Caterham Driving 'Experience' - Brands Hatch
Discussion
I posted this in General Gassing but though I should let you lot know about it too!
So, back last June 2008 (Father's Day) I was delighted to receive a Catarham Driving Experience as a present from my kids. A few weeks later I tried to book a day at Brands and was told that the next available date was April 2009! So, today I called Caterham and was informed that if I wanted Brands Hatch the next available date was December (1 and a half years after the original booking date!)
It seems that because Caterham don't book the whole circuit exclusively for the day (a cost of approx £30,000) they have to do it through a track day company who sub-out the available places. Because the Caterham Cicuit Experience is a 'novices' day the track day company don't like giving them places because the other 'experienced' drivers complain.
So, today I called buy-a-gift and explained my predicament and was told that I could swap it for a different experience. So, It's a balloon ride for me & the Mrs then.
Just to add, I have owned 3 7'esque vehicles & driven The Hungaroring, Estoril, Brands Hatch, Cicuit de Catalonia & Imola amongst other so to be honest the 'experience' was a little wasted on me. This is just a warning to others who think they might get a present for someone in the future expecting dates within 10 months of the original booking!
So, back last June 2008 (Father's Day) I was delighted to receive a Catarham Driving Experience as a present from my kids. A few weeks later I tried to book a day at Brands and was told that the next available date was April 2009! So, today I called Caterham and was informed that if I wanted Brands Hatch the next available date was December (1 and a half years after the original booking date!)
It seems that because Caterham don't book the whole circuit exclusively for the day (a cost of approx £30,000) they have to do it through a track day company who sub-out the available places. Because the Caterham Cicuit Experience is a 'novices' day the track day company don't like giving them places because the other 'experienced' drivers complain.
So, today I called buy-a-gift and explained my predicament and was told that I could swap it for a different experience. So, It's a balloon ride for me & the Mrs then.
Just to add, I have owned 3 7'esque vehicles & driven The Hungaroring, Estoril, Brands Hatch, Cicuit de Catalonia & Imola amongst other so to be honest the 'experience' was a little wasted on me. This is just a warning to others who think they might get a present for someone in the future expecting dates within 10 months of the original booking!
Surely there would have been other events available if you were to spread your wings from Brands Hatch?
I helped book an experience for my Wife's friend (for her husband), and he had a large choice of dates and venues to choose from (and had a brilliant time - he's now thinking of buying his own Seven!)
cheers,
Mick
I helped book an experience for my Wife's friend (for her husband), and he had a large choice of dates and venues to choose from (and had a brilliant time - he's now thinking of buying his own Seven!)
cheers,
Mick
aah but was it mentioned?.....I doubt not, but if it was me, knowing that the availability was that bad, i would have booked back in June 08 for the circuit of my choice or taken the next best option, not waited a further 9 months and then try and book again, the conversation back in June '08 should have been a clear enough indication that phoning up in late feb/early march would not get the date or circuit of choice,
I think the OP does have some reason to be a bit miffed, clearly they should be more open if they have availability issues, i just don't see why someone would moan about it 9 months after knowing there was a problem, seems pointless to me
I think the OP does have some reason to be a bit miffed, clearly they should be more open if they have availability issues, i just don't see why someone would moan about it 9 months after knowing there was a problem, seems pointless to me
taffyracer said:
aah but was it mentioned?.....I doubt not, but if it was me, knowing that the availability was that bad, i would have booked back in June 08 for the circuit of my choice or taken the next best option, not waited a further 9 months and then try and book again, the conversation back in June '08 should have been a clear enough indication that phoning up in late feb/early march would not get the date or circuit of choice,
I think the OP does have some reason to be a bit miffed, clearly they should be more open if they have availability issues, i just don't see why someone would moan about it 9 months after knowing there was a problem, seems pointless to me
Firstly, the whole point of my 'moan' was that NO indication was made that availability for Brands Hatch was so bad.I think the OP does have some reason to be a bit miffed, clearly they should be more open if they have availability issues, i just don't see why someone would moan about it 9 months after knowing there was a problem, seems pointless to me
Brands Hatch WAS mentioned in the sdvertising alongside other tracks the nearest of which was Silverstone which is a 3 hour round trip and a circuit I had no real want to drive. I was told when I originally tried to book that there would be availability in April but there wasnt. I have since looked into cancelling the booking with Buy-a-Gift for something else (probably a balloon ride with the Mrs) and they are looking into altering their advertising to warn of the problem with Brands.
Gassing Station | Caterham | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff