Lotus Elise Track Experience at Hethal with Lotus Sport
Discussion
I just came back from doing that today with my wife. All i can say if FECKING AWSOME. I have done a fair bit of karting and some Rally but this was just awsome. I had also done the factory tour through work a year earlier but its always great to see the factory again especially as this time they had lots of Europe's about.
Depending on numbers, we got split into two groups. Group 1 then went out in groups of four at a time for there 20 mins of driving in the Elise 111R while group 2 went on the factory tour. Both lasted just over an hour. Now I drive a standard S1 Elise but this Elise 111S is like a rocket. Its not so much the speed but the delivery and when the 2nd cam kicks in, holy shit, its awsome. Anyway, the driving part is excellent as the instructors don't hold you back, they just let you drive at your ability and then help you improve on it. So if your slow then its not a problem and if you are fast then they will help develop you where you need it so its really brilliant. I managed to lap everyone I think twice and my wife lapped a few cars also so you can see, it was a real mix of driving but never a problem as the instructors were brilliant. My instrucot was called Simon and he was fantastic and my wife said her instuction, an Irish guy was also excellent. The groups then swapped and then all met up again for our 3 laps high speed passenger ride, again, with the same instructor which was good as he then talked through what he was trying to get you to do when you were driving.
The whole day was fantastic and this is from someone who has done a bit of racing and is very cautious of these things for not being able to just go for it. Lisa who runs the track days is just brilliant. Met her twice now and both times was so friendly and helpful as is everyone else at Lotus. Trevor also who I have met twice and did both factory tours for me again is great and really enjoyed chatting lots about Lotus, Proton, manufacturing and the other cars. He also made my day by saying that as my Elise is from 97, it would had done some laps om the test track after it was made to check it was ok as they never had the rolling road back then.
We had to check in at 9.15 and did not leave I think until about 2pm so as you can see, great value for money and the best £99 I have spent. Its well worth it if you have an interest in Lotus.
Also met with some other Lotus drivers so that was fun also.
Depending on numbers, we got split into two groups. Group 1 then went out in groups of four at a time for there 20 mins of driving in the Elise 111R while group 2 went on the factory tour. Both lasted just over an hour. Now I drive a standard S1 Elise but this Elise 111S is like a rocket. Its not so much the speed but the delivery and when the 2nd cam kicks in, holy shit, its awsome. Anyway, the driving part is excellent as the instructors don't hold you back, they just let you drive at your ability and then help you improve on it. So if your slow then its not a problem and if you are fast then they will help develop you where you need it so its really brilliant. I managed to lap everyone I think twice and my wife lapped a few cars also so you can see, it was a real mix of driving but never a problem as the instructors were brilliant. My instrucot was called Simon and he was fantastic and my wife said her instuction, an Irish guy was also excellent. The groups then swapped and then all met up again for our 3 laps high speed passenger ride, again, with the same instructor which was good as he then talked through what he was trying to get you to do when you were driving.
The whole day was fantastic and this is from someone who has done a bit of racing and is very cautious of these things for not being able to just go for it. Lisa who runs the track days is just brilliant. Met her twice now and both times was so friendly and helpful as is everyone else at Lotus. Trevor also who I have met twice and did both factory tours for me again is great and really enjoyed chatting lots about Lotus, Proton, manufacturing and the other cars. He also made my day by saying that as my Elise is from 97, it would had done some laps om the test track after it was made to check it was ok as they never had the rolling road back then.
We had to check in at 9.15 and did not leave I think until about 2pm so as you can see, great value for money and the best £99 I have spent. Its well worth it if you have an interest in Lotus.
Also met with some other Lotus drivers so that was fun also.
Edited by Linus27 on Sunday 12th November 00:54
I did the expensive version of that day and it was a very good day, glad I did it.
When I booked it I asked to do it in the depths of winter, which supprised them because they tended not to run them then. The reason I wanted to do it then was because I wanted the worst of the wet weather handleing experience possible.
When I booked it I asked to do it in the depths of winter, which supprised them because they tended not to run them then. The reason I wanted to do it then was because I wanted the worst of the wet weather handleing experience possible.
Edited by Snapper7 on Sunday 12th November 14:55
Michael good to meet you and your better half at Hethel yesterday - agree a totally top day
Cheers
Simon
If you get a chance get up to North Yorkshire next year for a weekend and enjoy some really proper Elise roads
Oh and be a good chap and buy that Exige for your missus
- agree a totally top day Cheers
Simon
If you get a chance get up to North Yorkshire next year for a weekend and enjoy some really proper Elise roads
Oh and be a good chap and buy that Exige for your missus
Edited by clanger on Sunday 12th November 21:03
Hey Clanger,
Great to meet you guys also. Had a great day and already checked out the Lotus On Track website after your recomendation and it looks like a winner
As for the Exige, I think we have made our mind up, a Canyon Red Exige S2 with Black Wheels. Shame it won't be for a good few years but thats ok, enjoying the Elise very much.
Hope to meet you again someday.
Great to meet you guys also. Had a great day and already checked out the Lotus On Track website after your recomendation and it looks like a winner
As for the Exige, I think we have made our mind up, a Canyon Red Exige S2 with Black Wheels. Shame it won't be for a good few years but thats ok, enjoying the Elise very much.
Hope to meet you again someday.
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