MEMORIES OF LOG 24 IN BIRMINGHAM

[MickOpalak]

MEMORIES OF LOG 24 IN BIRMINGHAM
By Mike Pearce

All LOG events share several common threads, but to many, the most notable is simply this: a once a year gathering of the largest collection of Lotus owners and their cars in the US. Our numbers at LOG would barely cause a ripple compared to a regional Mustang Club of America gathering in Pensacola, FL, for example. That’s why a LOG stirs the emotions in all of us. Unlike some car events, where the multitude of sports cars are as common as popcorn and peanuts, a LOG offers the rare opportunity to mingle with like-minded enthusiasts who trudge along all year as members of a lonesome group, usually the only Lotus owner in their area. While we are all devoted enthusiasts who share a love for a small, obscure, English automobile manufacturer, many of us consider it a badge of honor to be a “rare bird” of sorts amongst all of the other sports car makes, preferring to stand alone in a crowd. In all due respect to other marques, it’s hard to get too excited about Porsche, BMW, MG, Triumph or Ferrari at local car shows; likewise, they with Lotus, although we all share mutual respect and admiration for each other’s automobiles. That’s why a LOG often intrigues so many Lotus owners and serves as the main draw - you’re not alone for a change and everybody shares your passion and appreciation of Lotus!

Aside from the similarities of all LOG’s, there are those that are more memorable for various reasons. Certainly, some LOG’s are more noteworthy than others, if only because of the convergence of important events in the world of Lotus that cause a stir beyond the LOG event. Several have occurred in the last fifteen years that have led us to the present, so let’s briefly cover them.

Some of us remember when the news broke at LOG 15 in Atlanta about a new car from Lotus - the Elise. Of course, the first thing on everyone’s mind was if and when this new model would come to the US, as there were no plans to do so at the time. Then, LOG 22 in Wisconsin offered the “official” news everyone had hoped to hear - the Elise, now restyled into the S2 version, indeed was coming to our shores, and to top it off, would be revamped with a different and more robust drive train with the Toyota power plant supplanting the Rover K Series engine. While LOG 23 was noteworthy for offering a well deserved tribute to the end of the greatest car Lotus had ever built- the iconic Esprit, it was announced that LOG 24 would be staged September 2004 in Birmingham, AL. “Where?” everyone asked, and “You have got to be kidding”.

Yes, Birmingham, AL. Once known as the “Pittsburgh of the South” with its massive steel manufacturing infrastructure anchored by US Steel’s facilities now long gone, Birmingham, the re-invented southeastern US financial services hub, headquarters for world-wide construction companies and a major center for medical research and education was to host a LOG. But, what in the world would cause Lotus to come to Alabama for a LOG, of all places? Everyone knows the BBQ is great and Auburn and Alabama are perennial nationally ranked football powerhouses, but a LOG event? It just so happened that a new road racing circuit and a vintage motor sports museum, known collectively as the Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum and Park had just been built. But, this was no ordinary track, museum and park. The goal of the foundation established to build the museum and track by Mr. George Barber , was to showcase one of the most significant vintage motorcycle collections in the world complemented by a world-class racing circuit designed to host major motorcycle and sports car races. It just so happened that the predecessor museum, too small a facility to adequately house the motorcycle collection, had also been quietly assembling a collection of Lotus racecars over the years. The new museum contained some twenty odd Lotus, which is why as everyone who attended LOG 24 soon found out, it made sense for LOG 24 to be staged in Birmingham.

To make matters more interesting in 2004, a convergence of several events added to the significance of LOG 24.

The first was the timing for release of the Federal Elise to US dealers, planned for June 15, 2004. Plans were for LOG 24 to celebrate the arrival of the Elise to the US and hopefully, many of the 2,000 deposit holders would receive their cars and make their way to Birmingham for LOG 24.

