Stelvio Lotus meeting - 25 years Elise Anniversary edition:
For this year’s edition of the Stelvio Lotus Meeting, we were dedicated to doing something special. This year deserves to be remembered for more than the obvious topics only. 2020 marks the 25th Lotus Elise anniversary and also the 20th of the Lotus Exige.
The presentation of the Elise at the Frankfurt Auto Show on September 12. 1995, changed many things. Lotus fate hinged on the success of this car. The Elise also marked the return to Colin Chapman’s mantra “simplify then add lightness”. The Elise featured countless new and ingenious solutions. Romano Artioli, then chairman of Lotus Cars Limited, was dedicated to bring Lotus back to its former glory. His mission: To surprise the world with a tiny, affordable supercar. A Lotus for the next century. Undeniably the Elise impacted the lives of many owners who enjoyed this little gem over the last 25 years.
The revolutionary chassis attracted visitors to have a look. For the unveiling of the car however, the Artioli family had a special plan. Romano’s granddaughter Elisa, 2 1/2 years of age and the namesake of the Lotus Elise, sat in the Lotus Racing Green launch car. Elisa, wearing a t-shirt reading “I am Elise” got up when the sleeve came off and there they were: Elisa and the Lotus Elise.
A lot of good reasons for the 25th anniversary to be something different and memorable. With Elisa herself member of the organization team at Delightful Driving and with Bends and Curves joining forces, we aimed to invite the participants of Stelvio 2020 to also visit and experience the curvy roads in Elisa’s ‘hood.
Program:
We started with a joint dinner at the Sheraton Hotel on Wednesday September 9 in Bolzano.
The morning after we had curves for breakfast. The Thursday route was a variation of our signature Dolomites Tour. Designed to driving as many passes as possible. Tailor-made for the Lotus drivers who came from far away looking to enjoy their cars in the the Dolomites. Driver’s heaven.
Before and after we reiceved a lot of positive comments on our suggested route featuring: Passo delle Erbe, Pian Falzarego, Passo Campolongo, Passo Gardena, Lago di Carezza.
Friday was no less fun because of the connecting roads from Bolzano to Bormio. Also here we opted for the curvy variation including: Passo Palade, Passo del Tonale, Passo del Mortirolo, Forcola di Livigno.
A day to celebrate:
On Saturday 12th of September we drove the highlight of the tour. We celebrated the day of the 25th anniversary of the Lotus Elise driving up and down Stelvio using all possible streets and options.
In the morning we did our first ascent via the spectacular road from Bormio. After a short stay at the pass, we continued to the Lago di Resia via the Umbrail pass and a little bit of Switzerland.
Next was the Commemorative Lunch near Lake Resia with a Concours d’Elegance and a quiz with over 80 Lotus and 100 people took place.
On the way back we took the famous 48-hairpin route from Prad to the Stelvio pass and made the descent via the Bormio side to get back to the Hotel.
At the evening we had a fantastic dinner again and we celebrated the Elise’s 25th birthday party with the prizes provided by our sponsors: Swissvax, Detailing Italia, Lotus Cars Ltd.
We couldn’t think of a better way to celebrate this special moment: On top of the world, driving the best passes possible with the crème de la crème of the Lotus community, surrounded by the Alps and Dolomites. If ‘epic’ should be used ever, this is the event to tag it to.
Pictures by Beton Luca & Arjan van Gemerden
