On
Friday 29th, my Lotus Elise went back to its birthplace - the Lotus factory in
Hethel. The morning’s drive was like a mile at most (Old Thorn Barn B&B is so
close) and I did GoPro the journey so might YouTube this. For a lifelong Lotus
fan, visiting the Lotus factory in Hethel was a dream come true.
I’d come
to Hethel to complete the Lotus Driving Academy’s (http://www.lotusdrivingacademy.com/)
Lotus Licence - Bronze Level, Silver Level, and Gold Level.
Bronze Level
on Friday included a Factory Tour, Classis Team Lotus Tour, driving sessions
with a Lotus instructor on the Lotus Test Track, and demonstration laps.
Silver Level on
Saturday included steering circle, slalom, braking discipline, more sessions on
the Lotus Test Track, and demonstration laps.
Gold Level on
Sunday included giant slalom, circle power slide (very difficult), heal and toe
(I’d never done this and picked it up easily with instruction), more sessions
on the Lotus Test Track, and demonstration laps.
On all
days we were using Lotus Elise Sport 220 - which was excellent experience for
me as that’s what I’ve got. On the Sunday (Gold Level day), we also got to
experience (and drive) the Exige Sport 350 - an awesome car. Overall, I must say the Lotus License
experience was one - if not the - best weekends of my life.
As far
as driving my car, I gave one of the guys on the course a lift to and from
Wymondham every day. Then after the activities on Sunday (and a quick goodbye
drink at the Bird in Hand) it
was back off home, some 180 miles again, taking the Lotus Elise’s mileage up to
around 1650 miles after about a month and a half’s ownership.
Image: The Lotus Test Track (this is a great track)
Image: Lotus Test Track and Factory as seen
from above
Image: Lotus License Cars (1)
Image: Lotus License Cars (2)
Image: My Lotus back at Hethel
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