Track days

[Rocklobster]

Hi all. I'm a member of Lotus-on-Track and have done a couple of track days in the Elan over the last couple of years. Both my track days have been at Blyton Park in Lincolnshire, partly because it's local and partly because LoT are quite careful about letting pre 1995 cars without approved roll over protection on most of the tracks that they go to (with good reason, but it's quite restrictive).

Firstly, what experiences have others had with other groups on other tracks? I'd like to get a list of tracks and organisations that I can go to for a change of scenery.

Secondly, Blyton is a really good fun track. LoT generally host two or three track days there each year (except when in lockdown) and it would be great to see one or two more M100's out next year. Anyone close enough, give it some thought, the days are well organised and well run. They do also allow non members (in Lotus cars) on their track days as long as they're not oversubscribed, so don't let non membership put you off trying one, just email them, they're a freindly bunch.

[Rambo]

Why not try Castle Combe. Nice little track and for the last few years, weo this year, we have had an LEC weekend meet there. We usually go on track for 2-3 fast (parade) laps but if you want to do a proper track day (Sat only) you will need to register with Club Lotus

Hopefully our dictators might allow us to mix and mingle again next year

[GeoffSmith]

Hopefully our dictators might allow us to mix and mingle again next year

And maybe we won't.

[Rambo]

No doubt NicoLiar Surgeonof, our First Dictator, will ensure that we have to stay at home

[Dave Eds]

I'm really hoping not to be at Castle Combe next year.

My daughter has rescheduled her wedding for that Saturday, having had to postpone it this summer.

Let's hope you guys are all able to have the normal blast of a weekend, whilst we are celebrating with 100 guests (including family from NZ and the States) not the restricted 15 as the rules currently allow.....

[MPx]

I've done a fair few tracks, but more on a bike than in a Lotus. In the car, Donington is good if the session misses out the Melbourne loop which avoids two hairpins. Brands Hatch is good on the indy or full track. Llandow is OK for a small cheaper track but the bus stop is a bit awkward/ungainly for drivers at my level, no doubt the experts have no problems. Silverstone is fun, but I've only ever done sections of it in its previous guises not the full current circuit. Also biked around Mallory and Cadwell Park, but wouldn't fancy them in a car and Curborough is OK for a trial, but too short and narrow for a proper track day. These have all been done long enough ago that the organisers will have undoubtedly changed. The only constant is Club Lotus doing Castle Combe in May and 2020 would have been my 30th time. But its not like a normal track day - you only get about 8 laps per session and you're only guaranteed 2 sessions for the £100. Having said that I usually manage to get 4 or 5 sessions over the day depending on the length of the queues once it goes open pitlane at about 3pm. There may have been others, but cant remember them!

[Saltire]

I’ve done Donington, Cadwell, Bruntingthorpe, Hethel and Snetterton (old circuit) in the UK, in a road car, and Thruxton in a Formula Renault. I’ve also done Clermont-Ferrand, Spa and Reims on the continent at a slightly more relaxed pace.

I enjoyed Cadwell; need to get into a consistent rhythm to post a decent lap time. Thruxton in the FR was fun, but my neck muscles ached for a week afterwards I’d hoped to do Castle Combe this year, but it wasn’t to be I have done the rally stage at Combe, which is huge fun

Ones I’d like to try include Knock Hill, Mallory and Brands full circuit, and now the Elan is fully fettled, maybe I will in 2021.