Lotus Car Club of British Columbia

Transcription

The Official Newsletter of the
LCCBC
Volume 28 – Issue 5 / September – October, 2007
Page 1
PO Box 44425, Westside RPO, Vancouver, BC, V6S 2C5
Club Executive:
Contents:
President
Dave Rush
Cover Photo – Lotus 2-Eleven
1
Vice President
Open
604-453-7874
Index – Contacts
2
Secretary
Open
Calendar – Malcolm
3
Treasurer / Membership
Kevin Moroney
604-517-1675
Competition
Malcolm Muir
604-467-6560
Island Chairman
Open
Editor
Ian Green
Staff
Dan McLellan
Staff
Dave Rush
Staff
Rory Banks
Advertising
Open
Webmaster
Dean Moncado
604-787-6772
604-453-7874
Dave Rush – President's
[email protected]
4
Ian Green – Editor's
5-7
Bob Wilson – Island Shows
8-9
[email protected]
Hugh McLellan – Lotus Vegas
10-12
[email protected]
James Armstrong – Beaulieu
13-17
[email protected]
Malcolm Muir – Lotus / PIR
18-24
Lotus Advertisement
[email protected]
Advertising :
Single Issue
One Year
Business Card
$10.00
$40.00
Quarter Page
$20.00
$80.00
Half Page
$50.00
$150.00
Full Page
$70.00
$200.00
Meetings:
[email protected]
25
Malcolm Muir – Tin Top Tales
26-27
Lotus News
28-29
For Sale – Swap – Fancy
30
Advertising – Richmond Auto
31
Membership Form
32
The First Wednesday of Each Month at 7:30PM
Sept 8 , 2007 – Saturday BBQ – 1:00PM
Oct 3 , 2007 – Wednesday – 7:30PM
Nov 7, 2007 – Wednesday – 7:30PM
Mike and Marta Sattler
Malcolm Muir
Richard Lee
208 East Durham St.,
20904 McKinney Ave.,
5789 Hudson St.,
New Westminster
Maple Ridge
Vancouver
604.526.6806
604.467.6560
604.267.7792
LCCBC Main Web Site: http://geocities.com/lotusclubofbc/
LCCBC Members Only: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/lotus_car_club_of_bc/
The Cam Journal is the official newsletter of the Lotus Car Club of British Columbia. The Cam Journal is published bi-monthly and is supported by membership
dues and advertising revenues. All opinions expressed in the Cam Journal are those of the individual authors and does not necessarily reflect the opinions of
the Cam Journal staff, the club executives or members of the Lotus Car Club of British Columbia. Others clubs are welcome to use material printed in this
newsletter, provided the Cam Journal and the Lotus Car Club of British Columbia is duly credited. All contributions to this newsletter should be submitted to the
editor by the published deadlines. The editor reserves the right to edit in whole or in part any and all contributions.
LCCBC
Page 2
Calendar 2007
JULY
1
1
1
4
4
6-8
7
8
22
28-29
AUGUST
1
4-5
5
6
17-19
18-31
19
26
31
SOVREN Vintage Races
Pacific Raceways Kent, WA
Canada Day
French Grand Prix F-1
Circuit de Nevers Magny-Cours
Independence Day (USA)
Monthly Meeting 7:30 PM
Portland Historic Races
Portland International Raceways
Super Seven Saturday
Hugh McLellan's
British Grand Prix
Silverstone Circuit
German Grand Prix F-1
Nürburgring
NW SCCA Regional SOVREN Race
Historic Races - VRC of BC
Mission Raceways, Mission, BC
www.vrcbc.ca
Hungarian Grand Prix F-1
Hungaroring
Civic Holiday (Canada)
Historic Automobile Races
Laguna-Seca, Maonterey, CA
www.laguna-seca.com
Vancouver PNE Fair
www.pne.ca
Rivers Edge Vintage Series
Mission Raceways, Mission, BC
Turkish Grand Prix F-1
Istanbul Park
Club Lotus NW Track Day
OCTOBER
3
Malcolm Muir, 604-467-6560
7
Japanese Grand Prix F-1
Fuji International Speedway
8
Thanksgiving (Canada)
8
Columbus Day (USA)
21
Brazilian Grand Prix F-1
Autódromo José Carlos Pace
30-31 SEMA Show
Las Vegas Convention Centre
www.semashow.com
NOVEMBER
1-2
SEMA Show
Las Vegas Convention Centre
7
11
Remembrance Day (Canada)
11
Veterans' Day (USA)
22
Thanksgiving (USA)
DECEMBER
25
Christmas Day
26
Boxing Day (Canada)
SEPTEMBER
1-3
Columbia River Historic Races
www.sovren.org
1-2
All British Field Meet
http://www.abfm-pdx.com/2007/index.htm
1-3
Vancouver PNE Fair
www.pne.ca
3
Labour Day
5
8-15
Targa Newfoundland
www.targanewfoundland.com
9
British Car Picnic in the Park
Hougan Park Abbotsford, BC
9
Itallian Grand Prix F-1
Autodromo Nazionale Monza
11
Patriot Day (USA)
16
Belgium Grand Prix F-1
Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps
22-23
Vancouver-Whistler All British Run
22-23
SOVREN Fall Finale & Enduro
Pacific Raceways, Kent, WA
www.sovren.org
29-20
Maryhill Loops Hillclimb
Goldendale, WA
www.sovren.org
30
Chinese Grand Prix F-1
Shanghai International Circuit
LCCBC
Page 3
Dave Rush – Europa S2 – President's Point of View
Our annual BBQ will take place on Saturday, September 8 at Mike and Marta Sattler's home at 1 PM. The
format will be the same as last year which is a potluck. The club will provide tea, coffee, pop, paper plates,
plastic cutlery and the guests will bring an entree or desert, chairs, an umbrella if it looks like a damp day and
other refreshments. A BBQ will be there for cooking. Please RSVP so we know what to expect for numbers
and entrée/desert ratios.
