Bio :

Paul’s more of an organiser than a racer and started both SELOC and LoT in his spare time. Normally to be found in the control tower or out of breath in the pit lane he has actually driven on a couple of hundred track days and has 30 odd races in the SELOC BMW series under his belt, a series he was instrumental in setting up. Paul is a data consultant when not organising events for the Lotus community and has a wife Michaela and 3 kids who can often be seen running round for him at events.

Racing Aspirations: To have the cleanest car on the grid and spend more time on the black stuff than he did when shed racing.

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Bio :

Ian is Group Head of track hire at Motorsport Vision.

Although his office overlooks Clearways at Brands he’s not spent too much time driving the circuit, something that shows in his results.

If he was to spend more time testing than chasing women, Ian would be on the podium.

 

Bio :

Ulsterman Donnelly competed in British F3 and F3000 from 1986-89, alongside the likes of Jean Alesi, Johnny Herbert & Mark Blundell. He made his F1 debut with Arrows, mid-season, at the French GP in 1989.
In 1990 he continued in F1 with Lotus, alongside Derek Warwick. After some very promising performances, narrowly missing out on scoring a point in Hungary, came that horrific crash at Jerez. Martin sustained multiple injuries in the shunt, when he was ejected from the car still attached to his seat. Onlookers feared the worst, but thankfully he recovered, although his rehabilitation was a slow and painful process that took several years.
His F1 career was clearly over, but he has since raced in some club events and has managed his own F3 team. In 1999 Martin won the International Supersports race at Silverstone in a McLaren M8D.
In 2004, Donnelly raced a Mazda RX-8 in a Britsports 24hr race at Silverstone. 2006 saw Donnelly return to Lotus, providing pax laps and instruction on LoT track days.
On 1st & 2nd September 2007 Martin got behind the wheel of a standard Sport 160 S1 Elise at Donington Park in the Elise Trophy. After a great battle with Gavin Kirby Martin came away with the class A honours and then went on to win the handicap race outright.
Martin followed the Donington result up with 3 class victories in 3 races at the following Elise Trophy round in Spa Francorchamps.

In 2009 Martin has been racing the all new 211 in Class C where it is significantly down on power over the rest of the Class but has still come away with amazing wins at Spa and Cadwell Park.

 

Bio :

Nigel has no racing experience but after becoming hooked on trackdays and realising that he wasn’t getting any younger, the lure of the race track beckoned. Nigel’s aspirations are to have fun, not finish last and hopefully to improve through the season.

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Bio :

Motorsport Experience: 2008 was my first year in motor racing, I completed six rounds and now can’t wait for 2009, I’m particuarly looking forward to racing at Spa.

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Bio :

Andy runs a high performance driving school – CarLimits. When not instructing Andrew can be found getting plastered on his favourite tipple – Guinness. Although Andy says he was winning championships since the age of 7 he has a lot to prove as he spent most of the SELOC BMW series either in the gravel or on the back of his trailer.
Racing Aspirations: To not crash and bring the yellow streak back.

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Bio :

When he got his Lotus Elise in March 2000, it got cleaned more times than it was driven. In 2002 someone uninsured decided to crash into him on the M1 writing the car off. Graham decided that he would never get back into an Elise again however, in July 2003, Graham brought the same car back fully repaired. In 2004 he was introduced to a 1st Lotus Activity day and got the flavour for track days. Since May 2004, where he popped his cherry at Bedford Autodrome it’s all been downhill. He has no previous racing experience, so all this is new to him. Graham passed his ARDS test at Snetterton Race Circuit in January 2007, ready to go racing this year.

Graham lives in Borehamwood and currently works as a Sales Engineer for Polycom – Voice and Video Conferencing Manufacturer.

Racing Aspirations: To finish a race!

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Bio :

Martin started very late in life, being nearly 50 when he did his first track day. It rapidly became an obsession though and it was only a matter of time before he had to try racing.
Martin has some race experience having completed 3/4 of a season in the 750MC RGB series.
Racing Aspirations: to at least be competitive!

Bio :

Russ has competed in Mid Engined Sports Cars, Britcar and British GT’s.
Racing Aspirations: To have fun and win.

Bio :

Matt is an orthopaedic surgeon from North London but dreams of working in IT.
His love of fast cars has recently been rekindled by a midlife crisis and to the dismay of his wife and at least one of his daughters this shows no signs of being quietly forgotten along with the golf and gym membership.
He has now completed 2 seasons with one podium early in season one and has a long list of absolutely genuine excuses for not having repeated this feat since. Strangely, extreme slowness and an inability to fool the handicappers twice do not seem have been included on this.

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Bio :

Hans entered racing after confusion over a safety device lead him to be wrapped around the neck of Jason Plato during a BTCC race at Donington in 2004.
Outwardly ambitious and committed, inwardly (he claims) laid-back, Hans gained notoriety during the 2007 Season for his daring manoeuvers. Like many of racing’s legends these can be alternately brilliant and daft. Quickly he gained the affectionate nickname “Banzai”. His novel attempt to mount the pit wall from the Start at Brands on the first race of the 2007 Season could have re-written the record books. Sadly it was not to be, though Slough B&Q did good trade in blue gaffer tape.
Always a crowd pleaser, and the South East President of the Jimmy Savile Appreciation Society, Hans a valuable asset to the series. Almost as valuable as his highly-tuned K Series engine.
Racing Aspirations: to keep the fibreglass intact, have some fun and finish each race.

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Bio :

Ben started racing go karts at his local circuit when he was 14 and has never looked back – gaining valuable race experience (and a few trophies) along the way. It’s the very same company – PPiK in Leeds – Ben is now a Director of, as well as looking after UK sales for FKP and Director of Segway North (yes, those silly scooters you’ll see around the paddock).

After many hundred hire kart races, including a 24hour race, Ben moved up to Rotax Max finishing top three in his first season as a novice and top 6 out of 120 drivers at the televised 2005 Rotax Gold Cup.

It was Elise Trophy Driver no95 Gavin Kirby who introduced Ben to a Lotus on Track day at Cadwell Park and once again… Ben has never looked back, purchasing a Titanium S1 in 2008, converting to Audi power and then back again in order to race in the 2010 Elise Trophy.

Ben’s racing aspirations are to keep learning, keep smiling and give those ‘big budget’ boys something to worry about at some point in the season.

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Bio :

Did a track day in my road car and got hooked. Purchased an Elise and went racing with no experience whatsoever.
My aim in motorsport is to be Formula One Champion by 2011. If not I would settle for Force23 getting me as far up the grid as possible.

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Bio :

Stevie Willymans career is a triumph of car preparation over driving ability.
The passion began in his parent’s garden shed. Once those tentative teenage fumblings fizzled out, Steve began building his first cace car. Quickly he progressed through to racing MG’s before he was banned for life for using an illegal moustache (pictures available on request).
Heavily involved with the Series from the start, Stevie invented his own Class (B), designed specifically for him to win. Win he did in 2007, at most of the races. The most memorable moment was the Inverted T-Bone™ defence strategy used off the line at Brands DTM.
Stevie races despite suffering from the andropause (the male menopause) which causes him to be grumpy and irritable. He is still very popular though with half the grid. He also looks after half the grid’s cars.
The Wily Old Ocelot will remain one to watch in 2008, though don’t get too close to him unless he’s wearing a testosterone patch

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Bio :

Motorsport Experience: None
Racing Aspirations: Enjoy the racing and get to know everyone and get a place on the grid for 2008

 

Bio :

Having enjoyed too many days at PalmerSport started doing some track days in a 911 GT3. Rapidly grew bored of doing laps without any tangible goals and thought that overtaking other than on the straights might be quite interesting. Watched an Elise Trophy race at Brands at the end of 2008 and met the guys at Track-Club who built a production race car for 2009 season. Thoroughly enjoying being on some highly competitive grids, visiting some great circuits and meeting a seriously friendly crowd of Lotus enthusiasts.

 

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Bio :

Tess is a company director and has finally got around to fulfilling her destiny to be on the racetrack, she’s just hoping it’s not at the back of the grid.
Tess has taken part in 3 Caterham races and has attended track days.
Racing Aspirations: To race as often as possible, to win occasionally and to show her husband, Elgan Howell, her rear.

Bio :

A man of few words Mick loves competition and would love to race.
Racing Aspirations: would like to race in a sensible series, with like minded realistic people.

Bio :

Sadly, BJ’s campaign shows no sign of improvement and indeed the more unkind commentators have said that they would rather put money into an Icelandic Bank than wait for BJ’s fortunes to improve.

