Palmersport days: How much "seat time"?

[bigbadbikercats]

A quick search suggests there are a good few people round here who've done the Palmersport corporate driving thang at Bedford.

After a few particularly grueling days at work I'm thinking of treating myself but am wondering just how much time you get behind the wheel compared with an ordinary 3-session track day so I can judge value for money against (say) renting something from Track Club or Mr LeRoux for a day with Melindi and her crew (or Jonny & his crew) which would be another alternative...

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JG

[drakart]

its difficult to quantify how long you get in the cars, but i have done it a few times and you never leave feeling short changed.
it is very different from a trackday!!!!! You are pushed very hard on the Psport day. Finding your limits is the idea, spinning is not frowned upon - its encouraged! its not just going round a circuit fairly quickly.
DO IT!!!

p.s did the autocar track day with you last year (in the orange caterham r300)

[bigbadbikercats]

drakart said:

p.s did the autocar track day with you last year (in the orange caterham r300)

A tad damp that day wasn't it...

One of the few occasion on which I was happier in my A4 quattro than I would have been in your car - I drove the Westfield demonstrator and not only did I get wet through but I managed to spin it within about half a lap :-)

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JG

[jleroux]

It's widely considered excellent value for money at Palmersport but if it's time in the car you want then you need to look at something other than the JP1/GT3 etc. They are not cheap cars to run and compared to the Caterhams/Elises of Track-Club/BaT they will be considerably more £/mile.

Just my 2p worth - bound to be considered completely biased by many on here but the maths speak for themselves even taking corporate trumpet blowing out of the equation!

Jonny
BaT

[shim]

i have done 5 JP days and they are more taxing and tiring than a full track day as every lap is under pressure (if you want it to be) and you do alot more thinking as 8/9 cars you have instruction and are pushed as hard as you want to be.

the day after a JP day i am always knackered and limps are aching

worth the money imho

[1st_petrolhead]

How much is it?

[shim]

in July 06 i paid £676 plus vat per seat

[bigbadbikercats]

1st_petrolhead said:

How much is it?

Including the compulsory extras (catering), the not compulsory but probably a good idea extras (damage waiver), and VAT (I'll probably book it through my company but strongly suspect that my accountant will, ahem "encourage" me not to try to claim the VAT back...) you're looking at ~£850 - not cheap (I think I worked out that one of Jonny's BatCats at their next Snetteron open pitlane day was ~£580) but a phenomenal selection of toys to play with and (apart from the FPA obviously!) there's instruction right through the day.

I don't for one moment think that the Palmer day could possibly give as much time in the cars as a normal trackday (just think about the capital cost tied up, the running costs of things like the Jag XJR, the Porsche 911, and the JP1...), but I think I'd want to be sure I got enough time to get properly comfortable and confident with the cars rather than just sitting there thinking "OhMyGodThisIsFastI'mGonnaDieeeeee....."

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JG

[YI8TVR]

Its about 3 hours track time divided up between the cars

[shim]

i would say 2hours behind the wheel

basically from briefing over you spend 9.30 to 12.30 and 1.30 to 4.30 out on the track area and usually about a third of that is 'your turn'

it is more than enough even for spirited drivers

[legaleagleboy]

I went on Tuesday with my 2 sons - a present to the youngest one who had some good A level results. (someone has got to go with him!!)

Drove 8 different things, of which 6 are circuit based, 1 off road bit & a play on a wet area in a Caterham.

I would say that 2 hours is about right for the time when your bum is in a seat driving. Nevertheless the day feels action packed and sharing it with other people in your group of 20 is real fun. I am always knackered at the end and do feel really satisfied by what we've done. The competitive aspects of it, everything is timed, does make it more compulsive.

I have done loads of trackdays as well, get the same knackered feeling after them BUT don't have to worry about my car at Palmersport - pricey agreed but has to be done at least once if you are a petrolhead.

ps we came 5th, 6th & 17th out of 80, were in the winning team and hauled the karting and FPA driver awards as well -- a result!


leb

[shim]

only 8?

1. Caterham
2. Jaguar
3. Clio Cup
4. Porsche 911
5. Palmer JP1
6. Palmer Audi
7. Kart
8. Caterham challenge
9. 4x4

Have they changed things this year and sneaked one activity out?

[gtdc]

Never been but... know loads of clients who have and really, really enjoyed it...

Melindi
www.goldtrack.co.uk

[gregorio!]

I went at the beginning of the year in a group of 30ish. Its got to be the best 'drive other peoples cars' trackday there is. I was lucky enough to be treated to it, and it left me on a high for days afterwards.

[legaleagleboy]

Shim

yes your right -- it is 9, did not count the Caterham challenge bit

leb

[shim]

i think actually its 10 if you count the ride home!

No No thats just a joke. Normally too knackered by then.............