Sept-Oct - Evergreen Lotus Car Club

EVENTS
October 25th
Slotcars and Calendar
Selection
details inside
December 6th
ElCC Holiday Party
details inside
Lotus Lines
Newsletter for the Evergreen Lotus Car Club - Sept/Oct 2008
Phil Hill’s LeMans victories and his Formula
1 championship with Ferrari happened a
little before my time. Auto racing media
coverage was in its infancy, with grainy
black and white images, seemingly focused
on death and tragedy in the “blood sport”.
When American Phil Hill survived, and
actually won the 1961 Grand Prix World
Championship, I don’t think they quite
knew what to do with it. Television
reporting and ABC’s Wide World
of Sports didn’t really come on the
scene until about 1964, and most of
us would get to know Phil Hill from
his guest commentator roles with
Keith Jackson and Jim McKay, as
opposed to his driving skills.
While I had always been interested
in cars since childhood, my interest
in auto racing had not yet become
a passion in the early sixties. But I
soon discovered ROAD & TRACK,
SPORTS CAR GRAPHIC
magazine, and my wonderful
COMPETITION PRESS
newspaper. These pages were the
focus of my teenage-world. From
about 1964-1972, there seemed
to be so much information about
racecar design and development that
there just wasn’t time to look back.
Exciting times! It wasn’t until many
years later, when car racing started
to become mostly spec-racing series,
that I would go back and appreciate
the vintage years of Nuvolari, Fangio,
Collins, Moss, Behra, Bira, Hill and others.
One evening, when I was supposed to be
studying for a math test, I heard my dad
coming down the hall. I quickly hid my
latest car mag issue under my PeeChee,
and prepared myself for another lecture
on the virtues of school and knowledge.
He dropped an issue of the latest TIME
magazine on my desk, as he had done many
times before, usually with an article about
something that would help me eventually
achieve the Nobel Peace prize or whatever.
But this time was different. He walked in
and then out, muttering, “Here, I guess
you’ll probably be interested in this.” On
the over of his cherished and respected
TIME magazine, was a full-color picture
of Jim Hall driving his revolutionary, and
exotic looking, white Chaparral2. I felt,
at that moment, that my father’s negative
feelings about auto racing were somewhat,
reluctantly, modified. The Chaparrals had
entered my dad’s world of importance, and
I soon could not get enough of the “Texas
Roadrunners”.
At last, I had ammunition to use in the
parent/child relationship game. I could
express interest in becoming an automotive
WHERE WERE YOU?
Evergreen Lotus Car Club
P.O. Box 40481
Bellevue, WA 98015-4481
RAMBLINGS FROM THE CHAIR:
continued inside

What Was it?
Last time around we featured a picture of a three wheeled 1936 Morgan
Super Sport. In jolly ole England at the time tricycles enjoyed cheaper road
taxes than four wheeled cars. After having acquired a garage in Malvern
Link, Morgan wasn’t satisfied with just selling cars, so he designed a
motorcycle and then the three-wheeler. Soon after establishing the factory
in 1910, he was building 1,000 motor cycle trikes a year. This example has
a 1100cc, water-cooled, JAP twin with a car type clutch and a three speed
transmission behind the driver’s seat. A chain provided the final drive and
whole thing weighed 317kgs. Originally the trikes weren’t the least bit
sporting. But they were raced – as it should be – and the company built performance models. Most strikingly is that
the sporting models like this one included aero-dynamic features, the tapered tail and aer screens –never mind the
cylinders out in front. Actually, by the 1930’s it was fairly well understood that the trailing surfaces of the automobile
had a huge impact in the overall drag of then vehicle.
Lotus Lines is the official newsletter of the evergreen lotus
car club. opinions expressed in Lotus Lines are those of the
author and do not necessarily represent those of the elcc or
its officers. Use all techni-cal information at your own risk.
