Millbrook Aston Martin day: Wowsers
Discussion
Last week I attended the Millbrook Proving Ground day for Aston Martin, and can honestly say I haven't stopped smiling since.
We drove a large range of Astons on various courses: One mile straight, which was my first of the day in the V12 Vantage - managed to touch 160mph and then slam it down to 0 within a mile, the latter part almost took my face off due to the amazing ceramics.
Second was the handling circuit in the 2012 vantage, where the instructor walks you through the essentials of performance driving: racing lines, how hard to brake, when to accelerate really showing off that the mere V8V is an immense track car.
Third was the Hill route circuit in the Vantage S and the Virage which is described in the manual as: "This unique facility is used primarily by Millbrook in the evaluation of powertrains,transmissions, dynamics, braking and active systems. In many ways the ultimate challenge. Steep gradients, flowing corners and sharp hairpin bends have been carefully created, so you are not only going to need everything you’ve learnt about performance driving, you will need fast reactions and a cool head!"
Fourth was the high speed bowl in the DBS...wow, this single handedly would have been worth the wonga I spent on the day. The manual describes it as "The Bowl is used for accumulation with constant dynamic forces for the integrated evaluation of durability, brake performance, brake cooling and powertrain cooling. It is three-hundred-and-sixty degrees of pure adrenalin. This unique experience demands total concentration, intense focus and confidence in both yourself and the Aston Martin. The secure environment of the Bowl really is the place to discover the true definition of high-speed balance"
They weren't kidding about the concentration, once reaching the 'optimum speed' for each lane on the bowl, the instructor asked me to take my hands off the steering wheel and cross my arms. To which I replied, 'No thanks'
'Trust me mate, the centrifugal force and the precise speed you're travelling at will ensure you're safe'...and behold I was travelling at 74mph in a perfect circle, with no hands...then he asked me to change lanes with NO HANDS...so I increased the speed to 103mph exactly changed lanes and remained in the 100mph lane perfectly...hands free!
Final course was the City circuit in the Rapide...what a lovely machine, it's no V12V / DBS, but it certainly packs a punch for a 'family car'
Overall a thoroughly enjoyable experience and highly recommended for new Aston drivers who want to know what their toys are truly capable of!
Attached is a pic of my car parked alongside my fellow drivers who also attended.
We drove a large range of Astons on various courses: One mile straight, which was my first of the day in the V12 Vantage - managed to touch 160mph and then slam it down to 0 within a mile, the latter part almost took my face off due to the amazing ceramics.
Second was the handling circuit in the 2012 vantage, where the instructor walks you through the essentials of performance driving: racing lines, how hard to brake, when to accelerate really showing off that the mere V8V is an immense track car.
Third was the Hill route circuit in the Vantage S and the Virage which is described in the manual as: "This unique facility is used primarily by Millbrook in the evaluation of powertrains,transmissions, dynamics, braking and active systems. In many ways the ultimate challenge. Steep gradients, flowing corners and sharp hairpin bends have been carefully created, so you are not only going to need everything you’ve learnt about performance driving, you will need fast reactions and a cool head!"
Fourth was the high speed bowl in the DBS...wow, this single handedly would have been worth the wonga I spent on the day. The manual describes it as "The Bowl is used for accumulation with constant dynamic forces for the integrated evaluation of durability, brake performance, brake cooling and powertrain cooling. It is three-hundred-and-sixty degrees of pure adrenalin. This unique experience demands total concentration, intense focus and confidence in both yourself and the Aston Martin. The secure environment of the Bowl really is the place to discover the true definition of high-speed balance"
They weren't kidding about the concentration, once reaching the 'optimum speed' for each lane on the bowl, the instructor asked me to take my hands off the steering wheel and cross my arms. To which I replied, 'No thanks'
'Trust me mate, the centrifugal force and the precise speed you're travelling at will ensure you're safe'...and behold I was travelling at 74mph in a perfect circle, with no hands...then he asked me to change lanes with NO HANDS...so I increased the speed to 103mph exactly changed lanes and remained in the 100mph lane perfectly...hands free!
Final course was the City circuit in the Rapide...what a lovely machine, it's no V12V / DBS, but it certainly packs a punch for a 'family car'
Overall a thoroughly enjoyable experience and highly recommended for new Aston drivers who want to know what their toys are truly capable of!
Attached is a pic of my car parked alongside my fellow drivers who also attended.
Sounds like you had a great day out.
I went last month and managed 168 on the straight in the V12V. The bowl (as has Millbrook as an unwritten rule) has a 'speed limit' of 130mph.
Favourite part is the Alpine circuit. Fantastic fun in the V8V. It's like a go kart around there, the same as the handling circuit. I radically changed my outlook of this car, having realised afterwards that id been a V12 snob
Millbrook definitely has the facilities for all the AM models, and the owners. Lunch there is fantastic too. Glad to see you got a photograph before your lens had a security sticker put over it.
I went last month and managed 168 on the straight in the V12V. The bowl (as has Millbrook as an unwritten rule) has a 'speed limit' of 130mph.
Favourite part is the Alpine circuit. Fantastic fun in the V8V. It's like a go kart around there, the same as the handling circuit. I radically changed my outlook of this car, having realised afterwards that id been a V12 snob
Millbrook definitely has the facilities for all the AM models, and the owners. Lunch there is fantastic too. Glad to see you got a photograph before your lens had a security sticker put over it.
Jockman said:
What a brilliant day Barry !!
Shame you didn't get to drive the best Gaydon Aston of all.
And I don't mean the Cygnet
Ha, I presume you mean the Db9 jockman. No...I still haven't had the pleasure. Although the imagining something between a DBS and a Cygnet would have painted something close Shame you didn't get to drive the best Gaydon Aston of all.
And I don't mean the Cygnet
94bb said:
Ha, I presume you mean the Db9 jockman. No...I still haven't had the pleasure. Although the imagining something between a DBS and a Cygnet would have painted something close
The DB9 remains the most beautiful car Aston have ever made, Barry.Not the sportiest, nor the most aggressive looking, nor the most masculine.
Just a car that turns heads and makes people smile.
In a way....I'm glad you didn't waste it on the track
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