Palmersport, Caterham Experience or MSV drive?
Discussion
Am thinking of treating myself to a driving experience in the next month or so. Have done a Silverstone based supercar experience which was great but I'm after one that's a bit more 'track day ish' as I'm hoping to do a few track days next year and want to get in the mood and check I still get the buzz before spending out on car.
My thoughts were:
A PalmerSport half day, looks good but very pricey and three of the cars are nothing like what I'd be able buy for track myself next year. Bonus is that its based at Bedford which is where I'd probably do my first proper tack days next year so at least I'd get a feel for the circuit.
Another option is simply an MSV hours track experience in one of their cars with tuition. Only an hour but hopefully get some useful one to one advise. Half the cost of a Palmersport day, plus I think I can do it at Bedford during a track day so it'll be good experience. Anyone done this?
Lastly I was looking at official Caterham Driving Experience at Brands, a half day looks good value. Anyone had any experience of these? How many laps? Is it just a fun morning or will I actually be taught something?
Palmersport EASILY!!!!!!
if you can't afford the full day do the half day 'formula' package.
and forget the 'its not the kinda track car that I will buy' idea...
Jenna Jameson is not the kinda girl I would wanna marry, but I would LOVE to have a little go on her!
if you can't afford the full day do the half day 'formula' package.
and forget the 'its not the kinda track car that I will buy' idea...
Jenna Jameson is not the kinda girl I would wanna marry, but I would LOVE to have a little go on her!
Edited by Porkie on Friday 15th October 12:26
Porkie said:
Palmersport EASILY!!!!!!
if you can't afford the full day do the half day 'formula' package.
and forget the 'its not the kinda track car that I will buy' idea...
Jenna Jameson is not the kinda girl I would wanna marry, but I would LOVE to have a little go on her!
A valid and well illustrated point there!!!if you can't afford the full day do the half day 'formula' package.
and forget the 'its not the kinda track car that I will buy' idea...
Jenna Jameson is not the kinda girl I would wanna marry, but I would LOVE to have a little go on her!
Edited by Porkie on Friday 15th October 12:26
My reservations about the PS day are the cost!! It'll be nearly 500 for 4x20mins of driving. Including paying for a lunch I don't really want.
The MSV hour and caterham morning are less than 250 so half the cost. The caterham one in particular must offer more track time than 80mins for a lot less money.
Plus I really want a 'track day' type experience, rather than a 'red letter day' type experience. I want to learn something and hopefully reignite my track day bug enough that I can justify buying a track car of my own.
All I hear is good things about the PS day so its undoubtedly good, just wondering if its 200% (double the cost) of the fun and experience of a caterham factory track day?
Edited by JAM35F on Friday 15th October 13:03
The palmersport day is INCREDIBLE value for money!!!
When you consider what a trackday REALLY costs and the quality of the cars you are driving with excellent instruction etc.
No insurance or risk to your own vehicles. No consumables to pay for...
Its amazing value.
Every time I do a trackday... I normally go away thinking, that was good. But the plamersport day is actually similar money when you think of it.... so I just should have done that again.
I've done Palmersport almost 20 times now. Its superb! so so so so good!
When you consider what a trackday REALLY costs and the quality of the cars you are driving with excellent instruction etc.
No insurance or risk to your own vehicles. No consumables to pay for...
Its amazing value.
Every time I do a trackday... I normally go away thinking, that was good. But the plamersport day is actually similar money when you think of it.... so I just should have done that again.
I've done Palmersport almost 20 times now. Its superb! so so so so good!
JAM35F said:
Plus I really want a 'track day' type experience, rather than a 'red letter day' type experience. I want to learn something and hopefully reignite my track day bug enough that I can justify buying a track car of my own.
]
In that case. Full day at Palmersport. ]
You wont regret it
You just wont believe how hard they push you and how hard you will drive the cars...
if you want a cheaper option. I am at Bedford on monday and the following saturday. Will take you out as a passenger if you like. You can have a drive. but if you bend the car, you will hae to mend it!
Edited by Porkie on Friday 15th October 13:19
If you are gearing up for trackdays I'd say that Palmers isn't the thing to go for. It's a fabulous setup and worth the money but you won't get any training that's suitable for trackdays.
The MSV option is costly but will probably be run on a trackday and can be tailored to whatever your priorities are so that would probably the best. I also wouldn't do it at Bedford, go to Brands or better still Oulton and you'll get a much better taste of what it's all about.
The MSV option is costly but will probably be run on a trackday and can be tailored to whatever your priorities are so that would probably the best. I also wouldn't do it at Bedford, go to Brands or better still Oulton and you'll get a much better taste of what it's all about.
Add another thing to consider. Get on an actual track day with one of the Bookatrack Caterhams (possibly share with a mate). Much more track time available and they will also sort you out with tuition. As with the Palmersport day - it only looks expensive until you know what you are getting and what it really costs - both of them are actually superb value.
Steve H said:
If you are gearing up for trackdays I'd say that Palmers isn't the thing to go for. It's a fabulous setup and worth the money but you won't get any training that's suitable for trackdays.
The MSV option is costly but will probably be run on a trackday and can be tailored to whatever your priorities are so that would probably the best. I also wouldn't do it at Bedford, go to Brands or better still Oulton and you'll get a much better taste of what it's all about.
that was my thinking too, Palmersport is undoubtedly the ultimate driving day day by all the great reviews it gets, but I'm not sure its the introduction to track days I am after.The MSV option is costly but will probably be run on a trackday and can be tailored to whatever your priorities are so that would probably the best. I also wouldn't do it at Bedford, go to Brands or better still Oulton and you'll get a much better taste of what it's all about.
I spoke to Jason at MSV today who was very helpful, their tution is run during an open pitlane track day at a circuit of my choice. What attracts me to this is that I can have tuition and learn track day etiquette rather than turn up nervous and blind to it all at my first track day in the future.
Hopefully I'd learn some driving tips, become more confident on track and experience a track day environment under supervision.
I have considered the book a track caterham hire with tuition, pricing looks ok if I could share with a mate but I've asked before and there were no takers, something about recession and feeding their children (!). Maybe I can consider it later next year sometime.
Yep, it's much better!
Have you been to a trackday yet? Just turning up will give you an idea of what goes on and you will generally be able to blag the occasional ride to see how it all looks on track, especially if any of the PH regulars are there!
The money that you are looking at spending on this "experience" could be put towards your first few trackdays instead.
Have you been to a trackday yet? Just turning up will give you an idea of what goes on and you will generally be able to blag the occasional ride to see how it all looks on track, especially if any of the PH regulars are there!
The money that you are looking at spending on this "experience" could be put towards your first few trackdays instead.
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