Any experience of driving experiences?

[Guest Breadvan72]

I did a day in JCB diggers as part of a friend's stag do.  Safety briefing was minimal: "get in, don't roll it over".   Plastic hats, no seat belts, and you tended to bounce out of the seat when going fast over a bump.  There were various exercises involving driving in and out of holes and picking up cones with the scoop and so on, but the best bit was "racing" over a figure eight course, which involved a "who will bottle first?" section as the tracks intersected.  I bottled first.

[sierraman]

I've got a drive a Mustang one I've never used, runs out in march. I'd heard you've got to pay this £50 waiver in case you stack it or it breaks?

 

Put me off bothering going to it tbh.

[Station]

Block book a go kart track for a few hours with 8 mates, or just buy a cheap BMW, Civic, Astra or Clio and go on a track day. You won't have an instructor holding you back.

 

A girl in work bought one for her fella, they were waiting round for hours, had a massive argument, spent 20 minutes going slow round a track and then they split up on the way home.

[The Moog]

It feels quite long when you're chasing a Toyota Starlet in an Alfa Romeo 156 diesel!

 

Starlet Track Experience Voucher available* 

 

Crail is also a good laugh. Quite addictive especially versus ZX diesel 

[alcyonecorporation]

I did a very corporate one at Silverstone Stowe funded by Millers Oils; they launched a new pouring system and had the skeleton luge lady giving everyone a pep talk. I shudder to think how much it cost.

 

Went out in two Porsche 968 Clubsport track cars, once with Tiff Needell, the other with a Aston Martin Works / Le Mans Classic 24 racing driver whose name I forget.

Needles said nowt after two laps and then asked me if I'd ever driven anything with a bit of power before: "You drive like you've only ever made slow stuff go quickly," which I took as a back handed compliment. He let me brake way later than Aston man too, which let me get used to racing brakes and tyres (the likes of which I'd never experienced before).

 

Tip: BSM wheel shuffling doesn't really work with racing lines.

 

The only other driving experience I've ever done with was with Earlydrive (memory is iffy) when I was 15. They let me drive a Kia Pride around Oulton Park in the pouring rain. I said I'd never driven the track before but I'd sneaked a Honda Cub 50 through a broken bit of the fence a year before and [REDACTED].

 

Bless that wee Pride. I wonder how many clutches it had been through at that point.

[406V6]

I was given an experience voucher which could be exchanged for any of a range of experiences. Reading the small print I found you might get a lap or two in any two or three of  Aston, Aldi R8, Ferrari something-or-other or Datsun GTR. It would be all over in a half hour. Some of the alternatives gave a lot more. In the end I drove (in turns with a couple of others) a 90-ton diesel locomotive up & down a preserved railway line. Great fun, more skill needed than you might think and I got a whole day’s worth of experience.

[Tickman]

The experience days are just that, an experience.

 

I did a track one at Knockhill when my eldest was 6 months old. It left me with a taste for more but I didn't have the opportunity to do more.

 

I have also done a drifting experience which again you are just finishing when you get the hang of something. 

 

Last year I did the trademarked 'Moog racing' experience and cannot recommend it highly enough. A great day was had by all and it was repeated. Much better value and more fun too.

[AMC Rebel]

I've done a few but for fun and time at the wheel, as someone upthread mentioned Phil Price rally school takes some beating. I went last year and they were using Scoobys but they claim to have modded them for rear wheel bias. It was a brill day and the mate I went with took a load of his mates from work so he could go again.

[PiperCub]

I did a day in JCB diggers as part of a friend's stag do.  Safety briefing was minimal: "get in, don't roll it over".   Plastic hats, no seat belts, and you tended to bounce out of the seat when going fast over a bump.  There were various exercises involving driving in and out of holes and picking up cones with the scoop and so on, but the best bit was "racing" over a figure eight course, which involved a "who will bottle first?" section as the tracks intersected.  I bottled first.

 

Having driven/operated telehandlers in the past this appeals to me. 

 

The only driving experience I've ever done was at Brands nearly 20 years ago. About 5-6 laps in a mod'd Beemer E36 with instructor then the same in a single seater. BMW - fine, lot of fun, instructor was a good bloke, liked speed and was happy to let me go once he was confident I could drive properly.

 

The single seater was another matter, fun yes but despite being fairly thin and only 6'1" I didn't fit and could barely change gear. I came in after two laps and pointed out I was a danger to those out on track, a couple of the other instructors (F1 wannabes) were pretty off-ish and frankly rude so I reacted and gave them a mouthful back which rather stunned them into silence! (Clearly not used to getting both barrels off a client). The upshot was they said do the remaining laps in the Beemer, this was fine with me as it's started to piss with rain so myself and another guy who had the same issues went out in the Beemers while all the single seaters were called in due to the rain, thus we had the whole track to ourselves - now that was memorable, we were wide apart so were safe but both moving quick enough for the occasional slow-down flag (which I obeyed - to an extent).

Most memorable was final lap gentle opposite lock drift (accidental) out of Druids - when back in the pits my instructor was smiling hugely as he tried to tell us both off for our antics, then quietly saying 'Well driven lads, that's what a track day should be like' and discretely giving us the thumbs up.

 

I suspect I wouldn't get away with this these days. Hence I've not bothered with another. 

 

Have considered a bike school day but haven't done so as don't ride much at the moment and am probably a bit rusty. Was going to do the Ducati one they used to run at Brands at the time of my track day but lost interest when someone got killed on it. 

[barefoot]

I had a bit of fun on a very old fashioned skid pan involving lots of leaky hosepipes, a few cans of clean 20W50 and a load of Sierras and a Volvo 340. Learned a bit and had a chuckle. Seem to remember it was just off the A38 Burton way.

[Guest Breadvan72]

When I did a skid course it was in a Sierra that had each wheel mounted in a frame with castor wheels on it. The instructor had a remote control that enabled him to lift any of the wheels in order to simulate various skiddy conditions.   Much spinny hilarity ensued.

[hpi_matrix]

Ive done a 4x4 experience, near the end the wheel came off. "We can wait for it to be fixed or take out the smoky one" choose the smoky option and gave it a good hooning.

 

[Pillock]

If Diggerland near Newcastle is still going, they were AWESOME. I got a mini digger racing experience which should have been about an hour. What actually happened is four of us got full access to the park, then the park closed and we did about two hours racing around, but could wander off and use the other stuff between heats, then the racing finished (came second) and we were all just playing in whatever we wanted. The boy got to drive a 3CX around, they took all the ladies in the big sitting down scoop ride (because they can make their boobies jiggle) and it was just a free for all.

 

We had to get back home, we ended up having to apologise and leave as it was getting dark and everyone was still at it.

[Pillock]

Oh, and I bought MrsP a 4x4 experience, near Oxford. It was her, and a couple turned up in the whitest jeans and trainers ever. They dithered about a bit, giggled a lot and went home so whilst she was charging up hills, the other instructor asked me if I fancied a passenger ride...

 

The trick is to find one run by enthusiasts, because you'll enjoy it more if they're having fun. If it's just another tedious day for them, no fun.

[Fabergé Greggs]

Hmmm seems anything supercar related is going to be bad value. 

 

The Brands hatch rally experience is in a GT86 which whilst nowhere near as fun as a mk2 Escort is at least proper wheel drive. 

 

I love knockhill and used to go to the CSCC organised track days there which were incredible value. Sadly I'm in London these days so that's not a viable option. The only thing I have on the road at the mo is the Golf which would be no fun.. 

 

Having a day of proper karting isn't a bad idea- I used to have a World formula engined kart for a while that I raced at Larkhall- though I could never really afford the upkeep, even though it's a low cost formula. I flipping loved that thing though- so much can be learned from a kart. 

[Walter White]

There are clearly lots to choose from a bit of research with review sites might help narrow your choices down.

 

I had a classic car experience bought for me at Mallory Park driving a mk2 Jag, an Aston Martin DB6, an E type coupe in race trim and a D type replica.

Really good day. 3 laps in each.