Please submit all articles, art work, and photographs to the
Editor. All other official business should be directed to the
chairman. Other Lotus clubs are welcome to use the material
printed in Lotus Lines, provided that the ELCC, Lotus
Lines and the author are duly credited. The ELCC is not affiliated
with and does not represent Lotus Cars Ltd., Group
Lotus, Team Lotus, or any Lotus related organization.
Membership in the ELCC is $20/year, with the membership
year starting in January, and is prorated in three month
increments. Membership includes a club roster and a
subscription to Lotus Lines.
Contact the Editor for business ads rates in Lotus Lines.
Contact ELCC at:
Evergreen Lotus Car Club
P.O. Box 40481
Bellevue, WA 98015-4481
http://www.elcc.org
The ELCC Officers are elected bi-annually and currently
those officers are:
Chairman: Mark Sterner (206)870-0359
chair@elcc.org
Membership: Alan Perry (206)855-9464
alanp@snowmoose.com
Treasurer: Andy Keck (206)390-3870
andykeck@mac.com
Editor: Robert Vets (206)669-8444
editor@elcc.org
Advertising: Sean Lane (206)686-7326
classifieds@elcc.org
Printed By K&H Printers
Layout by Jessica Vets Design - jvets15@mac.com
Classified Advertisements
Classified advertisements are free for ELCC members, and
pricing for non-members is available on request. For adding
or removing advertisements, please send them via email
to classifieds@elcc.org or by calling (206) 686-7326 by the
10th of each month.
1985 Lotus Turbo Esprit. 45K miles. Used as a regular
driver, Lotus maintained, BRG/Gold, BBS wheels, CD,
A/C, $14,800. Robert Ewens (509)447-3344 (home) or
(509)280-2478 (cell).
--
1970 Titan Mk6 Formula Ford. Available in the spring. I
am almost done restoring it, but have no desire to race it.
Offering for sale now to allow buyer to select paint color, etc.
while it can be easily changed. Ground up restoration. Low
hours on engine. Lots of documentation. Spares package.
$17,000 obo. Alan Perry, alanp@snowmoose.com.
--
Looking for a Lotus car or parts? The below ads have been
spotted in various sources. Note: The below ads have no
known affiliation with, nor are endorsed by, the ELCC.
This info is being provided to assist members in their search
for cars and parts.
2003 Lotus Esprit - Twin Turbo V8 - $52,000. 12,000 miles,
Silver. contact kevin@connells.net or (206) 661-8745
--
2005 Elise, BRG with black. Sport pkg. 13,000 miles.
$32,995. M Cars Seattle (dealer) (206) 579-2662
--
1991 Lotus Elan, Red. Turbo, new custom wheels
and tires and factory wheels. 97K miles, $9,000. Call
Rich (425) 771-3007 [Ed: Price lowered $1500!]
--
1976 Lotus Elite, Red [Ed: This car took first in category
at ABFM 3 years ago, VERY clean] $12,500, Burnaby
Canada. 778-888-8605 or kpmoroney@shaw.ca.
Racing Clubs
BSCC: Bremerton Sports Car Club
360-697-1761 http://www.bscc.net
CSCC: Cascade Sports Car Club, Portland, OR
503-543-8161 http://www.cascadesportscarclub.org
IRDC: International Race Drivers Club, Seattle, WA
206-781-8199 http://www.irdc-racing.com
ICSCC: International Conference of Sports Car Clubs
425-226-1338 http://www.icscc.com
SCCA: Sports Car Club of America, NW Region
206-292-0500 http://www.nwr-scca.org
SCCBC: Sports Car Club of British Columbia
604-824-7277 http://www.sccbc.net
SOVREN: Society of Vintage Racing Enthusiasts
206-232-4644 http://www.sovren.org
TC: Team Continental, Portland, OR
503-645-9058 http://www.teamcontinental.com
EVENT DETAIL
ELCC Holiday Party
When: Saturday, December 6th, 6pm
Where: James Ochs’ house, 23917
94th Ave. S., Kent, WA, 98031
It’s nearing time once again for the ELCC Holiday
Party! James Ochs has very graciously offered to be
our host this year. He’ll provide the main dish, soft
drinks, and sparkling water. The rest is up to us -
potluck style. Let’s all us the evite to coordinate
what we bring and take some of the “luck” out. And,
don’t forget a $20-30 Lotus related gift for the gift
exchange with a system that involves good cheer and
a helping of deviousness.
