6th Gear at Elvington

[blackcab]

Has anyone else done this ? - Been up today and been in the Lp640 for a session and then the M3 csl for a high speed lap - think next time will give the atom a whirl think the circuit is better suited to a smaller car

[insurance_jon]

Was on my way up for a nosey, but I filled up with contaminated fuel at the BP on the A64, which curtailed my day. The R8 wasn't happy.

[bigmanteebs]

Yeah i did the 360 Modena (span it, ooops) and M3 csl. My old man went in the LP640 amd produced the slowest 3 laps ever seen by mankind. Girlfriend is getting the Atom and LP640 experience day for x mas. Good value day i think.

BMT.

[mark_makak]

Yep - did the 360CS and Atom - had a great time

[Captain Beaky]

I did the Gallardo, F360 and AMV8, plus a LP640 passenger lap. A good day and friendly hosts.

I wanted to try these cars back-to-back with a view to a purchase. The only down side was that I couldn't take my Cerb on track on the same day.

[Mr Whippy]

My partner and I did the 360CS/LP640.

Thought the 360CS was really nice, the LP640 was boring... mainly because the LP640 co-pilot person was annoying in the LP640 (rev limit of 4500rpm was a joke, visibility imho was crap and made worse by having the rear view mirror setup for the co-driver person), wheras the 360CS co-pilot person let you 'drive' after a few laps once they knew you could...

Personally, I think the cheaper and less exotic stuff offers more fun. I wish I'd gone in the M3 CSL or 911 Turbo as a driver, along with the far cheaper Gallardo and still the 360CS, than paid a premium to experience what was essentially an LP320

Great little local track though, tempted to go there for a track day. Loads of run-off and a nice enough layout!

Dave

Edited by Mr Whippy on Wednesday 10th September 15:35

[simonspider]

Thanks for all your kind comments guys.

However we have never had a 4500rpm limit on any of the cars - we did have a day where the silencer came loose on the LP640 and had to restrict it to 5000rpm because of complaints from local residents! Most of the time though its around about 6000rpm because the circuit at Elvington isnt big enough to warrant any higher RPM, not because of restrictions on the car.
It hits the rev limiter many times per day with an Instructor behind the wheel doing passenger rides after all.
If MR Whippy would like to email me I'll gladly let you have another bash with my compliments, on one of the later dates this year

Simon

[jagdpanther]

simonspider said:

Thanks for all your kind comments guys.

However we have never had a 4500rpm limit on any of the cars - we did have a day where the silencer came loose on the LP640 and had to restrict it to 5000rpm because of complaints from local residents! Most of the time though its around about 6000rpm because the circuit at Elvington isnt big enough to warrant any higher RPM, not because of restrictions on the car.
It hits the rev limiter many times per day with an Instructor behind the wheel doing passenger rides after all.
If MR Whippy would like to email me I'll gladly let you have another bash with my compliments, on one of the later dates this year

Simon

I was told a while ago, about many of these kind of things running 4500rpm limiters, but from the people I know that have been on MANY different kind of things, no-one has confirmed! Glad to hear it's untrue Si

Out of curiosity, how much is it to hoon around in something like that?

Do you need an event photographer for the days


Cheeky sod I know

[blackcab]

simonspider said:

Thanks for all your kind comments guys.

However we have never had a 4500rpm limit on any of the cars - we did have a day where the silencer came loose on the LP640 and had to restrict it to 5000rpm because of complaints from local residents! Most of the time though its around about 6000rpm because the circuit at Elvington isnt big enough to warrant any higher RPM, not because of restrictions on the car.
It hits the rev limiter many times per day with an Instructor behind the wheel doing passenger rides after all.
If MR Whippy would like to email me I'll gladly let you have another bash with my compliments, on one of the later dates this year

Simon

No evidence of rev limiters when I was there, certainly not on the Lp that I drove or the other cars I saw getting hammered round the track, the Instructors seemed really relaxed ( could be my competent proffesional driving ability! ) I had a really good time and will be booking again, might even treat the wife to having a go.

maybe we can convince Simon to do a "special price" for a bit of a multi car medley ?? if any of you are interested?

[MitchT]

jagdpanther said:

I was told a while ago, about many of these kind of things running 4500rpm limiters, but from the people I know that have been on MANY different kind of things, no-one has confirmed!

I've heard of rev limits being imposed on some of these experiences, though I've only hard good things about the 6thGear events so when I do finally do one 6thGear is who I'll be doing it with.

Incidentally Simonspider, have you any plans to offer any 'older' supercars? I'd love to have a go in a Ferrari 328, a Testarossa and a Lamborghini Countach.

Edited by MitchT on Wednesday 10th September 21:25

[JCB123]

I've been a couple of times now...drove the LP640 first time around, it is a fantastic car...then I went back for my stag do with about 14 other guys.....I took the AMV8 out and the Atom....the Atom was unlike anything in the world I've experienced before, but the AMV8 was a little dissapointing....lovely and smooth, comfy etc. and the noise when the baffles opened was b-e-a-utiful....not a track car me don't thinks?!?!?

