Hethel track - history info request

[webfoot]

My PC sim of choice is still the great "Grand Prix Legends".  Where else can I get to drive Lotus 33, 41B, 48, 43, 49, 49B and 63 and many, many other classic race cars on a massive selection of historic (and dangerous race tracks).

There is a new update to the Hethel track.  This is based on the pre-Bahar era layout.  Details can be found here.

http://srmz.net/index.php?showtopic=12742&st=0&gopid=138159&#entry138159

 

Leads me to ask has anybody got maps and/or information on the usage of the track before  the changes circa 1999.  Did it just use the perimeter road and the main runway?  I can only find the snippet on the factory web site stating the original track was 2.5 miles long.

Any info/history please?

Edited January 31, 2019 by webfoot
typo

[ChrisJ]

You can see the pre-Bahar layout in Google Earth if you go back to 1999

[kunstenaar]

Just search “Lotus Hethel” on a search engine and lots come up, like:

 

[Parramint]

Richard

When Lotus moved in 1966 the ‘track’ was very basic, naturally the runways were in pretty poor condition so virtually a single track of tarmac was laid.  Unfortunately Lotus believed that they had acquired the full width of the runway but half was still owned by the local farmer....hence when it was upgraded in the Bahar period the back straight was moved over onto a Lotus land.

Alastair McQueen redesigned the track I think in 98/99 when the Driving Academy started, and it was changed to run in front of the Clubhouse.  I believe I’m right in saying that my eldest brother was the first to overturn a car on the track, they were running 24 hour emission test in an Elan during the night I think he fell asleep and managed to flip the car....it was some while before Security noticed he hadn’t gone by.

They also used to store finished cars around the track, until one of the engineers went out, lost control and totalled around 6 cars......Happy days!!!!!!