24 Hours of Le Mans
Lotus Motorsport Legacy Continues – LMP2 announced
© Group Lotus plc
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?
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14 comments for “Lotus Motorsport Legacy Continues – LMP2 announced”
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They are really hitting the Motorsports world hard with force.
I admire their ambition, but I just hope that they don’t bankrupt themselves.
Woohoo!
How many series will Lotus now be represented in in some form or another? So far I’ve got
Formula Renault 3.5
GP2
GP2 Asia
Formula 1
Indy Racing League
GT4
GT3
GT2
LMP2
i mean, considering this time last year, almost none of this was in place, Lotus has done an unbelievable job. Hats off to them.
P.S. from what I’ve read, the Evora road car is not looking to shabby either!
Sounds good…maybe too good. This is just too much for such a small company. Sure the the F1 team (completely separate) has given them racing envy from all the publicity they got, but to really do it well they should take it a step at the time.
In GP2 all they have to do is brand the cars lotus colors as Renault is doing. Same for Indy as they already do now.
But I really think GT racing should be their focus not open wheel or prototypes. But if they wre serious with prototypes they would do a P1 especially if they’re doing a custom built chassis.
Cannot wait for this iconic English brand to get back racing where it belongs.
This has been coming for a long time and i think it is long overdue.
Why not put an Aston Martin V12 into a Lotus LMP1 tub? one for the future perhaps
Sure I am also glad to have the famous name of Lotus back in motorracing, but that becomes really too much. Establishing a new F1 team is already a hard job, but that should be enough to establish the brand Lotus again, maybe combined with the junior activities in GP2. But at the same time starting new activities in Indy, Formula Renault, GT, LMP ?? If I were Tony Fernandes, I wouldn’t do any of those activities without a short-time economical benefit, otherwise that will go to bancrupcy soon.
Is this the reason why Group Lotus (read: Proton), do not want Lotus Racing (read: 1Malaysia Racing Team) to use the name “Team Lotus” in 2011?
When Group Lotus will run the car as a factory team, I can understand that they want to use the name “Team Lotus” for their LMP2-car and not by a third party in Formula 1.
@kw,
Tony Fernandes is only involved in the F1-project. He has bought a license from Group Lotus, to use the “Lotus Racing” name in 2010. By buying “Team Lotus Ventures Limited”, Fernandes says he has the right to use the name “Team Lotus” in 2011 for the F1-team. He has bought the company from the Hunt family.
Proton the owner of Group Lotus does not agree and is of the opinion that they own the name “Team Lotus” That is why the threaten Tony Fernandes and 1 Malaysia Racing Team with a law suit. This makes the future of Lotus in F1 unpredictable.
The projects relating to the other racing activities are under the supervision of Group Lotus, which is owned by Proton. This is basicly the car manufacturer Lotus. They are deploying the other activities concerning motorsports.
This is the reason that they F1 activities are not mentioned in this article.
Basicly the F1-team has nothing to do with Lotus Group. Lotus Group does not participate in this project. Except that they sold a license for the usage of the name.
Wim is right. The F1 team and the makers if this article are completely separate.
But I think Lotus is attempting to bight off too much. It’s best to be focused to have a worthwhile (winning) program. Time will tell what happens. Unless they just wanted to make sensational news.
Bamba,
I understand the GT2- and GT4-project, when the are going to sell these cars to private teams. It is a great way to make money, just like Porsche does. A great way to access a new market, especially when you have a winning car.
With an performing LMP2-class car they have a real technological show-off. Not going into battle with the big teams Audi, Peugot and Aston Martin. For sure they want to go for a win in this class… Much easier to accomplish than developing a LMP1 chasis.
Concerning the Indycar I do not understand the marketing strategy. I would participate in the American Le Mans Series with the LMP2. Using own technology in comparison to participating in Indycar. Especially with GT2′s driving in the same series, it will have a greater impact. At least I think
And than last but not least, the participation in GP2 and GP3. I do not understand this strategy, especially if the Lotus name is withdrawn from Formula 1. Why spending money on young talent, who wants to make the step to F1. Only if you are in F1 you can benefit from this investment.
I expect Lotus to withdraw their participations, if the name Lotus leaves F1.
So back to your opinion… I would go for a participation in LMP2, GT2 and GT4. LMP2 to show off the technological quality of the Lotus Group. Selling GT2 and GT4 cars to create a new market for the Lotus Group.
Get a better design, IT”S HIDEOUS!
@Wim:
thanks for the information, didn’t know about that. This is even more complicated than I thought it would be. But instead of arguing, Fernandes and Group Lotus should make peace and put the activities together, only then the GP2/GP3 talent sponsoring makes sense, otherwise all the Lotus Formula projects will become a dead end. Group Lotus with ART and Fernandes with the new Air Asia GP2 team will even become direct competitors in GP2…
Why doesn’t Group Lotus concentrate on GT and LMP and leave F1 and GP2/GP3 to Fernandes under the Lotus brand name only?
Although they were designed by different people, this car really reminds me of the Lotus F1 car…
…like it was designed in 10 minutes!