Driver experience days - any recommendations?

[yetidom]

Hi all - title covers it really. Anyone got any recommendations for good but reasonably priced driver experience days in (or relatively near to) the Midlands? Ideally driving a few nice cars around a decent track - not fussed about which cars tbh. It's for my step fathers birthday so ideally nothing too steep as I may end up paying for me and the wife to do it with him too. Anyone done any lotus elise or Lambo/Ferrari taster days anywhere? Cheers.

[RedRobin]

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Not quite what you are asking for, but how about doing a full day around the roads of Oxfordshire with Big John of Drivetrain? He's a very highly qualified ex Police instructor and will remap your brain. It's all done in your own car and costs around £250 (or did when I did it a few years ago). No matter how good you think your own driving is it'll improve it - I apply much of what I've learnt every single day I drive and the knowledge has kept me out of trouble many times.

I realise that hooning a supercar around a track is probably more fun but you don't learn anything which stays with you and applies to your own car.

http://www.drivetrain.uk.com/

[yetidom]

Thanks Redrobin, appreciate the info. I'd certainly consider that for myself tbh, sounds valuable indeed - but for a Birthday treat for my stepdad I was hoping he could hoon around a track in something a little more exciting than his Freelander 2!  He's definitely not driving my car hence the question on taster/experience days etc.

[RedRobin]

^^^^
Ooops! I missed that it was for your stepdad 

It is a course better suited to high performance road cars, although advanced roadcraft applies to whatever you are driving.

[E30Dom]

Look at porsche driving experience at their centre at Silverstone, best day of driving, with ice hill, kick plate, handling course etc... and my tutor was Richard Attwood who won le mans in 1970!

[Nodz]

I done one at Elvington and cost me £550. Got shown the track (airfield with cones) n an RRS then got thrown straight into an Atom, then a DB9 (which was boring after the Atom), Ferrari 360 CS (best instructor), Audi R8 and then a Lambo Murci LP640. Took all day and had time slots for each car and you also then have the option on the day to pay a £30 insurance waiver incase you total one of the cars, also Got a pic of me on track in each car (about £8 each) so just be aware there is more costs on the day. But really enjoyed it and want to do another one but on an actual track. Also on my one there was 2 companies operating on site and you could book extra laps and other cars on the day at reduced rates. I got 4 laps in each (out lap, 2 hot laps and in lap). But mine was back in 2008. Also done a 2hour one on one driving a 40' arctic.

Next one I'm looking at is the american muscle car one at goodwood with the Viper (favourite car), Vette and 'Stang.

Here's the site I booked on, they used to do only experience and track days for cars but do everything now. You can chose by car type, location etc.
http://www.trackdays.co.uk/

Once you've found the one you want check the actual site for the track or try and find the actual company providing the experience direct as it could be cheaper or you could book an actual date rather than getting a voucher.

Hope this helps 

[yetidom]

That's great advice Nodz, cheers! Will check out the site and see what I find! You're a star

[Hedge]

Mercedes Benz World AMG Experience. 

http://www2.mercedes-benz.co.uk/content/unitedkingdom/mpc/mpc_unitedkingdom_website/en/home_mpc/mercedes-benzworld/home/driving_experiences/Driving_Experiences/AMG_Range.html

I've done it and we did it for my mate last year for his 60th. Thoroughly enjoyed it. 

[Nodz]

That's great advice Nodz, cheers! Will check out the site and see what I find! You're a star

No probs
I also forgot to mention that I nalso got a high speed lap in an M5 and you normally get a certificate at the end of the day.

Mercedes Benz World AMG Experience. 

http://www2.mercedes-benz.co.uk/content/unitedkingdom/mpc/mpc_unitedkingdom_website/en/home_mpc/mercedes-benzworld/home/driving_experiences/Driving_Experiences/AMG_Range.html

I've done it and we did it for my mate last year for his 60th. Thoroughly enjoyed it. 

What one did you do Hedge?? Really interested in the half day AMG one and the Ultimate SL one, bit pricey but you do get 50 mins per car which is better than 4 or 5 laps on the experience days

[jameelno1]

i went to pro drive in kenilworth warwickshire they have lambo's, aston's, porsche's, ferrari's and sum more go onhttp://www.driversdreamdays.co.uk/ u can get sum really good deals

i had the lamborghini gallardo spider fab car thou u only get 4 laps for around £100

[Hedge]

I have done the 1 hour AMG Experience in an E63. 

Also the 1/2 hour Performance drive in an E350. Both good but the AMG one was awesome. 

[ShaunP]

How about PalmerSport in Bedfordshire?  I've heard its the only one that really lets you go for it.

Full day is about £900 but they do half-day & evening programs for under £500.

[andrewparker]

Got to be single seater at Silverstone!

[RedRobin]

[Frodo-anni]

Ive done one before at Elvington, drove a lotus elise, RS4 avant, Impreza, 911 gt3, ferrari 355.

Have another just been given as a present, aston amv8 & R8 track day through drivingexperience.co.uk will probably book it elvington again.