Lotus is fast becoming to motor sport what Gordon Ramsey is to catering. The latest announcement from the company covers no less than nine developments into the worlds of pro and layman racing. Deep breath then, here goes...
Spearheading its racing assault is the development of a new GT2 car, which Lotus says is based on one of its 'eagerly anticipated future road cars, set to be unveiled at the Paris show'. That'll be the
Elite, then.
It's also developing a Le Mans car for the LMP2 class of the 24-hour race in 2012, which will hit the track in 2011. Before that, Lotus will begin a three-year stint working alongside the ART GP team in the European and Asian GP2 and GP3 classes.
The GT2 and GT3 series will see the
Evora GT4 car from next season too, Lotus having decided to develop the car beyond its original remit. The first of 20 customers that have ordered the GT4 will get the car in October.
Indycar will see Lotus involvement next year too, with the company working alongside KV Racing to put at least two cars on the grid, as well as developing a new chassis for the 2012 season.
The Lotus Cup is to be expanded as well, in all territories globally including Europe, Japan, the US and the UAE. Meanwhile, much closer to home, Lotus continues working on its new FIA regulation test track in Hethel, resplendent with 12 pit garages and it'll be suitable for F1 testing, among other things.
Feeling left out because you're not a professional racing driver? Chin up then, because for the layman enthusiast there's the Lotus Driving Academy, which in 2011 will extend to two new locales - one in Eastern Europe and another in the UAE. By 2013, Lotus says it will have added sites in America, Russia, Japan and Malaysia.
And for the more hardcore amateur driver there's the Exos Experience, which is now in full swing having attracted ten serious gentleman racers. How so? Remember the
Type 125? It's the F1 style racer with a Cosworth V8 that costs £650,000.
Well, buy one and you're automatically a member of the Exos club, which is due to kick off proper in May 2011 when the first cars are delivered. It promises an unrivalled F1-style racing and tuition experience for those with the will and the wonga.
Now, have we forgotten anything? One, two, three...nine! Nope. That's all, folks. For now.
Mark Nichol - 29 Sep 2010