Driving Experiences
Discussion
I have bought 2 as presents for people and have mixed opinions both through Donington Park.
The first was a 355 experience for my wife 3 years ago - she really enjoyed it and we were looked after very well, the instructor was very forthcoming and certainly from the sidelines she looked as though she was able to really drive it quickly ( this helped me get the green light when I bought mine 1 year ago ).
The second was in May 08 when I bought through the same company 3 laps in a 360 F1 for my dads 60th.
It was like a cattle market, no organisation and the car he ended up driving was manual and everytime he went to change gear he had his hand slapped by the instructor " you only need 3rd " ?.
So basically he got 3 very slow laps round Donington for £150 !!!
He drives a Maserati and is no stranger to performance cars - If the instructor had spent 2 minutes to build a bit of rapport he would have known this.
The usual thing you hear is the companies don't allow you to rev Ferraris above 5000 rpm - which is where they come alive ?!
The only place I would consider is a Palmer day as everyone raves about them or at Prestwold Hall where I am told they let you drive the cars really quickly.
This is only my view, hope it helps.
The first was a 355 experience for my wife 3 years ago - she really enjoyed it and we were looked after very well, the instructor was very forthcoming and certainly from the sidelines she looked as though she was able to really drive it quickly ( this helped me get the green light when I bought mine 1 year ago ).
The second was in May 08 when I bought through the same company 3 laps in a 360 F1 for my dads 60th.
It was like a cattle market, no organisation and the car he ended up driving was manual and everytime he went to change gear he had his hand slapped by the instructor " you only need 3rd " ?.
So basically he got 3 very slow laps round Donington for £150 !!!
He drives a Maserati and is no stranger to performance cars - If the instructor had spent 2 minutes to build a bit of rapport he would have known this.
The usual thing you hear is the companies don't allow you to rev Ferraris above 5000 rpm - which is where they come alive ?!
The only place I would consider is a Palmer day as everyone raves about them or at Prestwold Hall where I am told they let you drive the cars really quickly.
This is only my view, hope it helps.
My current company (Driving Experiences Direct) is in my opinion the best i have worked for. I have worked for Everyman at prestwold hall and they don't let you drive all that quickly. I am certainly not knocking their experiences, and they have some great cars and instructors. Being an instructor for my current company, i can say in full confidence that the customer will get the best out of the car they are drivng. We don't mind taking the cars past 5k, just have to make sure customers aren't bouncing off the limiter. If a customer is really on it, then i tend to give them a full race instructors lap at the end to really finish the experience off. We also tend to not own all the cars, but hire cars in so we get to pick an choose the best models. At the moment we have an LP560 gallardo (it will be a 560 spyder next year) 2 gallardo spyders, a murcielago (lp640 next year) 3 360's, an ariel atom, and a lot of others (aston's and porsche's) We are also getting a 458 italia early next year which will be immense. I can vouch for DED's, they are by far the most relaxed and welcoming experience company out there.
Edited by Killer Crossover on Tuesday 1st December 15:51
I did the Thruxton supercar experience some years ago (Murcie, 996 Turbo, 360 Spider), then again in the F430.
Although the actual time in each car isn't very long, the whole experience is well organised and I recommend it. I would do it again if I had money to burn!
My bro did them too and a few others (not sure which ones), but he said the Thruxton ones were better organised / managed.
They are not cheap - but can inspire you to work hard to achieve your goals...
Although the actual time in each car isn't very long, the whole experience is well organised and I recommend it. I would do it again if I had money to burn!
My bro did them too and a few others (not sure which ones), but he said the Thruxton ones were better organised / managed.
They are not cheap - but can inspire you to work hard to achieve your goals...
Ferrari 360 F1 round Silverstone, had an absolutely fantastic time. They let me push it to about 8,000rpm up to 5th, full acceleration, not that you'd want more that track isn't long enough.
