Advice, please - the Vantage is better than me
Discussion
Heading for 2 years of V8 Vantage ownership (2014 non-S followed by past six month of 2016 S) and its still a magical experience. Every drive is special.
But the reality is that the Vantage is simply much better than me. I need to tool up with a higher level of driver experience after nearly 30 years of holding a license and zero track experience (I’ll probably first track my Twingo RS for cheap low-cost thrills).
Therefore I’d appreciate some advice; what courses (genuine training, not just 20 min hooning) does everyone recommend? I’m thinking higher speed control, skid pan, etc.
I’m sure it’ll all be fun, but I genuinely want to experience the Vantage beyond it’s limits in situations that could occur on the road (ice, danger avoidance...).
The catch: I would rather do this with some else’s Vantage. Insurance can be a problem off a public road, tyre and brake wear, etc. increased. I’d prefer to know the total cost up-front and go with a reputable company who have a V8 Vantage (preferably Sport Shift) in their fleet.
Thanks!
But the reality is that the Vantage is simply much better than me. I need to tool up with a higher level of driver experience after nearly 30 years of holding a license and zero track experience (I’ll probably first track my Twingo RS for cheap low-cost thrills).
Therefore I’d appreciate some advice; what courses (genuine training, not just 20 min hooning) does everyone recommend? I’m thinking higher speed control, skid pan, etc.
I’m sure it’ll all be fun, but I genuinely want to experience the Vantage beyond it’s limits in situations that could occur on the road (ice, danger avoidance...).
The catch: I would rather do this with some else’s Vantage. Insurance can be a problem off a public road, tyre and brake wear, etc. increased. I’d prefer to know the total cost up-front and go with a reputable company who have a V8 Vantage (preferably Sport Shift) in their fleet.
Thanks!
The only one i can think of that will have a Vantage is the official AM PDC at Millbrook
Otherwise take your own car to MIllbrook with CAT driver training or try www.carlimits.com who use a range of airfields to train on. I have done both in the past and learnt lots on both days.
Otherwise take your own car to MIllbrook with CAT driver training or try www.carlimits.com who use a range of airfields to train on. I have done both in the past and learnt lots on both days.
As above, the Aston run courses at Millbrook (if they still offer them) are probably the most appropriate. They sometimes crop up via dealers when there's a cancellation (I was offered one once but it was very short notice so missed out). From memory they used to be about £1500. The benefit, other than being able to stretch the legs of the current Aston models in a safe environment, is that you're driving a car very much like your own.
The tuition days at Silverstone etc might throw you in a featherweight Elise or Caterham, that doesn't behave like a Vantage (with twice the weight and a different engine configuration). They're good for learning about track driving, but as you say, Nick - it's better to be driving something akin to what you enjoy driving on the road.
Just to add, I've still not got around to doing the Aston course; the closest I got was with Nev on a brief Rapide AMR prototype drive last year. That taught me a lot about the limits of a fettled Rapide (bending the rules of physics
).
The tuition days at Silverstone etc might throw you in a featherweight Elise or Caterham, that doesn't behave like a Vantage (with twice the weight and a different engine configuration). They're good for learning about track driving, but as you say, Nick - it's better to be driving something akin to what you enjoy driving on the road.
Just to add, I've still not got around to doing the Aston course; the closest I got was with Nev on a brief Rapide AMR prototype drive last year. That taught me a lot about the limits of a fettled Rapide (bending the rules of physics
).Thanks all for the responses! Appreciated.
OK - driving my own car would be the most useful to fully understand how it'd react. So, out of interest, how does it go with insurance typically? I went with Locktons on an agreed value, but would have to check the small print or give them a call.
Not too worried about the steel brakes and tyres can be replaced easily. I just don't want to stuff it...
OK - driving my own car would be the most useful to fully understand how it'd react. So, out of interest, how does it go with insurance typically? I went with Locktons on an agreed value, but would have to check the small print or give them a call.
Not too worried about the steel brakes and tyres can be replaced easily. I just don't want to stuff it...
NFC 85 Vette said:
As above, the Aston run courses at Millbrook (if they still offer them) are probably the most appropriate. They sometimes crop up via dealers when there's a cancellation (I was offered one once but it was very short notice so missed out). From memory they used to be about £1500. The benefit, other than being able to stretch the legs of the current Aston models in a safe environment, is that you're driving a car very much like your own.
The tuition days at Silverstone etc might throw you in a featherweight Elise or Caterham, that doesn't behave like a Vantage (with twice the weight and a different engine configuration). They're good for learning about track driving, but as you say, Nick - it's better to be driving something akin to what you enjoy driving on the road.
Just to add, I've still not got around to doing the Aston course; the closest I got was with Nev on a brief Rapide AMR prototype drive last year. That taught me a lot about the limits of a fettled Rapide (bending the rules of physics ).
All makes sense (and I'm curious as to how vicious these cars can be in the right hands as was demo'd to you in a Rapide...).The tuition days at Silverstone etc might throw you in a featherweight Elise or Caterham, that doesn't behave like a Vantage (with twice the weight and a different engine configuration). They're good for learning about track driving, but as you say, Nick - it's better to be driving something akin to what you enjoy driving on the road.
Just to add, I've still not got around to doing the Aston course; the closest I got was with Nev on a brief Rapide AMR prototype drive last year. That taught me a lot about the limits of a fettled Rapide (bending the rules of physics
).The official Astute Millbrook course is here: https://www.astonmartinartofliving.com/experience/...
