Lotus Festival 2018 (date now announced 29 Sept at Hethel)

[Rambo]

:smt023
Let’s drink to it being a Jim Clark Special.

You could well be drinking H2O rather than champagne

[dapinky]

As a bit of an 'update' on the ticketing situation (purely as gleaned from the TLF forums etc) there has been a huge demand for tickets for this event on the online ticketing site.

For those who haven't been watching that forum, there were a limited number of tickets for lotus "car+2 occupants" - which was limited due to the logistics of getting thousands of cars onto the site without causing havoc (like last time!).

The computer servers were overloaded, and it reported 'sold out' after a very short time with many people not getting what they wanted..... and many others unsure if their order had been accepted/prosessed etc.

Bibs is currently on holiday out of the UK and it has been handled by a system which he has no control over or direct access to. However, he has been trying his best to sort it out.

This is both good news, and also a bit of a shame - he is entitled to a family holiday without grief, and it is a little unreasonable (IMO) to add to the problems by asking for it to be sorted out quickly (as some others have been doing on the forum!!!).

As such, I am sitting back and waiting for any further info in due course - we have been told that we have an allocation of 20 tickets (cars, so that will include 40 people) for a 'club' pitch within the main site (don't know exactly where, but probably somewhere near the entrance).

Trevor is 'our' liason man for the tickets, and will be receiving them in due course. We will then have to work out how we get them to members prior to the event. Most of us will be about on the Friday evening, so personal delivery is an easy method - but it isn't fair to expect Trevor (or me!) to be driving around Norfolk to find you.

As many of those who are currently on the LEC list have indicated that they have sourced tickets from Lotus70.com, we believe that we will have 'extra' tickets for the event - but usually there will be plenty of last minute attendees, so we won't be returning any to Lotus at an early stage, but may be giving them away to worthy recipients much nearer to the day (no point in leaving them unused for a sold-out gig).

To that end, anyone who is now wishing to attend (ar as soon as you wish to confirm) please add your name to the list....... and don't worry about the numbers going above the magic 20 (there is a contingency plan which i'll write about when I get down the page a bit).

Here is the rub - with the uncertainty of the Lotus70.com site, I don't think that it is fair to disown those who have tried to get tickets themselves to preserve the LEC allocation, and potentially leave them high and dry. As such, only once we hear that they have actually got a ticket, will we be disowning them .

I fully appreciate (from my omnicient position within my ivory tower) that some of the list members have 'done the right thing' by trying to get their own tickets, not LEC ones, because they are a bit posh and have a choice of Lotus cars (or more, in some cases) and will be making the trip in something else.

Whilst this is commendable, they (you?) are also LEC members and equally as entitled to benefits of being here as anyone else, so will not be ignored. (Obviously, anyone who now joins LEC purely to try and get a ticket will be frowned upon).

I have no idea if 'our' tickets are identical to general ones, or if we have different conditions of entry etc (and have no intention of disturbing Andys' callamari, beer and sunbathing to ask) - that can be sorted out later.

That said, I would prefer to keep our club parking area limited to M100s if possible, as we are an Elan-centric organisation, and it is appropriate to display Elans and not others on the area. I would request (but won't insist!) that those turning up in Evoras, Elises or anything else respect this and choose to park with 'the others' on site (but still feel free to come over for a cuppa and a chin wag). Is that fair, or am I being overly sensitive? - feel free to comment (I am NOT autocratic).

Okay, for those who go beyond our allocation of 20, what are the options?

There are a further number of tickets available for a 'Park & Ride' system whereby those who wish to attend in a car other than a Lotus (or can't get a ticket in the first issue) can park nearby and catch transport onto the site. I am reliably informed that once you are 'on site' all the facilities are available for everyone (factory tours, displays etc etc) so you won't miss out on anything - and can still come and say hello to us for a cuppa.

Also, I (and probably others) will be unacompanied on the trip, so will have a spare seat in the car. This may or may not suit depending on your requirements to get on and off site at certain times, but I am happy to give ride(s) as appropriate (and you would therefore be covered by my ticket). However, if Clemo hasn't got his car back by then (fingers crossed it will be done well before that time), he will have first dibs on my pax seat (but that will then free up another ticket anyway).

Feel free to comment and offer alternative suggestions, but that is my current thoughts.

[Fredjohn]

Thanks Dave, very well put and explained. Even though I am thinking of coming in the Evora, I would not presume to park in the LEC slot! But I am bringing the banner...….or am I??........