Staff were really friendly, experience was amazing, and I am planning on doing another one in the near future, thoroughly recommend it!
Staff were really friendly, experience was amazing, and I am planning on doing another one in the near future, thoroughly recommend it!
Edited by Shmee150 on Tuesday 1st December 17:43
My best driving experience ever that will stay with me to the day I die (far later than sooner I hope) was driving a Bugatti Veyron and making 330 kph. Only thwarted by a diesel mondeo travelling at 90 kph in the outside lane. All carried out on a private road of course. I have driven a few supercars but nothing can compare to the composure of the Veyron at incredible speed. I need to win the euro millions as I must buy two. One for me and one for the missus.
I've done several of these experience days, here's my brief summary:
Goodwood 2005 - Diablo VT
Utterly fantastic and terrifying car, just what I was hoping for!
Instructor didn't seem interested or bothered if I had a good time or not and neither did the rest of the staff, which put a bit of a downer on the day, and despite the great car, didn't feel like a particularly nice occasion, I've not been back there, shame.
Prestwold Hall - 2006 - Lamborghini Gallardo and Porsche 911 (996) Turbo
Utterly fantastic cars, I was amazed by how easily (with my limited driving skills) I could hustle the Porsche round, what a machine!
But for excitement, and if I learnt how to drive it better, the Gallardo would be my choice, because it's a bit sillier!
Instructors were both great, especially the one in the Porsche, he obviously had some confidence in me and had me aproaching the limit of my comfort zone with such a capable car, great experience!
Prestwold Hall - 2007 - Ferrari 355 and Porsche 911 (997) Carrera S
Ferrari felt a little tired, juddering brakes and bits falling off, generally a bit disappointing and I don't much like the noise they make, flat plane crank V8s don't sound like proper 'meaty' V8s in my opinion but I'm still glad I tried a Ferrari and will try another one day.
Porsche was utterly gorgeous again but I think my turbocharged 3.5 litre E30 BMW is quicker in a straight line, so not a real eye opener for me, especially after the 911 turbo the year before.
Instructors very friendly and helpful again, as were all of the staff, another good day for me at Prestwold.
Thruxton - 2008 - Lotus Exige
I had to see what all the fuss was about with the Elise / Exige.
It was very much like I expected and it was a brilliant car, but for some reason I don't yearn to have one, even though I probably should!
Instructor was excellent, second lap when I changed gear at 7000rpm (not wanting to abuse someone elses car) he asked "Why did you change up at seven thousand, it revs to eight?".
He had me working really well with the car and taught me a lot in a short time.
Being a Lotus I also got about four times more track time than the more expensive to maintain 'exotics'.
Thruxton - 2009 - Porsche Caymen / Lamborghini Murcielago LP670 SV / Single Seater
I found the Porsche a little disappointing after reading all the hype, just not very exciting or fast really.
Murcielago SV has to be driven to be beleived, I need that in my life.....!
The noise that thing made is still echoeing in my head!
Single seater, frustratingly, electronically limited to not very many revs, which meant I was being held up by less experienced drivers in the Porsches and Ferraris through the corners but then couldn't get by them on the straights as the single seater topped out at, I think, 108mph, but once on clear track it was quite incredible!
Instructors brilliant again, and I didn't get told off for my big sideways moment in the Caymen (which I held and brought back without drama) in the wet.
Another day I will remember fondly.
Organisation seemed faultless too, very slick.
I have had all of these days as birthday / Christmas presents, and despite not getting much time behind th wheel of most cars, I love it. It's the only way I get to drive these cars at present so I guess it comes down to how much you want to drive them, however breifly!
I'd like to try an Aston Martin next.
You will never jump into someone elses supercar and drive it like you would your own, and more ordinary, car on the track, but it's not about lap times for me, it's simply getting to experience the feel and the noise of cars I'll most likely never get to drive otherwise.
Goodwood 2005 - Diablo VT
Utterly fantastic and terrifying car, just what I was hoping for!
