Dal_

iTrader: (2)

My lovely girlfriend got me a driving experience for my birthday today

I can drive two out of the following around (Probably) Bruntingthorpe:

Ferrari 360,
Ariel Atom,
Aston Martin V8 Vantage,
Audi R8,
Lamborghini Gallardo,
Porsche 997 Turbo

Suggestions?

rhinopower

I would be torn between the atom, aston, and 997

dvid

atom and 997 / Gallardo for me

Mark B

Atom and R8 for me is it the V10?

Mk4 Lew

iTrader: (1)

atom galardo for me mate

RS Grant

iTrader: (1)

Atom without a doubt and probably the Lambo.


Cheers,
Grant

J1mbo

iTrader: (1)

If the r8 is v10 then that and the atom

If not v10 then gallardo

7sean7m7

got to be the atom just for the rush you would get, and the lambo for me just to have that sound behind you.

phil_focus

as you've guessed, definately the atom!

not sure what i'd drive second though

paul0461

atom- to get the feel of super gokart like acceleration.
ferrari- to feel the exquisite quality that ferraris have.

Dal_

iTrader: (2)

Cheers for the suggestions chaps

Isn't the R8 the same as the Gallardo underneath? ANd if it is the V10 one, then that's a detuned version of the lambo's engine?

I've heard the R8 isn't that difficult to drive and so less rewarding, is that true?

I'm deffo going for the Atom as that'll just be a balls out adrenaline ride. Still not sure on the other one.

Cossiemainful

iTrader: (1)

Why not all? J/K

Ariel and Aston!

RS Grant

iTrader: (1)

I'd be surprised if you're allowed to rag the shite out of them, which is why I'd go for the Lambo.. to tick it off my 'must drive before I die' list. But if you were able to give the cars proper stress then I'd likely go for the Ferrari or Aston since they are RWD and both make a cracking sound when opened up.


Cheers,
Grant

joffy

iTrader: (1)

a lad i work with went on a day like this and the atom was only for passenger rides when he got there, think he did the lambo and the aston when he went

Porkie

iTrader: (1)

Easy. Atom and Lambo.

Mike C

iTrader: (1)

Ferrari and Atom, no contest.

RstAaron.

Atom + Lambo for me too.

madsi

my brothers off to one of these days at donnington next week i think it is,he's picked the atom to drive

gjh

I'd say lambo and porsche

Porkie

iTrader: (1)

its a straight boring up and down runway kinda thing.

jump in. drive up. drive back. jump out.

and dont go too fast....

Porsche will be ZZZZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz. as will the Aston and Audi

at least the Lambo and Ferrari make a nice loud noise and have a little bit of drama about them.

Atoms very different to most other cars so thats a no brainer.

massivewangers

iTrader: (1)

Atom and Ferrari for me. Atom because they're different and a bit mad, Ferrari just because it's got the noise, theatre and just an exciting sort of a car compared to the others IMO.

gjh

Well being the fastest car I've ever driven is my fiesta I can't see how a porsche will be boring, we're not all like you and can afford to prounce about in ferrari's.

RS Grant

iTrader: (1)

Its not about the speed with these things though, you're not going to get to drop the clutch at 7k and rip it around the circuit as if your pubes are on fire.. so to make up for the fact you're not going to exploit the car as much as is possible, I'd rather go for something that's got more occasion when you sit in it and drive it in the lower revs. The Porsche, IMO, will not give that cause it doesn't feel a million times different to sitting in any 911 and you only really know the score when you sink the boot.

If you're after the feeling of balls out acceleration, my advice would be to start attending track days and ask people if they'd mind taking you out for a few pax laps in their big power cars (some do it for charity donations)... sure you're not getting to drive it, but depending on what you get taken out in, you'll have an absolute fucking blast if you're used to the performance of a standard/near standard Fiesta.




Cheers,
Grant

Mike C

iTrader: (1)

A short blast on a track isn't the right environment to get the most out of a 4wd Porsche or Audi. If you want to get across country very quickly then they'd be the pick of the bunch. If you had all day and wanted to slash your lap times as much as possible, then they'd be the best bets then.

The Aston is the ideal car for crossing a continent in a day or two.

For half an hour on the track you want something dramatic, something the feels different and is going to be exhilarating for the entire time. The only cars on that list that fit the bill are the Ferrari and Atom.

JonnyBravo

Drive the Atom and report back, they are immense. Only downside is that I'd say you would feel more confident hopping in anything else than that and driving quickly, but I guess your never really going to get the grips with any car in a few laps so just enjoy it.

