Discussion
slackalice said:
Lucky bugger. 
is this via a dealer?
Nope, open to anyone. is this via a dealer?Not sure what availability is like at this stage.
John
(eta: looks like they're all sold out)
Edited by LathamJohnP on Tuesday 26th June 16:33
slackalice said:
Thanks for the link John, I will see if there are any places at the remaining dates, just one thing though, do you know if you are restricted to the number of RPM's you can use just like at Ferrari days.
The site says no dates left 
Don't know about RPMs. I have low expectations - provided I get to drive the VXR8 hardish, I don't mind. It's more to guide my purchasing decision rather than a balls-out trackday - if I want that I'd book a BaT Caterham for a day.
John
Had a great day yesterday at Donington. Did 4 laps in the VXR8, and loads more in various VXR shopping cars.
The car felt quite slow on track in 4th gear, but nicely grunty in 3rd. This engine likes revs :-). It was a complete doddle to drive fast(ish) - I was expected to be intimidated, but found it a complete pussycat.
The gearshift is a bit ponderous.
There was a lot of "musical cars" in the pitlane as it was 2 laps then change car. This was fine as it meant you got a few goes in everything (and didn't kill the brakes). All laps were accompanied by instructors, and they varied hugely in their approach: some wanted us to avoid using the handbrake in the pitlane (to prevent the discs from warping), others preferred we did; some were happy with us using kerbs, others weren't. Some wanted to keep the VXR8 in fourth, some were happy with 3rd.... you get the picture.
I had occasionally difficulty distinguishing the (5) VXR8s in the pitlane from the Vectra VXRs. I'm not sure I like that.
After the circuit session, I realised that I hadn't heard the V8 much on track, either inside or outside the car. The standard exhaust is very civilised.
Also had a good poke around a silver VXR8 in the "showroom". The interior is great, apart from the handbrake, which is truly shocking, and the glovebox action/materials, which were a bit "fisher price". Very comfy seats, and a vast boot.
Blue and Red and both look nice "in the flesh". Silver looks shite. No black ones there.
Had a poke around the Walkinshaw garage. S/C install looked very neat. Exhaust quite loud. 20" wheels a bit flashy for me. They refused point blank to give me a passenger ride - "static display only", which I thought was a bit rude since I'd flown over specifically to evaluate the VXR8. I think, all things being equal, I'd rather give my money to someone who gives a toss (Wortec etc, presumably, though I've no experience of them).
Good chat with Stu Harris. Top bloke.
All in all: great day, love the VXR8, but probably needs a supercharger, exhaust, ripshift, and the Isofix mountings back again (must have sunk on route from Oz).
John
The car felt quite slow on track in 4th gear, but nicely grunty in 3rd. This engine likes revs :-). It was a complete doddle to drive fast(ish) - I was expected to be intimidated, but found it a complete pussycat.
The gearshift is a bit ponderous.
There was a lot of "musical cars" in the pitlane as it was 2 laps then change car. This was fine as it meant you got a few goes in everything (and didn't kill the brakes). All laps were accompanied by instructors, and they varied hugely in their approach: some wanted us to avoid using the handbrake in the pitlane (to prevent the discs from warping), others preferred we did; some were happy with us using kerbs, others weren't. Some wanted to keep the VXR8 in fourth, some were happy with 3rd.... you get the picture.
I had occasionally difficulty distinguishing the (5) VXR8s in the pitlane from the Vectra VXRs. I'm not sure I like that.
After the circuit session, I realised that I hadn't heard the V8 much on track, either inside or outside the car. The standard exhaust is very civilised.
Also had a good poke around a silver VXR8 in the "showroom". The interior is great, apart from the handbrake, which is truly shocking, and the glovebox action/materials, which were a bit "fisher price". Very comfy seats, and a vast boot.
Blue and Red and both look nice "in the flesh". Silver looks shite. No black ones there.
Had a poke around the Walkinshaw garage. S/C install looked very neat. Exhaust quite loud. 20" wheels a bit flashy for me. They refused point blank to give me a passenger ride - "static display only", which I thought was a bit rude since I'd flown over specifically to evaluate the VXR8. I think, all things being equal, I'd rather give my money to someone who gives a toss (Wortec etc, presumably, though I've no experience of them).
Good chat with Stu Harris. Top bloke.
All in all: great day, love the VXR8, but probably needs a supercharger, exhaust, ripshift, and the Isofix mountings back again (must have sunk on route from Oz).
John
Edited by LathamJohnP on Friday 6th July 11:02
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