Instructor didn't seem interested or bothered if I had a good time or not and neither did the rest of the staff, which put a bit of a downer on the day, and despite the great car, didn't feel like a particularly nice occasion, I've not been back there, shame.
Prestwold Hall - 2006 - Lamborghini Gallardo and Porsche 911 (996) Turbo
Utterly fantastic cars, I was amazed by how easily (with my limited driving skills) I could hustle the Porsche round, what a machine!
But for excitement, and if I learnt how to drive it better, the Gallardo would be my choice, because it's a bit sillier!
Instructors were both great, especially the one in the Porsche, he obviously had some confidence in me and had me aproaching the limit of my comfort zone with such a capable car, great experience!
Prestwold Hall - 2007 - Ferrari 355 and Porsche 911 (997) Carrera S
Ferrari felt a little tired, juddering brakes and bits falling off, generally a bit disappointing and I don't much like the noise they make, flat plane crank V8s don't sound like proper 'meaty' V8s in my opinion but I'm still glad I tried a Ferrari and will try another one day.
Porsche was utterly gorgeous again but I think my turbocharged 3.5 litre E30 BMW is quicker in a straight line, so not a real eye opener for me, especially after the 911 turbo the year before.
Instructors very friendly and helpful again, as were all of the staff, another good day for me at Prestwold.
Thruxton - 2008 - Lotus Exige
I had to see what all the fuss was about with the Elise / Exige.
It was very much like I expected and it was a brilliant car, but for some reason I don't yearn to have one, even though I probably should!
Instructor was excellent, second lap when I changed gear at 7000rpm (not wanting to abuse someone elses car) he asked "Why did you change up at seven thousand, it revs to eight?".
He had me working really well with the car and taught me a lot in a short time.
Being a Lotus I also got about four times more track time than the more expensive to maintain 'exotics'.
Thruxton - 2009 - Porsche Caymen / Lamborghini Murcielago LP670 SV / Single Seater
I found the Porsche a little disappointing after reading all the hype, just not very exciting or fast really.
Murcielago SV has to be driven to be beleived, I need that in my life.....!
The noise that thing made is still echoeing in my head!
Single seater, frustratingly, electronically limited to not very many revs, which meant I was being held up by less experienced drivers in the Porsches and Ferraris through the corners but then couldn't get by them on the straights as the single seater topped out at, I think, 108mph, but once on clear track it was quite incredible!
Instructors brilliant again, and I didn't get told off for my big sideways moment in the Caymen (which I held and brought back without drama) in the wet.
Another day I will remember fondly.
Organisation seemed faultless too, very slick.
I have had all of these days as birthday / Christmas presents, and despite not getting much time behind th wheel of most cars, I love it. It's the only way I get to drive these cars at present so I guess it comes down to how much you want to drive them, however breifly!
I'd like to try an Aston Martin next.
You will never jump into someone elses supercar and drive it like you would your own, and more ordinary, car on the track, but it's not about lap times for me, it's simply getting to experience the feel and the noise of cars I'll most likely never get to drive otherwise.
Edited by ROOODBOY on Wednesday 2nd December 00:31
Killer Crossover said:
My current company (Driving Experiences Direct) is in my opinion the best i have worked for. I have worked for Everyman at prestwold hall and they don't let you drive all that quickly. I am certainly not knocking their experiences, and they have some great cars and instructors. Being an instructor for my current company, i can say in full confidence that the customer will get the best out of the car they are drivng. We don't mind taking the cars past 5k, just have to make sure customers aren't bouncing off the limiter. If a customer is really on it, then i tend to give them a full race instructors lap at the end to really finish the experience off. We also tend to not own all the cars, but hire cars in so we get to pick an choose the best models. At the moment we have an LP560 gallardo (it will be a 560 spyder next year) 2 gallardo spyders, a murcielago (lp640 next year) 3 360's, an ariel atom, and a lot of others (aston's and porsche's) We are also getting a 458 italia early next year which will be immense. I can vouch for DED's, they are by far the most relaxed and welcoming experience company out there.
