Choosing cars for a supercar drive
Discussion
A nice dilemma .
I attended a charity Classic car meeting last weekend and was fortunate to win first prize in the raffle , a supercar driving experience at a chosen race track ( for me , Brands Hatch) 6 laps in each car with an instructor
I have to choose 5 cars from the given list
These are
AM DB9
Audi R8
F 430
Gallardo
Nissan GT-R
911 Carrera
BMW i8
Aerial Atom
My problem is , The old bones are not as flexible as they used to be ,arthritis etc , so I have to base my choice on my physical abilities , as a bench mark , With a slight struggle I can get in and out of my MX5 , The leather seats help .
The Atom is out , I fear the Lambo may also be out , The AM could be considered ( having driven my brothers )
Otherwise I am open to suggestions as which cars provide easy access
I attended a charity Classic car meeting last weekend and was fortunate to win first prize in the raffle , a supercar driving experience at a chosen race track ( for me , Brands Hatch) 6 laps in each car with an instructor
I have to choose 5 cars from the given list
These are
AM DB9
Audi R8
F 430
Gallardo
Nissan GT-R
911 Carrera
BMW i8
Aerial Atom
My problem is , The old bones are not as flexible as they used to be ,arthritis etc , so I have to base my choice on my physical abilities , as a bench mark , With a slight struggle I can get in and out of my MX5 , The leather seats help .
The Atom is out , I fear the Lambo may also be out , The AM could be considered ( having driven my brothers )
Otherwise I am open to suggestions as which cars provide easy access
Agreed, it would be a shame to miss the Atom... I did a driving day at Bedford some years ago in some very impressive cars, single seaters etc and the Atom was the stand-out for me.
Put another way, its only a one-off experience, not cars you have to live with. Surely you can get in and out of the cars you want once, by hook or by crook...
Entry and exit from a track-spec McLaren was a bit tricky due to the huge sills, doors and carbon buckets. I doubt any of those cars are like that (though the i8 is quite tricky, from experience)
Put another way, its only a one-off experience, not cars you have to live with. Surely you can get in and out of the cars you want once, by hook or by crook...
Entry and exit from a track-spec McLaren was a bit tricky due to the huge sills, doors and carbon buckets. I doubt any of those cars are like that (though the i8 is quite tricky, from experience)
Quags said:
The atom is actually pretty easy to get in, as there's no roof, just step over and drop in. It's such an experience it would be a shame to miss it.
Quoting this to agree wholeheartedly. If you've never been in something similar before driven by someone who knows exactly what they're doing then this will completely readjust your concept of what fast is.Leaving aside the massive can of worms that on your supercar experience, even if we are being generous, only 3 of those is a supercar (oh no, I've gone and done it now, this will be a 50 page thread won't it?), I have some experience of these, and have actually owned a couple. Personally from this list I would go for variety, as they all have different character and you want to experience as many different types of car as possible.
I owned an F430 and it absolutely justifies it's reputation, it's just magic to drive and has that classic screaming Ferrari V8. If you haven't driven a V8 Ferrari flat out then it's something you just have to do, so that needs to be on the list.
AM DB9 is another car I have owned. It's more of a GT car than a supercar, but I do love a V12s so i will include it as it'll have a character quite different from the others.
Aerial Atom; totally different to everything else on the road, let along anything on this list. You have to do this one, no questions.
The R8 and Gallardo are both of a fairly similar character. No, I'm not saying they are the same car with different badges, just that they are probably the two most similar cars out of the 9. Pick one of the two. If it's a V8 R8 then I'd go with the Gallardo though just because it's a lambo and they are cool, if it's a V10 R8 then go with that because (whisper it) it's probably a better car than the lambo.
Nissan GT-R; probably the most track ready car on the list after the Atom. You'll be able to really chuck it about, so worth including as well
So that'll be:
F430
Gallardo or Audi R8
Aerial Atom
Nissan GT-R
AM DB9
I'll leave the 911 Carrera and i8 out. The i8 is a technically very impressive and clever car, but not really ideal for the track. The 911 is one of the best all-round sports cars on the planet, but doesn't excel in any one area well enough to bump one of the cars above.
So, that's my opinion. You are free to disagree completely.
I owned an F430 and it absolutely justifies it's reputation, it's just magic to drive and has that classic screaming Ferrari V8. If you haven't driven a V8 Ferrari flat out then it's something you just have to do, so that needs to be on the list.
AM DB9 is another car I have owned. It's more of a GT car than a supercar, but I do love a V12s so i will include it as it'll have a character quite different from the others.
Aerial Atom; totally different to everything else on the road, let along anything on this list. You have to do this one, no questions.
The R8 and Gallardo are both of a fairly similar character. No, I'm not saying they are the same car with different badges, just that they are probably the two most similar cars out of the 9. Pick one of the two. If it's a V8 R8 then I'd go with the Gallardo though just because it's a lambo and they are cool, if it's a V10 R8 then go with that because (whisper it) it's probably a better car than the lambo.
Nissan GT-R; probably the most track ready car on the list after the Atom. You'll be able to really chuck it about, so worth including as well
So that'll be:
F430
Gallardo or Audi R8
Aerial Atom
Nissan GT-R
AM DB9
I'll leave the 911 Carrera and i8 out. The i8 is a technically very impressive and clever car, but not really ideal for the track. The 911 is one of the best all-round sports cars on the planet, but doesn't excel in any one area well enough to bump one of the cars above.
So, that's my opinion. You are free to disagree completely.
Tbh I would be contacting the organiser and explain your situation and then hopefully on the day you can make your decision for the 5 cars based on what you can physically get in ?
If you know the Aston works for you then not sure say the 911 or the R8 or the GTR are necessarily guaranteed although think all 3 would actually be more fun to drive on the track than the DB9.
Alternatively the organiser may be happy for you to do more laps in less cars ?
If all else fails say the Atom then once in say you can’t get out so can you just do the other laps in that ?!
I’m sure whatever you choose you’ll have a great time.
If you know the Aston works for you then not sure say the 911 or the R8 or the GTR are necessarily guaranteed although think all 3 would actually be more fun to drive on the track than the DB9.
Alternatively the organiser may be happy for you to do more laps in less cars ?
If all else fails say the Atom then once in say you can’t get out so can you just do the other laps in that ?!
I’m sure whatever you choose you’ll have a great time.
RSTurboPaul said:
What have you driven / owned before?
I would choose something different if you have previously owned a fast car / supercar.
IME the 911 was interesting because it felt exactly like the reviews said it did - bobbly front end that required careful management!
Thanks for all the comments Guys ( and if applicable Girls )I would choose something different if you have previously owned a fast car / supercar.
IME the 911 was interesting because it felt exactly like the reviews said it did - bobbly front end that required careful management!
I am quoting from the above to highlight , apart for a short drive in my brothers DB9 , I have never had the fortune to drive or own a" supercar". All my driving has been in “bread and butter cars” Generally the suggestions have helped me select the 5 cars , which BTW I have to list when making the booking .
With regard to the Atom , that appears to be a summer car , so depending on the dates it may not be available , as has been said , it’s an open frame so should be easy to get in ( or put on ) I will definitely pass on the 911 , I would be wary of its reputation , could easily end up with a front wheel drive 911, but then with a supervisor on board with a kill switch all the cars will likely not be given their heads.
I did a ‘supercar’ day last month.
As you're unable to max these cars, due to track layout, being unfamiliar, passenger instructor etc , my favourite from the day was the R8 v8. Very accessible performance, a nice noise and comfortable too.
McLaren 570 also was very nice, but I’d take home the Audi.
As you're unable to max these cars, due to track layout, being unfamiliar, passenger instructor etc , my favourite from the day was the R8 v8. Very accessible performance, a nice noise and comfortable too.
McLaren 570 also was very nice, but I’d take home the Audi.
As others have said, for thrils these things are pants, even for quite a sedate driver. But as a chance to drive a few nice cars about, it's something cool.
Get in the cars you like most, and imagine you're driving to the shops since they won't let you go much quicker.
Looks like 6th Gear are running it based on the cars. Just as a heads up, my dad did the Atom and they made him do the whole lap in 4th and 5th, so forget about feeling that acceleration.
Get in the cars you like most, and imagine you're driving to the shops since they won't let you go much quicker.
Looks like 6th Gear are running it based on the cars. Just as a heads up, my dad did the Atom and they made him do the whole lap in 4th and 5th, so forget about feeling that acceleration.
I did one of these years ago.