The annual Vancouver-Whistler All British Run is on Saturday September 22 and starts at Cam Clark Ford
at the North Shore Auto Mall. Registration is 9-11 AM and registration is $25 before Sept. 4, $35 after.
I doubt the parts department there stocks BDA’s.
I think Kia’s stylists’ main tools are pictures of other cars, scissors and paste. At first glance I am regularly
seeing an X3 or X-Type, Fusion or Windstar etc., only to see a Kia at second glance. A new board game could
be designing the next Kia using sales brochures from other marques and having to have one portion of the car
styled in at least 5 different countries.
This is the year of number 2 drivers in F1. Who would have thought that Hamilton and Massa would be ahead
of their world champion teammates at this point in the season with 5 races to go.
See You at the BBQ – Dave
LCCBC
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Ian Green – Elise 111R – Editors Expletive
I am really running out of patience with Proton (the owner of Lotus).
For three years now, there have been rumours of Proton being sold to another manufacturer. This past year
we've witnessed VW, GM and Peugeot trying to make a deal, now it seems only VW is still pursuing Proton. VW
and Proton have had three meetings and they still can't come to an agreement. VW wants Proton, but Proton
doesn't want to relinquish control. It's time Proton woke up and realised that they will be out of business within a
year if a deal is not signed. Proton can talk all they want about make manufacturing inroads with a China
manufacturer, and using Lotus R+D as a tool. But without bags of financing, Proton will be history soon.
VW is a mammoth corporation these days. And to think it all began with a people's car, originally designed by
Ferry Porsche back in the 1930's. The infamous Beetle. Interesting if you research the history, you discover that
Porsche was initially impressed with the Tatra, a vehicle years ahead of its time. And if it wasn't for the British
military in 1945-48, the Beetle might never have been re-born.
VW today owns; Audi, Skoda, Seat, Lamborghini, Bentley, Bugatti, Cosworth, part of MAN trucks and part of
Scania trucks. Porsche today owns 31% of VW, which triggered a mandatory takeover attempt of VW. 31%
prevents anyone else from taking over VW and protects each company's interests. Basically Porsche and Lower
Saxony own almost 52%. And of course the families that run VW and Porsche are related. News this week says
maybe Porsche will soon acquire an additional 20% from Lower Saxony. Result; Porsche owns VW.
So, what would happen if VW bought Proton. Well, the question is; what are they trying to buy? The complete
Proton corporation which is partly owned by the Malaysian government? Or simply the manufacturing plant that
Proton use in Malaysia? If they buy the manufacturing assets, it's an injection of badly needed cash into Proton.
If they buy Proton, lock stock and barrel.... They end up owning Lotus. The most forward thinking automotive
R+D firms that do contract work for other manufacturers are; Porsche, Ricardo and Lotus. Recently Lotus
worked with VW on a few concepts and just last month even a Mercedes was spotted at Hethel with familiar
Lotus personnel driving the camouflaged car, rumoured to be a hybrid of sorts that Lotus is testing for Mercedes.
Lotus is involved with a Chinese manufacturer offering advise and design. Lotus is tied with Telsa re their
electric vehicle and other concepts. Tesla opened and R+D centre in Detroit. Well, Lotus has had a building in
Detroit for years. Lotus also did work for Aston Martin prior to Ford selling AM to Dave Richards. Toyota also
has obvious connections.
The new 2009 Esprit was rumoured to be BMW powered. If VW gets their fingers into Lotus, BMW power will be
a no-no. The Esprit would be competing directly against the Audi R8/R10. A new Lotus codenamed “Eagle” is
due in 2008. This is supposed to be a 2+2 mid-engined V6. Likely to be called Elite. Every second week in the
British trade journals there is another article on the future of Lotus and what they are planning.
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I believe that even if VW gets Lotus as part of the Proton deal, which should be settled before 2008, Lotus will
survive as a distinct brand. They are just too valuable to VW and others to shut down. Maybe I'm blind, but that's
how I see it. However, if Porsche gets control of VW... it's a new ball game. On the other hand, in my perfect
world, I'd prefer to see a tie-up with Aston Martin, TVR, Lotus and maybe Jaguar.
By the way, yesterday I read that Chrysler is buying diesel engines from VW. Chrysler is another company that
VW may be interested in acquiring. Don't laugh, yes I know that Chrysler was just sold to Cerebus. But in
business when one buys a product from another, there is always someone on the fiftieth floor wondering where
this will take them next.
Now onto something completely different.
