Just back after 692 miles of Exige motoring . . . most of it on motorways.
As for the track driving bit, well, I’m a bit of a wimp and as far from a driving god as it’s possible to be. This was brought home to me when Martin Donnelly took the wheel of the S1 to demonstrate just how it should be done.
It was an experience I’ll never forget, especially when he repeatedly put his hand on my right leg . . . .
to demonstrate the braking force needed to trail brake into the corners. All this was done at very high speed as we headed towards what I thought was certain disaster against the barriers.
Martin very patiently and clearly explained the principles of weight transfer while all the time hammering around on what I judged to be the limits of adhesion. Thus, I found it hard to take it all in but I have to say that I much “enjoyed” the time out on track with Martin and certainly managed to put the instruction to good use as the day wore on, albeit at a much slower pace.
And now my thanks to Gav and everyone at LoT and the Lotus factory for a great experience. Once again it was wonderful to be in the company of all the Exigers and to see so many of the latest models out on track.
But I think it must be the first time that just one S1 has lined up against all the S2s and 3s.
Nice to see you all yesterday, i assume you all enjoyed yourselves as much as i did?
Big thanks to Gav for using his ‘connections’ to allow this day to go ahead
Also BIG thanks to Paul and the whole Lotus on Track Team as without them it wouldnt have taken place
I still cannot believe Lotus allowed us on site at the weekend to play with our cars!! THANK YOU LOTUS
Finally Thank you to Lisa Hartgrove for the rescue!! 
(First time towing someone and she did a sterling job, not one single loose rope all the way back to the paddock)
I can only echo the above posts. Some great pics there too Pete 
Sounds awesome lads, still gutted I could not be there but sounds mega.
I remember Martin Donnelly and our Gav having a really good battle around Donington in the Elise Trophy in the early days when Gav had the Orange Exige and Martin was in Golding’s 160
Now I feel even worse,…
Sign of things to come?
some photos popped up on FB
https://www.facebook.com/jason.n.patel/media_set?set=a.10151888755600845.1073741828.523710844&type=3
It was a mega day Saturday (morning), thanks to all who welcomed Steve in his Clio even though it did come over all French and refuse to start after the sighting laps. AA called in to find the starter was completely shot, so a bump start was given and he went off to do a 25 minutes session till lunch. My word the size of the smile when he got out was amazing, he could not make up his mind whether to stay for the afternoon and had several kind offers of helping him to bump start it every time he wanted to go out, eventually he decided to save the cash he was going to use for fuel and put it towards fixing the car.
It was great to see all the great cars out and so many S3s (they are growing on me now)
Weren’t those first sighting laps exciting? I kept wanting him to slow down so I could keep up, I was quite sure I would not have driven much faster through some of the corners if he hadn’t been in front of me!
The Mini GP was only just run in at 530 miles and I really didn’t want to take it home with cone marks on it, I think it going to be a good car for the odd trackday, but it won’t replace the Exige 
\
Anymore up on there of anyone else Tim?
…must wash the car today!
great photos 
no idea who jason was on the day but THX
jason was a mate of mine I donated my place to, was in the blue VX220
Absolutely lovely bloke Tim, get him to join up 
I’d just like to echo everyone else here, thanks to Gav and Lotus on Track for organising the day and Lotus for letting us use the track at the weekend. I had a great day (slightly shortened by grumbling brakes and front wheel vibrations), good to meet some of the people on here and thanks to diego for the passenger laps - bloody hell it’s fast!
Agreed, Jason was a great chap. We spent quite a bit of time chatting about our cars and he even asked for a passenger ride. (only the third I’ve ever done).
gav explained that changing to a LHD passenger seat (fixed) runners ‘may’ give me an extra inch that will make H&T a hell of a lot easier. heres hoping
Here’s a video from the day.
Lotus Exige V6 Cup laps Lotus factory test track - YouTube
Lots of Diego’s car, some of the equally stunning Chrome Orange V6 plus a blink and you’ll miss it fly by from Gav’s pocket rocket. It was so fast it blew the engine cover off! Much of the preceding footage had it looming large in my rear view mirror, next time I’ll stick a camera on the back so everyone else can see it.
Huge fun all-round, thanks again to Gav and whoever else made it happen.
Lunch was much appreciated too!
Heavy trail braking into corners… so that is what I have not been doing either! I have always found the back end gets very loose under heavy braking into corners…??? Can someone here who KNOWS how to drive enlighten me!
Sorry I was not there to support you mate! 
Not heavy, but firm braking. The theory being, I think, (and I had never considered it before) that the braking weights up the front wheels, allowing more front grip as you turn(reducing understeer) then progressively on with the power shifts weight to rear as you exit the corner. It was something Martin D discussed at the morning briefing but until I was in the car with him I did not realise that he was talking about braking not just in a straight line but gently applying brake pressure on turn-in.
Previously I’ve been braking in a straight line, not trailing the brakes into the corner.
Then, again, I might have completely misunderstood. Maybe others on here will be along to add their thoughts . . .
Loading fronts. Porsche and fwd racers all do it. It’s also why they left front brake so they can transition straight from brake to throttle with no pause.
You are a star Gav for sorting access to track and factory. Terrific couple of days and nice to meet some new faces.
Bloody hell is Hethel a long way, I did over 800 miles by the time I got home on Saturday night.