By Mike Torpey on 2021-05-18 - Driving Force news editor and responsible for organising our daily output. He was staff motoring editor of the Liverpool Echo for 20 years.
Lotus takes centre
stage at Goodwood
BRITISH sports car brand Lotus will be the Central Feature at the 2021 Goodwood Festival of Speed, which runs from July 8-11.
The celebrated Norfolk company is best known for its pioneering road and race cars, including the spectacular all-electric Evija hypercar.
From thefirst sculpture in 1997 to the present day, the Goodwood Festival of Speed has become known for its creative and daring Central Features, which celebrate the greatest achievements of a different manufacturer or milestone each year through art.
Lotus was last selected as the Central Feature marque in 2012, with a 3D infinity loop sculpture that highlighted the singularity of purpose of a Lotus race car.
However this year's sculpture will take a new direction in that it is being created using an entirely new design philosophy that's set to be more interactive and accessible for those joining from home.
Among the many records broken by Lotus, the Type 25 still holds Goodwood Motor Circuit's period lap record.
In the course of winning the last ever Formula 1 race at Goodwood, on Easter Monday 1965, Jim Clark in a Lotus 25 tied for fastest lap with Jackie Stewart, in a time of 1m 20.4
At this year's event, Lotus will give a public dynamic debut to the Emira, its eagerly anticipated new sports car which has been developed as part of the ongoing transformation of Lotus.
It goes into production later this year at an all-new manufacturing facility at Hethel, Norfolk - the home of Lotus since 1966.
Commenting on the announcement, the Duke of Richmond said, "We are delighted that Lotus will star as the Central Feature at this year's Festival of Speed presented by Mastercard.
"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."
Lotus marketing chief Simon Clare said: "Everyone at Lotus is very excited by the opportunity to be the Central Feature at the Festival of Speed.
"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."
More details will be released ahead of the event, including how visitors and fans across the world can interact with the festival and its central feature.
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