Group Lotus Fires Up For The Ultimate Garden Party

The Goodwood Festival of Speed kicks off today, so pour yourself a Pimm's and reach for the ear defenders because Lotus has a major presence at the world's biggest car culture event, set in the immaculate grounds of Goodwood House.

Blasting up Goodwood's historic hill climb will be a heady mix of Lotus road and track cars, both old and new. Formula One drivers Vitaly Petrov and Bruno Senna will wow the crowds in their black and gold Lotus Renault GP cars, while 1992 world champion and Lotus ambassador Nigel Mansell drives his 1983 Type 94T, and Martin Donnelly is reunited with his 1990 Type 102 – the car that nearly ended his career.

The hill climb will also see the latest Evora S, its sibling, the Evora GT4 race car, and the F1-inspired T125, which has been developed by our works drivers and grand prix legend Jean Alesi to give customers the full F1 experience.

Classic Team Lotus have prepared a selection of priceless machines for the event, including Graham Hill's Monaco '68 winning Type 49 and the 1963 Type 25 that took Jim Clark to seven grands prix victories.

In pride of place on the Group Lotus stand, Ayrton Senna's JPS-liveried Type 97T is a must-see for every fan of the Brazilian icon. Chassis no.2 was a special car for Ayrton, because it was in this very machine that he took his first grand prix win – and, in his own opinion, his best.

Up on stage, there will be an open mic session each day at 10.30am and 2pm, MC'd 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 sees 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.

Group Lotus has a pavilion at Goodwood this year, where guests can raise a glass to the past, present and future of our road car range: The Elise Club Racer, Evora S and brand new Evora IPS are joined by a 2002 Esprit V8. And there's a very rare chance to see the white prototype 2013 Esprit which first stunned the world at the Paris Motor Show last autumn, and which has put the road markings down for the company's exciting new era.

Group Lotus' Motorsport Director, Claudio Berro, is thrilled to be bringing so many Lotus models to the Festival of Speed: "Goodwood is a truly special event and the essence of British motorsport. 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."