Lotus GP has done two days of testing on the Portuguese circuit of Estoril with its 3 GP3 Series cars. Daniel Abt, Conor Daly and Aaro Vainio were at the wheel of the cars dressed up with the 2012 livery.
The team has collected a lot of datas that will help to prepare as much the qualifying sessions and the races to come. Added to that, it has the fastest lap time of both days in its bag, courtesy of Aaro Vainio who lapped in 1:30.466.

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grouplotusplc: 4,000: That's the number of parts that make up each RS27-2012 V8 F1 engine. It's, you know, complicated

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grouplotusplc: Team Lotus AJR http://t.co/6XeMCA0D

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- Bell and Sweedler to drive

- Battery Tender, Yokohama and WilliamRast sponsors

Hethel, England and Tavares, Fla., (February 15, 2012) -- Lotus Racing and Alex Job Racing are joining forces to compete for the American Le Mans Series GT (ALMS) championship beginning in 2012. The team will be known as Lotus Alex Job Racing (AJR). The factory endorsed sportscar team will focus its primary efforts in North America.

Team Lotus AJR will campaign the 2012 Lotus Evora GTE car beginning with the ALMS Long Beach Grand Prix, April 14, 2012.

Alex Job, team principal of Team Lotus AJR Racing said, "I am truly excited to announce the partnership between Lotus and Alex Job Racing in North America. Our efforts and ability to attract Lotus is a testament to the hard work that AJR has put in over the past several years. This partnership, along with our key sponsor's Battery Tender, Yokohama, and WilliamRast represent a new chapter for our seasoned organization and for the ALMS.

I'm especially excited to announce my partnership with Bill Sweedler, Townsend Bell, and Colin Dyne (CEO, WilliamRast) in forging this long-term relationship with Lotus Motorsports. We collectively look forward to representing this iconic sportscar brand for years to come in GT racing."

Dany Bahar, CEO of Group Lotus said, "we are focused on winning - Alex Job has one of the best records in sportscar racing. We look forward to working together and developing a top-tier team over the coming years. Racing is a core component of the Lotus brand, and we are thrilled to have this new partnership to further enhance our winning race heritage."

Alex Job has confirmed that Indy Car driver Townsend Bell will be joining the team and partnering behind the wheel with two-time ALMS Founders Cup winner and AJR driver Bill Sweedler.

"We are delighted to welcome Townsend to the Lotus AJR Racing family," Job continued. "Townsend comes from a distinguished career in IndyCar racing and open-wheel in the U.S. and Europe. His natural speed and personality will make for a successful partnership with Lotus AJR Racing, Battery Tender, Yokohama, WilliamRast, and veteran AJR co-driver Sweedler.

Bell's racing pedigree boasts an Indy Lights Championship in 2001, Rookie of the year in 2000, and 12 top-five finishes in the Indy Car Series. He finished fourth in the 2009 Indy 500 and was the first American to have a podium finish in the FIA Formula 3000 series.

Sweedler added, "I am really excited about 2012 and driving with Townsend - he will be a strong addition to the team. I had a fantastic time working with AJR for the last couple of years and am honored to continue as one of their drivers. Alex and his team run a first class operation just like Lotus. It will be a strong partnership."

Townsend Bell stated "Having the chance to represent such a great brand like Lotus is simply awesome. The fact that I get to work with one of the best teams in sportscar racing is icing on the cake. I’m really fired up to work with AJR and Bill Sweedler in what will undoubtedly be a great adventure. Time to buckle up!"

Team Lotus AJR also announced sponsorship from Battery Tender, Yokohama and WilliamRast for 2012.

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My car is currently running rather well. There are a couple of anoying issues however.

1) When she has been given a bit of a workout it takes a long time to return to normal idle speed. The engine holds at about 2000 rpm and then slowly returns to its normal idle of just under 1000 rpm ( it takes around a minute for the idle speed to return to normal )

2) The engine has quite a tappety top end knock and after the recent trackday at Blyton this seems to be slightly worse.

My first thought regarding the high idle is that the throttle boddies could do with a strip down, a clean, some lubrication and a general once over.

At the same time I would like to quieten down the tappety knock. My plan is to remove the cylinder head and take it to Sabre heads for Rog to inspect, replace any worn valve guides, oil seals etc and re shim the cam followers.

I do have a problem in that my garage is only the size of a shoe box and I don't have anywhere to store the rear clam if this has to come off.

How difficult would it be for me to do the work required leaving the clam on ? I would have thought most of the work can be done ok. I realise that fitting the new timing belt is a PITA but understand this can be done.

Are there any other issues / reasons why I would be better to bite the bullet and find some way of removing the clam ?

All advice will be very welcome.