Advice on Driving Experience Days
Discussion
Anyone been on any of these?
My dad turns 70 next month, is really into his cars, so I want to get him an expereince driving Ferrari, Aston, R8 etc.
I've seen a fair few sites out there so there is plenty to choose from, but wondered what ecpereinces people have had? Seen one offered at Prestwold Driving Centre, taking out five top supercars, buteach have just 2.25miles (3laps) and it doesnt sound like a proper track. Would imagine somewhere like Mallory might be better?
My father lives in Suffolk, and I'm in Yorkshire, so idaelly looking for somewhere reasonably south, but not right out of the way that I'm 5 hours drive from getting there. Somewhere around the M1/M6/A14 intersections really.
Any ideas or feedback from anyone who has has a good / bad expereince?
My dad turns 70 next month, is really into his cars, so I want to get him an expereince driving Ferrari, Aston, R8 etc.
I've seen a fair few sites out there so there is plenty to choose from, but wondered what ecpereinces people have had? Seen one offered at Prestwold Driving Centre, taking out five top supercars, buteach have just 2.25miles (3laps) and it doesnt sound like a proper track. Would imagine somewhere like Mallory might be better?
My father lives in Suffolk, and I'm in Yorkshire, so idaelly looking for somewhere reasonably south, but not right out of the way that I'm 5 hours drive from getting there. Somewhere around the M1/M6/A14 intersections really.
Any ideas or feedback from anyone who has has a good / bad expereince?
Virgin seem to be doing discounts on their experience days: http://www.virginexperiencedays.co.uk/
Whether these are any good or not, I don't know.
Most track days I see last an entire afternoon but actually you only get a few laps on the track, which means a lot of hanging around and not much driving.
They seem like really poor value.
Whether these are any good or not, I don't know.
Most track days I see last an entire afternoon but actually you only get a few laps on the track, which means a lot of hanging around and not much driving.
They seem like really poor value.
Edited by 80sboy on Wednesday 30th November 17:07
I've done Thruxton, driving Lambo SV, F430 16M and some Caymans.
TBH, it was a bit of a letdown, as the owners were mega protective about their cars, and they insisted on short-changing about 3000rpm short of the redline. The track was coned off so that corners were single lane, and with other (slower) traffic it was hard to get a feel. A few laps and you're in.
I wouldn't do it again. How about a trackday renting a Caterham? He'll get about 10 times more tracktime. I guess it depends if he wants the experience of driving a supercar, or a real driving thrill.
TBH, it was a bit of a letdown, as the owners were mega protective about their cars, and they insisted on short-changing about 3000rpm short of the redline. The track was coned off so that corners were single lane, and with other (slower) traffic it was hard to get a feel. A few laps and you're in.
I wouldn't do it again. How about a trackday renting a Caterham? He'll get about 10 times more tracktime. I guess it depends if he wants the experience of driving a supercar, or a real driving thrill.
Phil,
Like the idea of that as an option - could you point me in the direction?
I've heard some cracking stories about supercar experiences, and some shockers as well. Sounds like you got a bit of a let down one, and thats the last thing I'd want my dad to feel. He used to race his Austin 7 Ulster in years gone by, so he certainly would want to give it a proper go knowing him!
Like the idea of that as an option - could you point me in the direction?
I've heard some cracking stories about supercar experiences, and some shockers as well. Sounds like you got a bit of a let down one, and thats the last thing I'd want my dad to feel. He used to race his Austin 7 Ulster in years gone by, so he certainly would want to give it a proper go knowing him!
Prestwold is actually run at Wymeswold airfield behind the house. You are right, the circuit is the runways etc. That said I'd think it would be better than Mallory which might feel a bit tight. 2.5 miles sounds about right compared to Silverstone. You could try single seaters- they seem to offer more track time. Also look at Donnington, its nearer the motorway than Prestwold and a proper circuit....
Did a rallycross day at Langley Park Rally School, it was a work jolly & as with most of these things there was a bit of standing around watching others but the experience was great (if you like it sideways) no limit on your giving it everything & at the end of the day for an extra couple of quid one of the instructors will take you round as a passenger right on the limit!
My mate recently had an experience day some where in Shropshire which he said was pretty good, a selection of supercars & a Lotus Elise that you were actually allowed to overtake in!
My mate recently had an experience day some where in Shropshire which he said was pretty good, a selection of supercars & a Lotus Elise that you were actually allowed to overtake in!
The missus got me an experience at Elvington with these people http://www.6thgearexperience.com/home driving GTR, Aston DB9 and Atom for my 30th last month, was easily best one I've done - course is cones on airfield but thought out with some challenging turns/chicanes and the instructors let me give it full beans in all 3..can't comment for other sites but have done 2 other experiences before at Thruxton (F355, Cayman and Single Seater) which was similar to the 6th gear one in terms of instructors (but was on corporate day which might have helped their relaxed attitude, don't know!) and somewhere else I don't recall now (Gallardo) which was a letdown - had to drive the whole course in 4th, no changes up or down! didn't really get much past 90mph 
one tip, if you've not booked one before, allow a little extra to remove the insurance excess on the day (was £25 for the 6th gear one) otherwise liable for first £5000 of damage if you run out of talent!
one tip, if you've not booked one before, allow a little extra to remove the insurance excess on the day (was £25 for the 6th gear one) otherwise liable for first £5000 of damage if you run out of talent!
Did a track day this year at Prodrive, Coventry which probably suits you for area/travelling (I travelled from Norfolk) - was with 6th Gear. Drove 4 cars all different AM Volante(Paddle shift), Porsche 997 Turbo (Auto), Ferrari Challenge Stradale (Paddle Shift) & Audi R8 (Manual) and was able to give it beans in all four - they all were dual peddle control just in-case needed !
Made up course which included chicance and short straight - upto about 130mph.
I know expensive for not much lap time, but felt it was very well organised and would def do again.
Although expensive would suggest driving as many cars as poss and your favourite's at the end - you get more familiar with the track with each car and are able to push it more & more.
Instructor also marks you on each drive.
HTH
JP
Made up course which included chicance and short straight - upto about 130mph.
I know expensive for not much lap time, but felt it was very well organised and would def do again.
Although expensive would suggest driving as many cars as poss and your favourite's at the end - you get more familiar with the track with each car and are able to push it more & more.
Instructor also marks you on each drive.
HTH
JP
dpilgrim said:
got any links or company names for those ones guys?
Just checked out the Caterham hire and sadly well out of budget at over £700 :-(
have seen one with a whole day for less than half of that, cant remember where though so youll have to have a dig!Just checked out the Caterham hire and sadly well out of budget at over £700 :-(
general consensus seems to be that the 'supercar experience' type ones are a bit crap, couple of laps at limited speed and lots of waiting around. try and find a more enthusiast oriented one rather than the kind you buy in a box from a supermarket!
You can spend a lot of money on driving an Aston Martin for 20 minutes.
The one I enjoyed most was a Stunt Driving course near Weston Super Mare (so not much use to you, I guess?). We had £500 snotters but spent a full half day hand-brake turning, J-turning, running slalom courses and short rally courses. Focus on how much time you get to drive and what you'll learn; that's far more important than driving something shiny.
The other course which was great was a Land Rover Experience. For £300 I got to punt a Disco 3 around for the day and had a great time. I learnt loads too. There are several locations around the country. (Mine was near Exmoor.)
Do not go through Gift Experience companies: They almost always put a surcharge on. If you see one on their websites you like, some Googling around should let you know which car and which circuit is on offer- go to the circuit or organiser directly and you'll likely save a packet.
The one I enjoyed most was a Stunt Driving course near Weston Super Mare (so not much use to you, I guess?). We had £500 snotters but spent a full half day hand-brake turning, J-turning, running slalom courses and short rally courses. Focus on how much time you get to drive and what you'll learn; that's far more important than driving something shiny.
The other course which was great was a Land Rover Experience. For £300 I got to punt a Disco 3 around for the day and had a great time. I learnt loads too. There are several locations around the country. (Mine was near Exmoor.)
Do not go through Gift Experience companies: They almost always put a surcharge on. If you see one on their websites you like, some Googling around should let you know which car and which circuit is on offer- go to the circuit or organiser directly and you'll likely save a packet.
dpilgrim said:
Seen one offered at Prestwold Driving Centre, taking out five top supercars, buteach have just 2.25miles (3laps) and it doesnt sound like a proper track. Would imagine somewhere like Mallory might be better?
Prestwold is a decent track- 2.25 miles is per lap, btw.If you think you can tool around for sixty or eighty miles on a track, how much would you expect to pay for it? A hundred pounds won't cover much more than the fuel & maybe the tyres.
RH
Had an experience thing at Prestwold earlier in the year in a white Audi R8 V10. The instructor said "Ok, we'll take it easy on the first lap till you get the hang of driving such a powerful car. I mentioned that I had an Aston and before that 2 TVR's. "Ah,,, ok, well we'll dispense with the slow lap then"!
I proceeded to 'make progress' with the Instructor shouting "More Power, More Power MORE POWER.... Brake, turn in, back on the Power... More Power!!". We overtook everything on the track apart from a Radical that a 'Stig' was driving stupidly fast. Yes the track is short, but still had a good laugh.
Unfortunately, I won't be doing these any more as I've discovered Track Days and there's no going back!
I proceeded to 'make progress' with the Instructor shouting "More Power, More Power MORE POWER.... Brake, turn in, back on the Power... More Power!!". We overtook everything on the track apart from a Radical that a 'Stig' was driving stupidly fast. Yes the track is short, but still had a good laugh.
Unfortunately, I won't be doing these any more as I've discovered Track Days and there's no going back!
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