Undeterred BJ’s exhausting preparations for the forthcoming season have consisted of sleeping a lot, eating too much and watching re-runs of the Power Rangers.

Armed only with an outline of the circuit (in case he gets lost) and a wholly misconceived spirit of adventure BJ intends to get the Jalopy to the finish … all we can say is that he better keep his day job for the time being … …

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Bio :

Motorsport Experience: None! A handful of trackdays and a couple of Walshys…!

Racing Aspirations: To gain some experience, not always be the slowest and have some fun!

About You: …coming soon

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Bio :

One of the ‘original’ gang, I didn’t think my misses would ever let me do it, especially as I’ m always whinging about the trackday money – even though I’ve probably done more than anyone over the last 5 or so years!!! Racing Aspirations: Do OK in Qually, and keep clear of Golding and Braker…

Bio :

Mark runs his own amp building company, and has always owned lots of fast cars. Mark has owned his 340R from new and although has other much quicker cars the 340R has always remained and now he wants to use it for what it was built for.
Racing Aspirations: To enjoy my car, the race and Lotus group.

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Bio :

Phil got into track days rather late, at the ripe old age of 43. He started off with a Peugeot 205 GTi as his track day car. Six months later he bought a Westfield, and in March 2007 got his Elise. The first competitive events he took part in were the LOTRDC sprints in 2008 and 2009. But most of his sprinting buddies have moved over to ET, so he decided to enter as well.
Racing aspirations: To finish races with the car in one piece.

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Bio :

Having seen the Elise Trophy cars at Spa and already thinking of the joining the series. Stu brought Andrew Gordon’s Class A Car. He flew up to Scotland on the Monday, drove the car home. Then on Wednesday he did his ARDS test with a medical on the Thursday. Friday morning was spent waiting at the MSA for his new license. Then on Saturday, he was qualifying for his first race. What a week.

..and that was over a year ago. The car is now know as the gaffer tape godess due to Stu’s high budget development and maintenance program.

 

Bio :

Motorsport Experience: One sprint competition at North Weald
Racing Aspirations: Aim for 2008 is to have fun and keep the car more or less in one piece
About You: I work as an IT Programme Director and live in Kent. I have owned a Elise S1 since 2000 done track days both in UK and Europe exclusively LoT in the last two years. Having watched the Elise Trophy series in 2007 it has got to be the place to be. Having already got the car there is no excuse not to be in there.

Bio :

Purchased my elise years ago, started driving on track with LOT & caught the bug. Started modifying the car as bits failed and after a few years found it was more a race car than road car. Seemed rude not to work up to racing.

Started sprinting & really focusing on driving in 2008/9 when LOT started its sprint series. A mixed year in 2008 followed by class wins at all the 2009 rounds.

Joined LoTRDC late 2009 – first race at Cadwell qualifying 11th.

Best finish: 4th at the 2009 Brands Endurance race when competed in a team with John LaMaster (car 65).

With the car freshly re-furbished and fully prepared there is a distinct lack of excuses for the 2010 season.

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Bio :

Motorsport Experience: Class 1 and short circuit gearbox karting in the eighties and then again in the mid nineties with a 250cc rotax gearbox kart. No saloon car experience.
Racing Ambition: Prepare a reliable car, turn out my Elise S1 nicely presented. Compete fairly and be consistant, not be last and most importantly not get in the way of anyone who’s only ambition is to win. To get my six novice signatures as quickly as possible.

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Bio :

Husband & father who spends far too much time farting about with cars. Trading-in the inordinate amount of cash that trackdays have routinely removed from my bank account into an annual racing budget (at least I’ll have something to show for it I keep telling myself).
“Very smooth, but very slow” was the comments from my first ever on-circuit tuition in a mid-engined sports car. On the basis that “the only way is up”, I hold mild notions of qualifying at least one row off the back of the grid in my first season…..

http://back-row-racing.blogspot.com

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Bio :

After 5 years of club racing on motorbikes Tom decided to go car racing in his Elise.

Bio :

Tony is a COO of a firm of IDB’s in London. He’s one of those ‘cor blimey govnor’ cockney types who basically have done good from the city and like to have fun.
Racing Aspirations: To have fun.

Bio :

John started racing in 2008. His racing aspirations are to have some fun, to learn some racecraft, and to not go sideways down Paddock Hill Bend again.

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Bio :

Andrew’s first motorsport experience was trialling a 1977 Land Rover with the All Wheel Drive Club. He got the track day bug in 1997 driving a Fiat Coupe. After a brief spell in a Subaru Impreza, in 2002 he saw the light and bought his first Lotus Elise. He has competed in a few Sprints and during 2006 raced a BMW 320 with Yorkshire based Skunk Racing in the Production BMW Championship. With races at Thruxton, Lydden, Pembrey & Silverstone, his best result was two class wins at Silverstone in September 2006. In his first season he was pleased to finish all his races in a higher position than he qualified, although frankly this may may just indicate a poor qualifying performance!
He’s been involved in the Elise Trophy from its inception in 2006 and has competed at every round since the series kicked off in March 2007. He’s currently the Press Officer for the club, with responsibility for press releases, race reports & press liaison.

Andrew’s partner, Penny, reached the last 30 in the Formula Woman competition in 2006, and was sponsored by Lotus-on-Track.

Andrew lives in Surrey and, like a lot of Elise owners, is slightly ashamed to work in the IT industry. He would also like it noted that his reputation as a car breaker is entirely unfair, “it’s not my fault they wear out” he says.

Racing Aspirations: To have fun & eat a lot of bacon sarnies.

And a contribution from the Elise Trophy’s very own satirist, James Knight:

Kell (his former “tag”), found track driving following a period of forced rehabilitation after years of crashing cars on the road, including one attempt to swim a car across a swollen ford. Unfortunately, in a cruel stoke of automotive karma, Kell’s car is the least reliable on the grid. According to “independent” “expert” Simon Scuffham he remains the only person ever to have broken anything on a Honda converted Elise. Kell has the sincerest sympathy of everyone involved in the series, and we all sincerely hope for a 100% reliable 2008.
One of the more committed entrants, Kell has been known not to sleep in the days before an event. Handwritten maps, circuit notes and an extra 100bhp often help keep Kell’s Class C car ahead of the faster Class Bs. Unfortunately Kell’s earlier demons have now resurfaced themselves in what psychologists call the “Newquay Disorder” – where middle-aged men buy VW Campers and talk of “catching some waves”. Kell still prefers to turn up to events with his carers to give him stability. Please don’t feed him sugar.

 

Bio :

Paul’s final salary British Rail pension and the equity release from his Maidenhead maisonette have funded his lifetime ambition: to have an excuse not to attend every Chelsea home game, something even more valuable now they are under the soporific control of Avram Grant.
One of those who drive to and from the event, Paul’s backup is his free bus pass – though fortunately he hasn’t relied on it yet, despite his attraction to circuit walls.
Paul’s first season was a major success including a stunning victory at the Brands Hatch DTM meet. Paul displayed all his wily skills keeping the Class A pack at bay in the 20 lap race (19 of which were behind a Safety Car)
A new “old” Dad, Paul is one of the most popular members of the Paddock. He is especially popular with Steve Williams, to whom he once gave a car (340R) for no obvious reason.
Racing Aspirations: Not to be embarrassed!!

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Bio :

Motorsport Experience: None, Track days for last 8 years, However have booked 6 arrive drive races in July and Aug

Racing Aspirations: Want to get into a good club scene where I can have some fun. Ultimate aim is get into LeMans by 2012!

About You: Sales Director in Telecoms. Running a Porsche GT3 in track days, fed up with Elise’s cornering speed! Thought I need to give it a go!

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Bio :

Motorsport Experience: Peter attended the Lotus driving day at Hethel in 2007 and completed his ARDS at Snetterton in August 2008.

Racing Aspirations: To have fun and improve my race driving. “It’s a big step up from one horsepower to 160 I am also looking to compete in a motorcycle sidecar race if the opportunity presents.”

About You: Director of several companies including Top-Oils which sell the world famous Bardahl products. Peter’s professional background is marketing. Peter enjoys driving his various Loti and riding his retired racehorse Easter Ogil. He is planning to ride in a horse race in 2010.

Motto: Ad perpetuatatum in luto, altitudo solum varia est.

