HomeNews and EventsLotus gets Goodwood feature, Penske gets ready for his run up the...

Lotus gets Goodwood feature, Penske gets ready for his run up the hill

Our weekly roundup of car show and vintage racing news and notes

-

Lotus will be the featured marque for the Central Feature sculpture at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, scheduled for July 8-11. However, Goodwood Road & Racing says there will be a difference in the display this year.

“This year’s sculpture, the design of which will be kept top secret until the Festival opens in July, will take a different philosophy and a new, immersive direction, allowing not only those at the event, but also fans watching from home, to interact with it,” the host said.

Lotus also was featured in 2012 as it celebrated its 60th anniversary. For that occasion, designer Gerry Judah created his acclaimed “infinity loop” sculpture, an aerial race track featuring Lotus Formula 1 cars.

“We are delighted that Lotus will star as the Central Feature at this year’s Festival of Speed presented by Mastercard,” the Duke of Richmond, host for Goodwood events, is quoted in the announcement. “Lotus cars raced with great success at Goodwood throughout the 1950s and ‘60s, including setting the ultimate lap record in 1965, and this year’s Central Feature will serve as a fitting landmark to their past, present and future achievements. 

“The sculpture looks set to be one of the most dramatic and futuristic yet, bringing in elements of interactivity for modern audiences that align with Lotus’ future-facing attitude and outlook.”

In its announcement, Goodwood noted that 2021 is an important year for Lotus, which will unveil its Emira sports car at the Festival of Speed. The Emira replaces the Exige and Elise and will be the final petroleum-powered Lotus production car as the company transitions to electric vehicles.

“Everyone at Lotus is very excited by the opportunity to be the Central Feature at the Festival of Speed,” said Simon Clare, marketing director for Lotus Cars. “This year is a hugely significant one for the transformation of Lotus, and to be giving a public dynamic debut to the Emira at a location so closely associated with Lotus’ success and spirit of innovation will be great for those who can attend, physically or virtually.”

Penske turns laps again in race car

Lotus gets Goodwood feature, Penske gets ready for his run up the hill
Roger Penske is back in a race car, turning laps in preparation for his drive during the Goodwood Festival of Speed | M1 Concourse photos
Lotus gets Goodwood feature, Penske gets ready for his run up the hill
Penske in the Audi preparing for his drive

Before Roger Penske became a mega auto dealer, truck rental businessman and owner of racing teams and tracks, he was one of America’s leading young sports car racers. 

He retired after the 1964 Nassau Speed Weeks, where he drove a Chaparral 2A, but recently, at the age of 84, Penske was back in a race car turning laps in the Sebring-winning 2008 Porsche RS Spyder at the M1 Concourse in suburban Detroit.

Also taking some laps around the Champion Motor Speedway circuit was Ford chief executive Jim Farley, driving an ex-Team Penske Ford Mustang that raced in the Australian Supercar series.

Penske and Farley were getting ready for their runs up the hill in early July at the Goodwood Festival of Speed.

Audrain Motorsport links with Goodwood

Goodwood also announced a new partnership with Rhode Island-based Audrain Motorsports, which will become presenting partner for the Goodwood Members’ Meeting vintage racing weekend.

“The Audrain Group shares Goodwood’s commitment to celebrating automotive history, with the ethos behind its Museum, Motor Week and Motorsport memberships aligning with that of the Goodwood Road Racing Club (GRRC) and the Members’ Meeting event,” Goodwood said.

“The Audrain Group is dedicated to the experiential side of automotive enjoyment, it is an obvious and ideal match,” Audrain Motorsports chief executive Donald Osborne is quoted in the Goodwood announcement. “The Duke of Richmond and his team have worked at the highest level to create unforgettable, truly immersive events and we look forward to a long-lasting collaboration.”

Founded in 2014 with the opening of the Audrain Automobile Museum in Newport, Audrain has expanded its portfolio with an annual concours and motor week, scheduled this year for September 30 to October 3.

The 78th Goodwood Members’ Meeting follows soon thereafter, October 16-17.

Laguna, Volunteers reach agreement

Negotiations broke down last summer between the Laguna Seca Volunteer Association (nee SCAMP) and the new A&D Narigi Consulting management team at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. 

But the track now reports that it and the not-for-profit volunteer group have achieved a “long-term relationship” and that “experienced individuals” in race operations will return to “support the County of Monterey-owned Laguna Seca Recreation Area and the events held at its iconic race circuit.”

A 5-person executive board — Lee Ames (president), Morgan Broadhead (vice president), Ryan Bailey (secretary/treasurer) and Shea Eby and Bryan Mutoza (directors) — will lead the volunteer team through the 2021 racing season.

“This past year has had many ups and downs due to the pandemic and in finalizing the structure and leadership of the volunteer association,” Ames said in the track’s announcement. “Many of us first assisted with last August’s Driver Appreciation Weekend to get to know some of the new management team, and over the course of the past few months and events, have grown to understand that we all have a shared vision to ensure a safe, pleasurable and memorable experience for everyone who comes into the Laguna Seca Recreation Area.”

“As Lee indicated, there were some rough patches during a challenging year, but we worked closely together to create a sound organization for years to come,” track president John Narigi added. “The dedicated men and women who have volunteered here for years, which includes several local service organizations, have an unbridled passion, expertise and camaraderie that give Laguna Seca Recreation Area its unique soul.

“Without them, WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca would not have the fine reputation that it has today.”

The track’s next major event is the MotoAmerica Superbike Speedfest on July 9-11. The Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion is scheduled for August 12-15, with Pre-Reunion practice set for August 7-8.

1974 IROC Porsche sweeps vintage weekend

Yves Scemama posts triple victories in Heritage Motorsports 1974 Porsche 911 IROC at Barber Motorsports Park | HSR photo

Yves Scemama drove Heritage Motorsports 1974 Porsche 911 IROC to a perfect triple-sweep performance at the Historic Sportscar Racing at the Barber Historics at Barber Motorsports Park in Alabama. 

The car and driver won the B.R.M. GT Classic, the Classic RS Cup and the Sasco Sports International/American Challenge races over the recent weekend. Aaron Nash co-drove the car in the B.R.M. Endurance Challenge event that included the GT Classic competitors.

Next up for the HSR racing circuit is the Finger Lakes Invitationals and Masters Historic Racing event scheduled for July 9-11 at Watkins Glen, New York. However, before that racing event HSR stages its annual non-track Ridge Runner Rally, June 14-18 in the Great Smoky Mountains.

Lime Rock Park links with parts retailer

The new management team at the Lime Rock Park racing circuit in Connecticut has entered into what it calls a “long-term partnership” with online European car parts retailer FCP Euro, which despite its name also is based in Connecticut.

“The partnership will create in-person and digital opportunities for both organizations to increase brand awareness and customer reach,” according to the announcement.

Among the track’s first upgrades is an expanded and repaved and now renamed “FCP Euro Proving Grounds” autocross and skid-pad area that opens after Memorial Day activities at the track. A FCP Euro experience and hospitality center overlooking the track’s Left-hander onto No-Name Straight is scheduled to open in 2022.

Carlisle Ford Nationals to feature Jason Schneider

Movie poster

“For car lover Jason Schneider, losing a hand at age 12 has not stopped his passion for cars or his ability to wrench on them,” Carlisle Events says in its announcement and adaptive car builder and film director Schneider will attend the Carlisle Ford Nationals scheduled for June 4-6 in Pennsylvania.

“Schneider is a native New Yorker and northeast Pennsylvania resident who has owned many cars in his life,” Carlisle notes. “He doesn’t just own or drive them, he races them, maintains them and upgrades them too.  What makes him different (according to some) is that due to an unfortunate accident as a child, he lost his right hand. 

“Never one to look at himself as different, Schneider navigated life as any normal kid would.  He built soap box racers, played video games, he got his driver’s license and he fell in love with cars.”

