Supercar driving experience help needed...
Discussion
I'm sure I saw a thread similar to this the other week but can't find it, so I thought I'd start a new one!
Obviously there are stacks of [track] driving experience days about but I was hoping some of you guys could recommend a decent one? It's for my old man, budget wise I think under £200, and I think he'd most like a drive in an Aston.
We live in the Midlands but will travel a bit if need be.
Any recommendations will be gratefully received
Obviously there are stacks of [track] driving experience days about but I was hoping some of you guys could recommend a decent one? It's for my old man, budget wise I think under £200, and I think he'd most like a drive in an Aston.
We live in the Midlands but will travel a bit if need be.
Any recommendations will be gratefully received
I've used Everyman Racing twice, once for me, once for 'her', and it was fine, no complaints.
They have a few tracks they use dotted about the place.
Alternatively, these are £199 for a Sunday and look to include a good number of laps...?
http://www.silverstone.co.uk/experiences/aston-mar...
They have a few tracks they use dotted about the place.
Alternatively, these are £199 for a Sunday and look to include a good number of laps...?
http://www.silverstone.co.uk/experiences/aston-mar...
Depends on what he's driven. Only Supercar driving "experience" I've had was the behind the wheel of a V8 Atom. Basically they were crazy strict even down to what gear I had to be for each corner. The drive home in my Monaro was more exciting...
For someone that hasn't driven anything remotely quick, or been on track, or gone karting I'm sure it'll be an amazing experience
For someone that hasn't driven anything remotely quick, or been on track, or gone karting I'm sure it'll be an amazing experience
EmmaJ said:
Depends on what he's driven. Only Supercar driving "experience" I've had was the behind the wheel of a V8 Atom. Basically they were crazy strict even down to what gear I had to be for each corner. The drive home in my Monaro was more exciting...
For someone that hasn't driven anything remotely quick, or been on track, or gone karting I'm sure it'll be an amazing experience
He hasn't really done anything like this before so like you said, I'm sure it would be more 'exciting' for him than for someone like you who owns a quick car - but I'm still trying to minimise the strictness!!For someone that hasn't driven anything remotely quick, or been on track, or gone karting I'm sure it'll be an amazing experience
SturdyHSV said:
I've used Everyman Racing twice, once for me, once for 'her', and it was fine, no complaints.
They have a few tracks they use dotted about the place.
Alternatively, these are £199 for a Sunday and look to include a good number of laps...?
http://www.silverstone.co.uk/experiences/aston-mar...
Cool, cheers mate...They have a few tracks they use dotted about the place.
Alternatively, these are £199 for a Sunday and look to include a good number of laps...?
http://www.silverstone.co.uk/experiences/aston-mar...
This thread maybe? Some good suggestions there.
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
I used everyman racing. 10/10 from me!
I took my race license with me and showed the instructor after orientation, I told them I wasn't there to set a fastest lap or anything stupid and just wanted to enjoy some of the cars.
They let me drive the cars literally as hard as I could with the traffic on track, while I was in the R8 the instructor I was with even let me divebomb one of the other instructor drivers giving an experience lap to someone in a GTR which was a giggle.
My only regret was not taking the option to have the videos.
I drove an :
R8v10
Mc 12c
LP670
Atom 300
...and I was due to drive the 458 but the windscreen got cracked from a stone so they let me pick any car there and I chose the 12c again...(hoot!)
I can't recommend them highly enough, all the instructors were nice and helpful and they told me if they do get an enthusiast who loves cars they quite happily let them off the leash to have fun.
I took my race license with me and showed the instructor after orientation, I told them I wasn't there to set a fastest lap or anything stupid and just wanted to enjoy some of the cars.
They let me drive the cars literally as hard as I could with the traffic on track, while I was in the R8 the instructor I was with even let me divebomb one of the other instructor drivers giving an experience lap to someone in a GTR which was a giggle.
My only regret was not taking the option to have the videos.
I drove an :
R8v10
Mc 12c
LP670
Atom 300
...and I was due to drive the 458 but the windscreen got cracked from a stone so they let me pick any car there and I chose the 12c again...(hoot!)
