It appears I got the brakes warm enough to melt the glue that holds the lotus badge on the center cap.
This is like the curtain being lifted in Oz.
Checked over my exige last night as heading to LeMans a week today in it.
Just seen the weather. 28-31 deg C
No aircon 
Have reglued in the indicators following lotus tech bulletin with sealant.
Oil weep has stopped. Only occurs on track
Checked suspension clicks from Donington.
F10
R6
adjusted to F8 R6 as taking a passenger.
Just sorting breakdown cover. Not that I have no faith in it, just for piece of mind.
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Why not quote you with my own words? LOL - sorry, you get the idea.
In the exige yes, in other cars. No
You’ll likely find the “staring at me?” levels go up a notch - you’ll see folk just stop in their tracks, nearly fall off bikes… actually this might be my driving style… 
Le Mans 2021 : The year we went in the Lotus
Trip in stats :
Number plates lost : 1
Fuel stops : 6
Litres of SUL : 170.13
Miles : 1025.4
Average MPG : 27.40
I travel with a friend when going to LM, so if you see someone who doesn’t look like me its not a thief.
The outbound journey.
We break this up into two runs or legs
- Doncaster → Dover
Overnight stay - Dover → Le Mans
Doing some rough maths we brimmed the tank at Shell Retford and drove the 211mi to Dover and filled with 27.07l. This gave us a ~33mpg average. The route was fairly clear and we cruised around 75-80mph.
Obviously the car was cleaned before we left
Two pictures on route
Onward after 5.5h sleep in a travelodge to the port. It was pretty quiet with 4 lanes being occupied in the holding/loading queue. At this point I noted I had lost the front plate. It was lost at the travelodge Dover as part of a particularly nasty speedbump. Its also taken part of my splitter with it but Ill GRP repair that. At this point I had cleared customs so there wasnt a lot I could do and no point in flapping. The P&O staff were superb with getting me on the ferry directing me sideways and then onto the truck deck.
Not a lot to report on the French leg ( ~240mi ) of rather dull motorway and peage points. Car ran well, albeit slightly thirsty due to the 130kmh limits. This equates to around 4600rpm in 6th, just on the noisy part of the supercharger whine. We made good time and arrived to setup base camp. Fortunately a good friend took all the camping gear for us.
After a poor nights sleep I awoke to beads of water on the car due to condensation …
We had to stay at Blu Nord this year. I normally frequent Beau Se Jour and TBH much prefer BSJ. Its just closer to the track and I find it a nicer place to be. However, as we had come all this way best make the most of it and visit the track. If the pictures make it look quiet its because it was. 50k reportedly however I don’t believe there were that many from the normal 250k.
The night part of the race is my favourite. Everything about the cars seems that little bit better. The noise travels , the lights look amazing and the flames exiting the exhaust from every change are awesome to watch
During the night part my friend and I stumbled apon an Alpine display
Someone eventually won the race and I find the afternoon session quite tiring. Everything it turned down from performance setting 11 to setting 2 ( quite rightly ) and the cars seem almost processional. I appreciate there was a close race in the GT2 category though.
Part 2 ; The museum, return journey and overall to follow
the Museum.
There is a free museum on the site and its fantastic. It has everything from the early 1900s to modern day.
Return leg.
So two stints in two days to get down to LM. Lets try a one stint home! Yep! up at 0630L ( 0530BST ) and leave for a ferry at 1500. I was sticking to all limits when another chap from the party came past. Cue to slipstreaming from me to eek out the fuel. Some speeds were hit and some fuel was saved until he peeled off after 100 or so KM. This turn of events got us onto the 1245 boat with minutes to spare. We were the last but one car onto the boat.
Summary :
Doing over 1000mi in a 932kg plastic car isnt to be taken lightly. However its no where near as bad as you might think. The tillett seats are revelation. They are just plainly well designed and made. Yes, 4600rpm for hours does get monotonous, but then wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeee as the boost come in relieves the boredom.
We found various settings on the aircon to keep the cabin cool, and we had dual climate control options. Some of you know these as electric windows.
The only downside was the 40l tank. Had to stop every 230mi or so, or 180mi or so in France due to the consumption.
Would I do it again in the exige? You bet I would
- ives
Fun
The attention
People in France love Lotus
Its quite comfortable
Better on fuel than I had imagined
- ives
Hot unless you use the aircon
Cant go unless you have an advanced party to take your kit
Fuel tank is 40l so stop fairly frequently
Sounds like you had a great time and excellent write up thanks for sharing
Good effort, I agree these cars are much more comfortable on longer hauls than most people give credit for. 4600rpm on the motorway sounds like hell though 
Great report! Went to the Classic a few years ago and done a few Euro trips. Sports seats in mine very comfortable; people can’t believe it when you tell them how comfy they are. S1 without air con gets very hot, but windows wind down perfectly well.
Loved the pics from museum. On our Classic trip we never made to the museum but wish we had.
When do you get an itch to try a new car? Mine is every 3 years. Its almost without fail.
Well, the exige ownership experience is now 3 years old and to be honest I havent got a single desire to sell it.
Best keep on making plans for it …
That’s the spirit. I’ve had a few wobbles, but a trackday usually fixes that!
Most stressful time of the year again…
MOT time.
Passed.
Of course!
Was this your MOT man 