About two years ago I began pushing for the Cam Journal to go electronic. Somehow I got volunteered to be the
Editor. It's been a blast and I thoroughly enjoyed doing this. I think it's been a success. The club has saved a ton
of money and we moved into the 21st century. I will assemble the Nov-Dec 2007 issue.
However 2008... Do I continue as the Editor? Or does someone want to take over. Speak up now. If I do
continue, what do you want to see, read? Complaints, concerns?
I'm not sure if I want to keep doing this. Often I wonder why. I will listen to comments and suggestions, my mind
is not completely closed on this.
My work and family take a huge chunk out of my available time, and there are moments when I just want to shut
everything off and hibernate. If I had tons of free time, I would still own the two Europas. And the Elise. I would
have found a solution to the storage problem.
So, anyone out there want the Editors position? The way I do it is thus;
You email me your stories and adventures. Then everything I receive and gather re the Cam Journal gets
dumped to an LCCBC folder on my computer. In that main folder are sub-folders for each bi-monthly issue. I
start a new issue by using the previous issue and deleting what I don't need. This is composed with OpenOffice,
a free open source word processor program, because I hate Microsoft and refuse to play their games.
http://www.sun.com/software/star/openoffice/index.xml
OpenOffice is offered by Sun Microsystems. Excellent company and very stable. OpenOffice allows you to save
as a PDF, which is what gets sent out to the members and uploaded to my LCCBC backdoor site. The pictures
get reduced in size using a free photoshop like program called PhotoFiltre. This seems to work and the picture
quality doesn't degrade unacceptably. Therefore the typical Cam Journal issue which is 10M normally gets
reduced to 2M which is what you receive. Sounds complicated? It's not, just a bit trickery with an old computer.
I email the finished PDF to Dave, He emails it out to the paid members. I upload the PDF to my website via an
FTP client (FileZilla). I also assemble pictures using Picasa and scan various articles, These also get uploaded
to my website. Lastly, I copy the current issue onto a CD disc, and at lunch I drop it off to a Staples near my
office to get 10 B+W copies printed for Dave. These he mails out to a few other organisations and clubs.
And we are done for two months until the next issue. Because the actual work is spread out, an hour here, an
hour there... It's difficult to get a real figure on the true amount of time I spend assembling. But calculate 12-16
hours every two months.
Finally, if I don't do this in 2008... My website (europa24fps.com) will close down. It's only function these days
is as a storage place for LCCBC. Even then, LCCBC still needs to move the articles and other content off my
site to the actual Club site. Originally, my personal website was to document the rebuild and work on my two
Europas. They are gone, history. The Elise is a Toyota. It doesn't need documenting. I need to step aside and
see what's next down the road.
Many thanks to everyone who contributed in this issue..
LCCBC
Page 6
I tried to get this to work on my cell phone, a Samsung. Nope, no dice. Maybe you can get it to work on yours.
http://www.java.com/en/games/mobile/lotuschallenge.jsp
On Page 25, there is an ad from a dealer in the UK. I thought it was interesting the discounted prices and
financing arrangements.
Lastly found this on Urban Dictionary;
cul-de-sac-ing: “Allowing your thoughts to keep circulating to a dead end without leading to a productive or
helpful conclusion, usually one ends up confused and frustrated.”
Perfect description of me.
LCCBC
Page 7
Bob Wilson – Europa S2 – Island Shows
July wasn’t a nice month. The early hot summer weather dissolved like a characterless white wine, soft on the
nose and face, with hints of dust. I’m reluctant to take the Europa out in weather like that because I read
somewhere on the Internet that it could shrink as it dries. I’m sure 2885 has shrunk since we first met and I won’t
fit inside if it shrinks any more.
Ladysmith has the closest Lotus-compatible car meet I’d never been to. On my way up-island, I’ve always driven
through Ladysmith without stopping, eyes fixed on the shopping area to the west of the highway and, now and
then, on the traffic. The OECC’s annual meet there is held at Transfer Beach Park, which I’d never even seen.
So it was, with misgivings about the weather, that I set out in company with Ben Li for the show. Ben and I have
been meeting for years at the annual Father’s Day British car picnic in Victoria and we decided at last to do
something together with our cars. His yellow, ex-Lloyd Irons Europa emigrated to Vancouver a few years ago
and was replaced with an early Esprit that immediately spent time in reconstruction. I’m usually unenthusiastic
about modified cars but Ben’s attention to detail has made this one an exception.
Ben replaced the Lotus 4-cyl with a 3.5 L Rover V8. The body has been altered but still looks as if it might have
come from Lotus. The seats have been redone in black leather with yellow accents. A large, woven Lotus badge
in full colour has been set into black leather on top of the dashboard. Each floor carpet also has an inset logo
woven in yellow (photo, next page). The wheels and fuel filler cap are aftermarket and the mirrors are from some
other exotic. It looks very, very good.
A few miles of wet road on the drive meant cleanup on arrival. I use Meguiar’s QD with a microfibre cloth for this
and the car came back to clean quickly. Then the showers started, after which we rotated through the full west
coast summer repertoire for the rest of the day. Attendance was down, we were told, at 117 cars, including a big
contingent from the Jaguar club and a neat 1930s Rover whose roof could be lowered by an external crank.
