Which "Experience"?

[NGee]

I have never driven a Caterham but they do look great fun and was thinking of doing an "experience day" of some sort. The question is which one? There seems to be several to choose from. At the moment I have the Slalom day at Dunsfold run by Caterham as my first choice. Any one done this? Is it best to do the whole day or just half? Is this good value for money/experience or are there better days out there? Has anyone got any thoughts or suggestions on where/how to get the best from a Caterham Experience.
I look forward to your replies, quickly please, as i can't wait to get going!!!!!!!
NGee

[Incorrigible]

It's pretty difficult to answer that question without a bit more info

What's your experience ? do you want taster or a full track day ? do you want to go into racing or are you interested in buying a road car ? Have you watch a lot of top gear and want a cheap "I've driven a Caterham" badge

HTH

[Smollet]

I would go for the track experience. More time in the car and possibly more useful than learning how to do doughnuts although I'm sure lots would disagree.

[NGee]

Incorrigible said:

It's pretty difficult to answer that question without a bit more info

What's your experience ? do you want taster or a full track day ? do you want to go into racing or are you interested in buying a road car ? Have you watch a lot of top gear and want a cheap "I've driven a Caterham" badge

HTH

What's your experience ? Caterhams - None. Driving - 40 years.
do you want taster or a full track day ? Probably not ready for a full track day.
do you want to go into racing? Definitely not.
are you interested in buying a road car ? Quite likely, an "experience" day would be all part of the research.
Have you watch a lot of top gear and want a cheap "I've driven a Caterham" badge? Definitely not.

Thanks for your replies, any more info greatly appreciated.

NGee

[spiderlane]

Don't forget there is always the option to hire a Caterham for a weekend which might give you a more intimate experience for getting used to it on the road.


Mark

Edited by spiderlane on Tuesday 10th August 11:09

[Chris71]

NGee said:

do you want taster or a full track day ? Probably not ready for a full track day.

You're always ready for a corporate-type track day; they won't let you do anything you're not ready for.

I did the drift day as a freebie before I got mine and that was good fun, but limited seat time. I'd suggest if you're a more gentle driver then perhaps hiring one for the road would offer better value for money? The track stuff works if you're the sort of hooligan who likes driving in a manner that isn't really appropriate for the road (i.e. me), but you pay a lot for a matter of minutes behind the wheel.

That said on a personal level I don't really understand people who buy a stripped-out racer like a Caterham and not take it on track (I'd rather something more comfortable for road use in my old age!)

[Nicodema]

I found the Drift Experience to be very good. It struck me that I wouldn't have enjoyed the Slalom Exp as much as it seemed more competitive and less about getting a feel for the dynamics of oversteer. Once you get the hang of that on the Drift day you find yourself applying it in lots of driving scenarios. I don't mean going dangerously sideways on the Queen's highway, but rather knowing how to avoid doing so.

The drift day in the Silverstone car park was the final straw that got us to order the R300, and I now apply the rolling donut skills in real life when useful, because the Caterham is so controllable in a slide.

I would imagine the Brands circuit exp day would be very good as the cars are so well suited to that track and Brands itself is so much fun.

[chris_speed]

I'd hire one from Openroad hire or the Caterham factories, as if you're after a roadcar, they're the best tasters

[NGee]

chris_speed said:

I'd hire one from Openroad hire or the Caterham factories, as if you're after a roadcar, they're the best tasters

Yes, that is definitely plan B after the Slalom day (assuming I still like it ).
Thanks for all your replies.

NGee

[edb49]

NGee,

I would do one of two things. Either hire a car from Track Club or a BatCat and do a trackday with them, (say £500-700 for the day) or else hire one for a weekend. I wouldn't both with most other experience days, there's not a huge amount of time in the seat.

Or else you could just take the rational option, realise that they're shed loads of fun and you will get one after the experience day anyway, and just go out and buy the car now.

[stuinnes]

I've just done a weekend hiring 2 7s from Openroadhire in Perth as a way to see what spec of car i want to buy. I had a 5-speed S3, and a 6-speed SV to see the differences. Worthwhile, and a lot of fun, and also gives you a small perspective on what owning one would be like. You can pick the car up early, and drop it off late so can cram as many hours in as you want.

If you do, try the Viper Blue 1.8 SV Andrew has. It really is a nice 7 to try

If Perth is too far, Roadsporthire is based around York area.

Good luck.

Stu

[openroad]

Hiring one for a day will give you a good view of how they handle on the road and what it is like driving in traffic looking at wheel nuts on trucks and buses. A different experience from a track day but still great fun. Plus of course you need to drive to and from the track and make sure you are comfortable in a very small car for a full day out. Learn to travel light as there is very little storage space. If Perth in Scotland and York are too far north for you then you can hire a Caterham Super 7 with the Vauxhall 16V engine, from The Open Road in Warwick www.theopenroad.co.uk/static_104.htm but don't expect to be able to take a hired car on the track.

Enjoy.

[NGee]

Hi all, just an update. I did the Slalom Experience day at Dunsfold on Friday and had a great time! First time I'd ever driven one so learnt a lot about the car and its fantastic power/handling ability. I was very lucky that there were only 7 people booked for the day so actually had far more time driving than usual. I must agree with other comments that had the day been fully booked there would have been quite a lot of hanging about.
So it's now onto the 2nd part of my research - to go and hire one for a day on the road.
"stuinnes" - I'm sure the area round Perth is very nice but a bit far from Berkshire!!!
"openroad" - Thanks for the info about the place in Warwick.
I'm now trying to decide between Swindon, Warwick or Caterham. Swindon is nearest but I'm sort of leaning towards Caterham as I can then have a look round the shop at the same time!!!
Anyone else any thoughts on any other places or which is the best place to go????

NGee

[stuinnes]

Sounds like a great day. I'm hoping to book something similar. Wasnt sure whether to do Salom or Drift tho!

Yeah I realised Perth might be a bit of a trek from where you are based. Not sure on the other places but Caterham sounds like it kills a few birds Like you said it means you can have a noisy about the showroom...

Good luck with it all.

Stu.