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The End of the Becker Era
Posted: Thu Nov 20, 2014 12:57 am
by Andrew C
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
Re: The End of the Becker Era
Posted: Thu Nov 20, 2014 1:00 am
by campbell
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
Re: The End of the Becker Era
Posted: Thu Nov 20, 2014 9:11 am
by j2 lot
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.
Re: The End of the Becker Era
Posted: Thu Nov 20, 2014 1:23 pm
by SAJ
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.
Re: The End of the Becker Era
Posted: Thu Nov 20, 2014 7:58 pm
by campbell
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.
Re: The End of the Becker Era
Posted: Fri Nov 21, 2014 10:59 am
by GraemeLotus
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 ......!
Re: The End of the Becker Era
Posted: Fri Nov 21, 2014 11:03 am
by campbell
No way! Superb. May need to get him to sign my owners manual...
Re: The End of the Becker Era
Posted: Fri Nov 21, 2014 11:10 am
by GraemeLotus
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
Re: The End of the Becker Era
Posted: Fri Nov 21, 2014 3:48 pm
by SAJ
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?
Re: The End of the Becker Era
Posted: Fri Nov 21, 2014 4:08 pm
by Shug
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.
Re: The End of the Becker Era
Posted: Fri Nov 21, 2014 4:09 pm
by woody
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
Re: The End of the Becker Era
Posted: Fri Nov 21, 2014 6:10 pm
by SAJ
Cheers Gents.
Re: The End of the Becker Era
Posted: Fri Nov 21, 2014 7:39 pm
by douglasgdmw
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
Re: The End of the Becker Era
Posted: Sun Nov 23, 2014 4:43 pm
by Dark
Finally got around to watching the Lotus Elise Story last night, it explains so much about the quirks of the car!
Re: The End of the Becker Era
Posted: Sun Nov 23, 2014 10:09 pm
by campbell
And the crackpots who run them...