Lotus driving in Hethel

[Lostcomm]

Has anyone been to the one day driving course in Hethel? Seems like a good way to spend a few days, but would love any reviews!
Lostcomm

 

[Nick Sticks]

I've done the half day one (A Taste Of Lotus) last year where you do a couple of track sessions in their Emiras. This was well worth the experience and will do it again sometime this year.
I'd done the factory tours and Classic Team Lotus already so didn't need to do the Introduction To Sports Cars which included them.
The Tailor-Made Advanced course looks good.

 

[Aero]

If you search for driving academy youll find some good info. I did it back in 2023 so its prob been tweeked some. Overall I thought the total experience was worth it before getting the car but it was kind of expensive for what you get I thought.

Lotus Drivers Academy - anyone been?

Has anyone been on the Lotus Drivers Academy? Was it good, interested to hear what people thought of it 👍

www.emiraforum.com

 

[CarrHarris]

Went to the Driving Academy, last October for a full day, 100% worth it. I was able to drive the car for approximately two (2) hours, so before I am going to purchase the car, I get to find out how do I fit into the car, am I comfortable driving it, how does it feel being driven to my limits, do I like the engine and transmission set up, I understand that both V6 and I4 models are now available to drive.

Think about it you are going to spend something like $2,000 to $3,000 depending on flights, to make an informed decision for a car that sells for approximately $100,000 new. I am very happy I did the full day, while you are there do the factory tour at the very least as well. Bird in Hand is walking distance (30 minutes) to the factory.

Have fun!!

 

[GetawayDriving]

I've done it. It's 4 sessions: Skid pad, brake avoid, and two "open" track sessions (the layout is modified to slow the track down a bit). Great fun though. They give you some scoring on your skills and try to coach you up a bit if you need it. I definitely murdered a cone or two doing a slalom at 7am in a RHD car. I'd recommend pairing it with a factory tour, and if you can time it to hit one of the Goodwoods or the British GP it's an epic weekend.

 

[Lostcomm]

Thanks everyone- sounds kind of awesome.
Lostcomm

 

[jabingb]

I did the Academy a few years ago and had the distinct pleasure of having Martin Donnelly as a ride along coach for one of my sessions, quite a thrill, a very gracious fellow1

 

[yellow35s]

i just spent a few days in the UK and 2 trips to Hethel. I did the Historic Factory tour on Wednesday and the All day track session on Saturday. I'm a fan of the factory tours (been around the BMW Factories in Spartanburg and Dingolfing, as well as the Morgan Factory in the UK) so seeing another small volume manufacturer was great fun - especially since I own one of the cars. The Historics are great - such amazing history for a single brand.
I've also been driving on track for 20 years and one track day in my Emira - so I was hoping to get some good nuggets to take home. There were 3 of us driving, we all hit it off and had a blast sharing experiences, and learnings. I got to use the LHD car and learned just how good the DPM system really is. Skid pad is always a great learning experience. The track sessions had some weather impact - one was bone dry, the other soaking wet. learned a ton in both as we went out in the I4 for the wet session (newer tires with more tread). There was some nostalgia to this trip for me, so the "value" of the track time (using their cars, tires, fuel) was really good and I came away with enormous confidence in the car.

 

[netsinah]

I see several options on the Lotus webpage:

1. 95 GBP: 2-hour factory tour
2. 140 GBP: 3-hour combined factory and heritage tour
3. 259-289 GBP: half day track session
4. 699 GBP: intro to sports cars: all day set aside for combined track session, factory tour and what I assume is the heritage tour
5. 960 GBP: all day track, tailored to your skill level

My questions for anyone "in the know" since I'd like to plan a trip to the UK and would love to visit Hethel (it may be after my retirement next year):

(a) since I'd have my spouse with me and she's not that interested in sport cars, is there anything on site or nearby, for someone like her, to do? I might be able to convince her to attend a tour, but she'd do nothing but wait for me on the track.
(b) assuming I'd only be able to free up one day from my trip for Hethel, what would be the best option for someone now tracking an Emira? I'd prefer to do the all-day track session, however I'd really enjoy both the heritage tour and the factory tour, in particular. So #4 above looks to fit the bill, although is this a "watered down" track experience? And is the track portion the same time duration as #3 and if so, what is the actual time on track?
(c) assuming the track time with #4 is the same as #3, why wouldn't I try to book both #2 and #3 together on the same day, to save some dough? I'm assuming there must be some "bang-for-your-buck" difference?
(d) for any track time, are you always with an instructor as your passenger, or is there any "lead/follow" on the track (like I did several times at the Ron Fellows Performance Diving School in Nevada), where you're following an instructor car?

Any insight would be appreciated.

And thanks yellow35s for your post today on this thread. Nice to know you were able to adjust to the LHD and lucky you to have the luxury of 1.5 days at Hethel...with a more understanding spouse or perhaps you were travelling solo? And for your one day on the track, how much time was actually spent on the track...and for that, how much (i) pre-track instruction vs (ii) actual track vs (iii) the skid pad? Regardless, I thought the 960 GBP to be a reasonable price, to wear out someone else's vehicle including its tires and brake pads.