Walshy day vs. Lotus Training day?
Walshy day vs. Lotus Training day?
Author
Discussion

s111dpc

Original Poster:

1,515 posts

260 months

Tuesday 31st January 2006
quotequote all
Guys,

I'm thinking of improving my driving skills and was wondering which would be the best route to go.

The wife has offered to pay for a course for my birthday present, so cost is less of a worry.

I'm looking for the best all round day where I can use what I have learnt on the road rather than track, any suggestions?

Cheers

Dave

lotustuart

1,465 posts

262 months

Tuesday 31st January 2006
quotequote all
couldn`t comment on lotus training day but Walshy days are excellent. Highly recommended by all!

MJK 24

5,679 posts

267 months

Tuesday 31st January 2006
quotequote all
They're both meant to be on a par with each other.

I've done a Walshy day and it's excellent. The only difference is that the Walshy day is half the price so you could go twice...

If you went, and then went again a month later you'd learn loads.

sja

509 posts

259 months

Tuesday 31st January 2006
quotequote all
Done both and they differ a fair bit. Lotus one over twice the price for a start, and lots of sitting round. At least on Walshy day you can pretty much drive as much as you want, he allowed practiscing when he took others round..


Walshy Day
+ points
He is good teacher, patient etc..
No chance of damaging your car, apart from bit tyre wear
Great fun

- points
Only one for me was the distance from North East, elise + motoway + rain (poor!)

Lotus Day
+ points
Good instruction again
Use their cars so who cares about damage (I ripped wing mirror off one)
Nice day out, lunch, etc
Chance to drive round hethel track
Fast pas ride with instructor (shows you how slow you were)
You might win a trophy!!

- points
Spilt into groups of four sharing one car so fair bit waiting..
Pricey


For pure driver training Walshy day no contest.. Hoping to do another this year..



bogie

17,101 posts

303 months

Tuesday 31st January 2006
quotequote all
echo the above - you will get more from 2 Walshy days than one Lotus day.

Walshy days are great for learning car control and practising your skills - great VFM and in your own car

Lotus day is expensive, but I think nice to do once

bjc388

459 posts

255 months

Tuesday 31st January 2006
quotequote all
Done both too.

Instructions on both are excellent IMO.

Cost will a big differentiator subject to what I say below.

The biggest difference is the fact that on the Lotus course you use their cars rather than your own. So wear and tear on tyres and brakes is not an issue nor would you wince as much at the thought of scars on the clams if you hit all the cones on the circuit etc.

Some of the exercises are also different - and to highlight the point, one of the groups using a 111S flat spotted the front tyres on the braking exercises!

Yes you are split into groups of 4 - but personally I didn't have a problem waiting since I used the time to have a think about how I got on with the exercise or to see how someone else approached the exercise

I'm doing another Walshy day soon since it is such good value for money ... but would equally be happy to re-attend a Lotus training day (the afternoon track driving at Hethel is great fun!).

markizok

644 posts

279 months

Tuesday 31st January 2006
quotequote all
Quick question, are these Walshy day similar to the Car limits days - I recently had a close shave so I really need to get on a driving day and find out what they hell I should be doing in a car - currently im driving all luck / no skill!

MJK 24

5,679 posts

267 months

Tuesday 31st January 2006
quotequote all
markizok said:
Quick question, are these Walshy day similar to the Car limits days - I recently had a close shave so I really need to get on a driving day and find out what they hell I should be doing in a car - currently im driving all luck / no skill!


As far as I know they're the same.

bogie

17,101 posts

303 months

Tuesday 31st January 2006
quotequote all
yep - Walshy is Carlimits......

S Works

10,166 posts

281 months

Tuesday 31st January 2006
quotequote all
Also depends on if you have an S1 or S2. The Lotus days use S2 cars, which is all very nice if you have one, but no use to someone with an S1 which has totally different dynamics.

Walshy days are safe, great fun and you get loads of time to learn YOUR car.

markizok

644 posts

279 months

Tuesday 31st January 2006
quotequote all
Does anyone want to do a Carlimits day - i got the DVD before xmas and have been on the website. It looks like fun and you guys are raving about it - i dont suppose anyone fancies doing a course in Feb sometime, there seems to be a few dates still free!

twinpipe

1,396 posts

260 months

Tuesday 31st January 2006
quotequote all
Check out the BoLOC North Weald thread. They're getting numbers now.

s111dpc

Original Poster:

1,515 posts

260 months

Tuesday 31st January 2006
quotequote all
Thanks for all your feedback guys, looks like a Walshy day is the way ahead especially as I have an S1.

Will be looking to book a 2 man day in the summer sometime.

Dave

markizok

644 posts

279 months

Tuesday 31st January 2006
quotequote all
twinpipe said:
Check out the BoLOC North Weald thread. They're getting numbers now.


Cheers Twinpipe but im looking to do a small number day, 2 or 4. By the look of the thread they have quite a few more than that.

Cheers again