Ladysmith is worth the trip but I’d hope for better weather next time.
Photos; Bob Wilson
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Bob Wilson – Europa S2 – Island Shows
The next show on my calendar was in Oak Bay, on August 12. I enjoy Oak Bay even more than Van Dusen and,
living in Victoria, it’s easier for me to attend. It lacks the serious judging and the too-lengthy awards
presentation, but it’s a big event. The picture below suggests the size of the crowd, which was pretty steady all
day. The official estimate was 15,000 visitors, all walking up and down a few blocks of the closed-off main street
in Oak Bay village. They were looking at 250-odd vehicles, ranging from a rusty Fiat Topolino to fully detailed
American hotrods. You can go shopping behind the cars if you get bored, but there’s lots to see and old friends
to meet.
We took our ’65 Honda convertible and the Europa. The Honda’s cosmetically better than the Lotus but doesn’t
get out much - too few Island events accept Japanese cars. Some of the entries were definitely odd. I parked
the Europa between two grandfathers of the green car movement: a 1981 Bradley GT2 electric car and a one-off
hybrid built in 1985 and displayed at Expo 86: Honda Goldwing engine, electric starter/generator from a 747,
space frame, and BMW suspension. Ben was up the block and, apparently, somewhere among the entries was
a Lotus 23 that I didn’t see but which turned up in the TV coverage.
I like Oak Bay for the diversity of cars and the range of people I meet. My favourite there was an Alfa Giulietta
Sprint Speciale, one of the prettiest bodies ever to come out of Italy. It turned out I’d known the owner 40 years
ago and hadn’t seen him since. The Cadillac club was out in force to show the full range and development of the
tailfin, from a gorgeous ‘48 fastback coupe in black to a hugely finned ‘59 Eldorado convertible in bright red. If
you’re thinking of an Island car show, this is the one to come to.
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Hugh McLellan – Elise 111R & Seven – Lotus Performance Driving School
Lotus Cars USA was offering an incentive to purchase a new 2006 Elise between October and December 31,
2006 and receive a trip to Las Vegas to partake in a Lotus driving experience. Apparently I was the only person
that qualified from Weissach. After considerable delay from Lotus in responding to me to confirm this, I finally
arranged to take the trip on July 26, 2007.
Lotus Cars USA paid for the return flights between Vancouver and Las Vegas as well as two nights in the Paris
Hotel. The Lotus Performance Driving School is located at Spring Mountain Motorsports Ranch in Pahrump,
Nevada about an hour north of Las Vegas in the desert. The School Van picked us up from the Hotel at 3:45
am (!) so that we could start driving as soon as it was daylight to avoid the desert heat. It turned out that, while it
had been 128 degrees F. the week before, our track day was a mild 98 degrees. I can attest to the fact that the
Elise air conditioning works.
The cars were apparently all ex-Lotus headquarters demo cars – all Elises except for one naturally aspirated
Exige. Some had the standard suspension and some had the sport suspension. A few were 2005 models,
which had a different (and poor) pedal placement that was rectified for the 2006 models. We got to sample a
number of the 20 or so cars they had. There were only six other people in my class.
The day began with a brief explanation of the track and then we did a few slow laps with an instructor in the lead
car. We then did a number of driving exercises, including threshold braking (with the ABS fuses removed),
panic stops and avoidance maneuvers. We then broke down into three groups. One group did laps in a Van
with an instructor showing us the proper line of the track; one group experienced understeer and oversteer in a
skid car and one group did oval laps in an Elise to experience the proper turn-in technique.
After a short lunch break, we broke into two groups and then started lapping. This school has an instructor in a
lead car and we took turns being the car behind the leader. We did about two laps each behind the leader,
which was not really enough to get up to a decent rhythm. The cars were equipped with radios so we could hear
the instructor’s comments as we followed him. (Frankly I got more out of having an instructor sit beside me
when I took the Proformance Driving School at Pacific Raceway near Seattle about two weeks before this.)
After everyone had their turn behind the instructor, we went in and had a debriefing and then went out again.
We did this four times in different cars. Frankly I did not notice much difference between the sport and standard
suspensions (the pedals on the 2005 models were much more noticeable – very difficult to heel and toe) but I
did notice that the Exige really stuck on the fast corners.
Photos; Hugh McLellan
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At the end of the day the instructors took us for a ride and I was surprised to see how much faster they were
than the students. (My instructor actually spun out his Elise on one of the turns.) We finished by about 2 pm
and by the end of the day, we were driven back to the Hotel in a rather tired state.
Overall I thought the instructors were very knowledgeable and friendly. However, I was surprised that there was
no emphasis on the history or present happenings at Lotus. I wished they had an Exige S and perhaps a Cup
Car and 2-11 track car for comparison. I also thought the oval lapping exercise was the best chance to explore
the limits of the Elise. I was also disappointed that while Lotus is getting all their qualified customers through
this program, a student cannot add an extra day (which would allow for free lapping) nor could other people
book the same day (I was hoping my son could join us).
