Elite/Eclat/Excel meeting 2014

[shaunw]

I can't win, can I?

I'm sure I'm far from alone when I say I that I really appreciate the effort you put into the forum Angus. Croft was special and it's a compliment that so many members, me included, would like to repeat it. You're quite right though that diversity has it's merits. A tour of Scandinavia will be a fantastic experience and I'm sure those lucky enough to participate will be raving about it afterwards just as those who experienced Croft were

Regards

Shaun

[amarshall]

Angus, I would count Croft as a big win, but I appreciate that the circumstances were fairly unique and unlikely to be repeated any time soon. I'm very interested in the wings and wheels event on 3 August and interested in a trip to Denmark for the 8-10 August event. Is there a suggested itinerary to cover 3-10 August please? Looking at Direct Ferries and DFDS websites, crossings seem expensive to Esbjerg but cheaper midweek. I wondered if a crossing to Holland and run through Holland, Germany and Denmark might be of interest and fit the overall schedule.

I also count Croft as a big win, and am both flattered by, and grateful for, all the nice things that have been said about it. I'm as frustrated as every else by the slow progress elsewhere, but my hands are tied and there really isn't time to get finances etc. in place for a similar one this year - 2013 nearly didn't happen but we got lucky as my discussions about sponsorship happened in the week that some of the sponsors were sorting out marketing budgets. It's a learning process for us all, I guess.

As I said before Hethel isn't completely off the cards, but I can't promise anything since it's in the hands of the factory and even my contact sounds like he's getting mixed messages from the senior management. If the August 3rd event and/or May 18th events happen, then we could do something around one or both of them for those who don't want to travel on.

As for DK & SE :

That's what I'm looking at at the moment. I haven't anything about the Norfolk event since the NEC and currently have no contact details for the organiser. On the assumption that it might not happen, the fallback would involve meeting at various point in Europe (Calais, Brugge, somewhere in NL and DE probably) to get the team together for the invasion. That would also simplify matters for us northerners (i.e. Yorkshire upwards) since we could go from Newcastle or Hull and the more southerly would have more options for their crossings too. The organisers of the DK event seem really keen to get us involved if we can make it happen. More discussion on the appropriate thread as it happens, but currently I'm looking at a route that would take us across both of the bridges to Malmo and then possibly Jonkoping and Gothenburg before crossing back into DK to get to their event for a day or two. Goal is no more than around 200 miles in a day, and then only when we have to do that many.

[fueltheburn]

A format of crossing to Holland (Amsterdam ) plenty of culture there...Heineken museum, van gogh museum etc., then on to Germany (Nurburgring) and up to Denmark sounds like a winner

When the finer details are finished and decided is it ok to post the event on the club lotus N.East Scotland?
There are a surprising amount of people with Elites, Eclats and Excels there that are not registered on here.
Also a big contingency of Europas and Esprits.

[rbgosling]

I am looking forward to whatever comes together! While I certainly loved the opportunity to take my car on (and then back off ) the track, I'm still interested even if there is no track time.

My biggest issue is more one of time than cost - there's a limit to how much time I can take off work. That's what finally killed the idea of attending the Monaco Classic GP a couple of years ago, I just couldn't take two full weeks to do it. Starting from Scotland, any jaunt to Europe is going to be a lengthy undertaking!

[shaunw]

I am looking forward to whatever comes together! While I certainly loved the opportunity to take my car on (and then back off ) the track, I'm still interested even if there is no track time.

My biggest issue is more one of time than cost - there's a limit to how much time I can take off work. That's what finally killed the idea of attending the Monaco Classic GP a couple of years ago, I just couldn't take two full weeks to do it. Starting from Scotland, any jaunt to Europe is going to be a lengthy undertaking!

Yep, time is the sticking point for me too but for different reasons. I'm trying to find a way of making it possible but responsibilities to family have to come first.

[MrCoolA]

I appreciate the cost issues and the work that goes in to organising these events such as croft but on a purely selfish note I like not only the social side but the chance to get the cars to exploit some of that Lotus heritage, and how ever much I enjoy a good convoy run in what is a GT car it doesn't take her to anywhere near her limits especially with a very low risks that a circuit allows.
Other than that For me the limiting factor is not so much time but the fact I get around 12-15mpg so for me to commit to a run abroad I would have to carefully consider the total mileage as around 200 miles a tank ( if I am lucky) means around £80 a fill up, we'll in the UK any way.
Just my view.

[Mr E]

Many dilemma's.
For me one reason to vote for the island are the roads.
Travelling to the Nurburgring, Sweden or Denmark would mean a lot of boring highways (in my opinion)

PS; fueltheburn, never mention culture and heineken in one sentence, the stuff is horrible (the worst Dutch beer) and the brewery smells terrible

[amarshall]

Latest update on a possible Hethel involvement - budget discussions are underway, but it's likely to take a couple of months for a decision to be made.

Meanwhile - the Bath Royal Crescent show is on (see thread about May 18th) and offers some opportunities for sightseeing and socialising.

[rbgosling]

With the second series of The Bridge just finished on BBC4, I'm feeling enthusiastic about a quick trip to Scandinavia. I need to drive across the Øresund Bridge while listening to Hollow Talk!! Although, much as we love Lilith, it should properly be done in an old 911...

[Leigh]

Hi Angus, any more thoughts on the Danish/Swedish trip idea for August? Back in January you posted:

The organisers of the DK event seem really keen to get us involved if we can make it happen. More discussion on the appropriate thread as it happens, but currently I'm looking at a route that would take us across both of the bridges to Malmo and then possibly Jonkoping and Gothenburg before crossing back into DK to get to their event for a day or two. Goal is no more than around 200 miles in a day, and then only when we have to do that many.

I'm still keen, and I'm sure they have some nice ditches over there (sorry, cheap joke).

Leigh

[amarshall]

Hi Angus, any more thoughts on the Danish/Swedish trip idea for August? Back in January you posted:

The organisers of the DK event seem really keen to get us involved if we can make it happen. More discussion on the appropriate thread as it happens, but currently I'm looking at a route that would take us across both of the bridges to Malmo and then possibly Jonkoping and Gothenburg before crossing back into DK to get to their event for a day or two. Goal is no more than around 200 miles in a day, and then only when we have to do that many.

I'm still keen, and I'm sure they have some nice ditches over there (sorry, cheap joke).

Leigh

Still working on it, but a bit tied up with paid work at the moment. On standby for the Old Bailey this week....