The End of the Becker Era

Andrew C · Post by **Andrew C** » Thu Nov 20, 2014 12:57 am

On 17th November the Lotus management saw fit to dismiss, amongst many others in key roles, over 60% of its experienced Vehicle Dynamics engineers leaving the business with only a very limited capability. In addition to this, Matt Becker has resigned... this will no doubt impact the future DNA of Lotus. The end of the Becker era

Post by **campbell** » Thu Nov 20, 2014 1:00 am

Sad to hear this, Andrew.

Best hang on to what you've got, then!

Mine's a Minter / Rackham / Thomson progeny, and they're all long gone

j2 lot · Post by **j2 lot** » Thu Nov 20, 2014 9:11 am

Sad that so many people have gone particularly from the one area where Lotus excels ( no pun intended) & a real shame that Matt Becker chose to go too - his name has been synonymous with Lotus for a long time now. A hard act to follow.

SAJ · Post by **SAJ** » Thu Nov 20, 2014 1:23 pm

Andrew C wrote:On 17th November the Lotus management saw fit to dismiss, amongst many others in key roles, over 60% of its experienced Vehicle Dynamics engineers leaving the business with only a very limited capability. In addition to this, Matt Becker has resigned... this will no doubt impact the future DNA of Lotus. The end of the Becker era

A sad time indeed, a truly talented man. I just hope the Lotus DNA isn't impacted too much with his departure.

Post by **campbell** » Thu Nov 20, 2014 7:58 pm

The DNA will survive until each of the current models is retired...which may yet be a while!

Thereafter, it could be a lottery...although other talent may emerge if Gales or whatever he's called does some smart things.

GraemeLotus · Post by **GraemeLotus** » Fri Nov 21, 2014 10:59 am

campbell wrote:Sad to hear this, Andrew.

Best hang on to what you've got, then!

Mine's a Minter / Rackham / Thomson progeny, and they're all long gone

Mr Rackham is here and very busy, although we did just have time for a coffee ......!

Post by **campbell** » Fri Nov 21, 2014 11:03 am

No way! Superb. May need to get him to sign my owners manual...

GraemeLotus · Post by **GraemeLotus** » Fri Nov 21, 2014 11:10 am

campbell wrote:No way! Superb. May need to get him to sign my owners manual...

not a problem. He lives about 2 mins from me, I'll see him in an Earlham Road hostelry this evening

SAJ · Post by **SAJ** » Fri Nov 21, 2014 3:48 pm

GraemeLotus wrote:
campbell wrote:Sad to hear this, Andrew.

Best hang on to what you've got, then!

Mine's a Minter / Rackham / Thomson progeny, and they're all long gone
Mr Rackham is here and very busy, although we did just have time for a coffee ......!

Sorry for my ignorance but who is Mr Rackham?

Post by **Shug** » Fri Nov 21, 2014 4:08 pm

SAJ wrote:
GraemeLotus wrote:
campbell wrote:Sad to hear this, Andrew.

Best hang on to what you've got, then!

Mine's a Minter / Rackham / Thomson progeny, and they're all long gone
Mr Rackham is here and very busy, although we did just have time for a coffee ......!
Sorry for my ignorance but who is Mr Rackham?

Original chassis engineer for the Elise platform and the man generally credited for the revolutionary extruded alloy, glued together chassis.

woody · Post by **woody** » Fri Nov 21, 2014 4:09 pm

SAJ wrote:
GraemeLotus wrote:
campbell wrote:Sad to hear this, Andrew.

Best hang on to what you've got, then!

Mine's a Minter / Rackham / Thomson progeny, and they're all long gone
Mr Rackham is here and very busy, although we did just have time for a coffee ......!
Sorry for my ignorance but who is Mr Rackham?

The elise chassis was his baby.

http://www.evo.co.uk/news/evonews/22556 ... evora.html

SAJ · Post by **SAJ** » Fri Nov 21, 2014 6:10 pm

Cheers Gents.

douglasgdmw · Post by **douglasgdmw** » Fri Nov 21, 2014 7:39 pm

Saj,

You really need to watch "The Elise Story". Impressive documentary on the Elise from inception.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a-TiFKr2yb0

He is definitely a man of taste (along with Julian) as he knows how to pick his motorbikes (although I may be slightly biased

)

George

Dark · Post by **Dark** » Sun Nov 23, 2014 4:43 pm

Finally got around to watching the Lotus Elise Story last night, it explains so much about the quirks of the car!

Post by **campbell** » Sun Nov 23, 2014 10:09 pm

And the crackpots who run them...

Scottish Elises

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