I can't recommend them highly enough, all the instructors were nice and helpful and they told me if they do get an enthusiast who loves cars they quite happily let them off the leash to have fun.
I used 6th Gear down at Elvington last year (xmas pressie from the other half).
I'd expected it to be a bit tame to be honest, and wasn't super enthused when I arrived and watched the other punters pootling round in Supercars at 50mph, on the straights!
BUT: It was EXCELLENT!!!!!!!!!!
The instructors were great, I was allowed to do whatever I wanted, even receiving encouragement for some rather 'sporty' overtakes on the random punters.
No hassle even when overcooking things a little with a lock up.
As long as you can drive to a high enough standard (for the speed you're trying to go) they pretty much give you free reign.
Drove a 360, Gallardo and Atom.
If I went again I doubt i'd bother with the others and just lap the Atom 3x longer, amazing little car, amazing fun, amazing corner speeds, and pretty easy to catch if you get too excited!
If I could justify running a 3rd car i'd have one tomorrow.
Also, they offer an isurance policy to zero the excess, something like £20. I paid but felt I was being screwed a little, but that was before I knew how hard they'd let me drive the cars. Best £20 I spent that month, even though I didn't have any issues.
But i'd add that to the cost when comparing rates.
Make sure he'll be happy in whichever car you choose (or let him choose), lots of the customers in the top end cars were very intimidated by the cars they were driving, and seemed a bit stressed, resulting in not really getting the full value of the experience (IMO).
Hope he enjoys it.
What car does your dad drive on a daily basis? If it's anything remotely nippy, I would book a car other than the Aston / a car as well as the Aston.
When I took a DB9 out as part of an experience, it felt boring compared to the Gallardo and F430. Good as a warm up and yes, it's probably the better car for heading down to the South of France in, however you don't get a true supercar experience from it.
EDIT: Please void my post if you're not thinking DB9.
When I took a DB9 out as part of an experience, it felt boring compared to the Gallardo and F430. Good as a warm up and yes, it's probably the better car for heading down to the South of France in, however you don't get a true supercar experience from it.
EDIT: Please void my post if you're not thinking DB9.
I've done a couple and wouldn't do another, the cars never seem that fast and I've seen a Muchielargo not able to pull away from a Mazda 3 on a straight. They really do limit a lot of the cars, each time I have enjoyed the drive home more.
I may be tempted to try an atom or a single seater in case they are different.
Have you thought about hiring him a nice car for a weekend rather than 20 minutes on a track? A friend hired a caterham for two nights and enjoyed it a lot.
I may be tempted to try an atom or a single seater in case they are different.
Have you thought about hiring him a nice car for a weekend rather than 20 minutes on a track? A friend hired a caterham for two nights and enjoyed it a lot.
BUG4LIFE said:
EmmaJ said:
Depends on what he's driven. Only Supercar driving "experience" I've had was the behind the wheel of a V8 Atom. Basically they were crazy strict even down to what gear I had to be for each corner. The drive home in my Monaro was more exciting...
For someone that hasn't driven anything remotely quick, or been on track, or gone karting I'm sure it'll be an amazing experience
He hasn't really done anything like this before so like you said, I'm sure it would be more 'exciting' for him than for someone like you who owns a quick car - but I'm still trying to minimise the strictness!!For someone that hasn't driven anything remotely quick, or been on track, or gone karting I'm sure it'll be an amazing experience
EmmaJ said:
Depends on what he's driven. Only Supercar driving "experience" I've had was the behind the wheel of a V8 Atom. Basically they were crazy strict even down to what gear I had to be for each corner. The drive home in my Monaro was more exciting...
For someone that hasn't driven anything remotely quick, or been on track, or gone karting I'm sure it'll be an amazing experience
Exactly this. The single seater silverstone experience was much much better. Rally driving was also a laugh.For someone that hasn't driven anything remotely quick, or been on track, or gone karting I'm sure it'll be an amazing experience
I did an Everyman racing day, Just a taster really, 4 laps in a Gallardo.
First lap was a bit "oh dear". Lots of changing up very early (4-4.5k or so, they tell you when to change) and me thinking "oh".
