After the successful tour dates in April and May I have been asked if I could put one more tour on so there will be one last evening tour set for July the 7th or 14th. If you are interested please book and donate to this very worthwhile cause by going to the JustGiving website - Miracles in May - Classic Team Lotus tour. Many thanks. 

I would like to say a very big thank you to all of the kind people that have made donations to this cause. 

PLEASE CAN I ASK THAT PEOPLE CONTACT ME TO LET ME KNOW WHAT TOUR THEY WOULD LIKE TO ATTEND? I've received many donations without any mention of what tour people are attending. I don't want to have to turn people away as we could end being over subscribed. Of course people that have made a booking for a specific tour will get priority. People that have given a donation will still get a tour but on another date. Thank you. 

 In aid of Soul Church fundraising in May, I am able to offer one or more tours of the Classic Team Lotus workshops. 

I will give a brief history of Colin Chapman, the founder of Lotus Cars and Team Lotus, then talk about how the team went on to become one of the most successful teams in Formula 1. We will then go on to take a tour through the race shop, where you can walk amongst the cars that are currently being prepared or restored ready for them to take part in historic race meetings at events all over the world, go back to their proud owners or maybe go into the Chapman collection. 

From here, we will take a tour through the fabrication shop where the restoration of the metalwork takes place and then onto the composite shop to have the carbon-fibre process explained. At this point, probably the most impressive part of the tour will take place as we take a trip up to the second floor to wonder at the amazing collection of historic race cars dating back to the very first single-seat lotus race car that was first shown to the public in the 1957 motor show. The collection that dates over 5 decades includes cars driven by greats such as, arguably the greatest race car driver of all time, Jim Clarke, then there are others driven by Graham Hill, Ronnie Peterson, Stirling Moss, Ayrton Senna, and many more including many championship winners. 

We have groundbreaking cars such as the twin-chassis Lotus 88, the world's only gas turbine Formula 1 car, the first of the ground effects cars and so much more. 

I will tell stories of some of the greatest innovations in motor racing history and give plenty of time for participants on the tour to take photos with their favourite cars in the collection. 

If required, I can also take photographs that will be emailed to you. 

The tour will be roughly two hours long and there is wheelchair access if required. This is a real treat for any petrol-head and would make a fabulous present for the one you love. 

Donations for the tour will be via JustGiving

(The usual cost of a CLT is £50 but please feel free to offer what you can.) Each tour will have a maximum of 10 participants (places to be allocated on a first come, first served basis.) Contact me to book a place via steve.jest@btinternet.com or call me on 07785244504.

Regards, 

Steve Jest