WIN A SCALEXTRIC LOTUS EXIGE

Most would normally link Lotus to Formula 1 and sports-carsports car racing rather than rallying rallying, although those who remember the legendary Sunbeam Lotus know better. Having made its rally debut in 1978, the Lotus 908-powered Sunbeam hatchback competed successfully in front-line events, winning the Championship for Manufacturers in 1981. After 30 years’ absence from the rally stage, Lotus returned in 2011 with the Exige R-GT, a car purposely designed for tarmac rallies. Powered by the Evora’s supercharged 3.5-litre V6, this special Exige made its competition debut at the 2012 Rali Vinho da Madeira in Portugal. By comparison, the Exige V6 Cup R is more at home on the race circuit, being a full-race version of the Exige V6 Cup car with more efficient aerodynamics, less weight, improved suspension and an optional sequential gearbox. Having soldiered on with the Elise-based Exige for over a decade, Lotus upped the ante considerably when it released the V6-powered Evora in 2008. Since then, Lotus being Lotus, there have been a dizzying number of special editions — while on the race track, British driver Richard Adams became the 2012 MSA British Endurance Champion at the wheel of his Team Bullrun Evora. Not content with that, Lotus also developed the Evora GT4 racer — a car designed to give drivers a competitive racing car right out of the box. Belgian Lotus dealer Thierry Verhiest was one of the first to appear on European race circuits in his distinctive metallic green and yellow GT4. Lotus enthusiasts can pick from a wide variety of Scalextric slot-car racers, including models of all the cars mentioned above — the rallying Exige R-GT, several versions of the Exige V6 Cup R, Richard Adams’ championship-winning Evora, and Thierry Verhiest’s gorgeous Evora GT4 GT4. As a special Lotus treat, courtesy of the good guys at Toymod Ltd — the NZ Scalextric distributor — we’re giving away an Exige R-GT racer (that’s the one with the cool-looking headlight pod) to one lucky reader. Just answer the following question:

At which 2012 rally did the Exige R-GT appear as a course car? To enter this competition, head to: classiccar. co co.nz/competitions nz/competitions — competition closes January 10, 2015. Scalextric models are available from all good toy and hobby shops. Contact Toymod Ltd (PO Box 18 263, Auckland, P h. 09 527 0122/fax 09 527 0144) to find your closest retailer.

Competition Winners: Scalextric VW Beetle Q: What was Bill Bengry’s full name? A: Alfred Edward Bengry

Winner: Gregory Lee, Christchurch