From their web page "Choose from DBS, New Vantage, DB11 V12 & V8 or Rapide S. Other options are available on request.". I suppose I'd have to be quick as they will drop the older Vantage fully in the near future for practical reasons, I'm sure.
A few years ago I did a wet handing day at Rockingham, a group event organised via SportsMaserati. It was good, though a bit more actual tuition and 1:1 commentary and feedback would have been helpful. It obviously didn't provide anything in the way of performance driving tuition, but was good at helping understand how to correct skids and provide a bit more confidence in what to do when one or both ends of the car start wandering off in unexpected directions.
Back to the original question, I've heard very good things about Car Limits and will one day treat myself to a day there, ideally before I replace those bloody PZeros with some Michelins.
Back to the original question, I've heard very good things about Car Limits and will one day treat myself to a day there, ideally before I replace those bloody PZeros with some Michelins.
nickv8 said:
Thanks all for the responses! Appreciated.
OK - driving my own car would be the most useful to fully understand how it'd react. So, out of interest, how does it go with insurance typically? I went with Locktons on an agreed value, but would have to check the small print or give them a call.
Not too worried about the steel brakes and tyres can be replaced easily. I just don't want to stuff it...
Carlimits days are on airfields ....just you in the middle of acres of black tarmac. The biggest cost is usually tyres, sometimes brakes ...time it for when you are a thousand miles or so off new tyres and you can finish them off on the day OK - driving my own car would be the most useful to fully understand how it'd react. So, out of interest, how does it go with insurance typically? I went with Locktons on an agreed value, but would have to check the small print or give them a call.
Not too worried about the steel brakes and tyres can be replaced easily. I just don't want to stuff it...
nickv8 said:
Thanks all for the responses! Appreciated.
OK - driving my own car would be the most useful to fully understand how it'd react. So, out of interest, how does it go with insurance typically? I went with Locktons on an agreed value, but would have to check the small print or give them a call.
Not too worried about the steel brakes and tyres can be replaced easily. I just don't want to stuff it...
I had an Aston on a Locktons policy a few years back and I’m sure it came with some track cover. Maybe this sort of thing would be covered under that?OK - driving my own car would be the most useful to fully understand how it'd react. So, out of interest, how does it go with insurance typically? I went with Locktons on an agreed value, but would have to check the small print or give them a call.
Not too worried about the steel brakes and tyres can be replaced easily. I just don't want to stuff it...
nickv8 said:
Thanks all for the responses! Appreciated.
OK - driving my own car would be the most useful to fully understand how it'd react. So, out of interest, how does it go with insurance typically? I went with Locktons on an agreed value, but would have to check the small print or give them a call.
Not too worried about the steel brakes and tyres can be replaced easily. I just don't want to stuff it...
I have seen this sort of sentiment a lot with motorbike trackday virgins worrying about crashing, but reality is you will be fine because you know your limits. If you go to Milbrook just go, enjoy the day and return a better driver with a big smile, you and your car will be fine.OK - driving my own car would be the most useful to fully understand how it'd react. So, out of interest, how does it go with insurance typically? I went with Locktons on an agreed value, but would have to check the small print or give them a call.
Not too worried about the steel brakes and tyres can be replaced easily. I just don't want to stuff it...
^wot ‘e sed.
I did CAT at Millbrook when I had my 996 turbo. Never felt close to stacking it. The only worries were (a) repeatedly driving in a tight circle trying to induce loss of traction (you can starve one bank of cylinders of oil - the instructor knew when to stop well before that happened); and (b) putting a wheel onto the grass on the handling circuit and taking the tyre off the rim bringing it back on (never came close - it was just pointed out to be a risk).
There were no other cars around and the immoveable objects are placed well out of reach.
I did CAT at Millbrook when I had my 996 turbo. Never felt close to stacking it. The only worries were (a) repeatedly driving in a tight circle trying to induce loss of traction (you can starve one bank of cylinders of oil - the instructor knew when to stop well before that happened); and (b) putting a wheel onto the grass on the handling circuit and taking the tyre off the rim bringing it back on (never came close - it was just pointed out to be a risk).
There were no other cars around and the immoveable objects are placed well out of reach.
Thanks all again for the messages. Sorry for the delay, but I was away for the weekend and just got a response from the official AM training days as to which cars are now available:
So, I'll have to ask at Locktons, etc. Carlimits has been mentioned a few times, so will look further.
Appreciated!
- DB11 Volante
- DB11 Coupe
- New Vantage
- Rapide S
- DBS
So, I'll have to ask at Locktons, etc. Carlimits has been mentioned a few times, so will look further.
Appreciated!
Did you have a chance to check with the AMR Nürburgring Performance Centre located adjacent to the Nürburgring track?
https://www.astonmartinlagonda.com/about-us/locati...
They offer everything from safety trainings (wet skid pan, high speed braking) to preparation for serious racing competition, and they own three old Vantage more or less according to GT4-level of conversion.
You may contact them for details: rebecca.kessler@astonmartin.com or call +49 2691 938 5014
https://www.astonmartinlagonda.com/about-us/locati...
They offer everything from safety trainings (wet skid pan, high speed braking) to preparation for serious racing competition, and they own three old Vantage more or less according to GT4-level of conversion.
You may contact them for details: rebecca.kessler@astonmartin.com or call +49 2691 938 5014
Felonious said:
I'll be doing a Car Limits 4-driver training day at North Weald in May, along with two Maseratis and a TVR. I'll report back afterward. As I've read that North Weal tends to be a bit gritty I shall be slathering Tracktape over the sills and other vulnerable areas first.
Good point - never considered that. Would appreciate your thoughts afterwards Gassing Station | Aston Martin | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff