Birthday Pressie - Single Seater Track Day - Advice Please.
Discussion
My good lady has expressed an interest in 'doing' a track day this year, and with her birthday looming, this seems like too good an opportunity for us both to take to the track.
I think Single seaters are the way to go, to get the real feel of a racing car.
Living in Hertfordshire I am thinking of Silverstone or Brands hatch, but I'm here to see if anyone has any alternative recommendations.
Any advice greatly appreciated.
I think Single seaters are the way to go, to get the real feel of a racing car.
Living in Hertfordshire I am thinking of Silverstone or Brands hatch, but I'm here to see if anyone has any alternative recommendations.
Any advice greatly appreciated.
Edited by Robw73 on Thursday 20th March 16:54
Ok, I'll elaborate:
I don't think they charge money for spectators on the palmersports days - I may be wrong. I know they do on trackdays, from my understanding, it's an insurance matter.
However, wrt the driving part: The various 'experience' days I've done elsewhere have been underwhelming to put it mildly. Strangled cars, not being allowed to push, use the whole rev range, etc. They might be 'alright' for bloggs that just wants to drive a ferrari/whatever, has never been on a track, or driven anything at all quickly. It's a novelty, if you've got any track experience, it's likely to be disappointing.
In contrast, palmersport instructors will encourage you to drive faster than you think possible, and, in the single seater will let you loose to go as quick as you like. For what it's worth, I think their evening program is the sweet spot, and try to make sure you drive the JP-LM before the formula car
Personally I think it's a matter of value for money - pricey, sure, but you get something for it - paying 150quid for a few strangled laps might be cheaper, but is it worthwhile. That's not to say that there aren't other places where you can really wring the car out, I don't know them, and palmersport regularly come up as the recommendation for this kind of thing.
I don't think they charge money for spectators on the palmersports days - I may be wrong. I know they do on trackdays, from my understanding, it's an insurance matter.
However, wrt the driving part: The various 'experience' days I've done elsewhere have been underwhelming to put it mildly. Strangled cars, not being allowed to push, use the whole rev range, etc. They might be 'alright' for bloggs that just wants to drive a ferrari/whatever, has never been on a track, or driven anything at all quickly. It's a novelty, if you've got any track experience, it's likely to be disappointing.
In contrast, palmersport instructors will encourage you to drive faster than you think possible, and, in the single seater will let you loose to go as quick as you like. For what it's worth, I think their evening program is the sweet spot, and try to make sure you drive the JP-LM before the formula car
Personally I think it's a matter of value for money - pricey, sure, but you get something for it - paying 150quid for a few strangled laps might be cheaper, but is it worthwhile. That's not to say that there aren't other places where you can really wring the car out, I don't know them, and palmersport regularly come up as the recommendation for this kind of thing.
upsidedownmark said:
Ok, I'll elaborate:
I don't think they charge money for spectators on the palmersports days - I may be wrong. I know they do on trackdays, from my understanding, it's an insurance matter.
However, wrt the driving part: The various 'experience' days I've done elsewhere have been underwhelming to put it mildly. Strangled cars, not being allowed to push, use the whole rev range, etc. They might be 'alright' for bloggs that just wants to drive a ferrari/whatever, has never been on a track, or driven anything at all quickly. It's a novelty, if you've got any track experience, it's likely to be disappointing.
In contrast, palmersport instructors will encourage you to drive faster than you think possible, and, in the single seater will let you loose to go as quick as you like. For what it's worth, I think their evening program is the sweet spot, and try to make sure you drive the JP-LM before the formula car
Personally I think it's a matter of value for money - pricey, sure, but you get something for it - paying 150quid for a few strangled laps might be cheaper, but is it worthwhile. That's not to say that there aren't other places where you can really wring the car out, I don't know them, and palmersport regularly come up as the recommendation for this kind of thing.
Thank you for your suggestion.I don't think they charge money for spectators on the palmersports days - I may be wrong. I know they do on trackdays, from my understanding, it's an insurance matter.
However, wrt the driving part: The various 'experience' days I've done elsewhere have been underwhelming to put it mildly. Strangled cars, not being allowed to push, use the whole rev range, etc. They might be 'alright' for bloggs that just wants to drive a ferrari/whatever, has never been on a track, or driven anything at all quickly. It's a novelty, if you've got any track experience, it's likely to be disappointing.
In contrast, palmersport instructors will encourage you to drive faster than you think possible, and, in the single seater will let you loose to go as quick as you like. For what it's worth, I think their evening program is the sweet spot, and try to make sure you drive the JP-LM before the formula car
Personally I think it's a matter of value for money - pricey, sure, but you get something for it - paying 150quid for a few strangled laps might be cheaper, but is it worthwhile. That's not to say that there aren't other places where you can really wring the car out, I don't know them, and palmersport regularly come up as the recommendation for this kind of thing.
This will be my wife's first venture on-track, and her first time driving anything other than a road car.
As a birthday gift, I think the whole 'being at Silverstone' just gives it that extra something.
Even if the performance of the car is not quite the same as PalmerSport, I'm pretty sure it'll be adequate enough, and of course the novelty of sitting that low to the floor, should be enough to impress.
Saying that, I'm welcome to further suggestions.
I'm sure the Silverstone one will be more than adequate for her. You are allowed to go as fast as you like and if you really try, you will experience downforce effects. I know the Palmersport one is on another level but it's also far more expensive. The Silverstone Single seater is far better than other supercar experiences, I've done it 3 times and even though I'm starting proper racing, I wouldn't mind doing it again.
Brands or Silverstone will look after her well in terms of briefing and hosting and all the other out-of-car stuff - very much the type of thing that the girls are likely to notice and appreciate. The time in car will very likely be (as suggested above) sufficiently new that she should feel like she has tasted some race experience.
Palmers is great but at nearly a grand a day it is not in the same category as the £200 experiences that most people (even PHers) might consider a sensible budget for a birthday present.
Palmers is great but at nearly a grand a day it is not in the same category as the £200 experiences that most people (even PHers) might consider a sensible budget for a birthday present.
All booked for Silverstone.
30 minute briefing, 20 minutes on track with a pace car, 20 minutes on track with no pace car, and a 15 minute de-brief, for £149, which I think is actually a pretty fair price for the amount of track time you get. Other packages at other circuits seem to offer you only a few set laps for a similar sort of price.
Thanks for all the input.
30 minute briefing, 20 minutes on track with a pace car, 20 minutes on track with no pace car, and a 15 minute de-brief, for £149, which I think is actually a pretty fair price for the amount of track time you get. Other packages at other circuits seem to offer you only a few set laps for a similar sort of price.
Thanks for all the input.
Gassing Station | Track Days | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff