Thruxton Trackday Experience - Whats it like
Discussion
Hi all,basically its my 18th Birthday at the end of June and I'm onto the idea of getting something like a trackday experience. Ive done lots of research into this checking that I would be old enough and I am (Phew). What I wanted to know is that is there any PHers out there who have tried one of their experiences and what are they like? I am looking at the ones with the 'PLUS' where you get to drive a single seater in addition to the supercar. So can anyone tell me what that is like too?
I look forward to hearing from you guys
I look forward to hearing from you guys
I did it for my 18th a few years ago..
It has probably changed a bit since I did it, but I drove an RX8 to warm up, an SLK 350 after that, then a Murchi followed by a single seater. I really really enjoyed the day, the instructors were very helpful, unintrusive and encorouged you to go faster. Some people drive so slow though! I overtook the Murci in the RX8!
IMO the single seater was awesome. No where near as fast as the Murci but was a lot of fun to drive. Plus you can really let loose because there is no instructor so you don't feel so under pressure.
It's a lot of money, but definately worth it.
It has probably changed a bit since I did it, but I drove an RX8 to warm up, an SLK 350 after that, then a Murchi followed by a single seater. I really really enjoyed the day, the instructors were very helpful, unintrusive and encorouged you to go faster. Some people drive so slow though! I overtook the Murci in the RX8!
IMO the single seater was awesome. No where near as fast as the Murci but was a lot of fun to drive. Plus you can really let loose because there is no instructor so you don't feel so under pressure.
It's a lot of money, but definately worth it.
balders118 said:
Some people drive so slow though! I overtook the Murci in the RX8!
I bought my wife a day driving Classics at Mallory Park some years ago, she passed a Diablo in a Mk2 Jag! 
Thruxton don't have the RX8s any more.
I did a Viper day (plus F Renault) a couple of years back - It was great fun, especially the Viper squirming under braking into the Chicane!
The F. Renault was interesting, but a bit frustrating, they're very restricted.
M.
As well as at other locations I've done a couple of experience days at Thruxton.
Quite an exciting circuit, some of it pretty fast. Well organised too, and good instructors.
My advice would be to communicate with your instructor, and show with your driving too, that you are listening to them. This will build their confidence in you and they may let you push harder as a result.
Most of all, have fun!
Quite an exciting circuit, some of it pretty fast. Well organised too, and good instructors.
My advice would be to communicate with your instructor, and show with your driving too, that you are listening to them. This will build their confidence in you and they may let you push harder as a result.
Most of all, have fun!
Take a close look to see whether they impose stupid rev limits. Don't go balls out at the start, and listen to the instructor.
Assuming they don't, you'll love it, and find the single seater a revelation.
I used to be an ARDS instructor at Croft, no rev limits other than instructors voice - amazing how many petrolheady types had never even strayed over 75%, once encouraged with 'keep accelerating' most people loved it!
Have fun!
Assuming they don't, you'll love it, and find the single seater a revelation.
I used to be an ARDS instructor at Croft, no rev limits other than instructors voice - amazing how many petrolheady types had never even strayed over 75%, once encouraged with 'keep accelerating' most people loved it!
Have fun!
Did the 355 one withe a Porche Cayman (had to wear a lid in that but no other cars? weird), a blat with the instructor in a Mazda 3? and the single seater. I had to learn to drive from the "wrong" side in the 355 as it was LHD which kind of spoiled the experience as I spent the whole time concentrating what gear it was in. The single seater though was AWESOME. Best bit of the day for me. Loved it. Thought I got stuck behind an absolute knob who didn't check his mirrors and they said to make sure they know the person in front waves you past or pulls over. So if you're stuck behind someone who doesn't check them, just overtake them. My 2p.
I did this for my 19th birthday and came back rather disappointed.
Drove the Ferrari 355 - instructor was overprotective of the car and wasn't that nice. If you're into driving, then I would recommend doing something in a lesser car but with more track time.
Having spoken to others and from my own experience, they seem over-protective of the exotic cars, imposing ridiculously low rev limits.
Drove the Ferrari 355 - instructor was overprotective of the car and wasn't that nice. If you're into driving, then I would recommend doing something in a lesser car but with more track time.
Having spoken to others and from my own experience, they seem over-protective of the exotic cars, imposing ridiculously low rev limits.
.blue said:
I did this for my 19th birthday and came back rather disappointed.
Drove the Ferrari 355 - instructor was overprotective of the car and wasn't that nice. If you're into driving, then I would recommend doing something in a lesser car but with more track time.
Having spoken to others and from my own experience, they seem over-protective of the exotic cars, imposing ridiculously low rev limits.
This would be my advice. Stuff the supercars - what you want is tracktime. They used to do a Lotus Elise thing that you got 14 laps in. That's enough laps to have started to learn the circuit and actually go a bit quicker... I think they might do it in an MX5 now...but that's what I'd go for over two or three laps in something blisteringly accelerative but not being able to use it!Drove the Ferrari 355 - instructor was overprotective of the car and wasn't that nice. If you're into driving, then I would recommend doing something in a lesser car but with more track time.
Having spoken to others and from my own experience, they seem over-protective of the exotic cars, imposing ridiculously low rev limits.
Oh...I did the Lotus Elise thing to accompany my wife. At the time I had been doing a LOT of trackdays. I'm not a quick driver but the difference between a trackday-noobie and someone with some experience is quite remarkable. Once the instructor had got some confidence in me that I was not going to trash the car we passed absolutely everything...
Done Thruxton a couple of times. It depends what instructor you get and I had ones who told me to give it the beans...
I want to try these guys next who are highly rated:
http://www.6thgearexperience.com/
I want to try these guys next who are highly rated:
http://www.6thgearexperience.com/
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