40th birthday pressie - Silverstone Challenge, anyone been?
Discussion
Its my hubbys 40th birthday in September and he is mad about cars, driving and F1. I was hoping to by a track day of some sort. Has anyone been on the silverstone challange where they get to drive 10 cars in one day, its not cheap but I dont mind spending that much if its worth it.
http://www.silverstone.co.uk/corporate/driving-day...
http://www.silverstone.co.uk/corporate/driving-day...
Not done the silverstone one, but I have done the Palmersport one:
http://www.palmersport.com/gift-vouchers.aspx
The palmersport one is a bit more expensive, but all the cars are racing cars, except the Landrover and Caterham. You also get to drive fewer cars. However the format is that the circuit is divided into 4 smaller sub-circuits and you do one or two cars at each sub-circuit. So you're in a group of say 10, and your group visits the first circuit, you do the cars there for a bit then get bussed to the next one and do the cars there. You have an instructor in the car for all driving, except the JP1 single seaters (obvisouly!) The instructors are BRILLIANT and REALLY push you to go 100% hard and fast. I guess one advantage of the multi-circuit type is that you're not doing mixed laps with faster/slower cars and there's fewer of you on track at a time so overtaking isn't an issue - just push! However you have to keep learning new tracks as you keep moving between events. I guess (I don't know) that the Silverstone one would be on the full circuit? However bear in mind that they can split Silverstone into three bits: National (north), Southern (south) and also Stowe circuit (which is between Abbey and Hangar Straight), so they could do rotation between three stations there too.
Whichever one you book I'd expect it to be awesome for that much money! Hubby will no doubt be overjoyed whichever you choose. (PS - if he likes F1 then driving on the _actual_ Gran Prix track at Silverstone is cool, and also probably more interesting than Bedford Autodrome (where Palmersport takes place) as Bedford is kind of flat, ok so is Silverstone, but not quite as much.) And finally, as a concerned wife, be rest assured that both Silverstone and Bedford have MASSIVE run off areas at pretty much all corners.
Hope that helps, a bit?
http://www.palmersport.com/gift-vouchers.aspx
The palmersport one is a bit more expensive, but all the cars are racing cars, except the Landrover and Caterham. You also get to drive fewer cars. However the format is that the circuit is divided into 4 smaller sub-circuits and you do one or two cars at each sub-circuit. So you're in a group of say 10, and your group visits the first circuit, you do the cars there for a bit then get bussed to the next one and do the cars there. You have an instructor in the car for all driving, except the JP1 single seaters (obvisouly!) The instructors are BRILLIANT and REALLY push you to go 100% hard and fast. I guess one advantage of the multi-circuit type is that you're not doing mixed laps with faster/slower cars and there's fewer of you on track at a time so overtaking isn't an issue - just push! However you have to keep learning new tracks as you keep moving between events. I guess (I don't know) that the Silverstone one would be on the full circuit? However bear in mind that they can split Silverstone into three bits: National (north), Southern (south) and also Stowe circuit (which is between Abbey and Hangar Straight), so they could do rotation between three stations there too.
Whichever one you book I'd expect it to be awesome for that much money! Hubby will no doubt be overjoyed whichever you choose. (PS - if he likes F1 then driving on the _actual_ Gran Prix track at Silverstone is cool, and also probably more interesting than Bedford Autodrome (where Palmersport takes place) as Bedford is kind of flat, ok so is Silverstone, but not quite as much.) And finally, as a concerned wife, be rest assured that both Silverstone and Bedford have MASSIVE run off areas at pretty much all corners.
Hope that helps, a bit?
Lets face it Silverstone is a far superior circuit to Bedford and I'm sure your other half would relish the idea of driving on an actual F1 track. Not to say Bedford isn't a great place to drive and they will push you hard! Which I imagine would also appeal. The choice for me would be;
1. Drive an F1 track in some posh cars
2. Drive a track at full tilt in some real race cars.
1. Drive an F1 track in some posh cars
2. Drive a track at full tilt in some real race cars.
I have booked myself on the Silverstone Challenge for October for my 42nd Birthday having already done the Ferrari and Lotus Experiences at Silverstone which were brilliant.
To drive around the Southern Circuit which forms part of the new Grand Prix Circuit a week before and then the week after the F1 GP this year was incredible. All very addictive and I believe well worth the money.
Although I don't really want to be another year older, I can't wait for 7th Oct!!
To drive around the Southern Circuit which forms part of the new Grand Prix Circuit a week before and then the week after the F1 GP this year was incredible. All very addictive and I believe well worth the money.
Although I don't really want to be another year older, I can't wait for 7th Oct!!
steveavxt said:
Lets face it Silverstone is a far superior circuit to Bedford and I'm sure your other half would relish the idea of driving on an actual F1 track. Not to say Bedford isn't a great place to drive and they will push you hard! Which I imagine would also appeal. The choice for me would be;
1. Drive an F1 track in some posh cars
2. Drive a track at full tilt in some real race cars.
Good summary. I'd agree with that.1. Drive an F1 track in some posh cars
2. Drive a track at full tilt in some real race cars.
bgt said:
I am torn now between the Silverstone Challenge or Advanced Audi Experience as I know my hubby wouild love to drive the Audi R8. Why is nothing simple. I need to make my mind up soon before I spend the money on something else 
Have you spoken to Silverstone yet? I don't work there (for the circuit) anymore, but I'm pretty sure both of those are corporate events, i.e. you can only book them for groups of people, not single individuals. The clue is in the link you posted "http://www.silverstone.co.uk/corporate/driving-days/..." and the text in that section of the website talking about "your clients" and "your guests".You probably want the Experiences section of the site: www.silverstone.co.uk/experiences/driving-days/.
Edited by timarnold on Saturday 31st July 22:13
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