Anyway, I think the 6th gear guys are great, to quote one CSL driver "we're just a bunch of petrol heads like you", they're all really helpful and I'll be booking again for next years....wonder if Andy/Simon will give me a regular users discount?

Don't know what to drive though? Have you got the Vanquish yet Simon?

[Mr Whippy]

Yeah, I noticed the Vanquish S on their new revised website list (nice website by the way, much improved!), would love to have a go in the S

jagdpanther said:

Do you need an event photographer for the days

They have some photographers there, in nice spots (ie, middle of the track ), but I'm sure with a nice long lens you could get some cool shots still! I can hold your camera while you go drive... thats why I didn't take mine last time, nowhere to leave £££ of camera gear safely...


As per the rev limiter thing, the Ferrari 360CS is genuinely loud and I had to be sneaky to get up over 7500rpm out of it before being asked to shift up! Apparently the house at the end of the runway has owners who don't like exotica being revved loudly (weirdo's, so many events there through the year are so much louder, like combat aircraft displays and those pulsejet RC aircraft etc), and that was why I wasn't supposed to rev either of the cars right out!? (ie, dB limit for track days at Elvington is 98 or 99 maybe!?)
I wasn't sure on the LP640. Lots of the other cars had track day silencers, but the LP640 has quite a unique tail pipe, so I just assumed it was too loud and couldn't be silenced down for the trackday regs, hence being asked to shift when I did.



Anyway, it seems revs are accepted over that way now, so time to return and enjoy the LP640, and a few other cars maybe, giving their engines best

Dave

Edited by Mr Whippy on Thursday 11th September 11:22

[Rocket Pepper]

Sorry if this is a daft question, especially given the highly satisfied nature of those posting about their experience, but is four laps really enough or are you all so filthy rich you take two or more sesions?

Edited by Rocket Pepper on Thursday 11th September 11:30

[Mr Whippy]

It is quite expensive for the top-end cars, but for good reason I think.

There is no arguing that the economics of running an LP640 on a track all day are hugely different to an Atom, though the Atom for some might be easily as enjoyable and alot less money!


I think the experience should come through after four laps, just make sure to relax and remember you are there to enjoy the car, not do a good lap and follow the exact instructions given... just see the co-driver as an advisor to make sure you don't go wrong, you are still the driver and are there to take in the experience of driving such a car


Personally I'd choose a price you want to pay, then try get the most cars and laps into that money. But the more you do the better value it is. The Ultimate Supercar thing for £495 for example might be able to be haggled down, and you get 20 laps in 5 proper supercars. Not too bad really...

Damn, I'm almost selling another trip to myself here

Dave

[JCB123]

It's reasonably priced I'd say, and 4 laps isn't enough, but then 10 laps wouldn't be enough. It's a good number I reckon for the money....compared to most other track day companies its cheap, and there is a sense of enjoyment and involvement that you don't get elsewhere, you're not just a number....

Simon/Andy and the guys provide something that is truly fantastic, I've been twice this year and I'll be going again next year, prob take the OH too, it doesn't seem expensive for a once/twice a year jaunt....

[Rocket Pepper]

I wasn't meaning 4 laps for the price. I meant getting to grips with the car. I've no doubt I could thrash the thing to death given enough lap time, but four laps even for the experienced driver, I really want to know how they were with it. Do you get out of the really fast cars thinking, yeah that was great, but.........if only. Or are you up to a satisfyingly hot pace despite only four laps?

[wiz 1]

Had a go in the LP640 and the Aston V8 early in the year and was impressed . The only down side was the sheer number of people on track, getting held up in the chicane isn't good with only four laps. Blasting past them on the exit is ok though. I would have preferred a lap in the bmw to familiarize myself with the track first rather than a quick look from the back seat.
Hot lap in the Caterham is recommended.

[Mr Whippy]

Rocket Pepper said:

I wasn't meaning 4 laps for the price. I meant getting to grips with the car. I've no doubt I could thrash the thing to death given enough lap time, but four laps even for the experienced driver, I really want to know how they were with it. Do you get out of the really fast cars thinking, yeah that was great, but.........if only. Or are you up to a satisfyingly hot pace despite only four laps?

Haha, no, you get out wanting to do another four, and then I expect another four.

Then you realise it's cheaper to pay for P1 North membership

Dave

[Captain Beaky]

wiz 1 said:

The only down side was the sheer number of people on track, getting held up in the chicane isn't good with only four laps. Blasting past them on the exit is ok though.

My experience was quite different, I had the track to myself almost all of the time. My only criticism was that the AMV8 owner was a bit too protective of his car.

Perhaps I just luckily chose a quiet day. It was sunny too...anyone remember that ?

[Rocket Pepper]

I suppose I was wondering if a lot of the euphoria is from having driven the cars, rather than really having driven them. For £175 I'd want to give that Lambo some stick for what can't be more than 8 minutes in the hot seat.