Club Lotus Castle Combe 24th May 2025

[chrism]

Last year rain spoiled it a bit on the way home Sun morning...
We should be leaving around 05:00. If it's only 'spitty' we might still give it a go...but please don't feel obliged to wait around at Pit Stop for us .

[RonR]

AAaarrggh!

The car was ready to go this morning apart from 1 thing - The brakes had been dry for a week or so while the rear suspension was rebuilt, a simple matter of bleeding - but try as I might I could not get a good pedal, the brakes would just begin to bite with the pedal about 3/4 down. Tried tapping calipers and valves, had the arse of the car up as high as I could get it without scraping the nose, etc... Didn't try pressure bleeding as my Gunson kit isn't up to the job.

So sorry to miss out on your company Guys, hopefully I'll make it next year.

BTW, If MikeMPX goes on track in his M100 please tell him to try the 4.5 version of Elysium on his switcher - Version 5 leans out the fuel to get a few extra BHP but could be the source of the knocks he was seeing.

Now where did I put Jamie's rear brake kit?

[MPx]

AAaarrggh!
BTW, If MikeMPX goes on track in his M100 please tell him to try the 4.5 version of Elysium on his switcher - Version 5 leans out the fuel to get a few extra BHP but could be the source of the knocks he was seeing.

Sorry you'll not make it Ron - we'll miss you. I will be on track. The car is switched to Everest 99% of the time. I thought Elysium was a bit nearer the edge so never use it - but may have got that wrong? I need one of your data loggers! ... but accept fixing your own car probably takes priority. Any idea how long 'til the first batch are ready to ship?

[sheriff464]

Ok a list of people going to Castle Combe 24th May 2025.

Alan e.
chrism - sorry but no...
Mike - MPx
Spud and Miranda
Saltire*
TrevorB
RonR
Rambo
Tuga2112
Pinky
Tony B
Lotustonybassplayer
Sheriff464
Jim
rip
Steve A & Lesley
xxxxxx
List for the Campers

Tuga2112 (not organising)
Tony B
Pinky
Rambo (Burton Hill)
Jim
Spud and Miranda

List for the Saturday morning gather up at the pit stop and "not convoy" to CC

Tuga2112
Tony B
chrism - sorry but no...
Pinky
xxxxxx
Rambo
Jim
Lotustonybassplayer
Spud and Miranda
TrevorB
Steve A & Lesley
Sheriff464
List for the Saturday Evening BBQ/Pub meal

Tuga2112
Tony B
chrism (+ Gill) - sorry but no...
Pinky
Rambo (up for a curry)
Saltire (up for a curry)
Jim
Spud and Miranda (up for a curry)
Steve A & Lesley (Definitely up for a curry)

Sorry folks - a bit wimpy I know - but from WSx we'd be starting off in a huge downpour, driving into it (in a mobile sieve) as it heads our way and arriving soaked where there isn't a huge abundance of shelter.
With the prospect of more rain the day's looking way too grim for us - so without wanting to bail out we're gonna bail out, hoping not to disrespect those LEC gurus we were so looking forward to meeting up with again.

[dapinky]

On site weather forecast says rain (light drizzle here) due to stop in 1 hour, then dry until 2200.

[Saltire]

I’ll be arriving at CC around 09:15 or so, but not staying long. Pauline had a major back operation a couple of weeks ago and is convalescing, so I’ll need to get back to continue in my role as nurse, chef, and general domestic goddess See you shortly!

[RonR]

AAaarrggh!
BTW, If MikeMPX goes on track in his M100 please tell him to try the 4.5 version of Elysium on his switcher - Version 5 leans out the fuel to get a few extra BHP but could be the source of the knocks he was seeing.

Sorry you'll not make it Ron - we'll miss you. I will be on track. The car is switched to Everest 99% of the time. I thought Elysium was a bit nearer the edge so never use it - but may have got that wrong? I need one of your data loggers! ... but accept fixing your own car probably takes priority. Any idea how long 'til the first batch are ready to ship?

Mike, the same goes for Everest V4.5 Vs V5, V5 is leaner, probably worth a try on Everest 4.5 to see how it goes.

Had a bit of trouble with the software on the loggers, tried to make the timing more accurate by using a timer interrupt but managed to mess up something else along the way - need to get to the bottom of it as it's the last thing to be sorted.

[Saltire]

Nice to see everybody this morning, albeit briefly!

For those who expressed an unhealthy interest in my windscreen washer jets, this page from the Wiki might be useful.

Here’s to 2026

[Rambo]

Another great w/e, albeit a bit cold and windy on the Sat. At least the promised rain held off.

Best part for me was the campsite banter and catching up with friends I haven't seen for a few years. The curry was good too

[TrevorB]

It was GREAT to see everyone at Castle Combe yesterday especially as I missed last year.

Thanks to those that assisted in the diagnosis of my washer pump. I have now made some inquiries to get a replacement pump.

A BIG thank you to Alan for the new aerial.

I am particularly moved by the concern shown by many that 'Merlot' had got very dirty on her travels in the rain.


Merlot is back to her sparkly best now that I'm home.

Hope to catch up again with everyone and more next year.

Take care



Trevor

[Blaster]

The journey up was great with only a small delay on the M25.
The rain held till we were in the tents on Friday night and only a small windy shower on Saturday.
Great meal at the Spice Merchant.
And rain again Saturday night. But tents were dry to be able to pack away till next year.
Uneventful journey home at 2 hours 15 camp to home. 118 miles.

[dapinky]

Not much to add - great to see everyone at CC - as you may have noticed, I don't really go for the "track action" and it is a social event for me.

Campsite was excellent (as usual) - so was the Brekkie at the Pit Stop...... and the curry at the Spice Merchant. Not much of interest to the M100 owner at the autojumble by the time I got to it.

New tent kept the rain out (unlike the old one), and is quick and easy to erect and deflate.

3 hrs to get home, but not much traffic to worry about.

Car performed without anything to report.

[Rambo]

Mine is also very quick to erect and deflate these days

[Rambo]

Oh, sorry - we're talking tents

[Rambo]

I was very pleased to receive a comment.... "Rambo, our car is cleaner than Trev's"

Better than any rosette or 1st in class

[MPx]

Mike, the same goes for Everest V4.5 Vs V5, V5 is leaner, probably worth a try on Everest 4.5 to see how it goes.

Well what a great day it was. The car was flawless. I left it on prog 6, so V5, as I couldn't remember which number V4.5 was - now looked up that its 3. Once I get a logger I'll maybe do a trial to see if there's a difference in Knock recordings etc. But on the basis of raw driving experience, the car is back to its best with no misfire or loss of power so it would be more of academic interest.

I did 4 sessions. Took Martin round first session and Dave second - both seemed to enjoy it and were impressed how well the car was working. Billy no-mates in the afternoon but was happy to grin on my own!

Great to have a brief chat to a few of you - just lovely to see old friends from across the Lotus communities Esprit/M100/Sunbeam and even some of the more modern stuff!

Hopefully I'll be back for my 35th year in 2026

[TrevorB]

I was very pleased to receive a comment.... "Rambo, our car is cleaner than Trev's"

Better than any rosette or 1st in class

I must admit Mark I did notice how shiny your car looked, those Polish car washers do a great job!
Safe travels back to Scotland.

Trevor

[Steve A]

Trevor's dirty weekend ! but to be fair to Trev he did drive up at 5am through the rain
and we all know there's a least 10 layers of wax under all that dirt

[Steve A]

Yet another great get together, the weather stayed mercifully dry for us and the track stars, all finished off with a curry

[Steve A]

We extended our stay in the area, and despite the weather we're having a great time

Today was a bit of a tester weather wise, but it's a dry day tomorrow