LCCBC
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The Spring Mountain Motorsports Ranch is an interesting concept. It is a private club that members join and run
their cars (bring or leave on site) on one of a number of track configurations. They have two separate tracks
that can be joined to make one 3.5 mile track. We ran on the short 1.5 mile track while a few club members
were running on the 2.2 mile track. They also run a Corvette driving school three days a week as well as a
Radical (a small sports racer powered by a motorcycle engine) Racing School. I understand the Lotus Driving
School is booked up to January. Given the cost for this, I would suggest anyone interested in trying an Elise on
the track check out the Proformance School out of Pacific Raceway.
LCCBC
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James Armstrong – Elan +2 – Peugeots & Roundabouts
When I last visited the UK (1975) I can recall standing alone in a car park quietly wondering if I could get myself
a classic cheap university student’s souvenir and steal a license plate off a Land Rover without getting caught.
However, paranoia got the better of me and as I stooped to check out the license plate bolts I began to worry the
truck might belong to a local wing of the IRA Provos out for a night of antagonizing the English. I stood up, put
my Swiss Army knife back in my pocket and collected beer coasters for the rest of the trip.
During this return to Britain (May 07) I again chickened out on swiping a plate –besides, they’re well-attached –
but still being cheap I was quite excited to escape Scotland with an election poster for the Independent Solidarity
Party of Scotland (raving loonies, yes but the poster will be on my lawn for every upcoming Canadian election
large or small.)
The driving highlights for this colonial had to be the amazing mix of Europe-only autos and the simplicity of the
roundabout. Living in the UK one must think Peugeots outsell Honda, with Renault and Fiat right up there as
well. Many of the Peugeots are emblazoned with a heavy 4 -inch round chrome marque/symbol on the hood. I
had to wonder how long those heavy hunks of chrome would last on any Surrey Saturday night. But clearly the
Brits love them.
Having lived in England for several years, my wife signed herself up as the sole driver of our rental and only let
me drive in rural Scotland. Sitting in the back seat with my ego I had a good opportunity to consider the
efficiency of the roundabout and I came away overwhelmed at the way it handles traffic. No expense of a traffic
light and minimal waits and stopping in many cases. UK drivers seemed to be quite accommodating. I even
saw BMW drivers using turn signals and that does not happen in B.C.
London has “Congestion Charging” zones throughout which require expensive permits to park there. Vancouver
city planners have gone on the record as liking that idea. Some motor scooters come equipped with small tops
as part of curving bars extending over the driver. Surprisingly, most motorcyclists were wearing full Kevlar or
leather gear. Almost all had full face helmets or a fold-up full face version.
Several Elises were out and about but not many considering the population. The automotive highlight was a last
day visit to the Beaulieu National Motor Museum owned by Lord Montagu, author of a long-running series of
automotive books on various manufacturers. Being so close to France, I pronounced Beaulieu as any
Frenchman would, but after several strange looks I was advised the Brits pronounced it bee-you’-lee. Now I
have an idea how George Bush felt upon his first meeting with Her Majesty when he leaned over and told her he
really liked that song of hers…”We Are the Champions.”
At one end of the Montagu expanse over 1000-Autojumble exhibitors were set up selling an absolutely
dumbfounding range of cars, parts, and memorabilia from the turn of the past century to modern day.
Photos; James Armstrong
1967 Lotus 49 R3; first use of the Cosworth DFV. Driven by Graham Hill at British GP 1967.
Lotus Europa Special, Lotus Cortina in BRG, plus TVR, etc.
Lotus Esprit / submarine from “The Spy Who Loved Me”.
Lotus JPS 78
Autojumble - parts sale, Land speed record cars, 88 McLaren Honda MP 4/4 and others..
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Malcolm Muir – Ford Cortina GT – Labour weekend at PIR
Labour Day weekend has been an annual trek of mine since 1983 with only the odd year missed due to
Canada/US exchange rates or previous family commitments. For the past 5 years SOVREN (www.sovren.org)
has held the Columbia River Classic historic Car races featuring Historic Can-AM cars. In addition, Club Lotus
NW has held one their two track days on the Friday prior to the historic races and of course the Annual All
British Field Meet (31 years running, now).
I made my usual Banzai run down to Portland at the end of Thursday’s work day, having a 30 minute wait at the
Pacific highway border crossing and endured the one lane traffic on the I-5 due to roadwork through Everett.
I opted to take the Dodge SX 2.0 again this year due to problems with the Cortina GT (see Tin Top Tales
elsewhere is this issue). However, I had the use of Ric Cavallero’s 1973 Ford Escort RS2000 for the weekend
whilst in Portland and Ric was away on business but wanted the car at the ABFM.
The arrival time at Mark Viskov’s was 11:15 PM and I was expecting to find all lights out and would simply offload my luggage and sleeping bag and crash for the night. Instead Mark was completing assembly of the
differential of Don Crawford’s Haggispeed clubman racer. Assembly and set-up were completed by 11:30 and
we finally called it a night at 12:00 with a stern warning that we had to be out of the house Friday morning at
5:30 AM.
LCCBC
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Up before the dawn of Friday, we packed all the gear for the track day and headed to PIR for set-up. This is a
popular event and is limited to 70 cars with preference given to Lotus and Lotus powered cars, racing cars,
Euro-Fords and finally BMW & Porsche club members. Three race groups of Intermediate, Advanced and Race
Car Drivers get between 4 and 5 20-minutes sessions over the day. This gives owners a chance to test and
tune their cars either for their own information or as practice for the weekend of racing.
Gridded cars of interest to club members were two Elises, two Exiges, two Europa TC’s, one Esprit S2, two
Caterham Sevens and an Élan S2 (race car).
The All British Field Meet was set up on Saturday as a static display on grass with car club regalia tents as well
as some parts and memorabilia vendors. I am still uncertain as to how the organizers select their saluted
marque each year; this year was Triumph; however 2007 is the 50th anniversary of the Lotus Seven and 40th
anniversary of formula ford. You’d think the organizers would do a little research prior to selecting a car or
marque to salute but they seem to be a bit B-l over-focussed. Of the Lotus cars on display, virtually all models
were represented, but no BC plates and only a couple of Washington plates.
Besides the static show and shine display was the photo concours, Land Rover adventure rides (on the
motocross track), noon giant slalom and slot car races.
Sunday of the ABFM featured the swap meet (a bit of a disappointment this year) as well as the Giant slalom,
rallye, Land Rover adventure rides and slot-car races.
Perhaps I’m jaded or perhaps I have done too many of this particular car show, but it’s not as much fun or
interesting as it used to be (It’s been 10 years since Lotus was saluted, and that was only for the Europa in
1997).
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Arnie Loyning’s Élan S2
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The Columbia River Classic was, however, as good as ever, featuring practice and racing Saturday, Sunday
and Monday with six different grids, with at least one Lotus on every grid except group 4 (large bore historic) and
Group 6 (Historic Can-Am, Formula and Exhibition cars).
As an added bonus, a handicap Battle of Britain race was held on Sunday won by Stephan Clark in a 1960 Lola
Mk 1.
Race results were as follows:
Race #1 Saturday, September 1
Group 1 (Vintage, Formula Vee and selected small bore historic)
First place
Cameron Healy, 1955 Porsche-Copper
Fifth place
Jaqulyn Mincheff, 1956 Lotus 11 LeMans
Group 2 (Historic small bore, DP, EP, FP, GP, HP)
First place
Mark Powell, 1960 Porsche 356
Tenth place
Myles Wynbigler, 1960 Lotus Seven America
Group 3 (Historic medium bore)
First place
Paul Quackenbush, 1963 Lotus Seven S3
Second place Marc Nichols, 1965 Lotus Seven
Sixth place
Renny Watt, 1962 Lotus 23
14th place
Bill Hegy, 1966 Lotus Élan S3
Group 5 (Formula Ford and Formula SV)
First place
Allen Zorich, 1972 Titan Mk 6
Seventh place Gary Willis, 1969 Lotus 61M
Ninth place
Steve Thayer, 1963 Lotus Seven
14th place
Fred McDonald, 1968 Lotus 51
Race #2 Sunday, September 2
First place
Cameron Healy, 1955 Porsche-Cooper
Fourth place
First place
Mark Powell, 1960 Porsche 356
13th place
First place
Renny Watt, 1962 Lotus 23
Fourth place
Marc Nichols, 1965 Lotus Seven
Sixth place
Arnie Loyning, 1965 Lotus Élan S2
14th place
First place
Tim Osborne, 1968 Crossle 15F
Seventh place Gary Willis, 1969 Lotus 61M
Eighth place
15th place
LCCBC
Page 22
Renny Watt, Lotus 23
Race #3 Monday September 3
First place
Tony Garmey, 1957 Chevrolet Corvette
Fifth place
First place
Skip WInfree, 1960 Porsche 356
DNS
First place
Don Crawford, Haggispeed Clubman Special
Second place Marc Nichols, 1965 Lotus Seven
Third place
Arnie Loyning, 1965 Lotus Élan S2
21st place
First place
Tim Osborne, 1968 Crossle 15F
Sixth place
Tenth place
Gary Willis, 1969 Lotus 61M
15th place
LCCBC
Page 23
Jim Schnell in his Brabham BTBT38 F-2 consulting with mechanic Doug Esterbrook
I did not get the results form Monday afternoon’s race, however there were several retirements due to
mechanical problems of cars from all grids with about a 30% retirement rate.
All in all it was a great weekend, entertaining, opportunities to walk the pits and talk with the drivers about their
cars are learn a bit more about the sport and the clubs that support it (in BC it’s the Vintage Racing Club of BC,
www.vrcbc.ca). There is an on-going discussion regarding raising the manufacturing cut-off date of December
31, 1969 to December 31, 1972 by SOVREN to align itself with VRC and others. In the interim, PIR will be
closed for repaving and track improvements over the winter. The last two events of the season are the Fall
Finale at Pacific Raceways in Kent, WA September 22-23 and the Maryhill Loops Hillclimb in Goldendale, WA,
September 29-30.
See you at the October 3 meeting at my house.
Photos; Malcolm Muir
LCCBC
Page 24
LCCBC
Page 25
Malcolm Muir – Ford Cortina GT – Tin Top Tales
Having made several outings with the Cortina GT, I have had an opportunity to drive it under several different
road and weather conditions, with nagging problems that must be addressed.
The first major trip was up to Merritt for the Mountain Trials Rally, the second was a minor trip to Mission
Raceways in August for the REVS series vintage car racing; the car lacks power, is a bit too loud and it easily
overheats.
