Chris Dinnage Landmark
On 15th August Elio De Angelis won the 1982 Austrian Grand Prix. The next day Chris Dinnage joined Team Lotus. A good couple of days for the Lotus marque. Bob Dance, who interviewed Chris in 1982, retained his application form complete with Bob’s note saying ‘This guy is worth a try, I reckon’. (40 years on and Bob has no regrets!)
Chris worked closely with Ayrton Senna, and was number one mechanic on his qualifying car. He was in Estoril in 1985 to see Ayrton win his first Grand Prix. This car – 97T/2 – is in the Classic Team Lotus Works Collection and is driven by Chris when this famous car is run, occasionally. Chris was also number one mechanic for Nelson Piquet, Johnny, Herbert, Martin Donnelly and Mika Hakkinen. A pretty impressive line-up.
Team Lotus crew with 97T at Ketteringham Hall 1985
Estoril 1985; that's Chris, on the track fifth from the left, jumping higher than anyone. (The FIA sought to ban on-track celebrations after this; not sure that would have stopped ACBC hat throwing, though.)
Chris became Classic Team Lotus Team Manager 26 years ago, since when a multitude of historic Team Lotus racing cars and their owners have benefitted from his special talents. None more so than the Chapman family.
When we were young..... CTL launch photo, 1994; Eddie Dennis, Chris, Andrew Ferguson, Clive and Manning Buckle.
From its humble beginnings of a one car transporter and one room raceshop, Classic Team Lotus has gone from strength to strength, culminating in the bespoke workshop being established in 2018. Chris also acts as test driver, meaning that he has driven nearly all of the 35 Lotus F1 design types; a unique achievement which will never be equalled.
Classic Team Lotus 2022 Team photo at Guadix test
Looking back on 40 years, Chris observes: “Working for Team Lotus was my dream as a young man and the journey has been incredible. It’s been a privilege working on so many iconic and ground breaking cars.
Equally the friendship of hundreds of like-minded people I’ve met along the way has been incredible. The future of Lotus whether road or race is as strong as ever and I hope there are many more adventures to come and many more great people to meet.
My sincere thanks go out to everyone who has supported me all this time and Especially Clive and his family whom without, the opportunity for me and countless others would never have been possible.”
Clive Chapman says: “Working together with Chris has been a privilege. His knowledge and ability have enabled him to achieve an extraordinary amount, working together with his colleagues, supporting dozens of Classic Team Lotus customers over the years. I consider myself to be extremely fortunate to count Chris as both colleague and friend. There have been many amazing moments and achievements along the way and there are more to come.”
Where it all began. Two frames from the 1983 Team Lotus personnel photo shoot and below, more of the same from 1988 and 1991.
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