FEBRUARY 23, 2010

VIP treatment for Lotus

Over the past two days Lotus has played host to prestigious visitors. On Monday the team officially opened it's factory in Hingham, in Norfolk, England. Tun Dr. Mahathir, the former Prime Minister of Malaysia was joined by Lotus Racing's Tony Fernandes, Kamarudin Meranin, SM Nasarudin and Mike Gascoyne to conduct the ceremony.

On Tuesday, The Duke of York toured the factory, guided by Chief Technical Officer Mike Gascoyne, who presented the Duke with a commemorative set of Lotus Racing overalls.

Team Principal Fernandes said, "I have been privileged to work with His Royal Highness over a number of years in his role as the UK's Special Representative for International Trade and Investment. As is well known without HRH's efforts Air Asia X's partnership with Rolls Royce would not have become a reality. What is perhaps less well recognised is that the Duke was one of the primary catalysts behind our substantial capital investment here in Norfolk. Indeed it was thanks to the Duke's advice in June of 2009 that we began another extraordinary partnership between Malaysia and the United Kingdom that has culminated in the successful entry and creation of the Lotus Racing T127 grand prix car. I am delighted that His Royal Highness was able to join us at Lotus Racing today."