Discussion
I guess this may only be of interest to those contemplating one, so seasoned campaigners feel free to ignore.
Firstly I must mention the previous day when we pulled into the car park of our chosen hotel, Flitwick Manor to be greeted by about 8 Ferrari California's.
Quite a sight. The Fezza guys were there doing test drives for potential customers. When we pulled in in the V12V we were given the once over, then there was a clamour to get us to play with their toy, though sadly no drive as they were pre-booked.
I have to say they were a really great bunch, very complimentary about my car, no point scoring at all. Very professional and good company for the afternoon.
On the downside there were two Astons in the car park for Ferrari testing. A DB9 with a large dent in the bonnet and also which I found strange, a V8S. Hope they were just comparing. I never got a chance to see the owners or chat.
The scene that greeted us.
Me being a traitor.
Our V12V with the last to leave. Prefer mine
Ok back to the PDC. Firstly I need to apologise as I have been waffling on about my Professional Driving Course, when of course I should have said Performance Driving Course.
Yet another blonde moment.
Wont go into every detail (thank God I hear you say) but to summarise.....
The mile straight... I hang my head in shame. I have read here some achieved in excess of 170mph. Even on my best effort I could only get to 168mph. I blame a high head wind, but seriously for those that did top 170, well done. No matter how hard I tried I couldn't.
Did tell you I would be honest.
On the banked 'high speed circuit' blimey, that was fun and scary at the same time. After building speed, up onto lane five, 100mph and fold your arms. Err yeah, ok...... Now you do have to have total faith. Laugh all you want but its unnerving. It gets better when you are told to accelerate up to close to the optimum of 130mph.
Yay, can I go round again please.
The outer handling and Alpine routes are fantastic for learning about your car and your ability to drive it. I was pleased to receive the compliment that I used the gearbox in 'Sport mode' better than most guys.
For a daily driver, apart from what I guess is the 'fun' side of the day, I found the more practical aspect very rewarding.
Learning about the engineering behind all the safety assists, how they operate, then testing them was fantastic. 100mph, slam on brakes, no feathering, just stand on them and the car yawns, says yeah I've stopped, whats next? (mind you in that situation, the car behind probably wont have stopped).
No issues in the wet either, phenominal in every way.
Accelerate as hard as you can... In the wet. A slight twitch, as everything kicks in and away you go.
For anyone contemplating the V12V I cannot emphasise enough how this course has helped me not only understand, but give me much more belief in its ability in various conditions. Not to say it should make you complacent, nothing will save you from stupid driving, but it does show you what has gone into making this one of the finest 'performance' cars available today.
Sorry for waffling.
Was it worth it? Yes.
Was it scary? Honestly... No.
Was it fun? Resounding Yes.
Was it informative? Yes
Was lunch good. No it was crap to be honest. £40 for dry chicken and rice and a glass of water. C'mon Aston, you can do better for £40
Would I recommend?...
If you are used to track driving then maybe it isn't so cost effective.
If, like me, you want to improve, learn about the ability of the car and also your own ability, then yes.
Thanks to my pilot Simon and all at Aston.
Now wheres that Ferrari test drive???
Di
Firstly I must mention the previous day when we pulled into the car park of our chosen hotel, Flitwick Manor to be greeted by about 8 Ferrari California's.
Quite a sight. The Fezza guys were there doing test drives for potential customers. When we pulled in in the V12V we were given the once over, then there was a clamour to get us to play with their toy, though sadly no drive as they were pre-booked.
I have to say they were a really great bunch, very complimentary about my car, no point scoring at all. Very professional and good company for the afternoon.
On the downside there were two Astons in the car park for Ferrari testing. A DB9 with a large dent in the bonnet and also which I found strange, a V8S. Hope they were just comparing. I never got a chance to see the owners or chat.
The scene that greeted us.
Me being a traitor.
Our V12V with the last to leave. Prefer mine
Ok back to the PDC. Firstly I need to apologise as I have been waffling on about my Professional Driving Course, when of course I should have said Performance Driving Course.
Yet another blonde moment.
Wont go into every detail (thank God I hear you say) but to summarise.....
The mile straight... I hang my head in shame. I have read here some achieved in excess of 170mph. Even on my best effort I could only get to 168mph. I blame a high head wind, but seriously for those that did top 170, well done. No matter how hard I tried I couldn't.
Did tell you I would be honest.
On the banked 'high speed circuit' blimey, that was fun and scary at the same time. After building speed, up onto lane five, 100mph and fold your arms. Err yeah, ok...... Now you do have to have total faith. Laugh all you want but its unnerving. It gets better when you are told to accelerate up to close to the optimum of 130mph.
Yay, can I go round again please.
The outer handling and Alpine routes are fantastic for learning about your car and your ability to drive it. I was pleased to receive the compliment that I used the gearbox in 'Sport mode' better than most guys.
For a daily driver, apart from what I guess is the 'fun' side of the day, I found the more practical aspect very rewarding.
Learning about the engineering behind all the safety assists, how they operate, then testing them was fantastic. 100mph, slam on brakes, no feathering, just stand on them and the car yawns, says yeah I've stopped, whats next? (mind you in that situation, the car behind probably wont have stopped).
No issues in the wet either, phenominal in every way.
Accelerate as hard as you can... In the wet. A slight twitch, as everything kicks in and away you go.
For anyone contemplating the V12V I cannot emphasise enough how this course has helped me not only understand, but give me much more belief in its ability in various conditions. Not to say it should make you complacent, nothing will save you from stupid driving, but it does show you what has gone into making this one of the finest 'performance' cars available today.
Sorry for waffling.
Was it worth it? Yes.
Was it scary? Honestly... No.
Was it fun? Resounding Yes.