 

Had a rally experience at Prestwold hall with Everyman as mentioned earlier. That was good particularly on the gravel in a lhd polo 16v or something warm. Then an Imprezza on tarmac which was not as much fun as the gravel.

The track there for the supercars isn't a long lap. Had a passenger lap in their VXR8 which was brilliant but over in less than a minute.

Having seen and done the above I wouldn't rush to have a supercar drive as I dont think you would get any feeling of speed and be unable to push the car at all through lack of track.

I would be tempted by a Caterham or similar driving experience on a circuit with plenty of twisty bits or more rally.

Whatever you do, having a driving experience has got to better than not having one.

[egg]

I did Jag E type mk1, Porsche Carerra and Aston DB4 at Goodwood. I don't think they do it any more. Great to say I've driven those cars for a lap or two, but sedate for obvious reasons of car value!

 

Donnington one I did was more fun - Mini, Ferrari 'something red', and single seater. Could pretend in my mind i was Senna in the wet in '93

 

Here I am in the Ferrari with a tragic gear change!

 

[Austin of England]

For my significant birthday last year my family bought me a supercar experience, I got to drive 4 supercars around Donnington only for a couple of laps in each. I really enjoyed it as it was the first time I have ever driven on a track or driven cars of that calibre. The time in each car was short and would have been great to have driven them for longer,
 The cars I drove were a Ferrari 360, Lamborghini LP560, Aston V8 and Porsche 911 GT3. The easiest and quickest to drive was the Lamborghini, the Aston sounded great and had heavy brakes but the 911 was the only one with a proper manual box, the others had paddles, and the clutch was really heavy, the gearshift also required a hefty shove through the gate, it also squirmed and twitched with application of the throttle on gearchanges or heavy braking, as a result I really enjoyed driving it more than the others which was opposite to what I expected beforehand.
  There was a briefing for about half hour before, go get your helmet and wait your turn. There were no acclimatisation laps (optional extra which I didn't bother with) so it was a bit of a surreal experience to just jump into the drivers seat of a Ferrari with an instructor next to me and then go and thrash it as much as I dare around a track.
 As others have said, as an experience and an opportunity to drive such cars around a proper track then yes , great.

 

[Alusilber]

I've been to Knockhill a couple of times to do various "experiences" -  for me, the rally stage in the Scoobies was more fun than the circuit. The skid pan/cadence braking session was good too if you want to learn some practical skills.

[dieselassist]

I was given a gift of a 'beginners track racing tuition experience with saloon car n single seater' experience voucher as a gift, several years ago, up at Mondello, but due to a busy schedule it was 6 months later (a week or so before the voucher 'expired') before I booked n got up there one Saturday, with my brother driving me up, as it co'incided with some other friends night before celebrations n I had a 'multistorey' hangover, n had to get my brother to drive me up for 12 noon; I had very little sleep; including the sleeeepz on the drive up....

 

...we hung around for ages before we were all brought in for the 'portacabin' racing safety /marshals flags/track etiquette training 40 minute 'class' - I was up the front of the class n nodded off for some of the projector video bits but I managed grasp the fundamentals...

 

...in the saloon car bit - first off- a seat leon 20V cupra, I was introduced to my racing driving instructor who was also well hungover; a well sound chap called Jason (hes the fella in the pic leaning over the single seater in my sig pic) - bar checking my safety straps he offered no real advise bar "we'll see after the first lap how you fare out- I have brake controls n fuel cut off switch 'my side' in case you get into trouble- have ye ever driven a car before??" he asked.... I affirmed I was 'driving for years', n asked about what upgrades re;brakes bigger discs/ performance pads/ set up of the car re; brake bias, how much the seat was churning out BHP wise, etc etc, n he said he knew 'fuck all' about all that "that's for the tech lads in the pits that talk..."

 

I took it gingerly the first lap, as I was at the back- he gave good advise about attacking the corners; late braking, racing line n give it MORE MORE MORE - "is your heart in it; he asked???

