This just in:

Hello everyone!

After many months of slowdown, July started to feel more normal, and even more so as we got back on the track AND got back into the social scene.

First up was the first Lotus Australia Lotus On Track day of the year on Saturday the 18th, which was preceded by an open track day on the Friday. I took the Elite down for a shakedown on the Friday, and to call the cars at the open track day eclectic would be understating it. I did have fun following a Holden Colorado as he bounced off the curbs, and to be fair to him he peddled hard. Then there was the Lambo that teetered around the corners and booted it on the straight – and often went straight on!

The LOTD the following day was an absolute blast – both for the fun on the track and the fact that we were allowed out for the first time in months, albeit with social distancing. And none of our Victorian friends, including Mark who organised the whole thing, were there. But there were some very fast times posted, and the Elite was a blast and even showed a clean pair of heels to a few much younger cars. And pilots.

On the Sunday we had the first gathering of the Tyre Kick for several months, which was well attended, albeit with the by now normal physical distancing in place.

So, let’s keep fingers crossed and sensible precautions in place so we can continue the fun. Looking ahead for August, we should have a fun weekend of historic racing at Wakefield Park for the HSRCA Spring Festival over the weekend of 29-30 August. In less good news the All British Day has been cancelled for 2020.

And continuing the theme, your organising committee for Lotus 2021 has made the difficult decision, given the escalation of events in Victoria, to postpone Lotus 2021 for 12 months to February 2022. Our current plan is to run some sort of country NSW tour in April/May for a long weekend instead. We’ll let you know as the thinking evolves.

Finally, we need to organise the AGM. The plan currently is to conduct it by Zoom on the evening of Tuesday the 15th of September at 6.30pm. We are currently getting the Zoom account organised and will publish full details shortly.

That’s about it for another month. Please stay safe in the current slightly odd circumstances, and particular our thoughts are with our Victorian members.

Pip Pip,
Ashton

Hey there!

We appear to be gradually regaining some sense of normality as the country (except Victoria) starts to get used to the new normal post-COVID. Social distancing is likely to be with us for a while yet (likely until either COVID is eradicated and/or a vaccine is available.

The good news is that we are now allowed to drive our cars (including the historic registered ones) again for pleasure. With some clear guidelines in place, events are starting to appear on the calendar:

• On Saturday the 18th of July we have the first LOTD of the year at Wakefield Park. Sadly the Victorians will be unable to attend, but we are hoping for a fun-filled day with friends nonetheless
• Also on Saturday, the 18th of July – the CSCA series get back underway at Marulan
• On Sunday the 19th of July we are planning to reconvene the Tyre Kick and Coffee at the Kokoda Cafe, with appropriate social distancing being observed please
• August 28-30 will see the HSRCA run their Spring Festival at Wakefield Park with a strong turnout expected

Aside from the rather dull issue of COVID and lockdown, we continue to hold our breath regarding the likelihood of Lotus 2021 going ahead in February next year. We still hope to be in Tasmania then, but will make the decision in September.

Hoping you have all completed your projects, sorted out the garden, tidied the garage and generally caught up on all those tasks on your to do list. I haven’t!

Take care of yourselves and your loved ones, have fun, and keep it upright and on the black stuff. I look forward to catching up with lots of you over the next few weeks of events

Pip pip,
Ashton