Review: Bookatrack Caterham hire
Discussion
I've been meaning to type this up sooner, but have been too busy with work. Hired a Caterham from Bookatrack with a friend for the last minute Donington event last week, and it was truly excellent. Given how few cars attended the event, it was like being at a private test day - no stoppages at all, don't think there were more than 8 cars on track at any stage. Driving bliss...
The BaT Caterham (standard Superlight) performed well around Donington, with the (relatively) low grip tyres that the car was fitted with making it good fun to drive. The BaT team made sure everything was running smoothly during the day, keeping the car constantly topped up with fuel (pretty much the only thing that needed sorting out.)
Whilst the intercom on the car unfortunately wasn't working, but it didn't stop the instructor (Howard) from trying to give us a few pointers from his own car for a few laps.
Both of us who were there have motorsport experience, and we both believe that for the cost of hire, and the amount of track time that each of us got, the value for money it represents is fantastic - to the extent that I would hold off purchasing my own track day car, and simply use the BaT Caterham hire service.
All in all, I cannot recommend the service Bookatrack Caterham hire provide highly enough, thanks again to Jonny and his team for a great day. Certainly hope to do another day with BaT soon.
(short video here: http://www.vimeo.com/1112198 - sorry about the wind noise, forgot to get some foam wrapped around the microphone)
The BaT Caterham (standard Superlight) performed well around Donington, with the (relatively) low grip tyres that the car was fitted with making it good fun to drive. The BaT team made sure everything was running smoothly during the day, keeping the car constantly topped up with fuel (pretty much the only thing that needed sorting out.)
Whilst the intercom on the car unfortunately wasn't working, but it didn't stop the instructor (Howard) from trying to give us a few pointers from his own car for a few laps.
Both of us who were there have motorsport experience, and we both believe that for the cost of hire, and the amount of track time that each of us got, the value for money it represents is fantastic - to the extent that I would hold off purchasing my own track day car, and simply use the BaT Caterham hire service.
All in all, I cannot recommend the service Bookatrack Caterham hire provide highly enough, thanks again to Jonny and his team for a great day. Certainly hope to do another day with BaT soon.
(short video here: http://www.vimeo.com/1112198 - sorry about the wind noise, forgot to get some foam wrapped around the microphone)
Edited by dt8 on Monday 9th June 15:30
Fraz.K said:
How much was it in total?
Price varies depending on date & venue but generally between £500 and £800 for a full day, including fuel, tyres, instruction, insurance (£1500 excess) and track day fee. Feel free to drop me an email if you want to discuss pricing and availability. (info at bookatrack dot com)edited to add - the above price is for 2 drivers.
Jonny
BaT
Edited by jleroux on Wednesday 11th June 12:58
To confirm what Jonny has said, you get 15-20 minutes each per driver, per hour, which adds up to plenty over the course of a day. If you are sharing the drive, you can go out as a passenger with the other driver, so there is not much waiting round.
Equally, it is in your own interests to let the car cool down anyway, purely from a reliability point of view.
In terms of track time to cost, it really is fantastic value for money, especially if you share the cost between two drivers. It makes you realise how much of a rip-off a lot of the "driving experiences" are.
Equally, it is in your own interests to let the car cool down anyway, purely from a reliability point of view.
In terms of track time to cost, it really is fantastic value for money, especially if you share the cost between two drivers. It makes you realise how much of a rip-off a lot of the "driving experiences" are.
dt8 said:
It makes you realise how much of a rip-off a lot of the "driving experiences" are.
To be fair, a Caterham is significantly cheaper to run than a Ferrari or Lamborghini but yes you're right, if it's track time you're after you need to go for something more track focused. Don't forget, only a fool breaks the 1 tonne rule!Jonny
BaT
jleroux said:
dt8 said:
It makes you realise how much of a rip-off a lot of the "driving experiences" are.
To be fair, a Caterham is significantly cheaper to run than a Ferrari or Lamborghini but yes you're right, if it's track time you're after you need to go for something more track focused. Don't forget, only a fool breaks the 1 tonne rule!Jonny
BaT
Obviously turbo-nutter-barges and überbarges are more fun, but Caterwesticals are the way to go.
jleroux said:
fergus said:
jleroux said:
only a fool breaks the 1 tonne rule!
JL - surely you mean the 500kg rule?!I have to be careful though - the elise is a bloaty 750kgs but that's still light enough on consumables to be trackable regularly.
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