Elise/Exige Racing - Donnington

[hedgerley]

Spent Sunday at the Aston Martin Owners Club meeting at Donnington at the invitation of a good mate who races a DB4GT. The supporting races included the Lotus Road Sports and Invited British Sports Cars, virtually all Elise and Exige. Cracking race, won by one Gavin Kershaw. He also had the fastest lap, fully 10mph faster than the next bloke.

Now, that strikes me as a little unfair; the Lotus man responsible for the sublime handling and roadholding of Hethels finest, racing in a series designed for the fruits of his labours. Didn't even have a handicap (3 wheels, passenger, that kind of thing) Led from the start and won by a significant margin - very entertaining.

Also had the pleasure of seeing Rowan Atkinson racing his Aston Martin Vantage Zagato and actually finishing (16th out of 25) - he has launched it into the scenery on more than one occasion this season. Top bloke, patiently signing autographs and chatting to folk after the race (about cars of course). Best action though was watching (and listening) to him depart in his Maclaren F1 - glorious.

[Bonce]

Sounds good!

I have had the pleasure of being driven round Hethel by Gavan Kershaw in the dark and can confirm that he is bloody good with an Elise!

[dragstar]

sounds like you had a good day!!

[hedgerley]

I to had the pleasure of meeting the Lotus boys at one of Jonathan Palmers track days at his Bedford circuit a while back. Gavin was there showing off the Elise and I went round with Matt Becker in the (then) brand new S2. Every Lotus fan should experience it at least once in their life. Blasting past a Ferrari 360 and a Porsche 911, sideways, was most satisfying......

Also went in the back of the 2 seater AudiSport with the resident chief test pilot - one Justin Wilson, now of Jaguar. I'd rather not discuss how I felt at the time.......

[dragstar]

glad you enjoyed your day!!

did it convince you to get one, in the future?