RE: Chris Harris video: ice driving
Discussion
Similar content (and lower production values) here, when Chris went on a lake back in the days of Drivers' Republic.
I don't care about the Harris/Porsche usual bias comments. In my opinion, this video has done a great bit of advertising for Ice Driving in general. There are a few other companies running similar things. I'd love an opportunity to go out there and have a blast ragging the nuts off some cars, be they old Porsches or other on some ice. It looks epic good fun.
Ok, I am a huge fan of early 911s, and I love pratting about with oversteer when the local roads (or a trackday) are wet.
I also agree, that £1750 per day doesn't make this viable to a lot of people. So, what options would you have to take your own car, or find a more budget way of doing this? Could you buy an E36 328i between 3 people, drive across and have a go at a facility somewhere (eg these replica circuits that people knock up)?
Not sure I would want to just head across and try and find a frozen lake, maybe a good way to make the six o'clock news, but not much else.
I also agree, that £1750 per day doesn't make this viable to a lot of people. So, what options would you have to take your own car, or find a more budget way of doing this? Could you buy an E36 328i between 3 people, drive across and have a go at a facility somewhere (eg these replica circuits that people knock up)?
Not sure I would want to just head across and try and find a frozen lake, maybe a good way to make the six o'clock news, but not much else.
Experience days can vary so widely its minefield. You always need to ask about seat time its the only thing that matters.
To give an example I was considering a full day rally driving experience £260 till I found out you really only get 2hrs in the car for that money (so £130/per hr) then I compared it too the 1/2day one to one at £625 (£96/per hr) which can be shared between you and a friend.
Yes you can do it cheap but your probably not getting the same thing. I've done it and felt cheated I recall a certain stag do with 2 rage off road buggies that were slower than my lawnmower which had to be shared between eight of us.
I've just come back from Below zero after 2 days on the ice and you soon see why it costs what it does. You have the cars your using plus back ups if those break plus a lorry load of spares. They had a day van for you to relax in (its left running all day to stay warm) one or 2 tow vehicles depending on the number of cars out. 2+ instructors 3 guys for maintenance/recovery. Chef prepared meal for lunch at the local hunters lodge and taxi to and from your hotel.
The important thing is if something breaks you not loosing driving time you just hop into the spare car and go right back out. Its the motorsport end of the spectrum vs the bring your own trackday event.
To give an example I was considering a full day rally driving experience £260 till I found out you really only get 2hrs in the car for that money (so £130/per hr) then I compared it too the 1/2day one to one at £625 (£96/per hr) which can be shared between you and a friend.
Yes you can do it cheap but your probably not getting the same thing. I've done it and felt cheated I recall a certain stag do with 2 rage off road buggies that were slower than my lawnmower which had to be shared between eight of us.
I've just come back from Below zero after 2 days on the ice and you soon see why it costs what it does. You have the cars your using plus back ups if those break plus a lorry load of spares. They had a day van for you to relax in (its left running all day to stay warm) one or 2 tow vehicles depending on the number of cars out. 2+ instructors 3 guys for maintenance/recovery. Chef prepared meal for lunch at the local hunters lodge and taxi to and from your hotel.
The important thing is if something breaks you not loosing driving time you just hop into the spare car and go right back out. Its the motorsport end of the spectrum vs the bring your own trackday event.
It can be done much cheaper, I've been involved in organizing a trip this weekend that will deliver a solid amount of seat time in RWD & 4WD cars (at least 3.5hrs) on two different tracks using winter tyres & rally studs - add lunch, tuition, hotel with full board and it's great value for what we've been able to deliver. It's easy to see how 911's could make for a £2k+ weekend, but you'll have an enormous amount of fun in anything rwd or 4wd.
Came back from Pat Flynn's Icedrivesweden.com last week, was a great day in a 6pot BMW, About £400-500 for the day from memory for a car + access to lake & fuel.
Shared the lake with a load of mad Dutch drifters in their own BMWS & Aaron Newby, UK rally driver.
