Last year’s All British Day at Echunga: Courtesy Andrew Stevens
Well, 2023 is fast receding in our rear view mirrors and the fun and games of 2024 are well advanced. This year’s F1 cars are being released ahead of testing, we’re already through two Sunday get togethers, the number of Lotus owners in SA continues to grow, the annual All British Day is only weeks away, and the rollup of cars at our new meeting spot at Beaumont Rd in the East Parklands continues to grow. Our latest initiative is to commence offering historic registration capability to SA members later this year. The early Elises are now eligible, but more of that as the steps are put in place.
2023 Reflections
Looking back at 2023, and the first full year following “That Which Shall Not Be Named” was a busy one. In addition to the monthly get togethers, the year kicked off with the Glen Ewin Hillclimb Revival, and the All British Day at Echunga.
Later in the year the much delayed Tour of Tasmania was attended by Wayne Thomas in his M100 Elan which he described as “a great experience”. We had cars in the MSCA 6 Hour Relay in May, although no dedicated Lotus Team, and David Tye kindly showed us his recently completed 23B tribute. We found a new destination for our runs, with Oxenberry Farm in McLaren Vale being an instant hit, and the new Meadows Bakery continuing to be one of our favourites (even if some people can’t tell that it really is open).
The new Emiras showed up on our roads, bringing smiles to the Zagame team, and while some cars left the state, we had a variety of cars arrive from overseas and interstate. Various Lotus continued to be regulars at Collingrove Hillclimb, and track days at Mallala and The Bend. Speaking of The Bend, the facility out there continues to get better and better with the new drag strip coming on line. SSC/Lotus Cars will run their first SA Lotus Only Track Day at The Bend on the 19th and 20th May.
The Adelaide Tarmac Rally in November featured a number of Lotus in various categories, with the cars being well suited to the closed Adelaide Hills and Fleurieu Peninsula roads. There are a wide variety of categories from organized “Tours” through to the outright competitive events, and the Lotus were scattered throughout. Regardless of class, everyone found the event brought a wide grin to their face.
Michael De la haye in his Exige 350 at November’s Adelaide Tarmac Rally, by Bruce Hannant courtesy Andrew Stevens
We were disappointed when, thanks to the antics of one individual (not one of ours I should clarify), our 20 year plus association with the Sikh Society and the Old Colonial Inn carpark at the bottom of the SE Freeway came to an end. The bonus has been that our replacement meeting spot for our monthly get togethers at Beaumont Rd in the Parklands has proven to be great, and we enjoy the company of the local South Australian Metropolitan Fire Service team who often take a break nearby.
On one occasion, upon arrival at Beaumont Rd we found ourselves adjacent to a brilliant green and yellow fire truck, the South Australian Metropolitan Fire Service having wrapped a fire truck with a bold sunflower pattern, in collaboration with the Office for Autism. We learned that the sunflower is an internationally recognised symbol for non-visible disabilities, that can be used as a discreet signal to show that someone has a disability or condition that may not be immediately apparent – and that they may need a helping hand, understanding or more time than others in shops, at work, on transport or in public spaces.
SA Metropolitan Fire Service Sunflower fire truck. Photo Courtesy Andrew Stevens
We capped off 2023 with our Christmas lunch at the Lobethal Bierhaus. It’s always a very relaxing way to end our years activities, and we combine it with our December run. Al and Rosie at the Bierhaus look after us, and the food is fantastic. Of course we’re very careful not to imbibe too heavily in the other Bierhaus offerings.
2024 – It’s Off and Running
Our first run of the year is always a bit light on, with holidays and people still shaking off the remnants of New Years Eve, but a few hardy souls came along for a quick blat through the hills to the Uraidla Republic Bakery for a coffee and a chat, using our new route up Greenhill Rd.
The stunning Lotus Eletre outside the Mawson House Café in Meadows: Courtesy Andrew Stevens
February certainly made up for the January run with a bumper turnout. We’d been teased by various people promising to show up in something different, and they didn’t disappoint. Firstly the Zagame crew turned up in force with both an Emira in Fire Red, and Richard McLeod piloting a sensational metallic black Eletre. It says something when a First Edition Emira has to play second fiddle to anything, but the Eletre’s presence, finish and quality has certainly raised the bar again.
Next up, newbie Lotus owner Phil Sparrow arrived in a pristine bright red S3 Esprit NA that he’d imported from the UK, and was now enjoying after a lengthy compliance process with the wonderful folk at the motor registry. Continuing the Esprit theme Ian Peters brought along his S2 version after a lengthy mechanical refresh, although he was chasing an annoying noise that had suddenly appeared and didn’t join us on the run to Meadows.
Sunday line-up at Beaumont Rd, courtesy Andrew Stevens
The cars kept arriving, Elans, Europas, Elises, Exiges, an Eclat, an Evora or two. We even had a motorbike carbie’d Morgan, and David and Carol Tye rolled up in their Caterham. One of our more recent Lotus owners even brought along his work vehicle; a Royal Automobile Club service van ! We jokingly decided that this was the perfect thing to accompany a Lotus run. Fortunately, he was soon called away to another job fixing one of those unreliable Volvos.
We even had a local, out walking her dog, front up to ask why she didn’t know about our group and could she bring her Emira along. Of course the answer was “yes”. Further dialogue revealed that her partner had an Exige Cup, but things got really interesting when she pointed at the Eletre and asked “what’s this”. It seems that arrival of the first all Electric Lotus SUV hadn’t yet reached her attention. Like all of us, she was impressed.
With a big contingent in tow, we headed off towards Meadows. The guys following the Eletre reported that the handling of the 2 ½ tonne bolide was amazing (or maybe it was Richard’s driving talents), showing that Lotus’ engineering skills aren’t confined to making lightweight cars handle. It certainly doesn’t hurt to have the equivalent of 900 bhp on tap !
Our slightly circuitous route to Meadows confused some people who arriving from an unusual direction and decided that the café wasn’t actually open. It was, guys! The Mawson House café in Meadows has fast become one of our favourite spots since it opened last year. The service is great and we usually get to use their outside eating area for coffee, cakes and chatter.
March is the All British Day at Echunga, with the Lotus display always being one of the brightest and best and by the time you read this will be done and dusted. Our March get together will head off to Echunga to spend some time checking out the hundreds of British bikes and cars on display. All entries are locked in and club stalwart Mike Bennett is coordinating marshals this year while Lotus Cortina and Talbot owner David Baird is always around helping out. Unfortunately I’ll miss this year’s event due to a commitment on the other side of the globe.
I’m hoping that we might do something different for the April Run (which is code for I haven’t pulled my finger out and done anything about it).
Later in the year we have the MSCA 6 hour in early May, and I’m waiting to hear whether there is enough interest to get a Lotus team together again. This is one of the best value motorsport events, and the MSCA organisation is second to none.
Also in May is the SSC Lotus Only Track Day at The Bend. If you haven’t done an SSC Track Day you’ll not know what you’re missing, and with Bathurst off the agenda this year, The Bend is the next best thing. It’s a true drivers track, and whether you want to see how quick you can go in one of the sprint sessions, or just keen to drive your Lotus at speed in the company of like minded enthusiasts, you will love the experience.
With the possible exception of April, we’ll continue our regular first Sunday of the month get togethers at our new meeting spot of Beaumont Rd in the Parklands (accessed from the corner of East Terrace and South Terrace). Most people are aware to arrive by 9:00am and park well away from the entrance.
Safe Motoring,
Andrew Stevens
SA Calendar 2024
Sunday 3rd March All British Day Echunga
Sunday 3rd March March Get Together Beaumont Rd 9:00am
Sunday 3rd March MSCA SuperSprint and Come-N-Try Day
Sunday 7th April April Get Together TBD
Sunday 5th May May Get Together Beaumont Rd 9:00am
Sunday 5th May SCCSA 6 hour relay Mallala
Sunday 19th/Monday 20th May Lotus Only Track Day The Bend TBC
Sunday 2nd June June Get Together Beaumont Rd 9:00am
Sunday 7th July July Get Together Beaumont Rd 9:00am
Sunday 4th August Aug Get Together Beaumont Rd 9:00am
Sunday 1st September Sept Get Together Beaumont Rd 9:00am
Sunday 6th October Oct Get Together Beaumont Rd 9:00am
Sunday 3rd November Nov Get Together Beaumont Rd 9:00am
Sunday 1st December Dec Christmas Lunch TBD