Throughout the last few years, we’ve seen various aspects of sprinting and speed trials covered in Chicane, from Q&As and introductions to track-specific overviews and guides.
If we look back even further into the rich archives of Chicane, we’ll also see regular historical accounts from the club’s rife sprinting days at venues such as Wellesbourne, and even Hethel. In fact, did you know that in 1997 the Lotus Drivers Club held its inaugural sprint at Hethel within months of being officially recognised by the Motor Sports Association? Not only that but it was the first such event to be held at the iconic test track that as we know has been a vital element in the creation of Lotus road and race cars since 1966. Who would like to see an LDC sprinting experience at Hethel return to the calendar in 2024? I know I would!
For those that may be new to the concept of sprinting, it is a high-speed discipline in which drivers take turns to set a time around a lap of a race circuit or a set course, with the fastest times determining the results. The Lotus Cup UK Speed Championship in 2023 sees competitors compete in seven rounds; Donington Park, Goodwood, Snetterton, Lydden Hill, Hethel, Curborough and Castle Comble.
With the opening round set to take place at Donington Park on the 15 April, I took the very late decision to enter for what would be my first competitive event in a car. I’m sure at this point you’re assuming my decision was made a few months before this - not two weeks! The sprint was on!
To provide a little background on my experiences so far on track, and the car I’d be driving - I’ve completed about half a dozen track days over the last few years at Donington Park (this would prove to be very helpful), Anglesey, Castle Combe, Curborough and Hethel. The car is a Lotus motorsport-produced 2015 Lotus Exige V6 Cup. I, therefore, felt that I had both the confidence and some relevant experience to compete - even if my goal was simply to have fun, enjoy and take in the whole experience. To be competitive at this stage wasn’t an expectation.
With two weeks to prepare, several hurdles first needed to be overcome. Fortunately, with this type of formula, road-going cars are eligible to compete with only the addition of a timing strut to the front of the car, allowing for accurate timing to 100th of a second. I already owned the relevant FIA standard helmet - a recent purchase, but I still required a flame-resistant race suit, gloves and FIA-approved HANS device or FHR (Frontal Head Restraint).
With time being of the essence, and a free Saturday in hand, I decided to take the scenic drive up to the Demon Tweeks showroom in Wrexham, almost a three-hour drive from South Wales.
With the base equipment sorted, this left just the Motorsport UK Licence. Sprinting is regulated by Motorsport UK and for those that don’t already hold a race licence and are competing in a car that is currently licenced for use on the public highway, you are required to apply for an RS Inter Club Competition Licence. This licence was £74 and is offered with a priority fee which fortunately promises to process the licence within a few days whilst also supplying digital licence confirmation which is valid for 30 days and can be used at an event.
With equipment in hand, licence registration complete and the car prepared I headed North to Donington, feeling excited at the prospect but also somewhat anxious.
On the morning of the opening round, having stayed overnight just down the road from the circuit, I headed to the designated area within the paddock. The first hour was spent meeting the other 12 competitors, completing final checks and scrutineering and importantly applying the all-important race numbers - I was number 15.
It’s great to be able to write about how welcoming, friendly and helpful all of the seasoned competitors and volunteers were. I wasn’t the only first-timer amongst the entries and the camaraderie helped to settle any nerves, plus it’s great to meet so many new people all enjoying the same passion.
The morning schedule included a sighting lap behind the safety car, followed by a practice run and finally the first timed run of the morning. The track conditions in the morning were damp and greasy following the previous days' heavy rain. Not ideal but an opportunity to get a feel for the track conditions. With the forecast for the afternoon to dry up and with Mini and Seven racing in between, it was obvious that the late afternoon sessions to follow would be vastly quicker.
The afternoon allowed for 3 timed runs, one after the other with only a short pause through the pits after each. As opposed to the morning this allowed the opportunity to generate some tyre temperature, a consideration that is unique to sprinting I imagine. Performing timed runs on evolving track conditions, with minimal experience was quite an alien experience and is definitely something I took away from the day.
My 4 timed runs of the day improved from a 1 minute 23 in the morning, through to a mid 1 minute 10 resulting in my best time of the day and 9th overall - only 2 and a half tenths behind fellow newcomer to the series, Seamus, in his 2 Eleven who incidentally I met only a week prior at an LDC breakfast meeting.
Although it’s unlikely that I will be able to commit to any more rounds in ‘23, I’ve caught the bug and will be looking to add these to the calendar for next year. If you are interested in sprinting in your Lotus I encourage you to get yourself along to at least one round this year and visit lcukspeed.com to find out more.