A different sort of driving experience day?

[Heathwood]

Hi folks,

I'm 40 in a few months and quite fancy doing some sort of track / driving experience day.

Now I know there are loads of companies out there that do this sort of thing, and I've read quite a lot of what's been discussed on ph before. However, I still haven't found what I'm looking for.

Most 'experience' days seem to just allow you to experience a Ferrari, Aston or whatever. Whilst you can get lucky and find a company / instructor that allows you to push a little, it seems more likely that you'll spend 3 laps cruising round a track confined to 4th gear.

Also, I'm not actually that bothered about driving a Ferrari etc, I'm more interested in being able to drive enthusiastically, have some fun and, perhaps, learn a little about driving well on track.

This led me to palmersport which looks bloody brilliant. This is exactly up my street but sadly it's just too expensive. Can anyone recommend something cheaper (say £300 max) but catering to a similar clientele? I'm thinking along the lines of a day spent driving, say, a Caterham or Elise enthusiastically with tips / encouragement from an instructor. Does such a thing exist?

[ceebmoj]

Have you considered hiering a caterham for the weekend? Have a look at the PH artical to see why.

[hdrflow]

Audi Driving Experience perhaps but is a lot more than £300. Otherwise book a track day with your own car and get some instruction as well.

[Codswallop]

http://uk.caterhamcars.com/experience

If you want to race a Caterham, go to the source I've not tried this, but fancy giving it a go. Any good feedback on the above experience days?

[lordlee]

Its off road but http://www.forsterracingschool.co.uk/about-us/ this was a seriously fun day out with plenty learnt about car control, grip and handling. I swear if you dont leave with a huge grin I'll cover your costs**!!!

• I wont.

[Heathwood]

Codswallop said:

http://uk.caterhamcars.com/experience

If you want to race a Caterham, go to the source I've not tried this, but fancy giving it a go. Any good feedback on the above experience days?

Wow, this looks like a maybe. Thank you

[ceebmoj]

Heathwood said:

Codswallop said:

http://uk.caterhamcars.com/experience

If you want to race a Caterham, go to the source I've not tried this, but fancy giving it a go. Any good feedback on the above experience days?

Wow, this looks like a maybe. Thank you

Just in case you need some more encouragement, http://www.pistonheads.com/doc.asp?c=52&i=1866... but head out in to the country side and stop out some where nice.

[Heathwood]

ceebmoj said:

Heathwood said:

Codswallop said:

http://uk.caterhamcars.com/experience

If you want to race a Caterham, go to the source I've not tried this, but fancy giving it a go. Any good feedback on the above experience days?

Wow, this looks like a maybe. Thank you

Just in case you need some more encouragement, http://www.pistonheads.com/doc.asp?c=52&i=1866... but head out in to the country side and stop out some where nice.

Jeez thanks, you've got me looking in the classifieds now

[blearyeyedboy]

As an alternative idea, compared to the usual:

http://www.dynamic-drivers.co.uk/

MODS: I have no connection with this site. I'm just a happy customer.

They're just outside Weston Super Mare. I took a couple of friends as a big thank you for looking after me when I was very ill. We spent the morning learning to do handbrake turns into parking spaces, reverse J turns and slalom courses. Then they do a contrived "cops and robbers" thing where they chase you while you're driving around a course in a 80's BMW 325, with them in Pug 106's (and they're still a lot faster than you'll ever be!). They use a coned-off disused airstrip and old cars, so all of your money goes on tuition and having a giggle.

I've done trackdays at a couple of places and this is the best giggle I've had.

[Heathwood]

Sorry to resurrect my old thread...

I can't seem to draw myself away from Palmersport. I see they do 3 types of half day programme running different cars (Formula, GT and evening programmes). If I was to stretch the budget to one of these, what would people recommend from these options? Ideally looking for first hand experience.

Thanks

[CraigyMc]

Heathwood said:

Sorry to resurrect my old thread...

I can't seem to draw myself away from Palmersport. I see they do 3 types of half day programme running different cars (Formula, GT and evening programmes). If I was to stretch the budget to one of these, what would people recommend from these options? Ideally looking for first hand experience.

Thanks

Do the formula half day. The jplm and fpj are the best cars anyway.

I'm doing my 4th day in august.

[Heathwood]

Finally decided. Sod the cost, I'm doing the full day programme at Palmersport. You're only 40 once after all.

[340600]

I did a Ferrari vs Lamborghini experience today with Everyman and was encouraged to redline them both to over 120, and push hard in the corners. Fantastic fun and quite a bit cheaper than some of the alternatives.

[nickfrog]

Heathwood said:

Finally decided. Sod the cost, I'm doing the full day programme at Palmersport. You're only 40 once after all.

You won't regret it. It makes other events seem pretty pants tbh, even if they're OK in isolation.

[CraigyMc]

340600 said:

I did a Ferrari vs Lamborghini experience today with Everyman and was encouraged to redline them both to over 120, and push hard in the corners. Fantastic fun and quite a bit cheaper than some of the alternatives.

Interesting. I was encouraged to drive all of Mallory in 4 th gear
in a diablo, slowing hugely for corners and the hairpin.

It was made clear that my experience was secondary to the instructors.

[TobyLaRohne]

CraigyMc said:

340600 said:

I did a Ferrari vs Lamborghini experience today with Everyman and was encouraged to redline them both to over 120, and push hard in the corners. Fantastic fun and quite a bit cheaper than some of the alternatives.

Interesting. I was encouraged to drive all of Mallory in 4 th gear
in a diablo, slowing hugely for corners and the hairpin.

It was made clear that my experience was secondary to the instructors.

..and I was allowed to spank every car as hard as I liked, (so long as I short shifted past the noise detectors at 2 points on the circuit). That included Overtaking an instructor in a GTR doing an "experience" lap and getting sideways in an atom 300 LOL!

I realise the above sounds like bks but it isn't, it was a great day!

[maxdb]

I must admit I enjoyed using Everyman too but I guess it is down to the instructor sat next to you. I had a go in a Ferrari 360 and a 911. Bearing in mind the track was wet I was allowed to push the 360 a little but with the 911 I was the only person on the track as they stopped the circuit due to the rain. They let me go on to test the track before they let everyone back on so huge smiles all around The 911 got a bit of a thrashing!!

I have heard a lot of great things about Palmersport so wouldn't mind giving them a go sometime myself.