 

... second lap he encouraged me to "give it yr all lad - your only up here for today, n you've paid your money", so I committed totally; hammering it on the straights, aggressive cutting of the corners n later n later braking, n I continued this approach for the rest of the 4 laps - I was loving it - by the last lap, I was half a circuit of the rest of the other 'learners' n had it up on two wheels in some of the corners - really goin hard.... he told me after we'd finished he'd applied the brakes once or twice on the 'scary last lap' on the last two or 3 corners, I was goin that hard....

 

we had a laugh about it all afterwards over a soft drink while they got the single seaters prepped

 

...single seaters was a different story; they knew I was 6'4 but the car that was 'readied for me, I couldn't fit into, so they delayed the start till a special long cockpit 'Sheane' (based upon mid-mounted vw era single seaters but running a race tuned, but restricted to 3200rpm Rover K series motor) training single seater - this took some time to prepare, with the rest of the field all strapped in n getting impatient.... I stepped into the long cockpit replacement n Jason strapped me into what was a very well battle worn race car; everything looked like it had been bubble-gum welded at least twice, n the cowling was all a patchwork of duct tape n glass fibre patches - during the delay; my brother ventured onto the track to take the pic in my sig...

 

after a sketchy warm up lap where I couldn't find 2nd or 4 th at all, the 1st n 3rd with difficulty I took my place on the front of the grid n on the start, nailed it on the flag but I missed a shift into 3rd on the first corner n the car stalled - at this stage the marshalls hated me, n while chatting to one trying to get it restarted, he noticed my 'crotch straps' were loose so I got pushed onto the verge n a safety marshal game out restrapped me in - Jason - the pro driver instructor got called also for a summary bollocking - by the time all this was done, the rest of the field were already on their 2nd lap, n the tyres were cold... I threw caution to wind at this point for the last 4 laps n nailed it all about the track braking late n frightening the marshalls, n completely cooked the brakes tyres n tuned K series - I was determined to get my monies worth!! absolutely loved every minute of it tho... I recommend it!!

[eddieirvine]

I just found this:

 

https://www.virginexperiencedays.co.uk/the-incredible-auto-circus-sp1

[MOD500]

I've been on a 1/2 rally one which was pretty good.

it was a disappointing gravel car park with cones laid out as a makeshift track.

 

The experience was for front wheel drive cars which were LHD Hyundai coupes. The 4WD experience was an option, but it was a bit too pricey for my Christmas present apparently!

 

I'm not used to turning the car with the handbrake, and I've not had a lot of use with LHD cars either so every time I reached an appropriate corner the instructor in the passenger seat shouted 'handbrake!' and I in turn punched the door card!

 

there were 3 of us per car taking turns. One of the other car sharers broke the seat adjustment levers and we had the 'misfortune' of continuing the experience in the Lancer Evo VI. Much more fun with plenty of sideways slides.

 

I can appreciate why they use a gravel park though, all you need is one tree and one idiot and you've lost a car!

 

The other thing I've tried a few times is this one:

 

https://www.vxrpowerevents.co.uk/

 

I think it was £40 the year before last. Free lunch, free drinks and about 30 minutes of instructed driving. The instructors are happy to push you into getting the most out of the cars and out of the corners. It might not be the most exciting choice of vehicles but the track experience is great!

 

[mercedade]

Copy and paste from a thread almost a year ago: Only caveat is that it is ruddy expensive.

 

Not that it helps you make any decisions to trade your gift for another, but I spent bloody weeks researching all these things and concluded that the perfect overlap of 'Power', 'Driving time' and 'Getting sideways' was doing the AMG experience at MB world.

 

I'm by no means the biggest AMG fanboy (and if you close your eyes and imagine what everyone else there on the day looked like, you'd be exactly right) but I didn't fancy hanging about some Welsh forest for 4 days and coming away with 6 minutes of handbrake turns and a quick blast in a Subaru.

 

It was ACE. I did the 'First/Last' version which is basically a few quid cheaper because you go at the beginning or end of the day. I opted for the end, reasoning that they'd be under less pressure to get you out of the way for the next group and might let you stay out.