ELCC TRIVIA
Who founded the ELCC and when ?
Last Months Trivia Question: Does that guy listed in the
ELCC roster really have that many Elites and Sevens ?
Answer: Yes. Although Mike Ostrov has been witling down
his collection in recent years, it’s still an impressive sight. And
he really will let you drive them if you visit his Emeryville,
CA shop. Remember to invite him across the street for a
Chinese food lunch as a ‘thank you’.
Car Clubs
ACNW: Audi Club Northwest
http://www.audiclubnw.org
BMWCCA: BMW Car Club - Puget Sound Region
425-481-9571 http://www.bmwpugetsound.com
CMCS: Corvette Marque Club of Seattle
425-486-2309 http://www.corvettemarqueclub.com
NWARC: Northwest Alfa Romeo Club
360-766-4405 http://www.nwalfaclub.com
WWSCC: Western Washington Sports Car Council
206-255-0658 http://www.wwscc.org

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR
This month we’ve combined the September and October
ELCC Newsletters into one issue. It would be nice to claim
that this is part of a grand plan for a consolidated, end of
the driving season, issue. But honestly, Jess and I moved and
we just came up for air. The season of club events is starting
to slow down and there are really only a few to really get
out there. This issue probably won’t get out in time for the
October 2 meeting at Club STL, so we’ll get to see
how effective the Socializer invites get the word out.
There have been a number of great events this
summer, a couple that worked out well and few that
were disappointing due to somewhat poor turn out.
Small groups can be nice, but really there needs to be a critical
mass and mix of old and new members. I missed a couple of
events that I really wanted to attend as I travel allot for work,
usually with short notice, and just couldn’t get there – as this
gets complete, I’m back to Colorado. The Alfa Club lapping
day was my big disappointment. On what was probably the
hottest day of the summer, we packed up the Elise and head
out to Snohomish for the Mountain Loop drive. It was a
nice ride; with a great picnic in the summer sun with a nice
turn out, only a tad of drama, and the chairman broke out his
stainless Irish Lotus.
Though this is a time of transition, it is an exciting time
for Lotus. The press has been positive for this new concept
of lightness for more energy friendly motoring. The new
Evora is potentially a turning concept in automotive product
development with the versatile vehicle architecture. It is also
reported to be the first Lotus with forged aluminum control
arms – anyone dispute that? One thing the folks at Hethel
are good at is keeping us guessing, the new Esprit, the next
Elise, supercharger kits for the current Elise – the folks at
Ron Tonkin said that they were told that Lotus would release
250, world wide, bolt on non-intercooler
supercharger kits for the 2005 Elise,
or…..maybe not.
RAMBLINGS FROM THE CHAIR: continued from first page
designer or engineer, and justify my interest in racing! Naturally,
when I learned that the Chaparrals were coming to race in the
almost every viewpoint in the infield at Pacific, expecting to
see some magic driving style from this World Champion. He
was smooth, precise, and fast; but that day he was beaten.
Not necessarily by driving skill, but by technology, and the
managing of something called downforce. He knew it and
Jim Hall and Hap Sharp knew it.
The Chaparrals would never return to Pacific Raceways.
The following year at the 1966 USRRC race, a fellow
named Chuck Parsons, wearing a similar white vintagestyle
half helmet, would win the race in a Ferrari-red
McLaren. I couldn’t help but be reminded of Phil Hill’s
1965 NW Grand Prix at Pacific Raceways, I had to be there.
I managed to talk my dad into taking me. Of course, this
would further my education. Yeah, right! That sounds good!
Suddenly I was “King of the World”; going to the races.
