Want to move from trackdays to proper racing?

New club caters for the competitive spirit

Loti running up to Druids

Done trackdays and now fancy racing? Then Lotus On Track might be right for you.

LoT has created an MSA-affiliated club, LoTRDC (Lotus-on-Track Racing Drivers Club) with the aim of providing a friendly, safe and financially viable race series for those wishing to progress from track days to racing. This is the Lotus-on-Track Elise Trophy, which is being launched in 2007 in conjunction with MSVR, the competition arm of MotorSport Vision.

Several members of the LoTRDC committee have already been involved in setting up a race series. In 2003 a group of Lotus enthusiasts, who wanted to go racing, but at the time were a bit nervous about racing their Lotuses, set up a very successful budget series racing E30 BMWs, the SELOC Production BMW series, which is still going strong today.

Each round of the Elise Trophy will consist of two races, one class-based and one handicapped. A good spread of cars (Lotus Elises & derivatives - Exiges/340Rs/Vauxhall VX220s) between classes should make for some interesting racing, with close battles throughout the field. While there will be a few people lining up on the grid for the first time in March, there are plenty of experienced racers in the field, and you can be sure that some of the psychological battles have already started.

Interest in the Elise Trophy has been phenomenal, said LOTR, with over 50 drivers already accepted and plenty of others keeping a keen eye on proceedings, with a view to racing in the future. The good news is that this means full grids at a number of circuits, with the promise of plenty of action. The Lotus community is very excited about the series, and the first race at Brands Hatch in March 2007, supported by Lotus Cars, is expected to be a huge event in the Lotus enthusiast’s calendar.

The 2007 calendar looks exciting, with races at top UK circuits including Brands Hatch, Silverstone, Oulton Park, Donington Park, Castle Combe and Snetterton, plus a trip to one of the best circuits in the world, Spa Francorchamps.

The first round of the series, the Lotus Brands Hatch Celebration, is on Saturday 24 March at Brands Hatch. A full grid is guaranteed, with 38 entries accepted for qualifying and 32 drivers on the starting grid. The day is being supported by Lotus Cars as well as numerous Lotus clubs, main dealers, suppliers and specialists.

So how much does it cost to race a Lotus? LoTRDC is hoping to keep the costs down as much as possible, and if your car is already properly prepared for track days, getting it ready to race may cost less than you think. Minimum safety equipment comprises:

Safety cage relevant to class
Plumbed-in fire extinguisher
Battery cut-off switch
Safety harness

Novice racers will also need to obtain a National B race licence from the MSA, as well as some essential clothing (race suit etc.).

Yokohama is supporting the Elise Trophy in 2007, and a number of other well known companies in the Lotus/Motorsport community have been quick to take some of the available series-wide sponsorship opportunities.

For more, check the link below.