Lotus Cup Europe’s second season under the control of LoTRDC gets underway this weekend (1 May) at the fabled Nurburgring circuit in Germany with what promises to be a grid of close to forty competitors – that’s an amazing three-fold increase in numbers since LoTRDC took charge of the Group Lotus-sanctioned series at the beginning of last season!

Aimed at both experienced drivers and newcomers to the sport, Lotus Cup Europe features four classes divided between Lotus’s successful trackday warrior, the 2-Eleven, Exige and Production classes, plus an Invitation class for anything else Elise-based such as the 340R. As you would expect, last years’ overall winner Scott Cruickshank (Aberdeen, Scotland) competed in the 2-Eleven class.

With many newcomers to Lotus Cup Europe this year, the 2-Eleven class has seen no less than 17 cars enter for 2010 rounds already, and amongst those expected to take the challenge to Cruickshank will be Michael Damoiseaux (Belgium) who shared the majority of the race wins with Cruickshank last year, and Christophe Lisandre, whilst Frank Berger will be looking to impress as he makes his LCE debut at his home circuit.

The Exige class too has a record entry of 12 cars and the Brothers Rasse (John & Gregory) will no doubt be to the fore again, whilst just like Berger, Herbert Metzker will be looking to fly the flag for Germany on home turf.

The Production class is less predictable, but French, German and Austrian competitors will join the usual band of competitors from the British-based Elise Trophy for the first time.

The Invitation too welcomes new arrivals, with Moritz Hannappel and Sebastian Schwertner looking forward to the challenge.

The Nurburgring race will be the first of seven events in five countries on the 2010 Lotus Cup Europe Calendar, and with average grids of 40 cars expected at all rounds, action-packed racing is assured!