Drove the V12 Vantage S at Millbrook today
Discussion
Had a fabulous experience driving the V12S today (thank you HR Owen!).
What an amazing place, and what a stunning car.
We were "chauffeured" by Austin Kinsella from Aston who clearly knew the place like the back of his hand, and more importantly knew exactly how to get the best from the car.
He then (bravely) swapped seats, and let me go at it to the best of my abilities.
As a manual driver the gearshift took a fair bit of getting used to, but by the end of the session I felt that the "nodding dog" sensation on upshifts was becoming a bit less extreme.
The abilities of the car are simply outstanding, and to be honest you could probably spend most of the lap in 3rd and still have a very exciting time.
I bottled out at 156mph on the mile straight, but the pro got to 174, and didnt even look like he was trying.
Probably the single most enlightening and impressive part of the car for me however were the carbon ceramic brakes, which hauled you to zero from 150 in what seemed like no time at all.
Being driven by Austin on the hill circuit (think roller coaster with blind bends) was laugh out loud funny. and by the end Austin was well versed in Scottish expletives!!
Another marvellous moment was being overtaken by a McLaren P1 at huge velocity on the banked circuit.
All in all a fabulous day out, and one that I am very glad I did.
I had a lot of work stuff going on, and very nearly cancelled the invite.
Soooo glad I didn't.....
What an amazing place, and what a stunning car.
We were "chauffeured" by Austin Kinsella from Aston who clearly knew the place like the back of his hand, and more importantly knew exactly how to get the best from the car.
He then (bravely) swapped seats, and let me go at it to the best of my abilities.
As a manual driver the gearshift took a fair bit of getting used to, but by the end of the session I felt that the "nodding dog" sensation on upshifts was becoming a bit less extreme.
The abilities of the car are simply outstanding, and to be honest you could probably spend most of the lap in 3rd and still have a very exciting time.
I bottled out at 156mph on the mile straight, but the pro got to 174, and didnt even look like he was trying.
Probably the single most enlightening and impressive part of the car for me however were the carbon ceramic brakes, which hauled you to zero from 150 in what seemed like no time at all.
Being driven by Austin on the hill circuit (think roller coaster with blind bends) was laugh out loud funny. and by the end Austin was well versed in Scottish expletives!!
Another marvellous moment was being overtaken by a McLaren P1 at huge velocity on the banked circuit.
All in all a fabulous day out, and one that I am very glad I did.
I had a lot of work stuff going on, and very nearly cancelled the invite.
Soooo glad I didn't.....
that sounds like a fun day out !!Yes it is a great experience.
I reached 165 mph in the V12VSR on the 1 mile straight, with braking at the three quarter mile sign.
Surprisingly repeating the run, but only using 5th gear from 10 mph, the top speed reached was not too
different, at 155 mph.
I enjoyed the hill circuit best, but could not master taking those blind brows without lifting.
Something to do with my trust in memory - does the road go right or left?
Edited by Jon39 on Friday 31st October 08:31
Interesting how we view things differently my problem with the blind crests was having the belief that there wasn't something the other side of it.
On one of them they had part of the track coned off where someone had damaged the armco so there was only half the usual width available, would have been alright if the cones started on the brow where you could see them but no they were just out of sight.
Great day all the same learnt a lot about the capabilities of the Vantage.
On one of them they had part of the track coned off where someone had damaged the armco so there was only half the usual width available, would have been alright if the cones started on the brow where you could see them but no they were just out of sight.
Great day all the same learnt a lot about the capabilities of the Vantage.
Mac, good to meet you yesterday and excellent write up - having blind faith in Austin was all good until that blind crest ! The bowl showed just how capable and planted the car was at 135 and after slowing and then accelerating again just how brutal it was especially in sports mode.Thinking of it as a manual car with no clutch pedal was definitely the way to go and after the session wondered why you would ever need to bother with auto mode -pottering about between the various tracks it was a doddle.
As u say very glad I went too although the man maths subsequently has been endless !
As u say very glad I went too although the man maths subsequently has been endless !
Rob & I have been fortunate enough to drive at Millbrook on a number of occasions; with Aston, on the PDC and, earlier this year, in the F Type. My favourite section is the Alpine circuit.
Funnily enough we bumped into some friends last night, Greg & Monica, who were with you guys yesterday (even mentioned Austin and the Alpine circuit). They have his & hers Astons!
Where did we meet them? At the launch party for the new Porsche dealership at Tewkesbury
Funnily enough we bumped into some friends last night, Greg & Monica, who were with you guys yesterday (even mentioned Austin and the Alpine circuit). They have his & hers Astons!
Where did we meet them? At the launch party for the new Porsche dealership at Tewkesbury
MollyGT3 said:
Rob & I have been fortunate enough to drive at Millbrook on a number of occasions; with Aston, on the PDC and, earlier this year, in the F Type. My favourite section is the Alpine circuit.
Funnily enough we bumped into some friends last night, Greg & Monica, who were with you guys yesterday (even mentioned Austin and the Alpine circuit). They have his & hers Astons!
Where did we meet them? At the launch party for the new Porsche dealership at Tewkesbury
That's another 10p in the 911 swear pot Molly Funnily enough we bumped into some friends last night, Greg & Monica, who were with you guys yesterday (even mentioned Austin and the Alpine circuit). They have his & hers Astons!
Where did we meet them? At the launch party for the new Porsche dealership at Tewkesbury
Rob must be bouncing off the walls...not long now
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