It was pretty boring as the "instructors" were very nannying and didn't allow anything over 50% of the available revs to be used, or for more than about 10% of the braking performance to be used.
From a similar list (no Atom) I ended up driving ...
AM V8V (meh - felt very similar to my E39 M5 that was my daily driver at the time)
Ferrari F430 (it's a Ferrari! It made a lovely noise)
Lambo Gallardo (similar to Ferrari, but everything watered down a notch)
Nissan GTR (holy s
tballs! Even driving it in the "nanny approved" manner you could tell this was something a bit spicy! 
)
I then got to drive an Atom at another of these events - one where the instructors were much more enthusiastic - and WOW, it is like nothing else I've ever driven. If there is any way you can get your body into an Atom - which isn't that difficult, the steering wheel comes off, you stand on the seat, and it's a similar movement to going from standing up to reclining down in a bathtub - then you should absolutely take advantage of it. Even at reasonably sedate speeds it will blow your mind.
It was pretty boring as the "instructors" were very nannying and didn't allow anything over 50% of the available revs to be used, or for more than about 10% of the braking performance to be used.
From a similar list (no Atom) I ended up driving ...
AM V8V (meh - felt very similar to my E39 M5 that was my daily driver at the time)
Ferrari F430 (it's a Ferrari! It made a lovely noise)
Lambo Gallardo (similar to Ferrari, but everything watered down a notch)
Nissan GTR (holy s
tballs! Even driving it in the "nanny approved" manner you could tell this was something a bit spicy! )I then got to drive an Atom at another of these events - one where the instructors were much more enthusiastic - and WOW, it is like nothing else I've ever driven. If there is any way you can get your body into an Atom - which isn't that difficult, the steering wheel comes off, you stand on the seat, and it's a similar movement to going from standing up to reclining down in a bathtub - then you should absolutely take advantage of it. Even at reasonably sedate speeds it will blow your mind.
I did something similar at rockingham years ago.
I'd never driven an Atom before, never really heard of it, but despite them insisting I left it in 5th, I was passing everything else on track.
I then hopped into a Nissan GTR, which was in comparison the slowest boat going, wallowing round corners and because I wasn't permitted to rev, really sedate.
I'd half intended to get a GTR at some point, but having never really heard of it, I went home did the man maths, loaned myself the money and ordered an Atom.
I would defo suggest you try it if you get a chance.
I'd never driven an Atom before, never really heard of it, but despite them insisting I left it in 5th, I was passing everything else on track.
I then hopped into a Nissan GTR, which was in comparison the slowest boat going, wallowing round corners and because I wasn't permitted to rev, really sedate.
I'd half intended to get a GTR at some point, but having never really heard of it, I went home did the man maths, loaned myself the money and ordered an Atom.
I would defo suggest you try it if you get a chance.
phil4 said:
I did something similar at rockingham years ago.
I'd never driven an Atom before, never really heard of it, but despite them insisting I left it in 5th, I was passing everything else on track.
I then hopped into a Nissan GTR, which was in comparison the slowest boat going, wallowing round corners and because I wasn't permitted to rev, really sedate.
I'd half intended to get a GTR at some point, but having never really heard of it, I went home did the man maths, loaned myself the money and ordered an Atom.
I would defo suggest you try it if you get a chance.
I hope you gave yourself a decent interest rate !I'd never driven an Atom before, never really heard of it, but despite them insisting I left it in 5th, I was passing everything else on track.
I then hopped into a Nissan GTR, which was in comparison the slowest boat going, wallowing round corners and because I wasn't permitted to rev, really sedate.
I'd half intended to get a GTR at some point, but having never really heard of it, I went home did the man maths, loaned myself the money and ordered an Atom.
I would defo suggest you try it if you get a chance.
I'll add another voice to those saying you shouldn't expect too much.
I have done a few experience days with various cars, some have been brilliant and let me drive them hard, most have been very nannying with a short and simple track and an instructor telling me to leave it in 4th the whole time. Best to see this as just a chance to get behind the wheel of these cars and enjoy being in them while they are on the move, rather than go in expecting to drive fast.
I have done a few experience days with various cars, some have been brilliant and let me drive them hard, most have been very nannying with a short and simple track and an instructor telling me to leave it in 4th the whole time. Best to see this as just a chance to get behind the wheel of these cars and enjoy being in them while they are on the move, rather than go in expecting to drive fast.
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