Group Lotus sent out another message today, but while it was clearly aimed at reinforcing the car company’s claim to the motor sport heritage of the Lotus name, the timing was as much do with the Paris Motor Show as the escalating fight with Tony Fernandes and Lotus Racing.
Among the highlights of its 2011 plans Lotus has confirmed that it will expand to a two-car effort in the IRL next year, and will be moving into LMP2. It has given some intriguing details on the upgrading work at the Hethel test track, which it says will be FIA standard and good enough for “GT racing and F1 testing.” Although historically F1 cars have run at Hethel it never had proper safety facilities and was only really useful for shakedowns.
And in addition to the plans outlined today, we are told “there is lots more to come.”
I wouldn’t normally reproduce in full a press release about GTs and driving academies and the like, but given the current dispute, this one is worth a look. There seems to be a lot going on between the lines…
This is what the company has to say: Clark, Senna, Andretti, Moss, Mansell, Hill, Fittipaldi, F1, IndyCar, Le Mans. Lotus and motorsport go together like fish and chips and jelly and ice-cream.
With a pedigree like ours it should come as no surprise that we announce a new 360° race program, a statement of intent including: multiple race series, grassroots driver development and Exos – the ultimate in exclusive driving experiences.
Lotus Director of Motorsport Claudio Berro summed it up perfectly when he said: “Lotus is motorsport and racing is in our DNA. We have a special place in motorsport history and now as we unveil the beginning of our future plans it’s important for people to realise just how committed we are to doing our heritage justice. There is no better platform to demonstrate the transfer of technology from track to road car than a full range of pure motorsport activity, we have to tick all the boxes.”
“As with our new product line up set to be unveiled in just a few days time at the Paris Motor Show we are entering a new era for Lotus Motorsport – there’s lots more to come and trust me, there will be something to please every motorsport enthusiast, from the committed fan to the Senna of the future.”
So what exactly are we talking about? There’s a lot to take in and we’ve got the Paris Motor Show around the corner so let’s keep it top line:
IndyCar: The 2011 IndyCar season will see Lotus continue to work with KV Racing Technology providing further technical and engineering support, fielding a minimum of two cars on the grid. We’ll also commence development on new body work and chassis – in line with the new regulation scheduled for implementation in 2012.
GP2 and GP3: In collaboration with seasoned championship winners ART Grand Prix, we have now confirmed our participation in the 2011 GP2 (Europe and Asia series) and GP3 series. The contract with ART Grand Prix sees us commit to providing technical and engineering support for the GP2 and GP3 race series for a minimum of three years.
Evora GT4: So an update on our Evora GT4 development. We’ve made the decision to develop the car to be eligible in GT2 and GT3 categories. And on top of this news, a total of 20 orders have been received for the GT4 since it’s launch in Pebble Beach, the first lucky customer should be receiving his car at the end of October.
GT2: More exciting news – we are currently developing a new GT2 car based on one of our eagerly anticipated future road cars, set to be unveiled at the Paris Motor Show. The new GT2 car will be in line with the new regulations.
LMP2: This very special project is under the expert direction of technical genius Paolo Catone. The car is being developed to meet new ACO rules, it will have a closed cockpit and is due to be on-track late 2011, with an assault on the 24 Hr Le Mans planned for 2012.
Lotus Driving Academy (LDA): Reconfirming our dedication to grassroots motorsport activity there is a planned global roll out of the popular LDA. Set to start early in 2011, the roll out will begin with the redevelopment of the existing concept and facilities in Hethel followed by plans for two new locations to come on line, one in the UAE and one in Eastern Europe. We’ll follow this with the addition of two more sites, one in the mid USA and one in Japan in 2012. Further expansion in 2013 will see sites in Moscow, Malaysia and a second Academy in the US operational. In addition to developing grassroots talent the LDA provides the perfect facilities for individual driving courses and for Lotus customers to test drive product.
Lotus Cup: We are pleased to confirm plans to expand and reorganise our factory owned championship programme in key territories including Europe, Japan, USA and the UAE including a re-branding exercise to harmonise corporate identity across the globe. All series will continue to enjoy support from Lotus Motorsport, based at the Company’s HQ in Hethel. The Lotus Cup series allows Lotus drivers around the world the opportunity to put their production type cars to the test in a competitive race environment.
Type 125 and the Exos Experience: Phenomenal interest followed the official unveiling last month at Pebble Beach. The first 10 cars have now been provisionally allocated to buyers. Testing is due to start before Christmas, with further extensive hot weather testing in early 2011. The first cars are scheduled to be delivered in April with the first Exos club event earmarked for May 2011.
Not too sure what Exos and the 125 is? Read on…..Exos is a club in which a limited number of owner drivers can refine their driving skills and challenge themselves in Formula 1™ inspired technology combined with expert one-to-one advice from former Grand Prix drivers and trainers. The Lotus 125 is an F1™ inspired race-car complete with Cosworth V8 engine, is an innovative program to energize the Lotus spirit, to challenge convention and allow the customer experience something unique and inspirational.
The New Lotus Test Track: Great progress is currently being made on our new FIA regulation test track. Located next to the Lotus factory in Hethel, Norfolk, the new track boasts 12 pitlane garages capable of hosting 24 cars and will comply with all current FIA safety regulations. With a length of 3.6 kilometres and width of 12 metres the track will be ideal for customer experiences, GT racing and F1 testing.
So, you must be wondering, why pick now to increase our interest in motorsport? Really the question shouldn’t be why we have now upped our motorsport participation, for a brand with such a unique and extensive racing history, the question should really be: why not?
Adam Cooper F1 
There’s only one solution to the Lotus name dispute: co-operation between Group Lotus and Team Lotus, with both factions benefitting from each other’s plans and (legal) rights.
Or maybe the question should be, why have we decided to try and shaft the guy who has done so much to bring the Lotus Racing heritage up to date and give us millions of dollars worth of free publicity?
Realistically, where is the money going to come from? Dany Bahar may think he wanks vewy highwy in Kuawa Wumpur, but surely the Malaysian government will not countenance spending a billion ringgits for the express purpose of destroying Tony Fernandes…
That would seem to be the big question, although Group Lotus made it very clear yesterday that the Proton bosses are backing them.
I like Fernandes chances in this power play. “Group Lotus” is spewing massive BS to support this new found love for motorsports. IRL team ?? Give me a break. Given the current Honda / IndyCar deal, Lotus could not even display a car on site at any event. It’s nonsense.
i’m hoping Tony will just buyout Proton and then sack Bahar for this ludicrous crap.
I find it interesting that they refer to themselves as ‘Lotus Motorsport’.
Everybody here is missing the point. Tony Fernandez set up this team from a GP2 outfit that had no connection to Lotus.
The F1 license for the team is under ‘Team One Malaysia’. His main company Air Asia sponsors the Williams car.
Unlike, Force India, Virgin, and Redbull, TF didn’t have enough confidence to use his own brand but instead used his wealth and connections to use the ‘Lotus’ name. Why, well how else could he get sponsors?
He has no interest in the history or future of Lotus Cars. Does anyone realize he said he will play the Malaysian national anthem if they got a podium?
Lotus can and should be like Ferrari. Proton have done a sterling job at helping support and strengthen Lotus and have waited until the write time to enter back into motorsport. Any Brit should be proud of both a genuine historic marquee and the possibility of re-entering F1 under the Lotus name. Imagine the potential new era of super car competition with Lotus/Ferrari.
Why is no one questioning why TF chooses not to consolidate his Williams money and call his team either Air Asia F1 or Team 1 Malaysia. At least Malaysians could be proud of an almost home grown team.
Forget the loopholes, Lotus cars and Lotus racing should be respected as one and not just a tool to use your wealth to play in F1.
In my view (and I’m a Brit living and married to a Malaysian) he is duping so many people into thinking he has Lotus at heart.
Lotus under the current Proton management is definitely the best way forward and they should be applauded. I think they made a mistake with providing support to TF but they’ve realized he’s only looking after his own ego. Final point, it may interest you to know he used to work for Richard Branson as FC in his record division well before he has an airline or F1 team! RB seems a pretty good role model to copy, but integrity is inbuilt.
Interesting views, but I don’t know what you mean about it starting from a GP2 team. It started from a Toyota F1 base in terms of personnel, in an ex-Le Mans team factory. I think it’s pretty clear that Air Asia had a long term commitment to Williams F1 and it wasn’t possible to switch the branding to Lotus for this year. And I don’t think it’s fair to question Tony’s interest in the Lotus brand and history. The Chapman family clearly likes and trusts him and they didn’t have to do that. And don’t forget his business partners at Lotus Racing have strong Proton connections.
My mistake, sorry it wasn’t GP2 it was the Litespeed F3 team. Nothing to do with Toyota F1.
As a member of the lotus club in Malaysia I was presented with a press release from Lotus Group PLC way back mid 2009 when Litespeed were looking to buy the name. This was before they got TF involved.
Proton obviously wanted to assess F1 options so likely asked GLplc to ease up and allowed the association. This was likely a mistake in hindsight. I am quite sure the Chapman family will also be feeling the same, especially hearing the Malaysian national anthem if they won a race. So you can see this was a premeditated plan and were all well aware of the potential issues before they started ball rolling. Anyway, time will tell.
Here is an excerpt form the statement.
…Please find a statement being issued by Group Lotus later this evening pertaining to recent news in the press regarding Lotus and Formula 1
Group Lotus plc and its subsidiary Lotus Cars Limited, the manufacturer of the iconic Lotus Elise and global high technology engineering consultancy, are not connected or affiliated to, nor in any other way associated with the newly announced “Team Lotus” that has submitted an entry for the 2010 Formula 1 championship. Group Lotus plc will take all necessary steps to protect its name, reputation and brand image.
Lotus will continue to focus on the tremendous worldwide opportunities that exist for its core businesses. Lotus Cars has recently launched the stunning new Evora 2+2 global sportscar to great acclaim and deliveries to the first customers are imminent. The company is pulling all stops to ensure production meets demand. Lotus Engineering, one of the market leaders in automotive green transport solutions, is currently working with many of the world’s vehicle manufacturers on state of the art projects with plans of growth in its international targeted markets such as Malaysia, China, USA and India.
Yep that statement was in my feature on http://www.autosport.com. If you have a subscription you can see the whole story there, at least as things stood on Saturday, before the real war started!
Neil,
A few points..
Are you so sure that Group Lotus (Proton) would not play the Malaysian National Anthem?
The Present Lotus racing are unrelated to Litespeed as far as I know.
I think he has gone to significantly more effort to integrating previous Team Lotus people / principles (the Chapman family blessing, setting up in Norfolk, setting up a team from scratch, rather than buying an exisitng one etc) than Group Lotus ever have.
As Adam says, the bulk of people are ex Toyota F1 (laid off when Toyota pulled out) who have a working relationship with Mike Gascoigne from his time there.