PS remember you are welcome to break the journey at mine on Thursday eve, with or without Clemo

[Giniw]

1.Fredjohn (ticket from Lotus70)
2. Dapinky
3. Alan E
4. Trevor B
5. John W (I have a ticket from Lotus70)
6. Scott J (with an elise!)
7. Steve A [ticket from Lotus70]
8. Kathryn
9. Rice crispy
10. Chris P
11. Ken S [ticket from Lotus70]
12. Clemo
13. Burble (Chris A)
14. Dave Eds
15. lotustonybassplayer (provisional - if fine weather)
16. RonR
17. BigErch (in an Evora - got a ticket from Lotus70)
18. Giniw just maybe, not sure yet so it's a low priority one! (Elan)

999. Giniw just maybe, not sure yet, even a lower priority one! (Esprit, if there are any unused ticket of course, I would be unfair to get a ticket from LEC for an Esprit instead of someone who wants to bring an Elan!)

[John_W]

Dave,
Yup, seems fair to me. I’ve had no confirmation from anybody about the ticket I ordered from the Lotus70 website, but if/when I do I will post here so that the next person on the LEC list can get one (I’ll also ask Archie if he got his). I would hate to have driven from Aberdeen and paid for hotels to find out that I didn’t have a ticket.

The ticket application process on the website was all a bit clunky and not confidence-inspiring that anything was happening, but I did eventually get to a screen which told me my order had been received and gave me an order number (4022), so I took a screenshot. However I don’t intend to become Mr Angry and fire off any emails to Bibs. (I’ll give it a couple of weeks before that ).

As to cars in any LEC space that is available, I think it goes without saying that M100 Elans are what I would expect to see filling the space.

Here’s hoping all goes smoothly and we all get to see each other again.

John

PS: My wife and I will be in Dunston Hall on Friday and Saturday nights.

[dapinky]

1.Fredjohn (ticket from Lotus70)
2. Dapinky
3. Alan E
4. Trevor B
5. John W (I have a ticket from Lotus70)
6. Scott J (with an elise!)
7. Steve A [ticket from Lotus70]
8. Kathryn
9. Rice crispy
10. Chris P
11. Ken S [ticket from Lotus70]
12. Clemo
13. Burble (Chris A)
14. Dave Eds
15. lotustonybassplayer (provisional - if fine weather)
16. RonR
17. BigErch (in an Evora - got a ticket from Lotus70)
18. Giniw just maybe, not sure yet so it's a low priority one! (Elan)
19. El abuelo (Geoff)

999. Giniw just maybe, not sure yet, even a lower priority one! (Esprit, if there are any unused tickets of course, I would be unfair to get a ticket from LEC for an Esprit instead of someone who wants to bring an Elan!)

[Steve A]

Not mentioning any other Lotus forums but it's all a bit more straight forward and civilised on here I don't know how Bibs puts up with it

[clemo]

PS remember you are welcome to break the journey at mine on Thursday eve, with or without Clemo

Very kind offer . lets hope i will be in my own car this time , may well see you on the Thursday will definitely see you on the Friday .

[alan e]

I will have a spare seat if anyone is not able to get a ticket and seeing how we love to start a list maybe a spare seat list.

[Kathryn]

Well said Dave.
Lotus Cars posted on Facebook that some clubs may have tickets left so that reassures me that we do have tickets (not that I don’t believe Bibs or Trevor). Some people need a bit more patience! (Although I can understand the frustration as everyone wants to go to this event!)
I know you’ll give priority to existing members over new ones too.

Gini, I’m sure IF there is a spare ticket left you’d be able to have it, Esprit or not, as you are a long term member and regular poster, but it’s refreshing to see someone being fair!

[KenS]

Nice post Dave.
As soon as I have confirmation of a lotus70 ticket I'll note it on the list.

[rip]

As many of those who are currently on the LEC list.

That must be the list on this thread that up until now was really a list without a purpose.
I was beginning to believe that members just liked adding themselves to a list because it was a list.

[chris.t]

1.Fredjohn (ticket from Lotus70)
2. Dapinky
3. Alan E
4. Trevor B
5. John W (I have a ticket from Lotus70)
6. Scott J (with an elise!)
7. Steve A [ticket from Lotus70]
8. Kathryn
9. Rice crispy
10. Chris P
11. Ken S [ticket from Lotus70]
12. Clemo
13. Burble (Chris A)
14. Dave Eds
15. lotustonybassplayer (provisional - if fine weather)
16. RonR
17. BigErch (in an Evora - got a ticket from Lotus70)
18. Giniw just maybe, not sure yet so it's a low priority one! (Elan)
19. El abuelo (Geoff)
20. chris.t (Holiday Inn Norwich - next to knocking shop)

[Steve A]

As many of those who are currently on the LEC list.

That must be the list on this thread that up until now was really a list without a purpose.
I was beginning to believe that members just liked adding themselves to a list because it was a list.

20 people now disagree with you, come on rip you know you want to
Before it’s too late

[rip]

As many of those who are currently on the LEC list.

That must be the list on this thread that up until now was really a list without a purpose.
I was beginning to believe that members just liked adding themselves to a list because it was a list.

