Group Lotus are bringing a whole raft of historical road and track cars to this weekend’s Goodwood Festival of Speed, and the current Lotus Renault F1 cars.
Vitaly Petrov and Bruno Senna will be taking this season’s black and gold cars over the historic hill climb, while Nigel Mansell will drive his 1983 Type 94T and Martin Donnelly is reunited with his 1990 Type 102.
Classic Team Lotus have prepared a selection of cars, including Graham Hill‘s Monaco ’86 winning Type 49 and the 1963 Type 25 that won seven grand prix victories in the hands of Jim Clark.
On the Group Lotus stand, there will also be Ayrton Senna‘s JPS-liveried Type 97T, the very car in which he took his first grand prix win.
Up on stage, there will be an open mic session each day at 10.30am and 2pm, presided over by BBC Radio Five Live F1 commentator David Croft. On Friday, Vitaly Petrov, GT4 team manager Gary Ayles, and works driver Ollie Jackson field questions. Saturday and Sunday will see Petrov joined by Bruno Senna and Nigel Mansell. Each afternoon, Clive Chapman will join the panel, and on Sunday KV Racing Technology-Lotus driver EJ Viso will be there to talk IndyCar racing.
There will also be a number of Lotus road cars on show, both past and present: The Elise Club Racer, Evora S and brand new Evora IPS are joined by a 2002 Esprit V8. There will also be a very rare chance to see the white prototype 2013 Esprit.
Group Lotus' Motorsport Director, Claudio Berro, is delighted to be bringing so many Lotus models to the Festival of Speed: “Goodwood is a truly special event and the essence of British motorsport,” he said. “As such, it stands to reason that Lotus feels at home on Lord March's beautiful estate, and we are really looking forward to joining Lotus' drivers, past and present, and our supporters for a wonderful automotive celebration.
“The Festival of Speed is the perfect entrée to next weekend's British Grand Prix, so this is an important and exciting week for us and one we will certainly enjoy.”
