Lotus Melbourne Driving Academy

Improve your driving skills and shave seconds off your lap times by attending one of the Lotus Melbourne Driving Academy track day sessions. These personalised driving sessions give you hands on driver coaching to help you drive faster.

Advanced driver training with your Lotus

The Lotus Melbourne Driving Academy is focussed on helping you improve as a driver. We have so many successful stories of drivers taking seconds off their lap times after getting personal coaching from our team led by the experienced Mark O’Connor.

With over fifteen years experience driving Lotus race cars and managing Lotus race teams at a national level, Mark has a wealth of knowledge about what it takes to get the most from a Lotus sports car.

Using his experience as a professional racing driver you get first hand insights on how to improve your driving technique to improve lap times, be more sympathetic to your car, have greater on-track awareness and more.

Summary

MARK'S ABILITY TO DELIVER SIMPLE INSTRUCTIONS THAT CAN BE APPLIED TO DRIVING ON THE TRACK FAST WERE SO VALUABLE

I FELT MORE RELAXED AND WAS ABLE TO CONCENTRATE MORE ON MY DRIVING, I WAS AMAZED AT THE LAP TIME IMPROVEMENT.

GETTING 1 ON 1 DRIVER COACHING HAS BEEN A REVELATION. I WATCHED LOTS OF MOTORSPORT ON TV AND THOUGHT I KNEW WHAT I WAS DOING

WITHIN THE FIRST 20 MINUTES I WAS LEARNING NEW THINGS AND HOW TO DRIVE MY LOTUS SPORTS CAR THE RIGHT WAY

WORTH EVERY PENNY

Regardless of your goals and experience level the team from Lotus Melbourne helped made sure I had fun.

I thought Mark was one of those racing drivers who don't talk to common people, but his insights were amazing.

Anthony was great at making coffee too

EVENT DETAILS

WHAT MAKES THIS EVENT UNIQUE?

  • Personal driver coaching.
  • Tailored driver training program (if attending multiple days)
  • Pit garage support with our vehicle technicians.
  • Data analysis options available.
  • Open and inclusive for any Lotus owner either new or used vehicle.
  • Suitable for beginner or experienced drivers.

INCLUSIONS

  • Event entry
  • Track support from Lotus technicians & race engineers
  • 6 x 20 minute on track sessions
  • Minimum of 2 In-Car coaching sessions from a driving instructor
  • Session debriefs & theory with experienced Lotus engineers
  • Low track densities (max 12 cars per session)
  • Access to Lotus Pit Garage
  • Access to Driver’s Lounge
  • Catered Lunch
  • Barista coffee, smoothies & light refreshments

WHAT IS REQUIRED?

The majority of track day participants use their road registered Lotus Exige, Elise or Evora that are driven to each event. Some owners will opt to have their vehicle transported on a trailer but essentially you need a Lotus vehicle and appropriate track license to be involved.

  • Drivers must hold a current driver’s licence
  • An ADR-compliant helmet must be worn at all times whilst on the circui
  • Clothing must be non-synthetic and cover ‘neck to wrist to ankles’
  • Appropriate covered footwear
  • Vehicles must be road registered and in roadworthy condition prior to entering the circuit
  • Drivers must complete and sign the orgainiser’s disclaimer documentation

HOW DOES THE DAY RUN?

  • On the day each vehicle is checked, each driver registers & attends a driver briefing session. 
  • After that each group takes their turn on track with debrief sessions in between.

EVENT COST​

Sandown $600
Phillip Island $890
Broadford $575 (TBC)
The Bend $1,000 (TBC)

EVENT QUESTIONS

LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR DRIVING EXPERIENCES

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

– Arrival at track
– Registration
– Driver’s Briefing
– All Drivers are split into their groups for the sessions to begin
– A mix of solo and on-board coaching sessions
– Driver debrief session
– Normal duration is from 8:00am and should be finished by 4:00pm.

Yes, we bring our Mechanic & Engineering Crew to the track to provide support and assistance during the day. Its like having your own factory backed race team at hand.

Yes and entry is free.

Only in the Drive group if the Driver has a full CAMS License & with approval from the Event Organiser. Although this is normally reserved for instructors.
Generally speaking there are not. At some tracks there may be a local tyre dealer but they may not have the exact tyre/size required. We will try and carry a spare set but these are for emergencies to enable someone to drive home. We would recommend having your tyres checked before doing a track day and/or having a spare set of tyres/rims for track use only so that you can better manage your usage. Also consider your potential usage to drive to the track, drive all day & drive home again, plan ahead.
No, they aren’t mandatory. Although fitting an R Spec Road Tyre will transform your Lotus and provide lots of grip to let you really explore the limits on the track. A full slick isn’t really required unless perhaps you are running a Race Car or looking for a competitive edge in the Race Group.
We would suggest contacting your Insurance Provider and checking the details of your policy. Some providers may provide coverage for a single track activity or for ‘driver training’. You will be required to sign an Indemnity Form on the day during the registration process.
No, unfortunately it isn’t. Some tracks may have on-site facilities, alternatively bringing a spare jerry can is advisable.
You need to be fully covered with long sleeve clothing & helmet. Some people choose to wear driving boots and/or shoes, gloves and a racesuit to be completely comfortable and safe.