However, there was a slight flaw. My Chaparral parade was
being threatened by someone named Phil Hill. He was
driving a Ferrari-red McLaren and wearing a white vintagestyle
half helmet. The package looked antiquated compared
to the Texas cars even though mechanically it was state of
the art. But, in studying the program and previous newspaper
articles, I had become aware of Hill’s multiple LeMans
victories and his Formula 1 championship. I found myself
fearing his abilities, and he became the villain threatening
to beat my favorites. I watched him closely that day from
efforts the year before. But my villain had become my hero.
Hill had joined the Texas Chaparral team to help with both
a Can-Am effort and a world-beating Endurance Sports
Car effort. Jim Hall hoped that Hill’s
LeMans experience would be helpful to
the program. Unfortunately, the dream
of winning LeMans again would not
happen. But, Hill would win a Can-Am
race in the monster flipper-winged 2E.
He would also team with Jo Bonnier in
the 2D to win at the Nürburgring and
finalize his career with a win in 1967
at Brands Hatch in the Chaparral 2F,
teaming with Mike Spence; still wearing
that white vintage helmet, but driving
the latest technology before retiring.
Thanks Phil, for the memories, and
for being a part of my introduction to
the sport. And thanks dad, for trying
to steer me in the right direction. I do
hope that there is a racetrack in heaven
for Phil, and all other departed racers…
and a library full of medical journals for
my dad.

CIRCA 1977: LOTUS NEARLY NIPS MCCLAREN…
AND HOOKS ME FOR LIFE
By Chris Phillips
During a slate gray October 1977 in upstate New York, I was
a restless college sophomore
who heard that the world’s
finest racing drivers were
coming to Watkins Glen. Back
in the day, before carbon fiber
aero-sculpture and telemetric
feedback from all four corners,
the Formula One racing
environment was simpler,
less glamorous and far more
accessible. So were the racing
teams, and the drivers.
I had bottomed out in my
Calculus II class so my aspiration
for an engineering career was fading quicker than the front
brakes on my 1962 Austin Healey triple-carb. I switched
majors to the English Department, bought a pair of white Sears
coveralls and drove 40 minutes
south to The Glen, where I
volunteered as a turn station
worker for what they called
United States Grand Prix East.
(USGP West was held on the
streets of Long Beach, CA.)
The coveralls cost less than a
three-day weekend ticket, and
with a fire extinguisher and a
few hours of track training, we were given a paddock pass and
the closest possible vantage point to witness the fastest, best
handling cars in the world.
Among these cars were my favorites, the Lotus-Ford John Player
Specials driven by Mario Andretti and Swedish teammate
Gunnar Nilsson. They were arguably the most handsome
racing cars of the modern era, with striking black and gold color
schemes, dual air intakes on either side of the driver and a classy
badge of the British Union Jack. When you think of GP racing
in the 70s, Colin Chapman’s JPS Lotus cars and the blazing red
Ferraris were the icons of the day.
From my track station behind the barrier in turn 3, I watched
as James Hunt, a charismatic Brit with a fast McLaren --
think Lewis Hamilton with blonde hair and pale skin -- set
a track record after a very rainy start. I watched Andretti and
his Lotus close a gap in dramatic fashion during the final
2-3 laps of the race. Andretti was trailing Hunt by nearly 7
seconds, but deftly moved up to within a 2-second gap with
just a couple laps remaining. Back then, the teams were still
communicating from the pits with hand signals and reader
boards, and the
McLaren team was
waving everything
they could find once
they realized that
Hunt was being
hunted down by
the stealthy Italian-
American with the jet black Lotus.
I also watched in awe as the stoic Austrian, Niki Lauda, one
of the most courageous drivers of all time, finished in fourth
place for Ferrari, clinching the World Championship title.
It was his fourth championship in three years, but more
importantly, it celebrated his brave comeback from a nearly
fatal crash at the Nürburgring just one year earlier.
These days, I have traded the coveralls and fire extinguisher for
the comfort of a recliner chair, a DVR and a remote control.