Madgit

Think Grant's hit the nail on the head. Ive done a few of these and the one that was the biggest disappointment was the Atom. The instructor was forever telling me to slow down and I was only giving it about 70%. yes it was a great adrenalin rush to feel that acceleration but given the choice think after all is said and done not everybody can say they've driven the more exotic choices. Never done one at brunters but if you do have a choice YouTube the options as most people upload footage so you can see what they're like. My atom was with 6th gear so avoid them like the plague IMO. Best I've done was Prestwold hall which is run by Mallory.

Blown Hell

The Aston and the lambo for me, reason being the Atom is more removed than the others from your average suprecar in regards of performance, something you will only apreciate after driving the others.
I did one of these days a few years ago and went for the Ferrari Modena padleshift, all I wanted to do was get it flat out on the strait after two laps at a booring speed the pedal hit the floor and... not one word from the instructor, but a big smile on my face.
The only problem is its all over to quick imo.
Enjoy it !

Porkie

iTrader: (1)

in 2011 my Clio has done probably 2000miles
in 2011 my 911 Turbo has done less than 20miles.

Its not all about the badge on the front and how fast it is and how much it costs to how fun it is.

I was offering genuine advice and have experience in the matter.

Its Ponce or Prance by the way...

Porkie

iTrader: (1)

dude... I dont think you quite understand what these days are like

massivewangers

iTrader: (1)

I've not done one of these. Always thought about it, but they are hit and miss. There's one just down the road from me, outside Stafford, and they don't let you put the boot in at all, just parade round. The track is far too full to enjoy it really.

However, a friend of mine went to Prestwold Hall, which someone has mentioned above, and they were much better. He went out in a few cars and some of the instructors were pretty decent, let him push quite hard really. Think it depended on how they felt you were. If they thought you could do it, they'd let you push a bit, but if not you just plodded around.

I did do one driving experience, but chose to do it in a standard road car (MK6 Fez), and actually got some proper driving tuition, track driving techniques and stuff, much more useful I found!

RS Grant

iTrader: (1)

If you want to do a 'proper' track experience day, then look into Palmersport days... they're not cheap, but they're absolutely balls to the wall and 1000% more exciting than these 'supercar experience' days IMO. I can't recommend them enough.

After speaking to one of my friends at the weekend who used to be an instructor up there, I'm itching to do another one!! So I'm going to set aside a bit of cash until I get to the point where I can do one, then tie it in with another visit to the Bedford area to see old friends etc.


Cheers,
Grant

Carlos-Titx

My mate told me the other week that his mate got one of these days. Booked it but the the handle fell out of his bathroom door locking him in or something and by the time he got out he missed it

Atom and Ferrari for me.

massivewangers

iTrader: (1)

Any links Grant? What are they all about?

JonnyBravo

As I was typing I was thinking about that, I still think the Atom is worth having a go in, but I do know from doing a trackday in one that it takes a while before you start to realise just how hard you can push them ( which ofcourse your never going to do in however many laps you get at these days)

I'd still go with your choice Lee, not driven a Lambo but I expect its certainly going to make you grin however fast you go in it.

JonnyBravo

He will have fun proving that one !

I had a day booked with Red Letter Days by my GF, on our journey to the event there was a large accident blocking the road to Melton Mowbray which we stuck in for ages, I called them to explain and they said I can turn up but can't drive anything, oh and can't rebook either !

I have atleast spoken to someone from RLD since and they would refund the day as long as I could prove there was a RTA etc.. I've done all that now but they seem quite slow to actually sort the matter out which is quite dissapoiniting.

RS Grant

iTrader: (1)

http://www.palmersport.com/

All the details are on that site mate.


Cheers,
Grant

xrmalin

Ive had a go in all of the cars listed at Bruntingthorpe and like what was said further up the first laps just a sort of parade lap then if the instructor thinks your up to it they let you boot it.
The first few times round booting it they have a little cone chicane set up half way down the straight to stop you getting too carried away then on the last couple of laps they tell you to go down the side of it so you can give it full throttle all the way down the straight.
Also if you cant decided which 2 to choose from take some extra cash with you and you can buy laps on the day in other cars

Sinbad

iTrader: (1)

Got my son the same present for his 25th at 3 sisters near Wigan, he is doing the Lambo as you never see them never mind drive one

DanW@FastFord

iTrader: (1)

Atom and Lambo.

I've done a load of driving experience days (perk of the job), and they're all largely disappointing, and over waaay too quickly. The only experience day that's actually worth the money is the Palmersport one - and by a country mile!

massivewangers

iTrader: (1)

Can I have a job that involves that?

Palmersport days do look good. Not bad value when you think of it too really, given you can easily pay £100 just for 4/5 laps in a supercar!