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Bio :

My first experience of an Elise was at Silverstone on my 21st Birthday and from that day onwards I knew I had to have one as soon as funds allowed. Fortunately a new career in IT and a large graduate loan helped make this a reality and I have owned 3 different cars since. Track days have always been a much loved pastime (regular LoT members will probably recognise my dad Ian and I from many different events) but the opportunity to race was one that simply couldn’t be missed.

2008 was my first full Elise Trophy season and with 19 finishes from 20 starts and 10 class B wins it was also very productive.

2009 and a few modifications to suit the new Modified class saw 7 race podiums from 11 starts (including 2 from pole position) and my first outright race win at Snetterton despite very tough competition.

2010 should be the greatest challenge yet as I swap back to K-Series power and race against an experienced field of Production Class drivers. My aspirations as ever are to have fun with a like-minded bunch of enthusiasts and be competitive.

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Bio :

Motorsport Experience: None

Racing Aspirations: Be Better than Rubbish

Bio :

Competed 2000-2001 in the Colway Tyres Porsche 924 Championship, then advanced to Caterham Roadsport A in 2002. Not raced since, after an 8 year drought, looking forward to getting back out there.

Will do a few track days each year, and now have a road going S1 Elise for the job (pictured at the ring 2009)

Bio :

David, more commonly known as Skeggs, started out in TKM karting when he was fifteen. He successfully continued Karting at variety of UK venues for a good number of years. After a slight pause in his motor sport development he moved into sprinting in his Elise, competing in regional championships.

During this time he found a passion for two wheels as well as four, both on the road and on track. Shortly after this time he found himself partaking in trackdays in the Elise which took place throughout UK & Europe.
He has also tired luck at 12 car rallies, Sandocross (like Autocross but on sand!!) and counted to compete in regional sprint championships & which was paired with class wins.

Circuit racing has been the focus since 2007 which has provided 3 fantastic season.
Skeggs lives in Surrey and currently works in London behind the scenes in the Television industry.

2010 brings the challenge of a different class, he’s dabbled in production cars over the last few years and loved it. Now it’s time to do it in his own car!

Bio :

Started with LoT doing trackdays in a Noble. Got it smashed up at Bedford, fixed it and started going faster. Then did a season in Club100 karting to learn racecraft and finally sold the Noble and bought the Elise. 1st race was Silverstone Britcar weekend in Sept 2008 which was amazing! Came 19th and 16th. 2nd race was Brands in Nov 2008 where I came 17th and 15th. Roll on 2009!

2009 started well at Silverstone with a 10th and then 7th in class.

Anglesey I came 9th in class in both races and found it a very tough circuit to master.

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Bio :

Motorsport Experience: I started out with karting and got the bug for racing. I have done two training days with Lotus on hethel track as well 3 days with Andrew Walsh at North Weald. I have also done some track days.

Racing Aspirations: My aim for this year is to upgrade my license to National A, enjoy the racing with like minded Lotus owners and not to finish last!

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Bio :

Gavin has been karting for the last 4 years (MSA rotax max) and attending track days all over Europe for the last 3 years. He’s breaking his car racing duck by competing in the last couple of rounds of the MESC series.
Racing Aspirations: Far too old now to make an impression for a professional career in motorsport. Just so long as the racing is clean and fair, I’m happy.

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Bio :

A wardrobe malfunction (though charges were later dropped) forced James retirement from a glittering career as a global hypermodel. He is now a full-time eco-warrior and session tambourine artist. From a secret base in Maidenhead, James wages war on the global multinationals that are bloody well ruining it for everyone. Swapping places from in front to behind the lens, James has documented many of the great environmental catastrophes of our time. For example, that time something bad was released into some river. He has also bravely prevented lions from killing several animals by shooting them. James is trained as an expert craftsman, and owns a small shop in Notting Hill specialising in ivory and tropical hardwood. He has also personally designed and made nearly 30% of his new Gulfstream Vs interior.

For 2010 Elsie will be equipped with hemp clamshells and run on biofuel, both sourced from sunflowers grown on James air-conditioned penthouse roof terrace, equipped with the highest-tech growing lights.

Following an absurdly successful 2009, James racing ambitions have shifted to minimising environmental disturbance. He will be taking the bus to all race events (if routes allow), using minimal throttle and avoiding the brakes. James race fixer, Stevie S_Max Williams, will be taking along a 10MW sound-system, a live-link to an Al Gore headcam, creche, assorted tents, henna tattooists and chill-out zone.

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