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Hethel (Lotus Test Track)
The Lotus test track is sometimes opened for public use & is situated alongside the factory, approx 8 miles SW of Norwich & approached by minor road off the A11. Postcode for GPS: NR14 8EZ (Potash Lane)
The track measures only 2.25 miles, but being a test track it has a wide selection of different types of corner to test all aspects of the handling, suspension, steering, brakes and performance of your car (and driver). Since opening in the sixties, Hethel has seen five Lotus World Champions test their cars here: Jim Clark, Graham Hill, Jochen Rindt, Mario Andretti and Emerson Fittipaldi. My favourite part is the driving circle where you may get the chance of a bit of sideways action (either intentionally or not).
Hotels: Dunston Hall Hotel, Old Thorn Barn or Maids Head Hotel
Official Lotus Club Track Day, July 2002
I was a bit put off by the price (other trackday companies were cheaper
which seemed a bit strange), so I shared the day with Bob (who kindly
made the offer in return for co-driving my car at TT2002 and around
Knockhill & Crail). I now wish I'd not been so cheapskate &
paid for the full day (and ferry costs etc.) for my car too. I'll
have to go back again sometime I guess :o)
There were about 30 cars for this day - and we were split into 3 groups. Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced. Because there were so many beginners, the groups were shuffled and I found myself in the Advanced group =:o
The
day started out fine - which was good for practising and learning
the correct line. Towards lunchtime the heavens opened and we all
had to put our roofs on :o(
But then we could experience the track in completely different conditions
:o)
Several
of the corners require some compromise to the line that you take
in order to get the sequence of corners right - as I found out on
one lap when I wasn't paying attention and took Chapman corner completely
wrong and felt distinctly unsteady through the next bit.
For your money you get about 2 hours track time - with full tuition. You can try different instructors on each go (20 mins at a time). Some of the instructors were better than others for explaining what you are supposed to be doing - but all of them were very enthusiastic, helpful, and determined that you enjoy the day as much as possible. Nick Adams was the best instructor for me, his mixture of patience and pushing you was spot on for me - so I was particularly pleased when he won the best instructor of the day award.
Well done to Clare Stasiak and everyone that made it such an enjoyable day (I particularly enjoyed the pork pie at lunchtime - living in Germany I *really* miss the occasional pork pie!)
