Join Us at the Royal Automobile Club of Australia for the Roaring Twenties Maroubra Speedway Cabaret Dinner

Long time member of both Club Lotus Australia and the Royal Automobile Club of Australia Peter Eppel is organising the Roaring Twenties Maroubra Speedway Cabaret Dinner on the evening of Saturday, August 22. We’d love to see you there!

Held at the Royal Automobile Club of Australia from 6:00pm on August 22, the event will feature ‘Maroubra Speedway – The Musical’ by Andrew G Ford with his jazz ensemble, telling the story of Sydney’s epic racetrack 100 years on. The dress code is for a big night out roaring ’20s style, with a prize to be presented for the best dressed lady and gentleman. The cost is $110, plus a cash bar.

This year marks the centenary of the first year of racing at Olympia Motor Speedway, an amazing one mile concrete oval with 48 degree banking that permitted 100mph lap averages by both cars and motorcycles. Built in the sandhills of Maroubra by enthusiastic promoters, it was only the third such racetrack in the world, preceded by Brookland in England and Montlhery, Paris.

The Roaring Twenties had arrived and the Kings of Speed on both two and four wheels thrilled huge crowds and became household names. Wealthy owners imported the latest fastest racing cars to compete – Grand Prix Bugattis, Indianapolis Ballot, Alvis, Alfa Romeo, et al.

The Royal Automobile Club of Australia, founded in 1903, had many members competing at, or otherwise involved in, Maroubra Speedway. We think that this is an important milestone to celebrate and invite members of Club Lotus Australia to join us in an evening of entertainment in best Roaring Twenties style.

Bookings may be made either at this link for non-members of RACA, or in the RACA member portal for RACA members.

If you’d like to know more, reach out to Peter Eppel via Seth at [email protected], or call the RACA on 8273 2300 and ask for Edwina.

Ashton’s President’s Prattle for June, 2026

Good morning! Yes, this is vey late for the May edition, and might almost qualify as June’s edition. Apologies, I got distracted by work, and some fun things!

Including a last minute drive day which a few of us did over the long weekend. Amazingly (and counter to the doomsayers who predicted us being impounded by the filth) we had a clear run all day, no plod, one camera car driving the other way, and clear roads, sunshine and great company – in fact exactly what was needed! Photos from the trip up Putty Road, and back down via Mangrove Mountain and Wiseman’s Ferry. And it was particularly good to catch up with Zed who joined us for coffee in Wolombi (white Evora below!)

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Ashton’s President’s Prattle for April, 2026

Ashton and Garth at Phillip Island

With Garth Selig at Phillip Island

Welcome to April, and I hope the fools missed tricking you for another year?

My apologies for the silence in March – I had expected to get you a missive immediately after the (excellent) Phillip Island Classic but time got away from me. So, here we are in April.

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Recapping 2026’s Beecroft to Robertson Rustle

Beecroft to Robo Rustle 2026

With huge thanks to Craig Sheppard for both organising and writing!

The 1st of March dawned dull, grey and wet, but that did little to deter 29 intrepid CLA members and guests as we met at Café Long Shot for the start of the Beecroft to Robertson Rustle.

After fuelling up with coffee, eggs and whatever else took fancy we headed off. The pace was tempered as the conditions weren’t ideal, but Lotii in full roar in the Sydney network of tunnels is always an aural treat.

We picked up four cars at Loftus Oval and headed into the Royal National Park – which only a day before was closed at the Audley weir, due to flooding. The consistent mizzle made the driving conditions tricky, but it was still great fun and the section from Waterfall to Otford remains a fantastic driving road – perfectly suited to our cars.

Beecroft to Robo Rustle 2026

After a well-timed break at the Otford pantry, we continued along the coast, driving on the Seacliff bridge and through the south seaside villages of Scarborough, Austinmer and Thirroul to name a few, before heading to the motorway en route to Albion Park.

We had a last-minute change to the route from Macquarie Pass to Jamberoo Mountain Road (thanks Lionel), due to roadworks. Another great road and between the ‘dry patches’ we experienced rain, mist, fog and 10 seconds of sunshine as we climbed up the escarpment. Everyone agreed that this is the better route to take for future endeavours.

As we arrived on the outskirts of Robertson (and despite the temptation of the Pie Shop) we headed back to the coast for a few kilometres until the ‘Tourist Road’. There were no tourists today, except for the gaggle of Lotii and we all navigated the road with no issues. Thankfully no repeat of the falling branch incident of the previous year!

Beecroft to Robo Rustle 2026

We circled back to the Roberston Public House, where a very enjoyable lunch awaited us along with smiles and tales of the 3 and ½-hour drive just completed. Additionally for the first day of autumn, the log fire was ablaze in the public bar, which seemed appropriate considering the conditions.

After being fed and watered, the majority of the group headed back along the motorway to their respective abodes. The feeling was a great day was had by all, meeting a few new Lotus owners and potential owners, and the vote was cast to ensure that this run become a permanent feature on the Lotus social calendar. (And more social events in general!)

Beecroft to Robo Rustle 2026