LOG 29 Introduction

[MickOpalak]

My how time flies.

In the fall of 2002, Lotus Cars USA announced that they were bringing the Elise to America. While I had admired Lotus sports cars from afar for quite a while, it was the Elise which caught my eye most, being a fan of small, light cars. So I ran down to my local dealer to put down a deposit.

In the fall of 2004, I was still waiting for my Elise to arrive but knew that it would be here any day. Eager to jump into the Lotus world with both feet I had joined Lotus Limited and my local chapter, Lotus Limited Southeast. I decided to attend the Lotus Owners Gathering in Birmingham Alabama even though I was without a Lotus because I knew that there was no better way to immerse oneself in the Lotus world. I had a wonderful time, met a lot of great people and even managed to bring home a first place autocross award in a bone stock 16 year old Miata.

Fast forward to the present: I’m now driving my third Lotus, I’m now the president of Lotus Limited Southeast and I’m co-chairing LOG 29 with the good folks in the Alabama Lotus Car Club. My how time flies.

One thing that hasn’t changed is that the Lotus Owners Gathering is still the most incredible way to immerse oneself in all things Lotus: the cars, the people, the history, and the excitement. As in 2004, LOG 29 will be held in Birmingham and the majority of events will center on the Barber Motorsports Park and Museum. Given the world-class track facility and the breath-taking Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum housing the largest collection of Lotus race cars in the world, it’s fitting that the theme of LOG 29 will be “Lotus’ Championship Heritage”. Where better (outside of England) to experience Lotus’ historic racing cars and enjoy its current road cars?

Asked when the last time Lotus competed in a major racing series most people would think of Lotus’ Formula One championships in the 1960s and 1970s. But Lotus continued to race sports cars even after the F1 efforts ceased. In the early 1990s LotuSport successfully raced 5 Esprit X180R race cars in the IMSA Bridgestone Supercar Series. These cars were driven by many talented drivers such as Andy Pilgrim, Paul Newman, David Murry, Scott Lagasse, Doc Bundy, Steve Hassen and Bo Lemler among others.

In keeping with LOG 29’s theme, giving insight to these exciting events at our banquet will be three of the drivers that brought Lotus so many wins: Andy Pilgrim, David Murry and Doc Bundy! They will be around all weekend for autographs and photos as well as giving driving tips at the track day. And as if that weren’t enough, we will have three of these incredible championship Esprits on display throughout the weekend.
LOG 29, as always, will offer exciting events for everyone. Here is a partial list (details may change as LOG approaches):

• A mountain drive from the host hotel to the Talladega Superspeedway
• Touring laps of the Talladega Superspeedway (speeds of 75 mph or greater are required to maintain the banking)
• A tour of the International Motorsports Hall of Fame & Museum in Talladega, AL
• A reception featuring a question and answer session with Road & Track’s Peter Egan
• The Evora introduction by Lotus Cars USA
• The LOG 29 Concourse D’Elegance
• An autocross of immense proportions
• A high performance drivers education day at the incredible Barber Motorsports Park, called “one of the most beautiful race tracks in the world”
• A car control / accident avoidance clinic for less experienced drivers
• Access to a weekend full of exciting vintage racing
• Access to the Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum featuring over 1000 motorcycles and the largest collection of Lotus race cars in the world
• Scenic (yet far from boring) mountain drives
• Informative tech sessions
• Elegant banquets
• Vendors
• And much, much more!

[Ken Wright]

Looking forward to attending this and greatly appreciate all the work that goes into it.

Two questions: Will 4 point harness with ASM shoulder straps be allowed on track?

Will there be any available on track insurance for this event?

Thanks,

ken

[MickOpalak]

Originally Posted by Ken Wright

Will 4 point harness with ASM shoulder straps be allowed on track?

The answer I got back from our Track Chairman is:

"They are not to be used without the 5th antisubmarine belt, as the lap belt tends to "ride up" and not stay across the pelvis in a crash.

As stated: the passenger's restraint system must be the same as the driver's."

Hope this helps.

[Ken Wright]

Mick,

A quick phone call to Lockton affinity to assure them that:

1) instructors are on site
2) no timing is occuring
3) this is not a day to prepare for a racing event

is all that is needed to get LOG 29 added to their roster of events available for insurance.

https://hpdeins.locktonaffinity.com/...e.aspx?pID=544

Will other cars be able to attend the LOG track day? I would like to bring an Ultima GTR.

Thanks,

Ken

[MickOpalak]

Originally Posted by Ken Wright

Will other cars be able to attend the LOG track day? I would like to bring an Ultima GTR.

Absolutely.

Can I get a ride in it please?

[Ken Wright]

Originally Posted by MickOpalak

Absolutely.

Can I get a ride in it please?

Absolutely,

As long as I can get track day insurance. There is another Ultima locally that I will tell about the event.

Thanks,

ken

[Feffman]

Originally Posted by MickOpalak

Can I get a ride in it please?

Mick I've heard no passengers at the LOG 29 track day! True?

Feff

[MickOpalak]

Originally Posted by Feffman

Mick I've heard no passengers at the LOG 29 track day! True?

Feff

That's correct, no passengers except for instructors.

[maz]

Word is instructors in all run groups, and a shared track day with a local Mercedes club. I have no interest.

[mont7]

Mick - Your post above states that the track chairman says that 4-point harnesses are "not to be used without the 5th antisubmarine belt".

My Caterham 7 has a 4-point harness. I ran with the 4-point at LOG 25 and 28, at local SCCA sponsored PDX events, and at various private track days. I'd love to drive Barber, but don't want to signup, spend the money, and then be told I can't run.

I guess that means either I should get a crotch strap, or not signup for the trackday? What other safety requirements are you going to ask someone in a 7 to pass. Are arm-restraints required?

I find it interesting that the Tech Inspection is being left to essentially an honor system (just bring it in signed by your local "mechanic"), but the Log organizers consider my 4-point unsafe?

My apologies for sounding a bit short, but this type of information is not anywhere on the LOG 29 website. Or at least I can't find it.

Thanks.

Steve

[Ken Wright]

Track day insurance available for this event.

Many thanks to Jim Barker for getting this done.

The link:

https://hpdeins.locktonaffinity.com/...e.aspx?pID=874

[Moto44]

A question that would never have entered the mind for most of us guys :
Marguerite would like to know what the attire for the banquet will generally be?

[slaughtr]

Originally Posted by Moto44

A question that would never have entered the mind for most of us guys :
Marguerite would like to know what the attire for the banquet will generally be?

I know you already have the right outfit, Todd.

[Mr_Baker]

Originally Posted by slaughtr

I know you already have the right outfit, Todd.

And you have man hands.

[Moto44]

Originally Posted by slaughtr

I know you already have the right outfit, Todd.

I had hoped, but that's what Marguerite was already planning to wear.

[DeanG]

Originally Posted by Moto44

A question that would never have entered the mind for most of us guys :
Marguerite would like to know what the attire for the banquet will generally be?

The Saturday night awards banquet is mostly coat-and-tie (although casual attire is accepted), while all of the other indoor meals are casual.

[slaughtr]

Originally Posted by DeanG

(although casual attire is accepted)

So does that mean I can just wear a thong?