The Lotus Driving Academy has announced it will reopen its driver training programme at Hethel on the 7th August. In collaboration with Lotus Cars, The Lotus Driving Academy (LDA) has instigated a number of robust measures and controls to allow the popular driving training to reopen at the test track at the heart of Lotus’ historic home.
Alongside familiar protection measures in place such as the introduction of hand sanitiser stations and regular cleaning of the cars, the LDA has sought to go further whilst doing all it can to maintain the personal coaching experience it is renowned for. Customers will be given their own full-face helmet to use exclusively all day. New balaclava and gloves will be given to every participant for them to keep. With guests and instructors required to wear a helmet and gloves at all times in the car, a new intercom system to enhance communication has been adopted.
Visits to the Classic Team Lotus workshops, a popular element of a visit to the LDA remains, whilst the Lotus Cars factory tour will switch to a virtual format. To highlight all the changes made, it has gone as far as to publish the risk assessment and subsequent health and safety policy on its website.
“We have made every effort to ensure we can open safely, providing a safe and pleasant experience that retains the very personal communication and coaching that differentiates the Lotus Driving Academy,” says Simon Poole, manager of the LDA. “We’ve worked hard to ensure we retain the special elements that customers enjoy the most whilst going beyond the government recommendations to ensure we offer the safest environment we can.”
Also new for 2020 is the addition of the latest Lotus Exige Sport 410. The new Exige Sport 410 will feature on Exige Experience days and Gold and Platinum events, the latter where participants can learn how to use data logging to improve track driving.
Despite the additional measures, the LDA has held its 2020 prices, starting at £149 for the Scare Yourself Sensible experience. For those not yet ready to visit, 2020 voucher expiry dates have automatically been extended for a further three months. All reservations can be made on the Lotus Driving Academy website – www.lotusdrivingacademy.com.
