The idea for Ypres Lotus Day was conceived on a terrace at the grand place of Ypres. In 2008, after Pascal and Dirk completed a rally with Pascal’s classic Elan +2, they gathered with friends from the Belgium Lotus Forum. Several forum members came to Ypres for a small meet-and-greet, sharing stories and laughter over beers. Dirk Kestelyn, Pascal Vasseur, and Frederik Van Cauwenberghe joined forces to turn this concept into reality.
The inaugural event in 2009 welcomed 45 cars, primarily Lotus Forum members. The tremendous success left us craving more. Frederik, leveraging his commercial and communication skills, promoted the event across Europe. Nowadays, we warmly welcome 125-145 participants from various countries (Belgium, UK, The Netherlands, France, and beyond) to the annual Lotus-fest in Ypres.
Pre 2018
In 2009, Ypres Lotus Day took its inaugural steps with three key individuals at the helm: Dirk, Pascal, and Frederik. Each played a vital role in shaping the event:
Dirk crafted the legendary routes and meticulously designed roadbooks. His passion for creating memorable driving experiences laid the foundation for Ypres Lotus Day.
Frederik, armed with his artistic flair, handled graphical design, communication, and commercial aspects. His creativity breathed life into promotional materials and set the stage for the event’s success.
Meanwhile, Pascal donned the financial wizard’s hat, managing registrations and crunching numbers. His meticulous attention to detail ensured smooth operations behind the scenes.
Together, this trio transformed an idea into a vibrant annual tradition, drawing Lotus enthusiasts from various countries to converge in Ypres.
Post 2018
In 2018, Dirk Kestelyn made the bittersweet decision to step away from the organization. He expressed a desire to savor his well-deserved retirement. Dirk’s unwavering commitment had always been a driving force behind the success of Ypres Lotus Day.
While Pascal and Frederik now shoulder the responsibility alone, we also extend our heartfelt appreciation to the invaluable contributions of Lindsay (Frederik’s partner) and Virginie (Pascal’s partner). Additionally, our dynamic ‘mobile logistics team’—Andy and Willem—deserve applause for their tireless efforts year after year. Without their dedication, this event would never have been possible!
See you in Ypres!
2009 – Doorheen het grensgebied van de Westhoek
2010 – Doorheen de Frontstreeks van de Westhoek
2011 -> 2017
2018 – 10th aniversary
2019 – “Eigen kweek Edition” (film locations)
2020 – CANCELED due COVID19
2021 – CANCELED due COVID19 (again)
2022 – Welcome back!
2023 – Heuvelland Edition
2024 – “Chantal Edition” (film locations) <- we are here!
2025 – 15th anniversary!
125+ cars
Lotus and derivatives.
since 2009
We organise the event since 2009. We know how's things work and always go for the best.
same date
Ypres Lotus Day is always on the same date. So ascension day is from now the "holy day" for Lotus owners. 😉
