1st Lotus training day - any advice?

[shangani]

Hi all

Doing a training day at North Weald after all the recommendations here. Are there any things I should do beforehand in order to maximise the experience?#

1) To the car - tyre pressures etc - I will use my standard road tyres (Bridgestones on S2 111s) as this is what I use most days.

2) For myself - things to practice beforehand? I have Andy Walsh's DVD which I did find a little lacking in detail.

3)Should I be taking my helmet, racegear etc

4) Do you need extra insurance (currently with elephant) - it does not really count as a trackday does it?

Thanks a ton
Andrew

[TrevorH]

Tyres - leave as for road use.
Practice? - very difficult to do on public roads.
Clothing - narrow shoes - don't think Andy requires helmets to be used. (well over a year since my last visit!
Take something warm and dry to wear - airfields aren't too sheltered.
Insurance - Don't worry, there's nothing to hit, and this is training, not a track day.

Enjoy.

[shangani]

Thanks Trevor - re the practice, I meant heel/toe etc rather than a handling hoon around - too many trees / other cars etc around Berkshire / Hampshire.

[RobM77]

I would have said that keeping things in mind from the DVD as you're driving round wouldn't go amiss. Check that your operation of the controls is smooth and controlled, and that your heel and toe is accurate etc.

Was the DVD that Lotus training one with a Corrado and an Elise? I saw it a while back and thought that it was excellent myself :-)

[shangani]

Yes it was - very informative DVD, but I personally think he could have given a bit more info on the techniques with a few more examples of their uses and applications - I guess that is for the course itself?

[sja]

Did one last week.
Be prepared to really abuse your car..Never seen so much smoke coming off my tyres..

Dont worry about tyre pressures, by the twentieth high speed left hander the left and rights will be about 5psi out..

It was sunny when I was there and could have done with some sun tan lotion.. Wish I had video of day, didn't realise Andrew has a camera available, next time Im recording it..

Take some change for cups of tea..

And have fun, I certainly did..

[DPR]

shangani said:

Hi all Doing a training day at North Weald after all the recommendations here. Are there any things I should do beforehand in order to maximise the experience?# 1) To the car - tyre pressures etc - I will use my standard road tyres (Bridgestones on S2 111s) as this is what I use most days. 2) For myself - things to practice beforehand? I have Andy Walsh's DVD which I did find a little lacking in detail. 3)Should I be taking my helmet, racegear etc 4) Do you need extra insurance (currently with elephant) - it does not really count as a trackday does it? Thanks a ton Andrew

1. Standard road pressures are fine in the elise

2. Not really, be prepared to relearn most of your driving techniques

3. Nope, not required unless you want to practice in your own gear.

4. Nope, the only thing you can hit is a cone

Dont forget the following though:

Petrol, cash for cups of tea and lunch (no cash machines on the airfield that I know of), suntan cream - the airfield is very exposed and theres no shelter so if its cold, its *really* cold and if its hot/sunny be prepared to sweat Camera/video for the all important spins, couple of bottles of water and maybe some munchies - its tiring work.

Enjoy!

[shangani]

Thanks for the trouble DPR - much appreciated. Cheers