20 people now disagree with you, come on rip you know you want to
Before it’s too late

Not at all.
Someone started a list in anticipation of "something" then 18 added themselves to it without knowing what it stood for...because at the time, it stood for nothing.
No.20 being added after the list had become meaningful.

I have no need to add my name to it. If my ticket falls through, I shall choose another option.

[Scott J]

1.Fredjohn (ticket from Lotus70)
2. Dapinky
3. Alan E
4. Trevor B
5. John W (I have a ticket from Lotus70)
6. Scott J (with an elise!) ( I have a ticket from Lotus70, well took a screenshot but no confirmation)
7. Steve A [ticket from Lotus70]
8. Kathryn
9. Rice crispy
10. Chris P
11. Ken S [ticket from Lotus70]
12. Clemo
13. Burble (Chris A)
14. Dave Eds
15. lotustonybassplayer (provisional - if fine weather)
16. RonR
17. BigErch (in an Evora - got a ticket from Lotus70)
18. Giniw just maybe, not sure yet so it's a low priority one! (Elan)
19. El abuelo (Geoff)
20. chris.t (Holiday Inn Norwich - next to knocking shop)

[dapinky]

Not at all.
Someone started a list in anticipation of "something" then 18 added themselves to it without knowing what it stood for...because at the time, it stood for nothing.
No.20 being added after the list had become meaningful.

I have no need to add my name to it. If my ticket falls through, I shall choose another option.

Iain,
I believe that the list was started on 21st july ('coz I started it!) - and by that time the event was already sorted out (but not necessarily 'open' to the general public)....

... admittedly, very few details were known - and it wasn't clear what allocation of tickets would be made to LEC (if any). As such, the list was as much of a 'who is interested' as anything else.

As we all appreciate, many lists exist, some are more of a committment than others, and some evolve as they progress.

I believe that what started as a "I'm interested" list has thus evolved into "I'm coming" and now into "I'd like one of the 20 allocated tickets please" (with the obvious exception of those who are sourcing their tickets directly from TLF/Lotus70.

The fact that there is an event to celebrate 70 years of lotus, and it is taking place at the hethel facility, is good news - it is NOT a LEC organised event, and "we" are attending as a "club" at the invitation of Lotus/TLF. There is nowt to say that anyone on here has to come and stand in a muddy field with the likes of me and Clemo (and we will no doubt not be stuck to the club stand as there is lots to see and do) - and anyone is free to get their tickets from wherever they wish.

LEC is being allocated a limited number, and they will be distributed to LEC members as appropriate.

As a bit of an 'incentive' to earn the tickets, I shall be looking to organise a bit of a rota nearer the time so that there is always going to be some sort of presence on 'our' stand throughout the day. usually this is done very informally, with a few people coming and going throughout the event, and everyone has a jolly nice time..... but as there is likely to be far more to interest most of us thoughout the day/site I would rather not feel that i have to stay with the LEC cars all day (especially if others just see it as a free car park and then dissapear for the rest of the day).
I'd like to think that with 20 tickets, people would be happy to commit to being at a certain place for an hour (2 people at any time on the stand) at some point during the day, and I'll take up any slack as needed - We still don't know if any factory tours will need to be pre-booked, or booked on the day, or just turned up for - so I can't do anything until a timetable of events is known - so it is all just floating at this stage....

.... bottom line is that there will no doubt be more lists at various stages - feel free to add your name wherever you want

[Scott J]

I fully appreciate that some of the list members have 'done the right thing' by trying to get their own tickets, not LEC ones, because they are a bit posh and will be making the trip in cars that don't leak.

Whilst this is commendable, they (you?) are also LEC members and equally as entitled to benefits of being here as anyone else, so will not be ignored.

That said, I would prefer to keep our club parking area limited to M100s if possible, as we are an Elan-centric organisation, and it is appropriate to display Elans and not others on the area. I would request that those with slim waists turning up in Evoras, Elises respect this and choose to park with 'the others' on site (but still feel free to come over for a cuppa and a chin wag). Is that fair, or am I being overly sensitive?

Almost sounds like a Scottish free zone, I'll park with Archie on our lonesome . PS EDITED YOUR POST

[dapinky]

Clearly, the economy in Scotland is blooming to such an extent that the average Jock can afford something newer than an M100 - (or in addition to it, in Archies case).

As a 'born again' Welshman, I feel a sense of Celtic kindred spirit with my Scotlandish cousins, and will not leave you alone (especially as Erch tends to carry a bottle of "Fermented Scottish Water" when he comes to events

[Steve A]

Obviously the main event is at Hethel on the Saturday, this is where we'll most likely get together for chin wag
Any other get together over the Friday Saturday may not be so straight forward as we are not all staying at the same place (scattered to the winds)
which may make things a bit difficult regarding having a beer and then getting back to our beds (beer helps me sleep ).
Are there plans for the Fri/Sat evening ?