Would seriously reccomend going & spending a day with Connor & the lads.
Cheers
Rawy
Shared the lake with a load of mad Dutch drifters in their own BMWS & Aaron Newby, UK rally driver.
Would seriously reccomend going & spending a day with Connor & the lads.
Cheers
Rawy
smtk said:
Experience days can vary so widely its minefield. You always need to ask about seat time its the only thing that matters.
To give an example I was considering a full day rally driving experience £260 till I found out you really only get 2hrs in the car for that money (so £130/per hr) then I compared it too the 1/2day one to one at £625 (£96/per hr) which can be shared between you and a friend.
Yes you can do it cheap but your probably not getting the same thing. I've done it and felt cheated I recall a certain stag do with 2 rage off road buggies that were slower than my lawnmower which had to be shared between eight of us.
I've just come back from Below zero after 2 days on the ice and you soon see why it costs what it does. You have the cars your using plus back ups if those break plus a lorry load of spares. They had a day van for you to relax in (its left running all day to stay warm) one or 2 tow vehicles depending on the number of cars out. 2+ instructors 3 guys for maintenance/recovery. Chef prepared meal for lunch at the local hunters lodge and taxi to and from your hotel.
The important thing is if something breaks you not loosing driving time you just hop into the spare car and go right back out. Its the motorsport end of the spectrum vs the bring your own trackday event.
With this I concur having also just done the below zero ice driving. Our original plan was Saturday with these guys and Sunday morning in 997's. but the weather was so poor on Saturday afternoon that the only option was to head back to the hotel for a beer and hot tub. And what follows is when you know you get what you pay for. Tuthills guys liaised with the hotel and cancelled the modern 911s with no cost to us (in fact a £500 saving...). They then met us in the bar at 6pm and we agreed the Sunday plan- an early start with a further full morning at no cost to us. It was due to be their first day off in 6 weeks.To give an example I was considering a full day rally driving experience £260 till I found out you really only get 2hrs in the car for that money (so £130/per hr) then I compared it too the 1/2day one to one at £625 (£96/per hr) which can be shared between you and a friend.
Yes you can do it cheap but your probably not getting the same thing. I've done it and felt cheated I recall a certain stag do with 2 rage off road buggies that were slower than my lawnmower which had to be shared between eight of us.
I've just come back from Below zero after 2 days on the ice and you soon see why it costs what it does. You have the cars your using plus back ups if those break plus a lorry load of spares. They had a day van for you to relax in (its left running all day to stay warm) one or 2 tow vehicles depending on the number of cars out. 2+ instructors 3 guys for maintenance/recovery. Chef prepared meal for lunch at the local hunters lodge and taxi to and from your hotel.
The important thing is if something breaks you not loosing driving time you just hop into the spare car and go right back out. Its the motorsport end of the spectrum vs the bring your own trackday event.
From the very outset the day is built around the driver. Instruction is on hand but by no means mandatory. The emphasis is only on driving and having fun, not on preserving the vehicle, redline, time etc. . Sign this form. It says you could die and theres an excess to pay. one would have to set off a bomb under one of these cars to be charged that i would think..Ok let's go.
A very genuinely high quality weekend away. Just bear in mind that the kall auto lodge (very good) really is in the middle of nowhere. 2hr drive from Trondheim airport.
Expensive yes, but my reccomendation hinges around value for money. This delivered in every sense. About half the cost of Porsche camp 4/5.
Get it booked!
moribund said:
Was one day enough on the ice, do you think 2 days would be too much? Just wondering about maybe organising a similar trip myself next year and sharing the car with some friends.
I think one shared day is more than enough if you're quite new to it - ice driving (especially on rally studs) can be quite tiring! Our group had two per car, and everyone seemed more than happy with the amount of driving time. Fwiw my trip should be IRO £800 all in with track hire, fuel, car rental, good hotel, breakfast, evening meals etc. all includedGassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff