Driving Experiences - Who's tried them?

[gregives]

I was lucky enough today to have my first go at track driving in a Cayman, a Gallardo and an F430, I'm not sure if it's acceptable to mention the name of the circuit (please correct me if I am allowed to name the place? Don't want to make it sound like a plug). But anyway, what a fantastic day! Great instructors, great track and excellent cars. If anything, the only thing that could have made it better would be getting to do a few laps. I'd heartily recommend giving it a go to anyone who enjoys driving.

It left me wanting to get into Motorsport!

Who else has had a go? Did it leave anyone else wanting to take it further?

[Pebbles167]

Glad you had fun OP! Name the circuit mate you'll get more accurate replies from people who've had a similar experience to you.

I've heard mixed reviews, a mate did one at thruxton which he considered "boring" while another did a single seater and lotus experience at castle combe which he said was quite the opposite.

I haven't had one of the pay for experiences you describe, but when I was 18 someone let me lose on a test track with their 2.2 astra. Although not "fast" It was quick enough, and left a lasting impression. Since then I have tracked pretty much every vehicle I have owned and am intending to go into saloon car racing next year

Track driving is utterly addictive!

[gregives]

Pebbles167 said:

Glad you had fun OP! Name the circuit mate you'll get more accurate replies from people who've had a similar experience to you.

I've heard mixed reviews, a mate did one at thruxton which he considered "boring" while another did a single seater and lotus experience at castle combe which he said was quite the opposite.

I haven't had one of the pay for experiences you describe, but when I was 18 someone let me lose on a test track with their 2.2 astra. Although not "fast" It was quick enough, and left a lasting impression. Since then I have tracked pretty much every vehicle I have owned and am intending to go into saloon car racing next year

Track driving is utterly addictive!

Funnily enough it was actually Thruxton I went to, I suppose everyone's experience is a little different, and they might have changed things recently. Mine was really good, the instructors really gave good advice round the circuit and were always pushing you to go a bit faster (maybe I was just a bit slow? Haha).

It does sound utterly addictive, I can imagine it's all to easy to get caught up in chasing that half a second on your lap time.

I'd love to track my own car but I imagine it's probably not the car for it ('04 C180K), but I'm looking to change it at he end of the year so something I could track is definitely on the list, especially as I don't need it to be especially practical at my age.

Are there some cheapish ways to get track time? A lot of the he organised days seem quite expensive but I'm sure there's loads of places I've not looked.

[Pebbles167]

gregives said:

Funnily enough it was actually Thruxton I went to, I suppose everyone's experience is a little different, and they might have changed things recently. Mine was really good, the instructors really gave good advice round the circuit and were always pushing you to go a bit faster (maybe I was just a bit slow? Haha).

It does sound utterly addictive, I can imagine it's all to easy to get caught up in chasing that half a second on your lap time.

I'd love to track my own car but I imagine it's probably not the car for it ('04 C180K), but I'm looking to change it at he end of the year so something I could track is definitely on the list, especially as I don't need it to be especially practical at my age.

Are there some cheapish ways to get track time? A lot of the he organised days seem quite expensive but I'm sure there's loads of places I've not looked.

This was a few years ago, they probably have changed!

You can track anything my friend, it will be fun. Just make sure your car is in good nick, and the tires are up to the job.

For reference a friend had his MK1 Mondeo 2.0 Zetec on track last month and loved it. Kept up with some decent machinery. Your merc will have no problem

[F1GTRUeno]

I did one in a DBS then another in both a 360 and a Gallardo.

I'll probably never get the chance to own any of them so to experience them at some speed (obviously not 10/10ths but not slow either) was wonderful. I do love the fact that we can do them in this country with companies like this. Does anyone know if there are similar services in other countries?

Would be nice to try something at Spa or something. (I know you can rent out a Clio or Swift Sport for the Nurburgring, but a Ferrari?)

[gregives]

Pebbles167 said:

gregives said:

Funnily enough it was actually Thruxton I went to, I suppose everyone's experience is a little different, and they might have changed things recently. Mine was really good, the instructors really gave good advice round the circuit and were always pushing you to go a bit faster (maybe I was just a bit slow? Haha).

It does sound utterly addictive, I can imagine it's all to easy to get caught up in chasing that half a second on your lap time.

I'd love to track my own car but I imagine it's probably not the car for it ('04 C180K), but I'm looking to change it at he end of the year so something I could track is definitely on the list, especially as I don't need it to be especially practical at my age.

Are there some cheapish ways to get track time? A lot of the he organised days seem quite expensive but I'm sure there's loads of places I've not looked.

This was a few years ago, they probably have changed!

You can track anything my friend, it will be fun. Just make sure your car is in good nick, and the tires are up to the job.

For reference a friend had his MK1 Mondeo 2.0 Zetec on track last month and loved it. Kept up with some decent machinery. Your merc will have no problem

Quite possibly, I know they've changed even over the last year as I know someone who went a year ago. It was fun too getting to see Tiff Needell doing driving experiences although I didn't actually go on one with him (£145 seemed a bit steep to not actually drive the car).

What kind of saloon car racing is it you're look at getting into by the way?

I'd probably want to change the front tyres, they're coming up on replacement anyway and it's bothering me that they're a different tread pattern to the back haha. Annoyingly they stopping making the ones we'd had on it previously.

That's pretty impressive, i guess you don't need to spend a lot on a track car after all!

[gregives]

F1GTRUeno said:

I did one in a DBS then another in both a 360 and a Gallardo.

I'll probably never get the chance to own any of them so to experience them at some speed (obviously not 10/10ths but not slow either) was wonderful. I do love the fact that we can do them in this country with companies like this. Does anyone know if there are similar services in other countries?

