1961 Lotus Elite

This was one of the competitors in the Coys of Kensington Pre-1964 GT Car Race at the Coys International Historic Festival meeting  at Silverstone in July 1998.

It’s the 1961 Lotus Elite of Robin Longden which he and Roger Fountain drove in the race and the 'DAD10' number plate is a nod to Leston’s nickname ‘Daddio’ as a jazz musician

Aston Martin Owners' Club

 

This is the start of the Park Place Thoroughbred Sports Championship race at the Aston Martin Owners' Club's meeting at Oulton Park in September 1986.

Leading is the Triumph TR3 of Reg Woodcock with three Aston Martin DB4's in pursuit. There were five green DB4's in the race and three red ones and I can't identify the drivers of the cars pictured. Bringing up the rear is Robin Longdon in Les Leston's famous Lotus Elite 'DAD10', or 'Daddio' as it was affectionally known.

Lotus Elite

One of the cars in the Pre-1961 Sports & GT Cars Race at the SeeRed & Richard Seaman Memorial Trophies meeting at Donington Park in May 2011 was this Lotus Elite.

It's the 1960 Lotus Elite formerly raced by Les Leston in the 1960s and raced here at Donington Park by Robin Longdon. Les Leston died on on 13 May 2012 at the age of 91 and his life story in the obituary in The Telegraph is well worth reading. It says about the famous 'DAD10' number plate:

'Leston raced in the Le Mans 24 hour race and rallies, and in the 1960s enjoyed great success in the British GT Championships, driving a bright red Lotus Elite with the number plate “DAD 10” — a nod to the jazzman’s nickname “Daddio” by which he was known on the big band circuit.'

This is Robin Longdon at McLeans Corner at the Donington Park meeting leading the 1959 Lotus Elite of Brian Arculus.