In addition to his automotive skills, Schneider made his debut as a film director in 2019 with Despite the Loss, which introduces audiences to others like him who have persevered, despite their loss.

Schneider will be at Carlisle with his 1993 Fox-bodied Ford Mustang and will compete in the Real Street Shootout.

Woodward Dream Cruise returns

After being canceled for 2020 by the coronavirus pandemic, organizers of the Woodward Dream Cruise have announced the event’s return, scheduled for August 21 in the northern Detroit suburbs.

Held on the historic boulevard where Big 3 engineers did some of their muscle car development work in stoplight drag races, the dream cruise typically draws as many as million people who line the sides of the roadway to watch the parade of vehicles.

Rodeo Drive concours reimagined

Instead of a concours, collector cars will cruise the streets of Beverly Hills on Father’s Day morning | Rodeo Drive Concours photo

As recovering from the coronavirus pandemic continues, organizers of the annual Rodeo Drive Concours d’Elegance plan a reimagined event for June 20 this year with 50 vehicles participating in the Beverly Hills Tour d’Elegance, a rolling display traveling throughout the City of Beverly Hills instead of being parked along Rodeo Drive.

The event runs from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.

“We are excited to return to Beverly Hills this Father’s Day with a lineup of some of the greatest cars ever produced,” said event founder Bruce Meyer. “More importantly, we are thrilled to begin the return to normal with a fun, free, family-friendly event which will support our local first responders.”

‘Lulu’ wins Hot Wheels Legends event

‘Lulu’ was inspired by Mickey Thompson’s 1963 Harvey Aluminum race car | Hot Wheels photo

“2020 Lulu,” an automotive creation by Paul Kalenian of Santa Fe, New Mexico, was judged the winner of the second (virtual) stop of the North American segment of the 2021 Hot Wheels Legends Tour and will join other regional winners from around the world at the tour finals. At that event, one of the full-size vehicles will be selected to be featured as a 1:64 Hot Wheels die-cast toy.

“The Lulu is a one-of-a-kind, fully street legal, race-inspired ride,” the Hot Wheels news release noted. “Garage built – from sketch to street – in just seven months, this heli-arc, all-aluminum monocoque/bulkhead design features a rear, structurally mounted turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 325 hp and 24 psi. The brainchild of 70-year-old Paul Kalenian, it loosely replicates Mickey Thompson’s 1963 Harvey Aluminum race car. To date, Lulu has already clocked 5,000 miles.”

RPM Act re-introduced in US House

If at first you don’t succeed… 

The Recognizing the Protection of Motorsports Act has been re-introduced in the US House of Representatives, SEMA reports. Better known as the RPM Act, the legislation seeks to reverse the EPA’s 2015 interpretation that the Clean Art Act prevents the modification of motor vehicles for the purposes of motorsports.

The bill was re-introduced by Patrick McHenry (R-North Carolina) and Raul Ruiz (D-California).

“I am proud to support automobile racing and will work to ensure motorsports enthusiasts here in North Carolina and across the country can continue the time-honored tradition of modifying stock vehicles for competitive racing,” Rep. McHenry is quoted in the SEMA announcement.

“Growing up, I spent countless hours at the racetrack with my father,” Rep. Ruiz added. “Racing has always been close to my heart. I am delighted to introduce the Recognizing the Protection of Motorsports (RPM) Act, which will keep our American tradition of vehicle racing alive and give enthusiasts and their children the same opportunity that I had to create memories at the racetrack.” 

