With that, Lutz starts to reel off pre-landing checks with the same calm reassurance that had started the process, and I pause in my intense investigation of a plastic bag just long enough to note: "Landing gear down and engaged..."
The landing itself is so gentle it's barely perceptible. We roll up to the hangar and debrief. A debrief which consists of a gently delivered: "Charles, the accuracy of your puking is greatly appreciated."
With that, the flight is over. I feel like a nice lie down, but Bob's day is only just getting started. So what does that afternoon hold? A gentle walk, a quiet snooze?
"No, I've got a good friend of mine coming round, and I'm going to take my new BMW HP2 Sport out."
Obviously. The friend sends a message to me later to say that the speeds were ?interesting' and he struggled to keep up with Lutz. As I head back to the airport, I try to process the last few intense hours. It comes down to a quite simple thing...
In this industry, the term ?legend' is bandied around far too frequently, and has lost some of its potency as a result. With Robert Anthony Lutz, it is in danger of being an understatement. Lotus may have a massive challenge ahead of it over the coming few years, but has a much better chance of success with people like Bob Lutz on board.
He's one hell of a guy to have as a wing man. And mainly because he's not just maximum by name - he's maximum by nature.