Everyman Driving Experience
Discussion
Ok, so here's my 'experience' with them which may or may not alter your views as to whether to buy an experience as a gift this Christmas.
I bought a Ferrari vs Lamborghini 'experience' for my 18th year old son in November this year. I was told that he would be able to drive the Dunsfold (Top Gear) track which is relatively local to us.
I handed over the dosh and was sent a voucher to give to my son on his birthday. This is where the fun begins. The girl on the end of the phone was really off with me, it seemed like everything was a bother, I dont think customer service was part of her vocabulary, I then tried to book the track....I was told that there were 8 days available for Dunsfold. 2 in April, 2 in May, 2 in July & 2 in August. Well, I dont know about you but what are you doing on those dates? Its not a problem I just thought there would be more of a choice! So, I confirmed that my son could make it rang back to book.
I then was informed that there was a £25 excess waiver to pay in case of a crash, the excess was £2000.
Also an extra £10 cancellation insurance
Also if I needed to change driver on the day that was an extra £15
To be honest it really seemed like they were doing me a favour by taking my money from me, I was being fussy and awkward by telling them that all these extras should be in bold print on the website.
Its all booked up now but I won't be recommending them to anyone at the moment, lets hope the actual driving day is better than the 'experience' of booking it in the first place!
I bought a Ferrari vs Lamborghini 'experience' for my 18th year old son in November this year. I was told that he would be able to drive the Dunsfold (Top Gear) track which is relatively local to us.
I handed over the dosh and was sent a voucher to give to my son on his birthday. This is where the fun begins. The girl on the end of the phone was really off with me, it seemed like everything was a bother, I dont think customer service was part of her vocabulary, I then tried to book the track....I was told that there were 8 days available for Dunsfold. 2 in April, 2 in May, 2 in July & 2 in August. Well, I dont know about you but what are you doing on those dates? Its not a problem I just thought there would be more of a choice! So, I confirmed that my son could make it rang back to book.
I then was informed that there was a £25 excess waiver to pay in case of a crash, the excess was £2000.
Also an extra £10 cancellation insurance
Also if I needed to change driver on the day that was an extra £15
To be honest it really seemed like they were doing me a favour by taking my money from me, I was being fussy and awkward by telling them that all these extras should be in bold print on the website.
Its all booked up now but I won't be recommending them to anyone at the moment, lets hope the actual driving day is better than the 'experience' of booking it in the first place!
I did a Ferrari experience with them at Prestwold Hall. I got about 3 laps in a 328 and 3 laps in a 360. It was fun but very expensive for the tracktime you get, and the 360s gearbox syncro was bust so it wasn't the best experience.
Although I enjoyed the (brief) experience, I wouldn't do it again.
Although I enjoyed the (brief) experience, I wouldn't do it again.
Lordbenny said:
......To be honest it really seemed like they were doing me a favour by taking my money from me...
This seems to be my own experience with so many businesses in the UK.I don't know why though, especially in these times of recession.
The other odd thing I find, is the inability to respond to sales queries by email.
I could understand if email was a new fangled thing, but it's been with us for the best part of 20 years now....
ETA: A former colleague was given one of these driving experiences (not sure which company) and had the opportunity of a couple of laps in a Lambo.
However - he wasn't allowed to rev it beyond 4000 RPM.
Now surely, part of the supercar experience is hearing that engine wail at 6000+ RPM????
Edited by TonyRPH on Tuesday 11th December 16:21
I've heard similar tales from a lot of these type of 'experiences'.
I think they rely on the fact that, for the normal 'everyman', this is the only time in their lives they are likely to come into contact with a Ferrari, and therfore they believe they can treat the cutomer how they like, assuming they will be in such 'awe' of just being in the same vicinity of the car that they will overlook all other aspects of the experience.
I think they rely on the fact that, for the normal 'everyman', this is the only time in their lives they are likely to come into contact with a Ferrari, and therfore they believe they can treat the cutomer how they like, assuming they will be in such 'awe' of just being in the same vicinity of the car that they will overlook all other aspects of the experience.
