Thursday 15th July 2004

La Manga Racing

Want to learn to race? Why not get up to speed in Spain?

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A new race school has been launched this week - with a difference. La Manga Racing is a new racing driver school and driving academy based at the La Manga Club in south east Spain.

La Manga Racing can offer three days of driving some great road and race cars combined with a visit to the holiday destination.

The race school will offer three-day intensive courses at the Circuito de Cartagena, a short drive from the La Manga Club base. The school will use a range of vehicles including the stunningly quick Radical Supersport, the Ferrari 456, Formula Vauxhall single-seater and Renault Clio Cup racing cars, Lotus 7 replicas and Honda Civic training cars. Race circuit operations will be led by Clive Greenhalgh, who has a long racing history in the UK and vast experience of operating race schools.

La Manga Racing is endorsed by one of the UK’s top professional motor racing teams, Barwell Motorsport – 2003 BTCC Production Champions. Barwell Motorsport has used the undulating Cartagena circuit for many pre-season test sessions, along with BTCC driving stars, Tom Chilton and Luke Hines. The 2.2 mile track has a fantastic mixture of corners and poses an exciting challenge for drivers. Tom Chilton commented on his visit: “Cartagena is a very enjoyable circuit and rewarding for drivers of all standards.”

In addition to school activity, La Manga Racing will operate driver academies for more established racing drivers, who want to improve their technique and their lap times. This activity will be led by Mark McCloughlin, ex-Formula Renault star and now a successful driver coach in Spain.

School operations are scheduled to start in October 2004 with the initial 3-day intensive courses running on :

• 11th - 13th October
• 27th - 29th October
• 8th - 10th December

The school will operate principally between October and May when the weather in Spain in warm and mild, and the likelihood of rain is especially slim in the La Manga Club region. La Manga Racing is also finalising plans to offer 4x4 off-road training.

Complete La Manga Racing packages will be available through the official operator, Barwell Leisure, who have been specialists in La Manga since 1970. Barwell will arrange flights to the nearby airport of Murcia, accommodation at the 5-star La Manga Club Resort and race school bookings. Prices start at £1998 including flight, luxury accommodation, and the 3-day intensive race school. Longer tailor-made packages for driver plus family can be arranged by Barwell Leisure.

Potential customers should contact Barwell Leisure on 0208 786 3090 – www.barwelleisure.com.

Link : www.lamangaracing.com
 

[Super_Marv]

[quote]The school will operate principally between October and May when the weather in Spain in warm and mild, and the likelihood of rain is especially slim in the La Manga Club region.[/quote]

Seeing as most racing drivers in Europe will usually have to encounter a wet race during their career, surely a bit of rain in a whilest partaking in a training course is no bad thing?

Sounds a bit expensive too

[v12v8]

Expensive? You have to be kidding. At that price, its hard to see how they can make any money. Break down the airfares, accommodation, transfers to the track, tracktime, tuition and I think it looks a bargain.

Good luck to them.

[Mark M]

I thought it sounded almost reasonable. Flights, accomodation, Ferraris etc. How much would it be to do a 3 Palmer days in "sunny" Bedfordshire staying @ the local Travel Inn?

Anyway, I now know what I want to do for my 40th birthday in February. How do I get this onto the wifes Email...

[DustyC]

Good excuse to get married, the perfect stag do

[jamesc]

The circuit is fantastic! A great place to learn over the winter.

[Dodge]

My Dad lives round there - might be open to a bit of lower cost short-term apartment renting

Also, in terms of value - think of a 1 day driver training course, here in the UK, in your car - that can be £600 or more...


>> Edited by Dodge on Friday 16th July 15:26