I still watch in awe as Hamilton’s McLaren battles Felipe
Massa’s Ferrari. But I do miss the simplicity and accessibility
that was once part of Formula One racing. I miss the
trackside cordial atmosphere that you can still find
at American LeMans or Mazda Star Series races. In
F-1, it seems to have been replaced by some degree
of elitism and
far too much
choreography
as the cost of
this premier
racing reaches
the stratospheric edge.
My son recently turned
18, and this month
he drove his first solo
lapping session in our
home-built, British
racing green Caterham
7. When he pulled into
the pits and tugged off
his helmet, I could see
the look in his eyes --
adrenaline mixed with
concentration. I could
tell he was hooked. It
was the same look I used
to get when I watched
Colin Chapman’s Lotus
team unload those
brilliant black JPS cars
back at The Glen.
ELCC Members score
in Friday Harbor!
Concours d’Elegance of
the San Juan Islands on
SEPTEMBER 14
Larry Eppenback tied for second
in the “Foreign Sports Cars” class
with his 1964 Elan and the author
tied for first in the same class
with a 2005 SY Elise. If you are
wondering how an Elise could out
point an Elan, I don’t have a clue.
More important is the question of
how Larry’s 1984 Donkervoort S8
was ignored. That is an interesting
car, much more than a normal
Lotus 7 replica.
This wasn’t Kirkland, but a lot of nice
cars showed up. Results are posted
on http://www.sanjuanconcours.
org and photos will be available in
a week or so.
EVENT DETAILS
Slotcars and Calendar Selection
When: Saturday, October 25th, 5PM-11PM
Where: Mark Sterner’s house, 2606 S.
244th St., Des Moines, WA 98198
Hosts: Mark Sterner & Karyn Scott, (206)
321-1337, chair@elcc.org
Another year is almost gone, and it’s time to select photos for
the 2009 ELCC calendar. Come and escape for an evening
of fun and relaxation at the Chairman’s house to check out
his habitat filled with cars, car toys, memorabilia, artwork,
and photos of virtually every form of motor racing known to
man! Not just one room, we are talking the whole house and
garage here gang!
I also hope to have two computerized virtual driving
simulators going. Downstairs, drive everything from F1,
Nascar or FIA GT. Also drive a vintage Lotus Cortina, Elan
26R, or early Elite, with your choice of sequential or paddle
shifting with my Logitech pedal and wheel combo. And
drive on almost any course in the world. Upstairs, I hope
that Don Christopher will bring his setup again to drive a
beautiful virtual Lotus 49 on a scenic and incredibly realistic
virtual Pacific Raceways!
Also, taking up half the recroom, will be a Scalextric 1/32
scale slot car track bearing a slim resemblance to the old
Riverside, California road course. I have a variety of about
20 different slot cars, with a few Loti, to experiment with, as
well. All informal and just for fun. Race ya!
Non-stop historic Lotus and other racing DVDs will be
playing on my TVs upstairs and down. My daughter, Karyn,
will be hosting a buffet dinner of pasta and pizza upstairs.
We will have some light beverages available, but please bring
your own wine or favorite six-pack. In addition, please bring
any contributing food item to add to the buffet choice. Any
contribution would be appreciated!
The other half of the recroom will be devoted to displaying
print-outs of member photos for the group to vote on for
selection in the upcoming calendar. Please submit CLEAR
HQ or SHQ digital photos to me at chair@elcc.org or Andy at
treasurer@elcc.org if you wish to contribute. If you can attend
the party, please bring a printout of your photo(s) to display, so
let me know when you submit whether you are coming or not
. Remember that your photo will be blown up to calendar size,
so fuzzy or low resolution pics can’t be used. Those members
who attend will decide for the rest of the club, so please come
if you can to be a part of the selection process.
Directions to the house are fairly simple using Google maps.
PLEASE don’t park in the area on the street above my driveway,
where there are no sidewalks. It is OK to park directly in front
of the house, across the street on S. 244th, or down closer to
the park and streetlight in areas where there are sidewalks.
Hope you all can come for a fun fall evening, and a chance to
get your car in next year’s calendar!