I had one with them a few years ago as a Birthday present with a mate. We drove a Gallardo and I also drove an Aston V12.
Did 1 lap driven in a Golf and 3 laps each in the Aston and Lambo.
We had a £20 fee dropped on us when we arrived. They said pay this and you can drive the cars like you sole them. I wasnt overly bothered by this.
The instructor was excellent. He did say only use 1st, 2nd and 3rd gear but after the first lap he said go ahead and use all the gears. I was happy to oblige !
It was great fun and I did drive the cars like I had stole them !
Did 1 lap driven in a Golf and 3 laps each in the Aston and Lambo.
We had a £20 fee dropped on us when we arrived. They said pay this and you can drive the cars like you sole them. I wasnt overly bothered by this.
The instructor was excellent. He did say only use 1st, 2nd and 3rd gear but after the first lap he said go ahead and use all the gears. I was happy to oblige !
It was great fun and I did drive the cars like I had stole them !
Watchman said:
I did a Ferrari experience with them at Prestwold Hall. I got about 3 laps in a 328 and 3 laps in a 360. It was fun but very expensive for the tracktime you get, and the 360s gearbox syncro was bust so it wasn't the best experience.
Although I enjoyed the (brief) experience, I wouldn't do it again.
Indeed. I did a Ferrari driving experience at Silverstone.Although I enjoyed the (brief) experience, I wouldn't do it again.
Few laps in a Megane Sport to learn the track followed by 3 laps in an F430.
I actually had much more fun in the Renault. With the Ferrari you were told when to shift up/down and you were always kept in one gear higher than you should be. Obviously this is to limit people planting the throttle in second and finding themselves facing backwards/kissing the armco but the whole process was very militant. Spoilt it a little tbh.
nick heppinstall said:
3 laps each in the Aston and Lambo.
g3org3y said:
3 laps in an F430.
I've heard that the 3 laps is often 1 warm up lap, 1 cool-down lap and 1 flying* lap, so in reality you only really get one 'proper' lap. Given that the cost of these experinces is often into 3 figures, it seems like very poor value for money.(* I use the term loosely)
Watchman said:
I did a Ferrari experience with them at Prestwold Hall. I got about 3 laps in a 328 and 3 laps in a 360. It was fun but very expensive for the tracktime you get, and the 360s gearbox syncro was bust so it wasn't the best experience.
Although I enjoyed the (brief) experience, I wouldn't do it again.
I've done quite a few of these thanks to clubcard vouchers, but I'd never recommend going for a "nice" car - they are quite fragile (and often hired or leased!) and so unsurprisingly they don't want them damaged, but it does mean they force people to baby them - i.e. speed limits, rev limits etc.Although I enjoyed the (brief) experience, I wouldn't do it again.
If you go for the "worse" cars (i.e. things like an MX5 or their old rally cars) they really don't care and you can use and abuse them (because they are already used and abused!)
monthefish said:
I've heard that the 3 laps is often 1 warm up lap, 1 cool-down lap and 1 flying* lap, so in reality you only really get one 'proper' lap. Given that the cost of these experinces is often into 3 figures, it seems like very poor value for money.
(* I use the term loosely)
No not for me. First lap fast. Second and third as fast as I could go. Also didnt cost a bean as the Mrs did it all with her Tesco Vouchers (* I use the term loosely)
Some years ago I was given a driving experience day at Thruxton by a friend. I drove a F355, a Touring Car and a Formula Renualt single seater.
The MG Touring car was awful, 3 laps I seem to recall. Had an instructor in the car and another bloke with whom I took it in turns with at the wheel.
Then I had 5 laps in the Formula Renault. This would have been ok if the bloody cars were not rev limited to keep you below approx 100mph. The cars also had no speedometer!
The final car was a Ferrari 355 LHD. Three laps in this with an instructor at my side, told at the outset to just leave it in 2nd!
I did ignore this and used 3rd/4th but again, a totally lame driving experience.
The track was far too crowded, when I was in the Formula Renualt I was overtaking Ferrari's and Lamborghinis etc because they were largely crawling around in 2nd gear!
