The Lotus Cup Race Series has developed into one of the most successful race series brands in the world, often with capacity grids of Elise, Exige, 2-Eleven and Europa racecars racing and jostling for position. Previously operated from several countries in Europe and Japan, the Lotus Cup has now expanded considerably to include the two series in the USA, UK and Eastern Europe.

While the Lotus Cup has grown in size, the organization of the series has been consolidated. For the first time this year, drivers will now race to one set of rules, regulations and formats in all championships around the world.

“Lotus sports car racing is one of the most popular forms of accessible motorsport in the world, both at a spectator and participant level," said Claudio Berro, director of Lotus Motorsport. "Now is the time to bring these championships under the Lotus umbrella, to ensure consistent look and feel to the competition. This will have obvious benefits to the current drivers and encourage new racers, ensuring that the cars and components remain good value and the competition retains its accessibility.”

Lotus will provide increased support and investment for these race series and will also ensure that the new Cup Championships retain the "community feel and friendliness that an enthusiast-based race series needs," according to the manufacturer.

The Lotus Cup Championships will receive a new identity, logos, branding, website and Corporate Identity which are aligned closely to Lotus' new motorsport strategy and initiatives announced over the last few months.

Lotus Cup USA 2011 calendars:

West Coast
 
March 5-6, Willow Springs Raceway, Rosamond, Calif.
April 9-10, Firebird International Raceway, Pheonix, AZ
May 28-29, Auto Club Speedway, Fontana, Calif.
June 25-29, Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, Monterey, Calif.
Aug. 28-29, Miller Motorsports Park, Salt Lake City, Utah
Sept. 24-25, Buttonwillow Raceway, Buttonwillow, Calif.
Oct. 15-16, Spring Mountain Raceway, Pahrump, Nev.
Nov. 5-6, Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Las Vegas, Nev.
 
East Coast
 
May 9-10, Watkins Glen International, Watkins Glen, N.Y.
July 11-12, Virginia International Raceway, Alton, Va.
Sept. 24-25, Barber Motorsports Park, Birmingham. Ala.