You are talking rubbish, I have worked for Everyman for 13 years, almost as long as you been alive, and there is no restriction to the speed that the customer drives!! Many of the instructors have been there longer than myself, & will push people to the limit, depending upon that persons true ability!!! Edited by Killer Crossover on Tuesday 1st December 15:51
Are you on commission for promoting the set up you are working for???
I did the 360 F1 driving day at Silverstone. Out first in an Exige for 3 laps, then the same in the 360 F1. I had an excellent time and was allowed to push the car but wasn't allowed in to 2nd gear for the tight corners. I would class myself as an advanced driver due to past track and road experience in high performance cars, so it was a little frustrating at times, especially as I really wanted to have a little drift out of a few of them. I know safety is key for these guys though.
At the end of the day I got taken out in a Lotus 211 R and Jesus the boy could drive it, fantastic!
At the end of the day I got taken out in a Lotus 211 R and Jesus the boy could drive it, fantastic!
ginettajoe said:
Killer Crossover said:
My current company (Driving Experiences Direct) is in my opinion the best i have worked for. I have worked for Everyman at prestwold hall and they don't let you drive all that quickly. I am certainly not knocking their experiences, and they have some great cars and instructors. Being an instructor for my current company, i can say in full confidence that the customer will get the best out of the car they are drivng. We don't mind taking the cars past 5k, just have to make sure customers aren't bouncing off the limiter. If a customer is really on it, then i tend to give them a full race instructors lap at the end to really finish the experience off. We also tend to not own all the cars, but hire cars in so we get to pick an choose the best models. At the moment we have an LP560 gallardo (it will be a 560 spyder next year) 2 gallardo spyders, a murcielago (lp640 next year) 3 360's, an ariel atom, and a lot of others (aston's and porsche's) We are also getting a 458 italia early next year which will be immense. I can vouch for DED's, they are by far the most relaxed and welcoming experience company out there.
You are talking rubbish, I have worked for Everyman for 13 years, almost as long as you been alive, and there is no restriction to the speed that the customer drives!! Many of the instructors have been there longer than myself, & will push people to the limit, depending upon that persons true ability!!! Edited by Killer Crossover on Tuesday 1st December 15:51
Are you on commission for promoting the set up you are working for???
Killer Crossover said:
I'm not trying to promote anything and i am certainly not trying to pan the setup or instructing at everyman!! If you had looked at my post properly you would have seen that actually said that o wasn't knocking the everyman experience as they have great cars and instructors!! They have probably the best setup in the industry which is proven by their massive success. All i was saying was, in recent experience, the footage i have seen of everyman experiences didn't look as quick as they used to be. If i am wrong then my apologies. I am not talking rubbish, i am just saying what i have seen. No offence meant, and i'm not selfishly plugging my company.
I think the videos seem slower than they actually are. Down the main straight in the Gallardo at everyman I hit 120ish and had to slam on the brakes in order to make the corner at the end. However, in the video it looks much slower. I think it's due to the openness of the track and the fact you don't have many stationary objects with which to judge speed when watching a video. Definitely no limits on revs or speed, although the instructors tell you to change up when the engine hits the top of the power curve and teach you the correct speed for corners (sometimes slower is better, as I found out). Cannot fault Everyman in any way. The staff, cars and facilities were all top noch Edited by Killer Crossover on Wednesday 2nd December 11:01
.P.S. I drove there in August '08
ichbintk said:
Killer Crossover said:
I'm not trying to promote anything and i am certainly not trying to pan the setup or instructing at everyman!! If you had looked at my post properly you would have seen that actually said that o wasn't knocking the everyman experience as they have great cars and instructors!! They have probably the best setup in the industry which is proven by their massive success. All i was saying was, in recent experience, the footage i have seen of everyman experiences didn't look as quick as they used to be. If i am wrong then my apologies. I am not talking rubbish, i am just saying what i have seen. No offence meant, and i'm not selfishly plugging my company.