This type of driving experience is a total waste of money. Better to have a day or half day hire of a Lamborghini/Ferrari etc and have a real driving experience. You would be able to go faster and still keep your licence.
The MG Touring car was awful, 3 laps I seem to recall. Had an instructor in the car and another bloke with whom I took it in turns with at the wheel.
Then I had 5 laps in the Formula Renault. This would have been ok if the bloody cars were not rev limited to keep you below approx 100mph. The cars also had no speedometer!
The final car was a Ferrari 355 LHD. Three laps in this with an instructor at my side, told at the outset to just leave it in 2nd!
I did ignore this and used 3rd/4th but again, a totally lame driving experience.
The track was far too crowded, when I was in the Formula Renualt I was overtaking Ferrari's and Lamborghinis etc because they were largely crawling around in 2nd gear!
This type of driving experience is a total waste of money. Better to have a day or half day hire of a Lamborghini/Ferrari etc and have a real driving experience. You would be able to go faster and still keep your licence.
monthefish said:
nick heppinstall said:
3 laps each in the Aston and Lambo.
g3org3y said:
3 laps in an F430.
I've heard that the 3 laps is often 1 warm up lap, 1 cool-down lap and 1 flying* lap, so in reality you only really get one 'proper' lap. Given that the cost of these experinces is often into 3 figures, it seems like very poor value for money.(* I use the term loosely)
For a lay person who doesn't really drive quickly they will be thinking "OMG, amazing Ferrari!!!!1111eleventy" whereas my (and I suspect other PHer's thoughts would be "I think we're in too high a gear").
As mentioned, I preferred the Renault Sport laps, as I had a younger/more fun instructor who encouraged you to push the car more to the limits.
My Ferrari instructor told me off within 30 secs as I accidentally went down a gear rather than up (first time using the paddle shift). I was informed I was lucky I didn't blow up the engine and it costs 30k.
Got a nice photo though!
Chris Stott said:
Save up (it's quite expensive) and do the Jonathan Palmer Motorsports experience at Bedford... an awesome day out, with instructors who positively encourage you to drive the cars like they should be driven.
Absolutely - fantastic and memorable, but expensive.I also did a classic experience day with Mithril at Goodwood, and that was really good - they really teach you how to drive an old car..."don't lift off in the corner or it will spin...".
You didn't have to pay them the extras. . . . . . .
Anyway I was disappointed in mine, lamborghini mercy. Didnt really fit in it but oh well I ducked. Didnt get to take it past 6000 rpm the bores. Braked way to early imo. I was braking as told and had to speed up again because he said go faster round corner! And then only did 3 laps. I was out 5 minutes. Waste of money!
Anyway I was disappointed in mine, lamborghini mercy. Didnt really fit in it but oh well I ducked. Didnt get to take it past 6000 rpm the bores. Braked way to early imo. I was braking as told and had to speed up again because he said go faster round corner! And then only did 3 laps. I was out 5 minutes. Waste of money!
Did an Everyman rally day in Loughborough and it was awesome! Dirt stage in Group N Rally Polo teaching you to lift off oversteer and handbrake/power 180s (or whatever) ...loads of laps to have a go. then did the same in a WRX (hatch so pretty new at the time). Basically an oval where bollards were setup along the "straights" which were offset so you had to get the back out from side to side in slalom style then a big 180 at either end...
Then tarmac stage in similar WRX and then in prepped Evo 5 with about 360bhp, quick rack etc....easily the best experience I have ever done. Super car ones are crap because 1) they don't trust you / allow you to really drive it and 2) you get no value for money so per lap its ridiculously expensive. Teh rally one was the exact opposite and I was encouraged to be naughty and "Just do another lap" from the instructor as he was actually trying to teach something.
Then tarmac stage in similar WRX and then in prepped Evo 5 with about 360bhp, quick rack etc....easily the best experience I have ever done. Super car ones are crap because 1) they don't trust you / allow you to really drive it and 2) you get no value for money so per lap its ridiculously expensive. Teh rally one was the exact opposite and I was encouraged to be naughty and "Just do another lap" from the instructor as he was actually trying to teach something.
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