Lotus fans around the world are invited to celebrate the Ruby Milestone of 40 years of
manufacturing at the Lotus Headquarters at Hethel, Norfolk on the 23rd of September 2007.
Much of the Lotus factory will be open including the assembly halls, where all the award
winning Lotus cars are built, special areas of Lotus Engineering’s world class high
technology facilities, and of course the test track where there will be exciting driving activities.
The Open Day will be opened by Hazel Chapman (the wife of the founder Colin Chapman
who built the first Lotus car in 1948). Lotus is also delighted that Classic Team Lotus, run by
Colin and Hazel’s son, Clive, will also be providing invaluable support to the event.
There will also be a display of examples of all the cars manufactured at Hethel over the last
40 years, fun activities for children, including a fun fair, retail stores for local produce as well
as opportunities to purchase official Lotus and Classic Team Lotus merchandise. Several
Lotus clubs will have their own stands and exhibits of clubs owners’ cherished Lotus cars.
All visitors will get a free Lotus “Goodie-Bag” which includes an exclusive 40th pin badge.
Mike Kimberley, Chief Executive of Group Lotus said, “As Lotus has been based at Hethel
for 40 years, it is timely to celebrate such a milestone with a Lotus Open Day. The event is a
celebration of the Lotus brand, a thank you to all the Lotus enthusiasts around the world for
their support over the years and a re-inforcement of our commitment to Norfolk and to the
UK. I would also like to personally thank all Lotus staff for their dedication and commitment
over the last 40 years and for their help in commemorating this special day. Hethel is our
headquarters and our home and I would like to invite all Lotus fans around the world to take
this exclusive opportunity to spend the day with us.”
Everyone arriving in a Lotus car will be able to park on site at Lotus, all other visitors are able
to park at the Norfolk Show Ground Park and Ride, at Costessey, Norwich, with free courtesy
buses to and from the Lotus factory.
The Event in more detail
Lotus Assembly Halls:
Lotus clubs members will be able to see around the manufacturing and assembly halls,
where all Lotus cars are built, and where all new Lotus cars will be built in the future.
Lotus Test Track
The tight and twisty South Circuit will be open for visitors to have high speed rides in current
Lotus sportscars.
Lotus Engineering
Lotus Engineering is the world leading, high technology consultancy division of Group Lotus,
and is very rarely open the public. Visitors have the opportunity to have a behind the scenes
look at the world class research, design and engineering facilities where future Lotus Cars
and indeed cars of Lotus Engineering’s many customers around the world are designed,
developed and tested.
Other Activities:
Elsewhere, there will be a collection of classic Lotus road cars such as the 1960s legends,
the Elan and Europa, the iconic 1970s Elite and Esprit, the 1980s Excel and Elan (M100) and
from the 1990s the Esprit V8 and the Elise S1 derivatives.
Classic Team Lotus will also display some of its collection of Lotus Formula One racing cars
such as the Type 32B, the world championship winning Types 49B and 72 and from the
Ayrton Senna era the Lotus Types 97T and 99T.
There will also be a “Wheel Changing” competition, the latest range of Lotus Merchandise, a
funfair with Laser Tagging competition, children’s' treasure hunt & face painting, Formula
One and Racing Simulators, a farmers market, jazz band and full refreshments.
Details
Location: Group Lotus Plc, Hethel (near Wymondham), Norfolk, NR14 8EZ
Gates Open at 10am and finishes at 5pm.
Admission Price: £15 per car (up to 4 adults, £5 per additional adult) and admission for
children under 16 is free.
Tickets to be purchased in advance via
http://www.lotuscarswebstore.co.uk or by contacting
the Lotus Open Day Hot-Line on:
+44-(0)1953-608190, 608626, 608461 or 608348.