The loud part was easy to correct, I simply added a resonator to the exhaust system; the other problems not as
easy.
Mission Raceway August 12; my car, Murray Ross’s 1969 Cortina Twin Cam, Allan McColl’s 1968 Cortina
Twin Can, Jim Froula’s Escort Twin Cam and Randy Custer’s 1970 Cortina 1300 Deluxe
You may recall that someone else rebuilt the engine for me as a favour who, as it turns out, was unfamiliar with
rebuilding Ford engines. Other of ideas were brought up including a blocked thermostat, or radiator, too hot a
spark plug and finally incorrect camshaft timing.
I have purchased a set of cooler spark plugs, new thermostat and, at Dean Moncado’s suggestion, a VW Golf
Aluminium radiator.
Photos; Malcolm Muir
LCCBC
Page 26
Malcolm Muir – Ford Cortina GT – Tin Top Tales
I checked the camshaft timing using a degree wheel and dial indicator and found that the exhaust valve was
closing too late. Removing the front cover and checking the timing marks, however, indicated that the timing
was correct. The camshaft I used was on of Shadboldt’s low torque grinds with higher lift that Trevor Gagnon
used to run, but an adjustable sprocket should have been used to correctly set up the timing. In addition, when I
removed the head I found far more carbon build up on the piston tops that I would have expected after only
1,000 miles. Seconding, and more importantly, I have been getting exhaust valve to piston contact!
Valve to piston contact number 1 cylinder, about a 0.030” valve depression. 1300 HC pistons should
have been used.
There are a few options open to me at this time, but the one which makes the most sense is to build a new
engine, properly set up and do a re and re once built.
The next pro rally is Pacific Forest October 19-20 (where I do volunteer work) and the next TSD rally is Totem
November 18-19 so I have a bit of time to get this engine built.
A couple other things I want to add to the car are a limited slip differential (an asset on loose surfaces) and a
Merkur 5-speed transmission; at freeway speeds the 3,900-4,200 RPM engine speed gets a bit tiring on long
trips.
Will keep you apprised of my progress by next meeting.
LCCBC
Page 27
Lotus News
What you doing when you were 14?
By the way the car quit after 80 laps with electrical problems. Lord Lucas still reigns supreme.
By LIM TEIK HUAT. MALAYSIA NEWSPAPER. PETALING JAYA:
In a twist of events on the final day of registration yesterday, Malaysia’s racing wonderkid Jazeman Jaafar is set
to become the youngest driver in history to race in the Petronas Primax 3 Merdeka Millennium Endurance
(MME) race.
The 14-year-old Jazeman will be driving a Lotus Exige 300RR – the car that won Tengku Djan Ley Tengku
Mahaleel and the Proton R3 Motorsports the overall titles in 2005 and 2006.
Jazeman, who has an international Class C racing licence under special exemption by the FIA, will take the seat
reserved for Tengku Djan, who until yesterday was provisionally registered to team up with three-time winner
Tommy Lee and Singaporean Billy Ng.
The event’s secretary, Mashithah Hashim, said that they received the Proton R3 Motorsports entry yesterday
and Tengku Djan was listed to drive in Class C in a Satria Neo with Faidzil Alang and Sutan Mustafa Salihin.
“In place of Tengku Djan’s name in Class O, we received the entry of Jazeman,” she said.
Jazeman’s participation in the MME will, without doubt, increase interest among local racing fans, who see the
Form Two student of Sri Cempaka School as Malaysia’s brightest prospect in motor racing.
Jazeman, who is the first Malaysian to score a win in the Formula BMW Asia Series, is firmly on track to
achieving his dream of becoming an F1 driver by the age of 22.
He made a big impression in his first year in the Series and he trails championships leader and Meritus Racing
team-mate James Grunwell by just one point.
“It all happened two days ago when Tommy called me and I took a day to weigh up everything before deciding
to take up the challenge,” said Jazeman.
“I am just 14 and I would need to gather experience as much as I can now to further improve on my racing skills.
I have driven a standard Lotus a couple of times around the Sepang track. Basically, the race craft will be the
same like the Formula machine. I don’t see any problem.”
Tengku Djan confirmed that he would carry his challenge in the race in a Satria Neo. “This is in line with what we
announced at the conclusion of last year’s race that Proton R3 Motorsports would be concentrating in the lower
classes B and C this year. Our focus will be in Class C, which we aim to win this year,” said Tengku Djan, who
heads Proton Motorsports Division.
LCCBC
Page 28
Lotus News
CHRIS STARKIE, EDP BUSINESS EDITOR
The engineering division of Norfolk sports car company Group Lotus has strengthened its links with China with
the signing of a series of contracts to develop a new range of vehicles for a newcomer to the Asian car industry.
Lotus Engineering has signed an agreement with Yinhua Youngman Automobile, a maker of luxury coaches and
commercial vehicles, to design and engineer its own brand of passenger car.
The cars will be launched under the brand name of Europestar in China over the next five years.
Initially the cars will be rebadged Proton Gen 2 cars, which will be shipped from Malaysia to China and reengineered by Lotus Engineering.
Lotus' parent company Proton has signed a deal to supply 30,000 Gen 2 cars, which will be sold under the new
Europestar brand.
