BOLLECKS to Castle Combe 23rd May 2015

[GeoffSmith]

1. Geoff (if we're not on holiday)
2.

[Dave Eds]

1. Geoff (if we're not on holiday)
2. Mpx
3. Spud

[MPx]

[dapinky]

Unfortunately, it is a bit of a long way for me to go, so for the first time in many years, I'll not be there







(well, it's a long way from Yorkshire, where we'll be helping the tall ginger bloke celebrate his 30th birthday)

[epipete]

Unfortunately, it is a bit of a long way for me to go, so for the first time in many years, I'll not be there

well, it's a long way from Yorkshire, where we'll be helping the tall ginger bloke celebrate his 30th birthday)[/color]

Very bad planning Mr P (either by you or the tall ginger bloke's parents!)

1. Geoff (if we're not on holiday)
2. Mpx
3. Spud
4. Epipete (assuming all things remain equal)

[steble]

What is this?

[epipete]

What is this?

Castle Coombe is a race track Nr Chippenham at which there is an annual meet for all lotus enthusiasts, bring your car, have a natter, go on the track (if you've pre-booked) etc, etc

This thread is to obtain a feel for who might attend (though listing your intent one way or the other is not binding)

Pete

[Brit-Car-Nut]

Maybe it would be nice to have someone explain what the BOLLECKS "group" is. I think I figured it out, but it has always been vague as to the purpose.

How about a "normal" post regarding Castle Combe 2015 asking EVERYONE if they are planning on going? Maybe even something describing the event from LEC's point of view including the location and dates and why it is a great show to attend?

Maybe everyone in the UK knows what where or why Castle Combe is, but a lot of us foreigners including newcomers don't have a clue.

[MPx]

Pete's sort of covered this but FWIW

The Castle Combe fast driving day is an annual event run by and for Club Lotus and its members at the Castle Combe track in Wiltshire, England. It normally runs on the Saturday of the second May Bank Holiday weekend - this year is 23rd May. Club Lotus members can book "packages" of two sessions on track, each session lasting about 15 mins. Each package costs £99 this year. Its not anywhere near as intense as a full on track day and is a great event to get blooded with your first track time. Lotus cars only allowed out. No racing allowed and overtaking by consent - so any stories about how someone managed to keep a whatever behind them just means they were selfish and spoilt someone else's session. To be fair that's only happened to me a few times in 24 years of attendance and is easily covered by backing off for a lap so falling behind, then going for it again to catch up. Its basically a great opportunity to get out there and see what your car can do in a very benign environment. After about 2 or 3 in the afternoon, it goes sort of open pit lane for those who booked track time (not quite "open" as its still sessioned) but basically you just queue and go out on track as many times as you want before the track closes at 5pm

For those who don't fancy track time, its free to attend by anybody (members or not) and is a great Lotus gathering - I've seen literally hundreds of Lotus there on the best days. The LEC crew usually park up together and organise BBQ etc. There's similar groups for Esprit's Elites (both generations), Eclat/Excel, Historics, Sunbeams, etc., although it tends to become just a morass of all models by the lunchtime peak. There an opportunity to pay for a ride with a professional driver if that floats your boat. If you've booked track sessions, there's the chance to have an instructor come round with you to tell you how to do it better. Most of us are happy to take passengers on our sessions once you've signed your life away. There's a decent Café and a couple of catering vans, and few places selling the odd few parts. I've always had a great time though obviously prefer the bright and sunny to the driving wind and rain occasions.

I was going to put a link in to the relevant Club Lotus page....but their site seems to be down at the moment - just google ClubLotus.

As for Bollecks...that's one for Geoff or Pinky to explain....

[epipete]

Thanks, Mike. Much appreciated.

[dapinky]

.... well, I can 'explain' but I can't claim credit for thinking it up (Geoff )

Bristol &
Outlying
Land
Lotus
Elan
Central
Knowledge &
Support

...it's just a collective term for the geograpical area (Like NYLOC, SELOC etc, but more in keeping with the old git who dreamt it up )

[epipete]

image.jpg

Dave, has supplied the 'What'! But as to the purpose, even after 5yrs, I'm still figuring it out! I think it has something to do with invading other groups social functions or such like, thus ensuring the pleasures of companionship without the hassles of organisation!

[maz_r]

...invading other groups social functions or such like, thus ensuring the pleasures of companionship without the hassles of organisation!

Tell us Midlanders about it....

(apologies for wandering off-topic, but you started it..!)

[dapinky]

...Okay, I've found something that I CAN take 'credit' for.....

...although it started out as Geoffs geographical Collective Noun for LEC members, it didn't take long before I (with stupid schoolboy humour) turned it into a pun for a 'Road Trip' to Brittany...

minnion.jpg

...The holiday was organised by a local member (Iain) as his parents live over there, and had facillities to 'host' a group - as the first 3 to 'sign up' were all from Weston-super-Mare, I decided to call the whole thing "BOLLECKS to France!"...

Since then it has grown to include any event that we tend to 'gatecrash' [we are cr@p at organising local meetings for ourselves, and due to the ever-changing demographic of members, it now tends to be just the 3 of us - although anyone is welcome]...

...That said - there are 2 annual events which fall into being 'Local' for us, and which we support - the Lotus Trackday at CC, and Caring With Cars at Failand {the former being organised by Club Lotus, and the latter by Pistonheads}

Thus, any reference starting with "BOLLECKS to......" is not intended as any form of insult, but merely that we are intending to turn up at something

[dapinky]

Tell us Midlanders about it....

Oi! - I'm a Brummy by birth, so ENTITLED to attend

[epipete]

Tell us Midlanders about it....

Oi! - I'm a Lichfield boy, born & bred, so ENTITLED to attend

[GeoffSmith]

Tell us Midlanders about it....

Oi. My maternal grandfather's family are from Drayton Bassett so I guess I better turn up one day..... Although I did gatecrash a do at Chaddesley Corbett before it became fashionable.

BOLLECKS to LOG35 has now turned into a get together for Imperial College alumni and is henceforth known as BOLLECKS to LOGIC. I am working on the commemorative T shirt design....

[Mayelan]

1. Geoff (if we're not on holiday)
2. Mpx
3. Spud
4. Epipete (assuming all things remain equal)
5. Mayelan

[texas2201]

1. Geoff (if we're not on holiday)
2. Mpx
3. Spud
4. Epipete (assuming all things remain equal)
5. Mayelan
6. Texas - be going on track as well - as usual

[chris.t]

I'm hoping to come along as it looks like its going to be the only LEC semi national meet that is happening this year. If it's raining or it's bobble hat weather then I may think again, race tracks in rain and cold is not my scene.