I think the videos seem slower than they actually are. Down the main straight in the Gallardo at everyman I hit 120ish and had to slam on the brakes in order to make the corner at the end. However, in the video it looks much slower. I think it's due to the openness of the track and the fact you don't have many stationary objects with which to judge speed when watching a video. Definitely no limits on revs or speed, although the instructors tell you to change up when the engine hits the top of the power curve and teach you the correct speed for corners (sometimes slower is better, as I found out). Cannot fault Everyman in any way. The staff, cars and facilities were all top noch Edited by Killer Crossover on Wednesday 2nd December 11:01
.P.S. I drove there in August '08
ginettajoe said:
Killer Crossover said:
My current company (Driving Experiences Direct) is in my opinion the best i have worked for. I have worked for Everyman at prestwold hall and they don't let you drive all that quickly. I am certainly not knocking their experiences, and they have some great cars and instructors. Being an instructor for my current company, i can say in full confidence that the customer will get the best out of the car they are drivng. We don't mind taking the cars past 5k, just have to make sure customers aren't bouncing off the limiter. If a customer is really on it, then i tend to give them a full race instructors lap at the end to really finish the experience off. We also tend to not own all the cars, but hire cars in so we get to pick an choose the best models. At the moment we have an LP560 gallardo (it will be a 560 spyder next year) 2 gallardo spyders, a murcielago (lp640 next year) 3 360's, an ariel atom, and a lot of others (aston's and porsche's) We are also getting a 458 italia early next year which will be immense. I can vouch for DED's, they are by far the most relaxed and welcoming experience company out there.
You are talking rubbish, I have worked for Everyman for 13 years, almost as long as you been alive, and there is no restriction to the speed that the customer drives!! Many of the instructors have been there longer than myself, & will push people to the limit, depending upon that persons true ability!!! Edited by Killer Crossover on Tuesday 1st December 15:51
Are you on commission for promoting the set up you are working for???
Killer Crossover said:
ichbintk said:
Killer Crossover said:
I'm not trying to promote anything and i am certainly not trying to pan the setup or instructing at everyman!! If you had looked at my post properly you would have seen that actually said that o wasn't knocking the everyman experience as they have great cars and instructors!! They have probably the best setup in the industry which is proven by their massive success. All i was saying was, in recent experience, the footage i have seen of everyman experiences didn't look as quick as they used to be. If i am wrong then my apologies. I am not talking rubbish, i am just saying what i have seen. No offence meant, and i'm not selfishly plugging my company.
I think the videos seem slower than they actually are. Down the main straight in the Gallardo at everyman I hit 120ish and had to slam on the brakes in order to make the corner at the end. However, in the video it looks much slower. I think it's due to the openness of the track and the fact you don't have many stationary objects with which to judge speed when watching a video. Definitely no limits on revs or speed, although the instructors tell you to change up when the engine hits the top of the power curve and teach you the correct speed for corners (sometimes slower is better, as I found out). Cannot fault Everyman in any way. The staff, cars and facilities were all top noch Edited by Killer Crossover on Wednesday 2nd December 11:01
.P.S. I drove there in August '08
1. The Palmer days are definitely one of the best out there due to the variety of cars available and that you are encouraged to really push them. The full day is quite costly (around £750) however they have started doing half days packages which are much more reasonable at around half that. However you only get to drive half of the cars but you still get sufficient track time.
2. I also paid £66 recently for 4 laps in a G Spyder at Brunters with Driversdreamdays. It was a pretty pleasurable experience and we were last on so they were much more relaxed by this time. Of course the 4 laps went far too quickly but I was suprised how much that let me and my friends push the cars. On the first couple of laps you have to pass through the chicane on the main straight but the next time you pass through they let you miss it and hit 155 mph! I was barely getting into my stride before it was over but for £66 I an't complain! FYI, they were doing a special 3 for 2 offer so meant I could take a couple of mates along too! Definitely worth a punt if they still do that offer...
