A Big Thankyou From Mike Kimberley

[Kimbers]

I have taken this opportunity of using Tony's computer to give you all a big thankyou.

As you may know it was my birthday this week and I was astounded to receive not only a vintage bottle of wine from the LEF, but 2 Lotus Elan Central mugs.

Firstly thanks to Geoff for the mugs and all of you for the card and kind remarks. The thought that owners care enough to send you something on your birthday helps make those long hours and job stresses seem so much more rewarding.

Secondly I have to offer my sincere thanks to Doug Abbott for his tireless support to the brand in setting up this website. I say website but Tony has likened it to LEF, which is more of a community and I know there is some cross over of members now. I remember when I was with Tony at Brands earlier in the year, that opposite the Esprits were the Elans and when I was walking past I was only more than happy to come over and say hi to a few of you. Doug, I hope we'll see you at the 40th anniversary in September, I know the US is a little far away but you are always welcome at Hethel.

Thirdly, to you all I would like to say a big thank you for being our constant ambassadors and for loving your cars so much. I feel very personally involved with all the cars I helped develop and the M100 Elan was a hugely underrated and great fun car to drive and own.

Lastly I would love to see you all at the factory event in September. This event really is for you guys and an effort to bring all the clubs and owners together with the factory. This is not a moneymaking event for us, it is our way of saying thank you and showing you around Hethel, what we do and how we do it. I know Tony and Bibs have been instrumental in getting hundreds to this event and we are happy to offer you a stand to show off your cars. The local council are currently being very difficult when it comes to access to the site but we are trying to get the decision appealed so you can all park your cars on the track. If not, we will lay on buses to the park and ride and the stand will enable you to show off 3 of your best cars and promote your website.

Once again thank you and I and the other staff look forward to meeting you soon.

In which note Tony has mentioned, and shown me, a beautiful Green and Yellow Elan that belongs to SyV. Tony says it was Sy's attendence at a Lotus parts event, where he met Sy for the first time and that led to the relationship growing between the 2 forums. Well done Sy and we hope to see you as well at the factory.

[F1 LOTUS]

[Doug]

Hi, Mike, it is great to get a message from you!

We all love Lotus and the cars here and you guys are still making the best cars out there.

Thanks for the personal invitation, and I would love to be there, but I don't think I'll make it for the 40th bash. I did travel to London in 1999 and rented an Elise and drove to Hethel for a tour--it was great.

If I'm lucky I may get back there sometime in the near future . . .

[Elanlover]

:clap:

Ditto.

Thanks for visiting and saying hello. There's a lot of love here for the Elan (and all of Lotus) and for those who made the Elan happen so we priviledged few can enjoy this car as much as we do!

[GeoffSmith]

And here's what you sent him...

[GeoffSmith]

I nearly forgot to mention - a big thank you to John (John_W) and Brian (F1 Lotus) for helping to put together the WikiLEC History of LEC for MJK's benefit.

[Dave Eds]

Well done Geoff

Thank you Mike

Look forward to meeting you at Hethel next month

Look what you started Doug

[Ekapol]

Nice message from Mike that was

Besides all your hard work setting up LEC, I also want to thank you Doug for having nice friendly tone that makes LEC standing out from other forums out there.

A lot more fun hanging out with you all gentlemen here.

[Rambo]

Mike- that's a great tribute and testimony to the hard work and effort put in by Doug, Sy et al........ (the et al's are too numerous to mention)

I would encourage everyone, particularly newer members, to read the history of LEC http://wikilec.9600.org/index.php/The_history_of_LEC - it's a great story - well done JohnW and Brian - not to mention Geoff for getting it together

There's a great section on how to do various M100 jobs such as the alternator, brakes etc.......... http://wikilec.9600.org/index.php/Category:HowTo
It's all very well having the workshop manuals but specific write ups, with all the photo's, short cuts and tricks are an added bonus

Long may the M100, and all the people who indulge in it, continue

[muley]

Cheers

Jim