Was it informative? Yes
Was lunch good. No it was crap to be honest. £40 for dry chicken and rice and a glass of water. C'mon Aston, you can do better for £40
Would I recommend?...
If you are used to track driving then maybe it isn't so cost effective.
If, like me, you want to improve, learn about the ability of the car and also your own ability, then yes.
Thanks to my pilot Simon and all at Aston.
Now wheres that Ferrari test drive???
Di
Edited by lady topaz on Monday 18th July 17:52
Edited by lady topaz on Monday 18th July 17:56
Edited by lady topaz on Monday 18th July 19:02
Nice car park! I took a California out for a test drive a few weeks back, very different to my V8V as you would imagine. The dual clutch is outstanding and with 460 horses underneath very quick.
Thanks for the write up, have been thinking of doing this also since the V8 homecoming day.
Thanks for the write up, have been thinking of doing this also since the V8 homecoming day.
I've done this with Porsche and would say that is was very enjoyable, but felt that I would have got much more out of it if it could have been repeated a day or 2 later. The first visit (afternoon only) is very much familiarization and learning experience (for me anyway), the second time I'd feel like pushing on more beyond my comfort zone and really see what I and the car could do.
Thank you for summarising the highlights (and lunch) of your PDC experience - very interesting. Having taken delivery of a V12V in March, I am going to take up AM's offer of the complimentary PDC that comes with the Special Carbon Black edition. Flying in from Vancouver via France in the first week of September for the event. Hope I can remember how to drive in a RHD vehicle (did it for 30 years before moving to Vancouver). As this is my first post, here are a couple of obligatory pics.............
Great way to say hi Terry.
Welcome to our little corner of Bedlam. Beautiful car.
Enjoy the course, they dispel any fears and encourage you to examine your skills, only helping, never deriding when you screw up.
I guess I will get into trouble now insulting the food.
Nay matter, have a great day.
Di
Welcome to our little corner of Bedlam. Beautiful car.
Enjoy the course, they dispel any fears and encourage you to examine your skills, only helping, never deriding when you screw up.
I guess I will get into trouble now insulting the food.
Nay matter, have a great day.
Di
I really have to find a way to reduce the negative esthetic (aesthetic) impact of the front licence plate. And I have just found out how many words I spell in Canadian english (thanks to my trusty Oxford reference dictionary). Any suggestions? The over-engineering of the front licence plate holder is epic.
V12V Vancouver said:
Thank you for summarising the highlights (and lunch) of your PDC experience - very interesting. Having taken delivery of a V12V in March, I am going to take up AM's offer of the complimentary PDC that comes with the Special Carbon Black edition. Flying in from Vancouver via France in the first week of September for the event. Hope I can remember how to drive in a RHD vehicle (did it for 30 years before moving to Vancouver). As this is my first post, here are a couple of obligatory pics.............
Very nice! I do like the carbon fibre side strakes too!Welcome!
V12V Vancouver said:
I really have to find a way to reduce the negative esthetic (aesthetic) impact of the front licence plate. And I have just found out how many words I spell in Canadian english (thanks to my trusty Oxford reference dictionary). Any suggestions? The over-engineering of the front licence plate holder is epic.
Looking at the plate holder, could you not just move it a bit further down so it sits below the grill rather than in front of it, it would look a bit better then.bob1179 said:
Looking at the plate holder, could you not just move it a bit further down so it sits below the grill rather than in front of it, it would look a bit better then.
Thanks for the suggestion - unfortunately, the plate holder has a 90 degree cut-out on the bottom that enables it to sit on the grill surround. I'm thinking of either a) removing the whole structure and see how long it takes to get a ticket or b) removing the structure, trimming the licence plate down to the essential numbers, and mounting it somehow on the metal below the grill. We'll find a way.......... V12V Vancouver said:
I really have to find a way to reduce the negative esthetic (aesthetic) impact of the front licence plate. And I have just found out how many words I spell in Canadian english (thanks to my trusty Oxford reference dictionary). Any suggestions? The over-engineering of the front licence plate holder is epic.
Same with UK spec cars too, it actually is the 'bumper' and is designed to prevent damage to the front end in very low speed impacts. However, we all take ours off completely and just use sticky pads to hold the plates on. And don't crash. I'm sure some kindly soul will make you a smaller plate, will legal sized numbers that you can stick on and reveal the slatted grille in all its glory!
V12V Vancouver said:
I really have to find a way to reduce the negative esthetic (aesthetic) impact of the front licence plate. And I have just found out how many words I spell in Canadian english (thanks to my trusty Oxford reference dictionary). Any suggestions? The over-engineering of the front licence plate holder is epic.
I only just noticed there was a V12V lurking behind that number board. It makes our UK plates look quite dainty.Good luck with the solution.
You could of course write to Prince William and see if you can get a special dispensation for running without front plate. I understand he's got some history with the Marque.
As regards it being part of the "crash structure", do they have the shoe box in the US where I don't beleive front plates are compulsory?
peterr96 said:
I only just noticed there was a V12V lurking behind that number board. It makes our UK plates look quite dainty.
Good luck with the solution.
You could of course write to Prince William and see if you can get a special dispensation for running without front plate. I understand he's got some history with the Marque.
As regards it being part of the "crash structure", do they have the shoe box in the US where I don't beleive front plates are compulsory?
In the US, front plate requirement depends on the state - there are 19 or 20 states that require just one plate. In Canda, 5 of 12 provinces/territories require just one.Good luck with the solution.
You could of course write to Prince William and see if you can get a special dispensation for running without front plate. I understand he's got some history with the Marque.
As regards it being part of the "crash structure", do they have the shoe box in the US where I don't beleive front plates are compulsory?
Gassing Station | Aston Martin | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff