Ashton’s President’s Prattle November 24

Happy November everyone! “How did that happen?” I keep asking myself.

Oh well, the US election is done and dusted, and the sun keeps coming up. Time will tell what the changes will look like for Australia (and indeed the rest of the world) but we’ll keep driving plastic cars.

Planning is well advanced for our Christmas Lunch and AGM. You can book online now via Member Jungle – and please do. Registrations have been coming through steadily already, and we greatly appreciate your prompt action!

  • Those wishing to do so can join us for Tyre Kick and Coffee earlier in the day
  • Then drive/public transport into the city in time for an 11am kick off of the AGM
  • Followed by lunch commencing from 12 noon, all at the Royal Automobile Club in Macquarie St

There is parking available under the RACA – you will need to call to reserve a spot on 02 8273 2300. Parking is first in best dressed, alternatives are available close by

In other important news, One Raceway, formerly Wakefield Park, is open again! And already hosting various weekends of events, so who knows, I might even bother to renew my race licence which has lapsed this year due to lack of interest!

And there are rumblings of us organising some sort of weekend away ahead of the big event of 2025, the Lotus 2025 gathering. Early bird pricing is about to expire, so if you haven’t booked yourself in and got the accommodation sorted, now is a good time to do so!! Go here and follow the prompts: https://www.lotusclubvic.com/index.cfm?module=event&pageMode=indiv&page_id=2406663

This month is a bit short on personal motoring reflections, as its been the first month without my licence – a useful learning exercise however, and I’m getting fitter by riding my bike around (and a fair bit of walking!)

I did briefly contemplate buying an electric scooter, but then decided I like my life too much! Oddly, apart from relying on public transport a bit more and preventing me from getting to cars and coffee events (which is a bit dull!) it hasn’t really changed my life – I just have to plan a bit more carefully! And, as you may have read last month, my man maths tells me I am saving money. Mind you I am probably drinking a bit more than I might otherwise, since I’m not driving!

It has allowed me to get in front of some of the car projects, so the Mini has had its paint rectification done, Gidget is having an engine freshen up ahead of deciding whether to 1/. keep her, 2/. sell her, or 3/. ship her to the UK and do some events in Europe Decisions decisions…

The Peugeot 205 GTi project car is almost back in one piece with just the head to go back on the engine, and then the replumbing to be completed. The next cab off the rank will be the Range Rover Sufffix F which needs to go back together! And I am hoping not to annoy my neighbours too much by bringing the Suffix D car down to the house and working on it here over the summer… we’ll see – it does rather rely on us having a fine summer, which I am quietly optimistic about after the wet ones of the last few years.

Righto, better get this off to Seth. Remember to book yourselves into the Christmas Lunch and AGM as soon as the email hits your inbox, and get onto Lotus 2025 if you’ve not already done so!

Meanwhile, keep it safe, upright and mostly on the blackstuff,
Ashton Roskill

Entry Open for CSCA 2024 Round 5

Our friends in the Triumph Sports Owners Association have opened entry for the fifth and final round of the 2024 CSCA supersprint series. Get your entry in to support a great event, and get some more track time in before Christmas!

The sprint will be held on Sunday November 24 at Luddenham Raceway. Entry documentation is available for download from the following links:

CSCA 2024 Round 5 Entry Form [PDF]

CSCA 2024 Round 5 Invitation Letter [PDF]

CSCA 2024 Round 5 Supplementary Regulations [PDF]

CSCA 2024 Round 5 Safety Briefing [PDF]

CSCA Super Sprint Scrutineering Check [DOC]

Entrants must also register their entry with Luddenham Raceway directly at this link: https://kiosk.bmileisure.com/luddenham/register

Please read the CSCA class tables in the supplementary regulations to obtain the correct class before you try and enter. Please discuss with your club sporting secretary. Ensure your club memberships and RTA/MA/AASA licences are up to date and remember to bring them on the day, or you will not be able to run.

Entries opened on September 23, 2024 and will close on 9 November 2024.

Lotus Photos: Sandy Bay Tasmania, October 2024

Thanks to Robert Verhey

Our friends in Tasmania get together most months at Sandy Bay to kick tyres and chat about life, Lotus and everything. Robert Verhey made it to this month’s meeting on Sunday October 6, and very kindly reached out with a few photos that you can enjoy below.

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For Sale: Quicksilver 4.2.1 extractor exhaust manifold

Quicksilver 4.2.1 extractor exhaust manifold

Ian is selling a Quicksilver 4.2.1 extractor exhaust manifold – for 2ZZ S2 Elise/Exige. It is used and there is a small leak at a primaries merge section that needs re-welding. Has been welded previously.

This is a lightweight unit of aircraft stainless steel. Equal length primaries 42mm, secondaries 47mm into 63.5mm. It suits n/a and supercharged cars. Adds torque in the mid-range without low range torque loss and gives extractor pulse sound. Sensational sound at high revs. Most effective performance-wise when combined with improved induction.

Wideband and EGT bungs have been added. Can be blanked off. Downpipe needs cat replacement.

In Sydney I recommend Westside Mufflers in Padstow for the required welding work.

Asking $400 – for pick up from Potts Point, Sydney.

For Sale: Lotus Elan S1/2 Soft Top Parts

Lotus Elan S1/2 Soft Top Parts

Club member Dan has some spare Lotus Elan S1/2 soft top parts for sale. Read on for the details.

In my search for soft top parts I was lucky, so I ended up with some spares. I have a pair of cant rails (R/H needs some rework), a bow and soft top bar.

Asking $250. Located Queens Park for pick up.

Ashton’s President’s Prattle for October, 2024

President's Prattle October 2024

My apologies before I begin for the silence last month – by the time the Great Cape Rally finished on 7 September and I got home and worked out which way was up, it was too late to call it early September still! But there’s a wrap from the rally here if you are into that sort of thing.

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Round Wrap-Up: CSCA 2024 Round 4 at Sydney Motorsport Park

CSCA 2024 Round 4 Hosted by Club Lotus Australia

Gino Valdes on the throttle out of turn two

On Saturday the 24th of August, Club Lotus Australia was honoured to host the fourth round of the 2024 CSCA supersprint series on Sydney Motorsport Park’s Gardner circuit. Scroll along and enjoy some photos and a wrap-up of the day.

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Lotus Photos: Sandy Bay Tasmania, August 2024

Thanks to Robert Verhey

Our friends in Tasmania get together most months at Sandy Bay to kick tyres and chat about life, Lotus and everything. Robert Verhey made it to this month’s meeting on Sunday August 4, and very kindly reached out with a few photos that you can enjoy below.

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