Kids Driving Experience - recommendations please!

[M3RMS]

Morning Chaps

Looking to get my 13 year old nephew behind the wheel for his birthday present. Anybody got any recommendations?

I did think about getting him 15 mins driving a lambo but not sure how much he'd really be able to do in 15 mins given he's never driven before??! (I've done the normal Murcie one, driving Simon George's LP640 though and that was excellent).

http://www.trackdays.co.uk/driving_experience/elvi...

So now I'm thinking the kids experience with Mercedes might be a good option....

http://www2.mercedes-benz.co.uk/content/unitedking...

Anybody done either of these or have other recommendations?

Cheers
RS

[M3RMS]

The Crack Fox said:

Slightly off topic, but I reckon most 13 year olds would enjoy a few karting races instead of having their picture taken with some tired old Fezza. Just a thought.

It's a fair point & one I've thought about. But he's done that a few times already so I'm thinking driving a 'real' car might be quite good fun for him too.

It should equip him with the skills to borrow his Mum's car when she's not looking...... and avoid nearly kangarooing into the garage like I almost did once....

[RDM]

Is there nothing like this in your area?.

http://www.onboardtraining.co.uk/under_age_driving...

[Zippee]

Carlimits I believe do a kids driving day. Worth getting in touch with them at least.

[marshalla]

We got the 6th Gear junior supercar experience for my niece on her birthday - 15 minutes of supervised driving around some cones to get the feel for the controls, but no real speed, so we added a "Track Attack" - fast laps as a passenger with an experienced driver - she loved that.

[Bluebarge]

My 12 year old did the off-road course at MB World and loved it. They get to drive an M class off-roader on a purpose-built course with a wading section, ladders, steps etc; the more control they show, the more sections of the course they get to do.

The other kids driving experience they do is more of a driving lesson in an A-class - manoeuvring around cones on a flat track, so not so exciting.

You could also check whether he could ride as a passenger in one of the AMGs they show off on the handling course in front of the showroom.

[rfn]

Seeing as you are in Reading, why don't you get him onto the waiting list for the Under 17 Car Club (www.under17-carclub.co.uk) for membership next year. More "long term" but he'd really benefit from it.

If you really do just want a quick "experience" then the Merc thing is very good, though VERY expensive for what it is. FWIW the U17 Car Club have approx 30-35 venues per year, and the cost is less than £10 per full day driving, as opposed to £75 per hour for the Merc experience.

Edited by rfn on Tuesday 7th September 10:20

[M3RMS]

Bluebarge said:

My 12 year old did the off-road course at MB World and loved it. They get to drive an M class off-roader on a purpose-built course with a wading section, ladders, steps etc; the more control they show, the more sections of the course they get to do.

This does sound a bit different and fun. Is this the one for either 30 or 60 mins?

[Morf]

Another option that's a bit more than an 'experience'...

A few years ago my son did the PGL holiday "Learner driver" - http://www.pgl.co.uk/PGLWeb/individuals/holidays/L....

You stop there for a week, and spend part of each day driving, and the rest of the day doing normal PGL outdoor activities (canoeing, climbing, swimming etc).

[Bluebarge]

M3RMS said:

Bluebarge said:

My 12 year old did the off-road course at MB World and loved it. They get to drive an M class off-roader on a purpose-built course with a wading section, ladders, steps etc; the more control they show, the more sections of the course they get to do.

This does sound a bit different and fun. Is this the one for either 30 or 60 mins?

He did the 60 min session - it's not much more cash and you would only be able to do a limited amount of the course in 30mins. They can also film you doing the course if you want and give you the footage on an sdhc card. He loved it.