However, once you demonstrate in the first lap or so that you're not a total nut jub, can follow instruction, and have a basic grasp of driving, the revs and speed increase. By the last 2 laps I was getting well above my comfort zone with the speed, but the instructor is very thorough with the instructions, and I Had a great day.
Not a bad day for a 60 quid or so experience. With a 4 car experience for 200 odd quid, I am sure you could make a day of it.
First lap was a bit "oh dear". Lots of changing up very early (4-4.5k or so, they tell you when to change) and me thinking "oh".
However, once you demonstrate in the first lap or so that you're not a total nut jub, can follow instruction, and have a basic grasp of driving, the revs and speed increase. By the last 2 laps I was getting well above my comfort zone with the speed, but the instructor is very thorough with the instructions, and I Had a great day.
Not a bad day for a 60 quid or so experience. With a 4 car experience for 200 odd quid, I am sure you could make a day of it.
He drives a diesel E-Class as his DD and hasn't really owned anything fast (always had company cars) so I'd imagine even a DB9 would feel fast. The only reason I'm thinking Aston is cos he's always said if his numbers came up a DB9/S would be top of the list...and he's not really a Ferrari/Lambo man! I'd love to hire him one for the weekend but that's obviously going to be a bunch more!
Saying all this though, I still don't wanna go with someone who'll limit the car to 4k revs etc so thanks again for the suggestions
Saying all this though, I still don't wanna go with someone who'll limit the car to 4k revs etc so thanks again for the suggestions
BUG4LIFE said:
He drives a diesel E-Class as his DD and hasn't really owned anything fast (always had company cars) so I'd imagine even a DB9 would feel fast. The only reason I'm thinking Aston is cos he's always said if his numbers came up a DB9/S would be top of the list...and he's not really a Ferrari/Lambo man! I'd love to hire him one for the weekend but that's obviously going to be a bunch more!
Saying all this though, I still don't wanna go with someone who'll limit the car to 4k revs etc so thanks again for the suggestions
He'll be use to changing up at 4k having a diesel as a daily Saying all this though, I still don't wanna go with someone who'll limit the car to 4k revs etc so thanks again for the suggestions
FYI my Atom driving experience was with 6th Gear too and was the polar opposite of the poster who raved about them. No complaints but I'd never do another driving experience regardless of the operator.
walsh said:
I did an Everyman racing day, Just a taster really, 4 laps in a Gallardo.
First lap was a bit "oh dear". Lots of changing up very early (4-4.5k or so, they tell you when to change) and me thinking "oh".
.
Thats so funny, I saw all the videos and saw the shifting at half the revs too, I prepared myself for a disappointing day but on pulling out of the pits he actually scolded me for changing up before the red line First lap was a bit "oh dear". Lots of changing up very early (4-4.5k or so, they tell you when to change) and me thinking "oh".
.
It does vary who you have, the guy I had in their Murci was a real killjoy, but then again he said nobody can thrash it because it sets off the noise detectors they have and then they get in trouble.On the Mclaren with a different guy he just told me to short shift before it to keep the noise down
BUG4LIFE said:
He drives a diesel E-Class as his DD and hasn't really owned anything fast (always had company cars) so I'd imagine even a DB9 would feel fast. The only reason I'm thinking Aston is cos he's always said if his numbers came up a DB9/S would be top of the list...and he's not really a Ferrari/Lambo man! I'd love to hire him one for the weekend but that's obviously going to be a bunch more!
Saying all this though, I still don't wanna go with someone who'll limit the car to 4k revs etc so thanks again for the suggestions
db9 convertible from Sixt is £1600/day with a £7500 insurance excess - that looks brutal, I'm sure I've seen more expensive cars than a db9 for hire for a fair bit less.Saying all this though, I still don't wanna go with someone who'll limit the car to 4k revs etc so thanks again for the suggestions
None of them look particularly appealing to me - if I was in a position of hiring one with a £7500 excess I'd be terrified of damaging it and unable to really afford to pay it. Though I suppose you're unlikely to crash it in the 100 miles that they allow you travel. The track day and being nannied around 4 laps at pedestrian pace just sounds boring. I don't think I'd even go on that for free.
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