MLOC Latest Topics (Excluding Motorsport)

[Group Lotus] grouplotusplc: 4,000: That's the number of parts th

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 15:42:49 +0000

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

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 11:48:02 +0000

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

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Lotus Racing And Alex Job Racing Form Team Lotus Ajr To Compete In Ame

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 11:36:58 +0000

- 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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Cylinder Head Removal, Leaving The Clam On ?

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 11:07:35 +0000

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.

[Group Lotus] grouplotusplc: 11,000: The number of technical sketches

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 10:19:37 +0000

grouplotusplc: 11,000: The number of technical sketches produced ahead of the E20 F1 car's build - 28% more than any previous Enstone car.

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[MLOC TV] The New Lotus Exige S - The Car

Mon, 20 Feb 2012 19:32:10 +0000

The New Lotus Exige S - The Car

Fancy taking a guided tour through the Exige S at the expert hands of Design Director Donato Coco and our Testing Guru Matt Becker? Sit back, relax and prepare to get very excited by watching our new and exclusive video here.
From:MidlandsLotus
Views:0

0ratingsTime:03:19More inAutos & Vehicles

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[Group Lotus] grouplotusplc: Lotus HVM Racing 2012 Season Launch http

Mon, 20 Feb 2012 15:56:02 +0000

grouplotusplc: Lotus HVM Racing 2012 Season Launch http://t.co/rg0NDABA

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Anyone Know This Car?

Mon, 20 Feb 2012 15:35:11 +0000

Hi guys,

I'm on the verge of buying this car:

http://www.redlinespecialistcars.co.uk/car.php?id=2296

Original reg is RX54 HFW.

I think it's spent the last few years in the midlands as its been serviced by Top Gear but they're reluctant to give me copies of the paperwork for work done without the permission of the last owner so I'm hoping someone on here may know the car. Top Gear have given me a detailed history over the phone so I know the cambelt's been done and head gasket replaced with an MLS one amongst other things but it would be nice to have the receipts!

Any help/advice would be much appreciated.

Paul

[Group Lotus] grouplotusplc: A lot of sponsors. Not a lot of dessert.

Mon, 20 Feb 2012 13:11:53 +0000

grouplotusplc: A lot of sponsors. Not a lot of dessert. You can't have everything, huh... http://t.co/NTYSOAsX

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[Group Lotus] grouplotusplc: Simona De Silvestro arrives outside the

Mon, 20 Feb 2012 13:03:50 +0000

grouplotusplc: Simona De Silvestro arrives outside the Intercontinental Harbour Court Baltimore - Now that's valet parking! http://t.co/0Vd8tI8P

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[Group Lotus] grouplotusplc: Lotus HVM Racing have launched their Lot

Mon, 20 Feb 2012 13:02:05 +0000

grouplotusplc: Lotus HVM Racing have launched their Lotus V6-powered IndyCar on the mean streets of Baltimore http://t.co/yjdqih3E

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[Group Lotus] grouplotusplc: 10,000: The number of parts tested each

Mon, 20 Feb 2012 01:17:53 +0000

grouplotusplc: 10,000: The number of parts tested each year in the Lotus F1 Team wind tunnel.

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So, What Is The Story Behind Mloc?

Sun, 19 Feb 2012 19:57:55 +0000

Given that this is a big year for MLOC, what is the story? How it is start, who, why, and how many of you were here from day one?

Anyone Up For Snowboard/ski Soll On The 25Th?

Sun, 19 Feb 2012 18:22:40 +0000

A group of us from JLR are going to sol for a week, but one guy has dropped out!
So we have a space

�298, b&b, allocation on arrival, flying from Birmingham.
I'm the only snowboarder, the other 4 are skiers

Anyone interested?

Photoshoot Last Night At Airbase

Sun, 19 Feb 2012 18:14:44 +0000

Went with some fellow MLOC'ers to a local airfield for a photoshoot, here are the first of many of the photos.

The photographer George is a fellow petrolhead and can be contacted for shoots here:

http://www.gfwilliams.net

Will post the others up as they are processed by George, nice to meet some more MLOC'ers I hadn't met before and some I had Airfield was very cold and windy last night though, not helped by the rain shower mid way through!!

Anyone Have Any Of The Pics From The North Staffs Photoshoot?

Sun, 19 Feb 2012 14:13:21 +0000

Just looking through the North Staffs pics and a lot of them are missing. Scott took some brill ones and wondered if anyone had a copy of them anywhere as they don't appear anymore.

http://www.midlandslotus.co.uk/forum/topic/25620-north-staffordshire-photoshoot/page__st__45

Great Sunny Day For A Drive:-)

Sun, 19 Feb 2012 14:11:37 +0000

Just come back from a few hours blast in the Elise around the Leicstershire countryside. Didn't see any other Lotus out there :-( Only a Morgan, Triumph Stag and loads of push bikes and horses!

I'm sure some of you on here did a similar thing though on this sunny day :-)

Fame At Last...

Sun, 19 Feb 2012 09:54:17 +0000

Ha ha, fame at last...

My Exige calendar shot (and yes, I will place my order soon) even made it onto the Lotus public site here:

http://www.lotuscars.com/en/exige-owners

Loads of great shots of other Exiges from all other the world on there too - very nice!!

Cheers,
Eric

[Group Lotus] grouplotusplc: 30,000: The number of parts that make up

Sun, 19 Feb 2012 01:45:04 +0000

grouplotusplc: 30,000: The number of parts that make up each E20 F1 car. In fairness, there might be the odd one left over...

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Future Diy

Sat, 18 Feb 2012 21:59:05 +0000

You may think i have been quiet on the DIY front this winter. You would be right, most of that is due to working for the NHS and being skint. However this is going to change after the summer.

I have started collecting bits for the next project. Here are a couple of pics.

Yes it is on a rickety old table in our conservatory

£55 worth of K series block with a crank inside. Its a low milage unit covered in oil when the head was removed.

This is the plan. Collect all the bits during the coming months and build a engine during the winter and drop it in Stripey. This will leave the current engine for the next project

I will start a thread in Technical when we get underway in earnest. Liz pointed out there is no mug. I will also rectify that ommision.