Although severe storms were forecast, around fifty club members defied the weather and set out for the annual Lotus drive-in at Oakley Hall Park in North Hampshire. They were rewarded with blue skies and a generally sunny day.

An amazing variety of Lotus cars were present as well as a few from other manufacturers, including an immaculate GT40. A gourmet lunch was served in the Garden Room followed by coffee in the Library - all very refined!

During the afternoon two competitions were held. Mike Waller (Lotus 23) and Ian Hawthorne (JPS Europa) were the winners of “The Car That I Would Most Like to Take Home” prizes, which were donated by Alan Morgan, Chairman of Club Lotus.

The second event was for the Autoglym Shield, judged by Paul Caller and his team. After much deliberation Edward Stephens’ Lotus Eleven Le Mans was declared the well-deserved winner. Paul also gave an Autoglym pack to every entrant.

The day finished in the now-traditional manner by a Lotus cavalcade through the private estate roads where rabbits, pigeons, pheasants and hares all made their annual dives for cover as the cars passed through their normally tranquil habitat.