Best "experience" day?

[lawtoma]

My brother is turning 50 this year, so we're looking for a driving day for him.

He doesn't have his own trackable car at the moment, so pure track days are out. He's driven quite a few nice cars and track days in the past, and has driven Silverstone and Brands, so we're not looking for something where the thrill is in being in a Ferrari, or getting to drive a couple of laps round a famous circuit, but are looking for something where he's more likely to get a bit of time to learn the car and the circuit and actually enjoy the driving (rather than just a 3-lap wonder).

So far, I've spotted the Porsche "Evolution 911" day or the Thruxton "Driving Experience" which look as though they could be reasonable, as you get a few laps on the same track, moving up the power band car to car, but not sure if they're actually any good, or if there's something better out there?

Can anyone recommend anything that might be appropriate?

[john2443]

Recently did one with http://www.mithril.co.uk/ at Goodwood, I thought it was good value (4 laps Cooper S, karting, skid pan, £199) they have lots of options.

[Furyblade_Lee]

I certainly recommend the Rally Experience day at Brands Hatch, much more fun on the loose than a supercar with a rev limit.

[rsv gone!]

You won't find anything better than the Palmersport days. They're a little pricey, mind.

[blueg33]

Palmer Sport

/end thread

[CABC]

Palmer half-day is half the price. Evening has the highlight cars.

[Steve H]

If he has done proper trackdays (as opposed to experience days) previously then most alternatives will seem a bit meagre in comparison. Palmers is the default choice but I'd also say hiring a car on a trackday is a nice alternative, BaT's Caterhams being a good option. Both are getting fairly costly though and you didn't mention a budget.......?

[timbo999]

I'd recommend a BaT Caterham for a day - I did a day at Brands and the car is great and you get oodles of track time. You get two instructor sessions included. Costs around a grand... but then so does the Palmersport day - advantage of that is you get to drive a range of cars including an M4 GTS and an Atom.

[Furyblade_Lee]

Trust me flying across the mud sideways yanking on the hydraulic handbrake and backing the rally car around the Brands a Hatch stages is far more fun than a dozen loaps in an M3.
And if the OP has £1,000 to spend, buy him a £150 Trackday and and £850 Clio 172 to keep 😂

[pincher]

Got to agree with that - was tremendous fun when I did it. The only downside is you thinking you've done pretty well and then the instructor shows you how it's really done

[james_gt3rs]

Caterham drift day is huge fun.

[Craikeybaby]

james_gt3rs said:

Caterham drift day is huge fun.

These seem to be run by BaT now too. It also looks like they have Caterham experiences running on their trackdays now too.

[binnerboy]

Palmer sport days are the best but the price reflects that, the coaches push you on whereas at other experience days they are more cautious.

The one day intense course at phil price rally get s good reviews , double the time driving compared to other experience days.

I have done the thruxton one, I did a ferrari 355 and formula renault. I booked extra time in the formula renault. You are speed limited which did get a bit frustrating at the end but was offset by overtaking everyone having a supercar experience :-)

the caterham drift days are good fun

[stef1808]

I did an open wheel experience day and loved it. I think they where like 1.6 or 2.0 L engines with 4 gears only but hugely exciting. Made my gt3 feel like a boat after getting out of it. Would recommend.

[BubblesNW]

I did a stock car experience at Northampton raceway which also included racing Reliant Robins, the Capri Challenge, blind driving etc as well as the stock car heats, semis, final etc. An excellent day, 6 hours of fun and very little time hanging around.