Lotus F1 Charity Day at Hethel Is Sold Out: What Ticket Holders Need to Know

The Lotus F1 Charity Day at the Hethel factory on Saturday 24 October has sold out. The organisers say demand was higher than expected, and with only 1,200 adult tickets on offer and no sales on the gate, anyone without a ticket will not be able to get in. If you have one, here is what to expect.

A day for 60 years in Norfolk

The event is run by Classic Team Lotus with Lotus, and marks 60 years since the company moved to Hethel in 1966. The former wartime airfield south of Norwich has been home to every Lotus road car since, and its runways and perimeter roads became the test track. Our Lotus history guide covers the move from Cheshunt and what followed.

According to the official event page, the programme includes:

• Lotus Formula 1 cars from across the decades, with some running on track
• Tours of the Emira production line
• Classic Lotus road cars from the six decades at Hethel
• The current range, including the Evija

Test track passenger rides are also listed, in three Emiras driven by Lotus Driving Academy instructors and in classic road cars offered by owners. These are booked separately through the event’s ticketing link, so check availability there rather than assuming a place.

Timings and parking

The event runs from 10am to 4pm, with the car parks open from 9am to 5pm. The address is Potash Lane, Hethel, Norfolk, NR14 8EY.

If you are arriving in a Lotus road car there is a dedicated parking area, but you need a separate “Parking space for Lotus road car” ticket as well as an admission ticket for every person in the car, driver included. Other cars park free in the main factory car parks.

Admission was £40 for adults and £10 for children, with under-6s free. Every attendee needs a ticket and children must be with a responsible adult. Refunds are generally not offered unless the event is cancelled.

Where the money goes

All admission proceeds go to the Priscilla Bacon Hospice, which provides palliative and end-of-life care across Norfolk. If you missed out on a ticket and want to support the cause anyway, the hospice takes donations directly.

Making a weekend of it

If you are driving up, it is worth adding a day either side. Our Hethel and Norfolk loop links the factory with Snetterton circuit and the A149 along the north Norfolk coast, which is quieter once the summer visitors have gone. Expect damp, leaf-covered lanes at this time of year and drive accordingly.

For other Lotus gatherings, track days and rallies through the rest of the year, see our events page.

Sources: Lotus F1 Charity Day official site, The Lotus Forums.