Lotus Cup USA to Bring Lotus Racing and Track Events Nationwide in 2011

A new chapter in Lotus racing in the United States will be written in March of this year when the green flag drops on the first round of the Lotus Cup USA.

Lotus Cup USA is the newest component of Lotus’ worldwide involvement in motorsports, and is the foundation of a racing program that will involve GT-3, GT-4, LeMans GT-2 and LMP2, as well as open-wheel programs in GP2, GP3, IZOD IndyCar Series, and Formula 1. Lotus’ 360-degree race program involves multiple race series, grassroots driver development and Exos – the ultimate in exclusive driving experiences.

With a strong demand in the United States for Lotus cars and racing – the country is Lotus’ largest market – Lotus Cup USA will satisfy the demand for owners looking for an affordable and exciting way to reach the limits of their race-bred machines. The 2011 Lotus Cup USA schedule will feature eight west coast events and three east coast events, with classes for purpose built Lotuses such as Evora GT-4, 2-Eleven, Exige Cup, as well as production-based cars such as Evora, Exige, and Elise. Lotus Cup series are also organized in Europe, UK, Italy, Eastern Europe, and Japan.

While the headliner of the Lotus Cup USA will be road racing which features multiple classes racing together, the series will also have a Time Attack, VIP Client Experience, and Driving Academy for the new track enthusiast. The series grew from a small group of drivers attending track days to wheel-to-wheel racers within a few years as the Lotus Challenge Series. Moving forward, the Lotus Cup USA will replace the Lotus Challenge Series and offer the best motorsports experience for Lotus enthusiasts.

At the helm of Lotus Cup USA is newly announced series director, Robbie Montinola. Montinola has held numerous marketing positions in the automotive industry, including production of national and regional events of the first D1 Grand Prix competition in the United States and the Import Drag Racing Circuit. Montinola brings a background of ten years of professional racing, having competed in numerous open-wheel racing series, including Star Mazda, Formula BMW USA, and Barber Dodge Pro Series.

"With his unique combination of on track experience coupled with his marketing background it was an easy decision to pick Robbie over a large pool of qualified applicants," said Jim Navarro, Series President.

“It is an exciting time for road racing with Lotus making such a commitment in a variety of motorsport disciplines," said Montinola. “Lotus Cup USA is a big part of that commitment and will serve a need that exists with so many Lotus owners who want to race wheel-to-wheel or get on track. Our program will visit some of the premier racing facilities in the country and will be a true challenge for Lotus enthusiasts."

Lotus Cup USA will kick off in approximately one month’s time at Willow Springs International Raceway in Rosamond, California. The event will be held in conjunction with Redline Time Attack, the popular time attack and race series.

2011 Lotus Cup USA Schedule