[Rumours] Team Lotus moving out of Norfolk

[Supertec]

Rumour has it, Team Lotus (Air-Asia-Caterham) are close to a deal to move out of Hingham, Norfolk and into the old Arrows factory at Leafield, Oxfordshire. The extra space would be ideal to accommodate their GP2 team and their soon to be WSBR team. It would also put them much nearer to a larger workforce that would also work for Caterham cars.

Looks like along with the name change for next season they are breaking all ties with the Lotus brand.................but it's just gossip isn't it.

[Bononi]

Rumours tag added to the title...

[Supertec]

Originally Posted by Bononi

Rumours tag added to the title...

You can now remove the rumours tag

[wolfhound]

It looks like a move is going to happen early next year.

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/94515

[Supertec]

Originally Posted by wolfhound

It looks like a move is going to happen early next year.

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/94515

Much sooner than next year

[TrapezeArtist]

It makes sense. A Norfolk base is just pretending there is some historic connection. An Oxfordshire base puts them in the heart of Carbon Fibre Valley.

Even back in the glory days of Team Lotus, the location was a pain. It was a 4 hour drive to the Midlands and Team employed a gopher just to run to and fro the Midlands. In those days, that was 3% of the total workforce.

[betablocker]

Originally Posted by TrapezeArtist

It makes sense. A Norfolk base is just pretending there is some historic connection. An Oxfordshire base puts them in the heart of Carbon Fibre Valley.

I think its sad to move the team. The factory is massive and has planning permission to have a windtunnel on site and room to expand so why move? 3 of some of the biggest suppliers are based in norfolk and now they dont have to test constantly at silverstone why do it? No ones is going to buy that place off of them. It was empty for a year or so when RTN finished. Its only designed to be a race car place.

They got loads of money to **** against the wall, they obviously prefer to move premises than move up the grid!

[ensign14]

So they're going to be rebranded Arrows?

[Peat]

In that case, what's happened to Menard Engines? I thought they were at the old Arrows facility?

[GTRMagic]

Originally Posted by TrapezeArtist

It makes sense. A Norfolk base is just pretending there is some historic connection. An Oxfordshire base puts them in the heart of Carbon Fibre Valley.

Even back in the glory days of Team Lotus, the location was a pain. It was a 4 hour drive to the Midlands and Team employed a gopher just to run to and fro the Midlands. In those days, that was 3% of the total workforce.

How old are some of those buildings though? TWR has been out of the game for 8 years, and most of those sheds have been there since before that...

[Jimmy Magnusson]

Originally Posted by GTRMagic

How old are some of those buildings though? TWR has been out of the game for 8 years, and most of those sheds have been there since before that...

It worked well enough for Super Aguri. MCT still around? Building was owned by Menard, I think - SA only leased space.

[Adri_tifosi]

Originally Posted by Peat

In that case, what's happened to Menard Engines? I thought they were at the old Arrows facility?

mmm I am not sure but I think Formtech Composites is based at Arrows former factory.

http://www.formtech-composites.co.uk/about.html

[GTRMagic]

Originally Posted by Adri_tifosi

mmm I am not sure but I think Formtech Composites is based at Arrows former factory.

http://www.formtech-composites.co.uk/about.html

Does Mr Preston come along with the buildings? Maybe it would help progress the 1Malaysia team even faster...

[Adri_tifosi]

Originally Posted by GTRMagic

Does Mr Preston come along with the buildings? Maybe it would help progress the 1Malaysia team even faster...

Probably they want to subcontract all the composites to Formtech

[Peat]

Just seen an ad in Savills for the 'Leafield technology centre' so it must be un-occupied.