The first new car which is being designed and engineered by Lotus will go into production in China during 2008.
Design work has been under way for some time at the company's Hethel headquarters.
This large family saloon will be followed by four other models which Youngman plans to sell in China and also
export.
Mike Kimberley, chief executive of Group Lotus, signed a “formal award” for exclusive Lotus Engineering on the
new model range at an event in Jinhan in China.
The formal contract signing comes just over eight months since Youngman and Lotus Engineering announced
an initial agreement to work together to create a range of new cars.
Its part of a plan by the Hethel based business to grow its engineering operations in Asia, with a new office in
India to follow in the next few months.
Mr Kimberley said: “We have been working with Youngman for over three years on a number of projects and to
be awarded this contract, in addition to our initial Youngman/Lotus Engineering major agreements reemphasises the technological know-how, capability and skills of Lotus in delivering major global projects.
“This new deal is the biggest of 2007 and one of our biggest ever.”
Pang Qingnian, chairman of Jinhua Youngman Automobile, said: “We are delighted to be increasing our
cooperation and collaboration with Lotus Engineering for the future development of the Europestar range of
cars.
“Lotus Engineering is a globally recognised leader in automotive technology and vehicle engineering and
together with Proton's product platform, Youngman will cement its position as a formidable player in the Chinese
car market.”
Meanwhile Lotus has dismissed reports in the Chinese press, including the state-run China Daily, that two Lotus
sports car models will be assembled by Youngman in China.
In an e-mail to staff the company said that the reports were untrue and the company's new five year plan
developed by Mr Kimberley will see Lotus cars manufactured solely at Hethel.
LCCBC
Page 29
For Sale – Swap – Fancy
I'm converting to Pels 4AG 20 valve power and would like to offer the following Gordini engines, etc, for
a Europa:
One complete 807-13 Gordini engine kit (unassembled) ($3200 invested minimum) with the following
features:
- New 10.25:1 Mahle Piston & liner Kit plus one new spare liner.
- Polished, prepared, and balanced crank with new bearings.
- Block cleaned and ready to go with remote filter block off converted to Aeroquip fittings.
- Gordini forged rods - lightened, polished, balanced and resized with ARP cap screws.
- Large valve head - ported (by Hayward Performance), new valves, springs, three angle valve grind, & seals.
- Port matched twin weber manifolds with 40mm Weber DCOE's (carbs should be rebuilt).
- Alpine G-1 camshaft with parkerized lobes. (stock camshaft available if preferred)
- New complete gasket set.
- Lightened and balanced flywheel with new stock S-2 Europa clutch, pressure plate, & throwout bearing.
- New high volume oil pump, cam chain, crank gear, chain tensioner, and water pump.
- Gordini cast alloy valve cover and oil sump.
- Stock distributor (choice of Bosch or Ducellier) and starter.
$2200.00 obo
The following additional new goodies are also available:
1 - Titanium valve spring retainer set - $175.00
1 - 200mm aluminum flywheel - $350.00
1 - Clutchmasters 200mm heavy duty clutch assembly w/throwout steup for NG-3 transmission. $350.00
1 - Lusa high performance breakerless distributor/ignition system & coil with centrifugal advance only - $350.00
1 - new large volume oil pump for flat type sump - $125.00
1 - British Starters lightweight gear reduction starter - $150.00
1 - water pump - $50.00
1 - low profile Weber throttle linkage set $150.00
1 - Reinze special HD head gasket - $85.00
1 - Custom made tubular headers with 29" equal length primaries - $200.00
1 - Facet fuel pump and fuel filter large cleanable element (NASCAR style) - $60.00
1 - Supertrapp muffler 2-1/2" (steel) - $65.00
The following used parts are also available:
3 - disassembled Gordini crossflows including one 807-13 with polished crank;
Note: all parts available but would prefer to sell as a package of spares.
2 - type 336 (R-16) transaxles
1 - disassembled Europa 1470cc 697-04 engine incomplete for spare parts.
Please contact me at 604-948-1123 after 6:00PM Pacific time or via e-mail @ [email protected]
Chris Peters
LCCBC
Page 30
As of July 01/2007 we have teamed with
We are pleased to announce we are now the
Canadian agents for
JAE Vintage Lotus Parts
We will be also stocking parts for vintage and current
Lotus production vehicles providing genuine Lotus
replacement part with bi-weekly stock orders
Contact Richard Chong for your Lotus car needs
Phone 604 278 8827
or email
[email protected]
for your parts request
LCCBC
Page 31
Membership Application / Renewal Form
Application Type: Please check one.
New: $40.00
Renewal: $35.00
Name:
Address:
City:
Province / State:
Country:
Postal Code:
Spouse / Partner:
Res. Telephone:
Cell. Telephone:
Bus. Telephone:
Email:
Website:
Vehicle #1:
Year:
Colour:
VIN:
Modifications:
Vehicle #2:
Year:
Colour:
VIN:
Modifications:
Interests:
Skills:
Signed:
Date:
LCCBC
Please complete this form, and mail with
your cheque payable to:
PO Box 44425, Westside RPO,
Vancouver, BC, V6S 2C5
Page 32

Lotus Car Club of British Columbia

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