03 Jan 2009

There may be doom and gloom all around but following Mike Kimberley’s upbeat message to Lotus Central about what the future holds for Group Lotus we’re now able to bring even more positive news for Lotus enthusiasts.

Organisers of the Lotus on Track Elise Trophy have had so much interest in the 2009 season, just their third since launching at Brands Hatch in March 2007, that all 17 Series Sponsorship slots have already been snapped up.

Oil giant Motul and leading shock absorber manufacturer Nitron are just two of the new names to show their support for the series. Many of the companies who have given the series their support from the moment the original concept was raised remain, such as Yokohama, Elise Parts and Car Limits. With the opening round of the 2009 season nearly 4 months away this gives the team of volunteers who run the series more time to concentrate on other areas to ensure drivers and spectators alike will again have another fantastic season.

With arguably the best calendar in UK club motorsport, new regs that should ensure the racing in the modified race is as close as has become the norm in class A/Production and with the added spectacle that cars from all over Europe will bring with the rejuvenated Lotus Cup Europe, 2009 really should be a very special year for a series that is already one of the top club series in the UK.

The good news doesn’t stop there with the series also selling out all 34 season deposits by 1st January 2009. This is the maximum number the organisers can release due to 34 being the smallest grid they will race on in 2009. Luckily for the other 70+ registered drivers the series will be running double grids at a number of rounds including the opening round at Donington Park on 17th/18th April which is part of the Lotus show and festival organised annually by Club Lotus. This will mean we’ll see well over 70 cars racing at some rounds.