The second was the official introduction in April 2004 of the Elise at Barber Motorsports Park to the motoring press and Lotus dealers in the US. Standing in the museum parking lot on the day before the event, I can remember seeing the Elises threading their way down through turns 7 & 8 directly behind the museum. Words cannot adequately describe what I witnessed - the birth of a new Lotus in the US and salvation for the company. I still get chills thinking about that day.

The third was not pleasant for many of us, as two things put a damper of sorts on LOG 24. One was the change of management at LCU, with Arnie Johnson, the man most responsible for the Elise making it the US and friend to all Lotus owners, departing the company. The other was the unexpected passing of Zac Zarcadoolas of Atlanta who was well known in Lotus circles for his racing successes as well as his love for Lotus, Ltd. Zac’s passion for Lotus lead him to where many would never tread - he raced a purpose-built Lotus Esprit in the Grand Am series in 2004. Given sufficient development time, this car would have undoubtedly enjoyed success at some point at the hands of Zac and co-driver Charles Rahal.

LOG 24 was special for many, but none more so than the few Birmingham area Lotus, Ltd. members who helped LLSE of Atlanta stage the event. Thanks to Dave Schmid and Brian Skeoch of LLSE, the bold decision to hold LOG 24 in a city other than their club’s hometown was made. A very successful event resulted from their leadership in event planning and execution and it eventually led to the formation of ALCC, the Alabama Lotus Car Club, who is the co-host with LLSE of LOG 29.

Here are some highlights from LOG 24 that should bring back memories for many of us:

• Dan Gurney’s attendance and moving banquet presentation, highlighted by his memories of Jim Clark
• Lotus production delays resulting in only two Elise’s owned by individuals showing up for the weekend
• The opportunity to run on one of the premier tracks in the US, heralded by many as “the best of the best”
• Several pre-production Elise’s from LCU proving their mettle as they were subjected to severe flogging at the autocross and all day at the track event. These cars continued their heavy duty service for several years after LOG 24 without a break down
• Dan Gurney’s introduction to the Lotus 29 Indy car, purchased and restored for LOG 24 by the Barber staff
• Tony Shute’s detailed review of the Federal Elise, further cause for Elise deposit holders to salivate
• The success of the autocross in the hotel parking lot but only after two SUV’s, whose owners did not cooperate with our “no parking on Sunday” request, were towed away at 4:30 AM so the course could be designed and marked. Credit the SCCA as they asked if we wanted them to set up the course with SUV’s in place before we moved them
• The “new” Esprit focus group meeting, designed to assist Lotus in deciding what needed to be incorporated into the new Esprit
• The latest hurricane hitting Florida, disrupting plans for several Floridians in attendance who left on Saturday to return home and batten down the hatches
• The mountain drive on Saturday, when an Esprit from New York astonished everyone by running off the road, completing a 360 in a ditch, then returning onto the road unscathed and with out losing its place in line. This car later blew its turbo on the Barber track, so Lady Luck finally ran out

Will LOG 29 have as much excitement as LOG 24? Yes, we are sure that it will, as the multitude of events we have planned will be educational and enjoyable while the Lotus Evora will be on hand for everyone to get a first glimpse of this new Lotus. We are very fortunate to have LOG make a return visit to Birmingham and we looking forward to seeing you - it should be a blast!

[khamai]

Chris...

If my memory isn't totally gone, I recall that there were more than 2 owned Elises at LOG 24, perhaps as many as 6.

You can see 4 owned cars in this photo. My Mag Blue car, Chris S' red car US Elise #1 and 2 others.

Cheers,
Kiyoshi

[zvezdah1]

Originally Posted by khamai

Chris...

If my memory isn't totally gone, I recall that there were more than 2 owned Elises at LOG 24, perhaps as many as 6.

You can see 4 owned cars in this photo. My Mag Blue car, Chris S' red car US Elise #1 and 2 others.

Cheers,
Kiyoshi

HI Kiyoshi,
Some great memories. Yep the silver car is my friend Barry's if you all recall, he had road debris fly into the car and take out the back windshield on the way to the concours.

Chris
PS> yep I'm still alive and kicking, neat to see having it at bham next year. Might just show up.