3. 6th gear experiences - never been myself but heard lots of great things and they have some very specials cars.
2. I also paid £66 recently for 4 laps in a G Spyder at Brunters with Driversdreamdays. It was a pretty pleasurable experience and we were last on so they were much more relaxed by this time. Of course the 4 laps went far too quickly but I was suprised how much that let me and my friends push the cars. On the first couple of laps you have to pass through the chicane on the main straight but the next time you pass through they let you miss it and hit 155 mph! I was barely getting into my stride before it was over but for £66 I an't complain! FYI, they were doing a special 3 for 2 offer so meant I could take a couple of mates along too! Definitely worth a punt if they still do that offer...
3. 6th gear experiences - never been myself but heard lots of great things and they have some very specials cars.
Edited by adam24 on Wednesday 2nd December 18:20
astonluv said:
ginettajoe said:
Killer Crossover said:
My current company (Driving Experiences Direct) is in my opinion the best i have worked for. I have worked for Everyman at prestwold hall and they don't let you drive all that quickly. I am certainly not knocking their experiences, and they have some great cars and instructors. Being an instructor for my current company, i can say in full confidence that the customer will get the best out of the car they are drivng. We don't mind taking the cars past 5k, just have to make sure customers aren't bouncing off the limiter. If a customer is really on it, then i tend to give them a full race instructors lap at the end to really finish the experience off. We also tend to not own all the cars, but hire cars in so we get to pick an choose the best models. At the moment we have an LP560 gallardo (it will be a 560 spyder next year) 2 gallardo spyders, a murcielago (lp640 next year) 3 360's, an ariel atom, and a lot of others (aston's and porsche's) We are also getting a 458 italia early next year which will be immense. I can vouch for DED's, they are by far the most relaxed and welcoming experience company out there.
You are talking rubbish, I have worked for Everyman for 13 years, almost as long as you been alive, and there is no restriction to the speed that the customer drives!! Many of the instructors have been there longer than myself, & will push people to the limit, depending upon that persons true ability!!! Edited by Killer Crossover on Tuesday 1st December 15:51
Are you on commission for promoting the set up you are working for???
Killer Crossover said:
ginettajoe said:
Killer Crossover said:
My current company (Driving Experiences Direct) is in my opinion the best i have worked for. I have worked for Everyman at prestwold hall and they don't let you drive all that quickly. I am certainly not knocking their experiences, and they have some great cars and instructors. Being an instructor for my current company, i can say in full confidence that the customer will get the best out of the car they are drivng. We don't mind taking the cars past 5k, just have to make sure customers aren't bouncing off the limiter. If a customer is really on it, then i tend to give them a full race instructors lap at the end to really finish the experience off. We also tend to not own all the cars, but hire cars in so we get to pick an choose the best models. At the moment we have an LP560 gallardo (it will be a 560 spyder next year) 2 gallardo spyders, a murcielago (lp640 next year) 3 360's, an ariel atom, and a lot of others (aston's and porsche's) We are also getting a 458 italia early next year which will be immense. I can vouch for DED's, they are by far the most relaxed and welcoming experience company out there.
You are talking rubbish, I have worked for Everyman for 13 years, almost as long as you been alive, and there is no restriction to the speed that the customer drives!! Many of the instructors have been there longer than myself, & will push people to the limit, depending upon that persons true ability!!! Edited by Killer Crossover on Tuesday 1st December 15:51
Are you on commission for promoting the set up you are working for???
................................ does that mean "they don't let you drive quickly" or does it mean "didn't look as quick as they used to be"????? A few lessons in English grammar wouldn't go amiss!!!!
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