Would be nice to try something at Spa or something. (I know you can rent out a Clio or Swift Sport for the Nurburgring, but a Ferrari?)

I'm extremely envious of the one in the DBS! That must have been great fun, I'd love to get to drive an Aston. What was it like?

That was one of my thoughts too, I probably won't own any of the cars I drove so it was fantastic to get to really put your foot down a bit one one (but again, like you said, far from 10/10ths). Something like Spa would be huge fun, so would the Nurburgring and I've been promising myself I'd do that since I got my license.

We are lucky to have as many race circuits as we do in the country, I'm not sure if other countries have as many as we do (although I could easily be wrong and probably am)

[Pebbles167]

F1GTRUeno said:

I did one in a DBS then another in both a 360 and a Gallardo.

I'll probably never get the chance to own any of them so to experience them at some speed (obviously not 10/10ths but not slow either) was wonderful. I do love the fact that we can do them in this country with companies like this. Does anyone know if there are similar services in other countries?

Would be nice to try something at Spa or something. (I know you can rent out a Clio or Swift Sport for the Nurburgring, but a Ferrari?)

I can completely see the appeal I'd like to do a single seater one at some point, just reading reviews to see where is best. I'm sure companies will offer it over in Europe, but would have to be a booked day on a company exclusive track session. Can't see them wanting you let you out when there are other lunatics on track!

gregives said:

Quite possibly, I know they've changed even over the last year as I know someone who went a year ago. It was fun too getting to see Tiff Needell doing driving experiences although I didn't actually go on one with him (£145 seemed a bit steep to not actually drive the car).

What kind of saloon car racing is it you're look at getting into by the way?

I'd probably want to change the front tyres, they're coming up on replacement anyway and it's bothering me that they're a different tread pattern to the back haha. Annoyingly they stopping making the ones we'd had on it previously.

That's pretty impressive, i guess you don't need to spend a lot on a track car after all!

I dont blame you, I'd always opt for the drive, even if it means passing up a lap with Tiff!

I'll try in Castle Combe's own championship, or in the Classic sports car club Tin Tops.

Find some tyres which get decent reviews, and pick up a part worn set in your size from ebay. Helps keep the prices down

[Steve7777]

I did one in the US where you got to drive on public roads in a 458 and a Gallardo following a guide. It was amazing value and l think makes it easier to appreciate what the cars are like vs. more normal ones, and gave a better sensation of speed than on an open track (though I like tracks too).

[Pebbles167]

Steve7777 said:

I did one in the US where you got to drive on public roads in a 458 and a Gallardo following a guide. It was amazing value and l think makes it easier to appreciate what the cars are like vs. more normal ones, and gave a better sensation of speed than on an open track (though I like tracks too).

Thats interesting actually. I can totally see where you are coming from. For the average day to day driver anything would feel quick on the track if driven with some vigour. Whereas on the road you'd really notice the difference to your standard cars.

[mattwilko]

I've done a few in Lambos/Ferraris/Nissan GTRs etc. which are all good fun but in my experience they rarely let you really go for it, usually tell you to change up at 4000 revs. The best one I did though was an Ariel Atom, they're just rapid and even leaving it in fifth it just absolutely flies. I'd recommend one over a Lambo/Ferrari, in fact I've just booked one to do another Ariel Atom and a McLaren 12C.

[chriscoates]

I did one at Donington last year - being only 18 at the time it was quite an experience. I drove an Atom, 996 Turbo, V8 Vantage and a 360, but I wish I'd driven the Atom last as I drove it first and had to learn the circuit with it - I went all the way round in 4th

Only criticism was that in the Ferrari in particular, the instructor was very keen to tell me not to use all the rev range - presumably to preserve the life of the engine but it took the edge of the drive slightly. There was a fair bit of waiting around as well but with the amount of people doing experiences it was inevitable.

[Jasandjules]

I did the BMW 3 series followed by single seaters day. Excellent fun indeed. Have also done a couple of Rally Course days, they are also fun learning handbrake turns and so on.

[V8covin]

I had a couple of laps in a Gallardo at Prestwold on wednesday.It was bucketing it down all morning and the track had standing water on it.
Didn't get any kind of briefing at all so went out completely blind.I must say the instructor was excellent,just wished I'd had more laps....and yes it did leave me wanting to do it again

[Sir Bagalot]

I've said it before and I'll say it again.

Merc AMG at Brooklands is great.

If you have the money then Palmersport

[Robert Elise]

Palmersport and Carerham Experience very good.
I found Thruxton poor value. Instructors good, but speed/rev limits ruined it for me couple of years back.

[BevR]

I have been to Thruxton a couple of times and while I enjoyed being in cars I could never own it has been the far cheaper experiences I have enjoyed most. The Westfield drift days are great fun, the couple I have been to have both had friendly and knowledgeable instructors who wanted to teach you and let you have fun. My other half bought me one of the cheaper everyman racing experiences at Pretswold, out of all the options (including GTR, Ferrari, Audi etc) I went for the Caterham, the instructor let me use the whole rev range and push it far far more than I am sure I would have been allowed to in the other cars. The super cars were far slower on track although I don't know how much of that would have been driver confidence vs. instructor rules.

I would love to do a Palmer day but I cant justify spending that much money on myself!

[TheAngryDog]

I have one of these to go on soon, I am already feeling disappointed at the lack of being able to use the revs

[TonyTony]

I keep toying with the idea of buying myself a MP4-12C and 458 experience.

Apparently doing experiences like this make you depressed though,experiencing a car you will most likely never own in your life time has an adverse effect apparently.

[Andurron]

Glad to hear a lot of people have good experiences - clearly none of you went to Silverstone. Shouty, condescending instructors, yelling at you where to go on the track, what gear to be in, and the cars are poorly maintained. Avoid, avoid, avoid.