 

I was a C63 for the full hour (luck of the draw from what I could see, some got Es) (plus a bit longer - I was right about staying out) and after a few minutes on the 'handling' track, the instructor concluded that I wasn't an enormous tool, so could be trusted to have a blast around the 'speed' track. The fool.

 

For the next 50 minutes, I shifted between driving faster than I have at any point in my life, in a more powerful car than anyone could ever need, to doing massive (low speed) drifts on the silicone circle, full bore launches and the like. Nothing detuned, no 'third gear only' nonsense.

 

The only criticism I could make is that the instructor could have been a bit more engaging - I felt like I had freedom to do what I liked, but I reckon he could have told me to push on a little more. But maybe it's good that he didn't.

 

AA++A+ Would recommend

[Fabergé Greggs]

Copy and paste from a thread almost a year ago: Only caveat is that it is ruddy expensive.

 

Not that it helps you make any decisions to trade your gift for another, but I spent bloody weeks researching all these things and concluded that the perfect overlap of 'Power', 'Driving time' and 'Getting sideways' was doing the AMG experience at MB world.

 

I'm by no means the biggest AMG fanboy (and if you close your eyes and imagine what everyone else there on the day looked like, you'd be exactly right) but I didn't fancy hanging about some Welsh forest for 4 days and coming away with 6 minutes of handbrake turns and a quick blast in a Subaru.

 

It was ACE. I did the 'First/Last' version which is basically a few quid cheaper because you go at the beginning or end of the day. I opted for the end, reasoning that they'd be under less pressure to get you out of the way for the next group and might let you stay out.

 

I was a C63 for the full hour (luck of the draw from what I could see, some got Es) (plus a bit longer - I was right about staying out) and after a few minutes on the 'handling' track, the instructor concluded that I wasn't an enormous tool, so could be trusted to have a blast around the 'speed' track. The fool.

 

For the next 50 minutes, I shifted between driving faster than I have at any point in my life, in a more powerful car than anyone could ever need, to doing massive (low speed) drifts on the silicone circle, full bore launches and the like. Nothing detuned, no 'third gear only' nonsense.

 

The only criticism I could make is that the instructor could have been a bit more engaging - I felt like I had freedom to do what I liked, but I reckon he could have told me to push on a little more. But maybe it's good that he didn't.

 

AA++A+ Would recommend

I don't know what I expected when you said "bloody expensive", but £1375???? Jaysus.

 

Sounds like a total blast though.

[eddyramrod]

I'm going out in about half an hour to take my latest one....

[St.Jude]

Genuinely seems like the best thing to do is take your family hatchback to Knockhill and leather it yourself on a track day.

FWIW, and it's a long story, I ended up pushing my Peugeot 107 hard on North Welsh roads with a load of Lotus Elias's, Evora's, and an Aston Martin press car. I was stone dead last but I'm 100% sure pushing my 1 litre roller skate on those roads was far more fun than driving one of those fancy cars at half of what they're designed to do.

[Tetleysmooth]

You want a driving experience? Then do what I did yesterday.

Get yourself a DAF LF seven and a half tonner. Drive to Martin Lane which is off Cannon Street in the City of London. Find Martin Lane closed to all traffic. Phone chap who is expecting his delivery of 10 office chairs. Arrange with said chap to meet you outside. Meet said chap, back across Cannon Street right up onto the pavement, and I mean right up. Unload chairs in about 10 seconds flat. Drive off of pavement while traffic is being held. Be on your way. A real fun driving experience and I got paid for it.

[Bren]

Enjoy the same effect as a track day from the part worn landsails on your K11 micra

[Tamworthbay]

I was bought a drifting day at Donington Park a couple of years back. It was 5 hours of waiting around for 20 minutes of driving, mostly in old Nissan 200sx with welded diffs. The pro driver ‘experience’ was fun enough but the whole day was a bit of a con I think.

[MikeR]

Off road tank driving is fun , did a few fun circuits in a troop carrier , drivers seat and in the back , talk about hold on for grim death . 

Skid pan training night with the police , that was fun .

Off road quad driving was fun untill the careful one got in the way .....