Bathurst Track Day 2020
LCA Bathurst Track Day 2020 from an LCQ Perspective.
Cam Anderson
“From much apprehension and nervousness at 7.45am on Wednesday morning to the greatest grin on my face in a long time at 4.30pm, this was 100 minutes of sheer unadulterated explosive fun. The only downside is waiting 365 days before I can do it again! I’ll be there!”
Des Hill
“Preparation, preparation, preparation, note to oneself… when checking everything to the enth degree, make sure your car has fuel before lining up in pit lane. But then again the car was lighter.”
Luke & Margaret Lindemann
“Got disillusioned with being spanked in my M3 F80 by Lotus Elises at Stokell track days in 2019. Tony Seymour threw his keys to Paul Stokell and Paul took me for two very fast laps of Morgan Park. A month later we purchased our new Exige 410 in November 2019. Thanks Tony and Paul!
First time with it on track was at Bathurst, stock standard and achieved a best of 2:39.22. The car was an absolute joy to drive. Met some lovely people and looking forward to doing more Qld track days this year. A big thanks also to Chad and Mark (Lotus Cars Qld) for their support over the weekend.”
Rob Parer
“This was my second year at LCA Bathurst Track Day and I loved it even more! Dinner on pit lane, petrol head enthusiasts from all over the country and driving around breathtaking corners on a rare piece of road. Life is grand.”
Garry Pitt
“Another great opportunity to drive the Mount Panorama track, this is the 3rd year that Simply Sports Cars / Lotus Cars Australia have secured a day following the 12hr event and while I could wax lyrical about how great, challenging, exciting etc the track is, and it is! (I’m sure others will cover that in this edition of the mag) I did want to say that the event had a genuine customer experience feel about it this year, particularly around the dinner function, but the entire event was expertly run and incredibly smooth.
Lotus Cars Australia have lifted their game for this event and it had a high end feel to it you would expect from a super car manufacturer. The speeches and videos, including a message from Lotus CEO were nice touches. The brand does seem to be lifting itself from a track/enthusiast car to genuine contender to Porsche et al as an overall sports car, weekend GT car with all the customer experience trimmings. Roll on Bathurst 2021, because yes, the track is awesome to drive!”
Steve Blackie
“Seeing and driving it for the first time, TV just doesn’t do it justice, it so much better.”
Tony Seymour
“Well the SSC Bathurst trip was a bit like asking what you’d do to spend a day in heaven. Would it be 12hrs to get there (with a forgettable stop in Scone) and 13 hrs (with thundering rain all the way) to get back?.
That’s ridiculous and I would’ve done it twice. I was also asked by a customer today if there was anyway he could get to Bathurst in his Commodore and I suggested he enter it in the V8 Supercar series … or buy a Lotus.”
John Mactaggart
“Dinner in pit lane was fantastic and helped ease the nervous anticipation of what the next day will unveil. The organisers did a superb job and the day went with incident. Diving the track with spirited friendly competition with other drivers is a bucket list thing.
In the hire car leisurely driving back to Sydney in time to catch the last flight back to Brisbane, it was great time to reflect on what I had experienced in the last 24 hours and what I will do next year.”
David Yule
“The question: “Is it more difficult to get to and from Bathurst in a Lotus Elise or drive the Mt Panorama Circuit?” On the way to Bathurst had a slow leak puncture. The puncture repair could not reinstate the AD08R. There were no AD08R available in Bathurst. Had to run alternative tyres on rear axle!! On my return to Brisbane wet, wet, wet.
Mt Panorama: fine weather, compromised Elise but the most exhilarating 100 minutes of my driving career!
Certainly not the quickest Elise on the track, but the quickest I have ever been. Burnt lots of fuel and adrenaline. See you next year – definitely.”
Chris Johansen
“Better than Nurburgring! (my last track day drive) by far! Much safer and better run. Also great to see so many Lotus doing what they are built for. No shortage of track time and a memorable meal in pit lane as well. Pity my enthusiasm cost so much however, fibreglass doesn’t match the durability of concrete over Skyline, damn!”
Evan Molloy
“Bathurst! What a place! What an experience! This is what our amazing cars are truly made for. Every part of the track is challenging and so rewarding. I found myself shouting with excitement as I crossed the line. Pushing through the chase at over 200 and smashing the loud pedal out of the dipper we’re definitely the highlights on track for me. Off track the atmosphere and comradery with fellow lotus owners made the experience extra special.
I can’t wait for Bathurst 2021!”
Geoff Noble
“Challenge accepted! That’s Mt Panorama in a nutshell – always plenty to learn, and the anticipation of being able to come back next year and put those lessons into practice. From the adventures of the convoy down with Garry, Martin, Evan and Tony (half the fun is being with your mates!) to the welcome dinner and then on to the main event – cutting laps at Bathurst!
It is such a privilege to be able to use this iconic venue. Get it in the diary for next year, you just have to do it!”
Alex Molocznyk
“The team at SSC/Lotus Cars Australia have excelled themselves again. Possibly the best track day ever. Combined with the wonderful Lotus community and a great road trip for me it was an outstanding success.
Despite being slowest in the timed group (due to lots of legitimate excuses) I still managed a significant pb. over the previous year and can now confidently do the kink into the Chase flat out thanks to Paul Stokell’s tuition.
On the drive to Bathurst the countryside was parched and brown with huge dust storms around Dunedoo. It looked like the start of the great American Dust Bowl and i was thinking I will have to change my air filter in Bathurst.
The owner of a bakery said they’ve had the dust storms for months and had to completely shut down the week before because dirt was coming through the shop.
Driving back to Brisbane three days later it rained all the way from Lithgow and the countryside was transformed into emerald green as far as they eye could see. Previously empty dams were filling and some had ducks swimming in them.
Every time I stopped I asked the locals how they were enjoying the rain and the first responses were always huge grins particularly at the Dunedoo bakery.
All round a memorable trip with a great ending.”
Cosette Woolley
“New Lotus owner. First track day at the iconic, Bathurst track. It was awesome!”
Martin O’Brien
“What’s not to love. My childhood dream come to life – driving my iconic car on this iconic track. Not to mention the great organisation and company. If you get the chance, just do it.”
