 Lotus cars of any type in the same place at one time! Really good shots too! Although, I am reminded (and miffed) again at the fact that the newer Europa is not available in the USA...

Cameron

[Kylie]

Thanks and for the write up and the pics. I am jealous.

You could make a poster out of that mountain shot!

What is the story with the AC Cobra?

Martin, apparently its quite special. Its a real one put together by John Olsen, it is an original aluminium body without the roof. His plate has FIA 289, but theres some good reading here http://www.ritzsite.net/AC_Cobra/07_cobra.htm

Sadly its got the handling of a 60's car with all the orginal suspension :ohmy:
But the cool thing about it hes a regular at track days and not afraid to give it some. Its sounds good though!


Heres another pic I recieved today. The tour group continues south and went to another track called Manfield. This mountain back drop is called Ngauruhoe - Tongariro National Park :)

http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k181/iotus/Lotus%2060th%20Tour/CentralNorthIsland.jpg

[Andy B]

Great pics Kylie, makes me wish I had taken my camera to the all British day 3 weeks ago when we saw almost 50 Lotus/Caterhams in one field.

Hey what do you mean "Sadly its got the handling of a 60's car with all the orginal suspension" my live rear axle Seven objects to that.:)
I'm sure what you meant to say was something like "It's got the type of handling that allows you to be really silly and still get it back together without having a last name like Clark or Senna":thumbup:

[Kylie]

Hi 50 Lotus's would be cool!!! To be fair the 7s are an exception :yes: the Cobra has big bouncy tires and leaf springs.

[WayneB]

I dont think most people realise how crude the original AC Cobra's suspension is.

I had the pleasure of working alongside Carroll Shelby's Shelby American chaps at Elkhart Lake years ago (we were parked next to them) they were short handed and for once all of our stuff was working reasonably well .

I jacked up a early 427 Cobra to change the brake pads and was kinda shocked when I saw that transverse leaf spring which also acted as the upper front suspension link.:ohmy:

I asked the driver what it handled like and he said "scary"

The caster /camber must fluctuate all over the place under braking and cornering, but it was originally designed to run very narrow tyres, which wouldnt have generated anywheres near the loads of the Goodyear slicks that car was running.

Ken Miles must have been a fantastic driver.

http://gearheadcity.com/images/AutoTrend/2000.jpg

[Kylie]

Wow great histroy Wayne....The owner of this car said also how they used to tweak it, was to bend suspension parts :ohmy: for a "oh that will do" feel!! I call this guy spinner and he knows I hate having him lined up infront or behind me on a grid. He always has an off at every Lotus track day, he knows his car handles like $hit so he should drive it accordingly. :(

[Martin]

Wow, so a damn good replica would be more fun to drive? :001_unsure:

[Kylie]

For the sevens fans. In the South Island the guys have been doing some track days down there too as part of the tour. This one lining up in pit lane at Levels race Park - Timaru. Always seems to be a large number of 7s that turn up at South Island Lotus meets which is great :thumbup:


http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k181/iotus/Lotus%2060th%20Tour/LevelsTimaru.jpg

[Martin]

Yes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I will convince my wife that we need to move there :)

[Andy B]

[QUOTE=Kylie;14699]For the sevens fans. Always seems to be a large number of 7s that turn up at South Island Lotus meets which is great :thumbup:

At most of our meets the Sevens seem to dominate, some say it's because they were a less expensive car so there are more, I think it's because Seven owners are braver than most:thumbup: