Help with a 'Ring or Spa experience, please?

[TheDoggingFather]

I have been detailed with the task of trying to sort out a special experience for a special birthday, my first suggestion was a trip to the ring, sadly his fiancée was a little concerned at the prospect of this, I informed her I meant the famous race circuit in Germany, which brightened her mood. Then I began to question whether a track experience at Spa would be better, as some people I have spoken to suggest that Spa is actually the better place to actually drive?

Then there's the question of what car, he drives diesel, not a particularly interesting one at that, so it will need to be provided. He's done an experience in various supercars before, but not exactly a keen track-dayist as it were, but it would also be good to have something interesting as it is a birthday gift? So suggestions, links and experiences all warmly welcome.

TDF xx

[TheDoggingFather]

No one?

[Motorrad]

On the front page
http://www.pistonheads.com/news/default.asp?storyI...

you won't do better than this.

This will be superior to TF on the Nordschleife and not dissimilar cost wise.

[TheDoggingFather]

I did see that, the birthday in question isn't until February so that rules that particular event out unfortunately.

[davepoth]

http://www.rent4ring.de/

Is likely the best way, and not especially expensive either. The only issue is that the opening times can be a little variable.

[TerzoNeil]

done spa last year with own car

it was good experience as on telly on the f1 it dfoesnt really show the gradients and curves to it's extreme

going thro aurogue at 117mph in an impreza is scary and back straight nudging 125mph with a 4wd drift is ars clenching the seat

next day i relised it done a head gasket in but still motored on

[Temple]

Nothing compares to your first lap of the 'ring! I'd say book him a rent4ring Suzuki Swift and watch the smiles.

[TerzoNeil]

thats true

after we did spa, we did the nurburg f1 short circuit, thats was more fun than spa f1 circuit

then we to the ring for 2 days, i ran at early evening, first lap with blown headgasket was a 12min 01 s

done another 2 laps after that sub 12 mins, not bad considering hitting 105'C on watwer temp

[Motorrad]

Track time in February at either location is going to very limited or more likely non-existent.

[TheDoggingFather]

Motorrad said:

Track time in February at either location is going to very limited or more likely non-existent.

I guessed that, but March/April will be cool as long as it's sorted guv!

[TheDoggingFather]

Temple said:

Nothing compares to your first lap of the 'ring! I'd say book him a rent4ring Suzuki Swift and watch the smiles.

The idea of the Swift is a good one, I don't want it to be a disappointment after his super car experience?

[Captain Muppet]

TheDoggingFather said:

Then there's the question of what car, he drives diesel, not a particularly interesting one at that, so it will need to be provided. He's done an experience in various supercars before, but not exactly a keen track-dayist as it were, but it would also be good to have something interesting as it is a birthday gift? So suggestions, links and experiences all warmly welcome.

TDF xx

If he isn't that in to track days then maybe a track day isn't the answer. Maybe a rally experience, or drifting, or something else, would be be better, especially if he's done supercars before.

I bought some mates an E30 325i to kill at a drift practice day. The car was cheap enough to be disposable, the track time was cheap and included free tuition (not that we needed it as I have mad skillz, etc). The whole day was a laugh for everyone (except me and the chap who towed the BMW there and back, but then it was meant as a gift for them rather than for me).