Traditional Group Lotus holds a novel place on the planet of historic motor racing. Established in 1992, it overlapped the lively years of the unique Group Lotus and, with Clive Chapman – son of marque founders Colin and Hazel – on the helm, it offers a direct hyperlink between right this moment and the glory days of the Hethel squad.
The spirit of the ‘garagista’ nonetheless pervades CTL, with 22 workforce and privately owned automobiles (11 of which have been to be raced) in its care on the Goodwood Revival earlier this yr. Usually, the operation would run six to 10 automobiles at this sort of occasion, however 2023 is a particular yr.
The Revival was celebrating 75 years of Lotus with a parade of examples representing the corporate’s ‘Colin and Hazel’ period, from the not too long ago accomplished reproduction of their first trials automobile as much as 1983’s Kind 92 – and being pushed by some well-known faces together with Johnny Herbert and Karun Chandhok. This made it the perfect event for seeing what it takes to run a significant historic racing workforce at a high-profile occasion, so Autosport travelled to Sussex for a extremely popular, and sometimes moist, weekend in September to hitch them.
Working any historic automobile tends to convey a selected set of issues with it. Demonstrating or competing in an {old} racing automobile much more so, not least as a result of they might have distinctive options or have been designed to necessities that don’t promote longevity.
An more and more busy season, the creeping extension of which has eroded the alternatives for low season upkeep, has pressured a rolling programme of preparation for main occasions. Consequently, a flexibility to calls for on Traditional Group Lotus’s time must be maintained if difficult schedules are to be met. One illustration of that is that Clive Chapman was solely knowledgeable early this yr that Lotus could be the featured marque at Goodwood.
Amid this tight timeframe, CTL’s achievement in fulfilling the obligations for the occasion is all of the extra outstanding when you think about that the Mk1 reproduction was solely began in February, the Mk3 and Kind 27 needed to be recommissioned, the new-build Colotti gearbox on the long-lasting Rob Walker/Stirling Moss Kind 18 arrived simply in time to be fitted, the Kind 16 (an ex-Graham Hill automobile) had a significant gearbox rebuild, and Andrew Beaumont’s Kind 22 was nonetheless in want of a ratio change when it arrived on the circuit.
But all the automobiles have been within the paddock on the Wednesday, Thursday was given over to preparation, and on Friday the general public got here by means of the gates. Among the many extra uncommon automobiles they have been in a position to see was the 56B turbine machine from 1971.
Photograph by: Jeff Bloxham / Motorsport Images
The progressive 56B turbine machine from 1971 was restored throughout COVID and given an illustration on the Revival
“The 56B is just working due to COVID – the workforce wanted one thing to do as there weren’t any occasions going down,” explains Chapman. “Colin was it as a [alternative] energy supply as a result of he didn’t wish to should pay Cosworth for his or her engines. Colin was actually excited by the turbine and would have been up for electrical automobiles.”
CTL’s dedication to help so many automobiles at Goodwood led to 4 trusted ‘volunteer’ mechanics being introduced in to complement the eight-strong core workforce. Amongst them was the inaugural recipient of the Simon Diffey Heritage Motorsport Apprentice Award, Emilia Brown, beforehand seconded to CTL by means of the scheme. In recognition of the excellent workforce effort at this yr’s Revival, Traditional Group Lotus was proud to be awarded the Simon Diffey Spirit of Goodwood Trophy.
Speaking to Chapman, it’s obvious that he maintains an summary all through the occasion, whereas workforce supervisor and CTL co-founder Chris Dinnage takes accountability for detailed planning and preparation. Having constructed a robust workforce round them, there’s no need for micromanagement and, whereas thought-about conversations happen, no direct directions are seemingly given – and it’s by no means felt there’s a must. Mark Hicks, who joined CTL three years in the past after a distinguished profession protecting a number of Method 1 groups and the Bentley Le Mans programme, when pressed, describes the world of historic motorsport as “extra relaxed [than F1] however extra chaotic”.
For some, Saturday’s actions end at 2030 in a near-deserted paddock when the 77 is as soon as extra declared match for service
Inside this chaos, CTL operates with slick precision, the automobiles in its care allotted to the assorted mechanics who take accountability for them throughout the occasion. This consists of guaranteeing that schedules for fuelling and positioning pre-race are met, together with offering timing and pitlane help, plus, after all, addressing any issues which will come up. If there’s time between these actions, then every member seeks to assist the others. With 10 buyer automobiles racing and 21 within the parade, the place slow-speed working exacerbates cooling points below the blazing solar, such self-motivation is important.
Dinnage, who has spent over 41 years at Group Lotus and CTL, maybe offers a clue to the roots of this work ethic when he remembers the workforce dynamics over the last hurrah for the black-and-gold automobiles within the Nineteen Eighties. “There have been solely 20 workforce members on the circuit and 80 on the manufacturing unit,” he remembers. “All of us labored collectively and also you have been inspired to assume for your self.”
Surprising issues guarantee there are a few late nights at Goodwood, however the scheduling of the races helps, permitting Saturday to be allotted for common preparation. Tim Gardiner spends an uncomfortable day within the warmth rebuilding the rear of Beaumont’s Kind 18 after a driveshaft failed, however non-starting engines and fading clutches are extra of a theme.
Each the Kind 22 and one of many Kind 79s have issues when firing up, the previous on account of a caught starter motor burning out, whereas the latter is just temperamental when heat. With no appropriate spares, and no apparent issues with the recalcitrant Cosworth DFV, the pragmatic resolution in every case is to push-start them.
Photograph by: Traditional Group Lotus
The DFV behind the 79 is uncharacteristically temperamental
In the meantime, the Kind 77 – an F1 race winner in 1976 with Mario Andretti on the wheel – and Kind 88B (which was banned from F1 competitors in 1981) are each affected by inconsistent clutch pedals. A diagnostic evaluation of the hydraulic techniques results in the formulation of a plan. The seals within the grasp cylinder of the 88 are considered at fault however deemed manageable for the demonstration runs. An answer could be carried out on the return to the workshop.
However the 77 has a leaking union on the rear and this must be fastened on website. Whereas the crowds round him slowly fade away, or stand watching as Spitfires chase overhead within the gathering nightfall, Hicks finds himself mendacity below the automobile with a torch and small rotary cutter. For some, Saturday’s actions end at 2030 in a near-deserted paddock when the 77 is as soon as extra declared match for service.
After spending extra time with the workforce members, and chatting with them about their experiences, a unique side to their work turns into obvious, one thing past the chilly report of outcomes – which this yr features a podium for Beaumont in his 18 within the Richmond and Gordon Trophies contest.
When requested about the very best factor associated to her job, Brown replies: “When a driver has a smile and desires to speak in regards to the race.” Dinnage equally mentions how “historic racing is all about relationships moderately than profitable in any respect prices”. And Nick Woodward has developed such friendship with the proprietor of the ex-Moss Kind 18 that he now at all times takes care of it at occasions.
Reflecting on what defines CTL’s core id, one phrase retains occurring: “continuity”. To take a purely sensible view, it means there’s an unparalleled technical useful resource to name upon for the upkeep and restore of racing automobiles with final historic accuracy. On an emotional degree, there should even be one thing to working with a workforce that does greater than applicable a marque’s historical past, or which can exist merely as a shade of previous glories.
The final word stamp of authenticity although is that it’s nonetheless headed by a member of the Chapman household. With the following technology taking the wheel of varied automobiles throughout the demonstration laps, it appears like these essential historic hyperlinks will stay unbroken for a while to return.
Photograph by: Traditional Group Lotus
Traditional Group Lotus loved a busy weekend within the September Sussex solar