2021 car show and concours calendar

The following are dates currently set (but subject to change) for a variety of concours d’elegance, car shows and driving tours scheduled during 2021:

May

28-30 – Goodguys Nashville Nationals, Tennessee; Retro Rides, Goodwood, UK

June

2 – GM on Display, Macungie, Pennsylvania; 2-6, Retromobile, Paris, France, AACA Eastern Divisional Tour, Cambridge, Maryland; 4-6 – Carlisle Ford Nationals, Pennsylvania; Street Machine Nationals, DuQuoin, Illinois; 

Goodguys All Star Get-Together, Fort Worth, Texas; 5-6, Friends of Steve McQueen, Chino Hills, California; 6, Albuquerque Lowrider Super Show, New Mexico, Simply Porsche, Beaulieu, UK; 8-10 – London Concours, UK; 12 – Drop Top Showcase, Seal Cove, Maine; Heritage Auto Show, Cape Cod; Oddballs & Obscurities, KC Auto Museum, Olathe; Catskill Conquest Covered Bridge Rally, Saratoga, New York; 12-13 – Cincinnati concours, Ohio; E-type 60 years, Shelsley Walsh, UK; 13 – Fabulous Ford Forever, Irwindale, California; Mini Cooper Day, Beaulieu, UK; 17-19, AACA Eastern Spring Nationals, Saratoga, New York; Simply VW, Beaulieu, UK; 18-19 – Micro-Mini Car World, Hickory Corners, Michigan; 19 – All Air-Cooled Gathering, Hickory Corners, Michigan; 20 – Father’s Day, KC Auto Museum, Olathe; Blackhawk Museum, Danville, California; Rodeo Drive tour, Beverly Hills, California; Hot Rod & Custom cars, Beaulieu, UK; 25-26 – Carlisle GM Nationals, Pennsylvania; Star City Motor Madness, Roanoke, Virginia; Congress of Motorcars, Hickory Corners, Michigan; 26 – Miles through Time, Clarkesville, Georgia; Community Car Show, Barrington, Illinois; 27 – Oldsmobiles & Orphans, Hickory Corners, Michigan; Simply Jaguar, Beaulieu, UK

July

1-3 – AACA Central Spring Nationals, Auburn, Indiana; 2-4 Goodguys Heartland Nationals, Iowa; 3-4 – Austin 7 Rally, Beaulieu, UK; 8-10, Iola Car Show, Wisconsin; 8-11, Goodwood Festival of Speed, UK, 9-11 – Carlisle Chrysler Nationals, Pennsylvania; Goodguys, Columbus, Ohio; 10 – Steam Day, Seal Cove, Maine; DeutscheMarques, Hickory Corners, Michigan; 11 – Mad Dogs & Englishmen, Hickory Corners, Michigan; Simply Land Rover, Beaulieu, UK; 11-16 – AACA Vintage Tour, Lock Haven/Wellsboro, Pennsylvania; 16-17 – Horseless Carriage Club, Hickory Corners, Michigan; 16-18 – Street Machine Nationals, St. Paul, Minnesota; Auto Royale, Aylesbury, UK; 17 — Philadelphia Concours d’Elegance, Pennsylvania; Albaugh Classic Car Show, Ankeny, Iowa; 17-18 – Classic Nostalgia, Shelsley Walsh, UK; 18, The Great Car Show, Kansas City; Classics on Main Street, Forest Grove, Oregon; Simply Ford, Beaulieu, UK; Corvette Envy, Hickory Corners, Michigan; 21 – Woodward Dream Cruise, Michigan; 22-24 – AACA Grand Nationals, New Ulm, Minnesota; 23-25 – Concours d’Elegance of America, Michigan; Goodguys Pacific Northwest, Payallup, Washington; 24 – Mopars At the Red Barns, Hickory Corners, Michigan; 25 – Simply Japanese, Beaulieu, UK; Ultimate Truck Show, Hickory Corners, Michigan; 31 – Hagerty Festival of the Unexceptional, Linconshire, UK.

Have an event to add? Email details to journal@classiccars.com.

Larry Edsall
Larry Edsall
A former daily newspaper sports editor, Larry Edsall spent a dozen years as an editor at AutoWeek magazine before making the transition to writing for the web and becoming the author of more than 15 automotive books. In addition to being founding editor at ClassicCars.com, Larry has written for The New York Times and The Detroit News and was an adjunct honors professor at the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication at Arizona State University.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

Recent Posts

spot_img