Exhilirate Scotland
Discussion
I spent an excellent morning with them yesterday and thought I would just jot down my thoughts on it for anyone else that is maybe considering buying one of their vouchers. I took part in the Killin to Oban run. Got the voucher for my Christmas.
First of all, I have never driven a supercar, I am normally seen behind the wheel of some boring diesels. So my experience may differ from many on here especially those who regularly feature in Scotlands Finest Spotted.
The guys from ES made us very welcome although it was a surprise, and a bit unnerving, to have to sign an indemnity form before we got in the cars agreeing to pay the first £2500 or so of damage! This hadn't been mentioned anywhere that I saw and spooked me a bit.
Anyway a quick de brief told us that we had to keep the cars in the same order, we were allowed to overtake other cars but not each other. Villages had to be strictly 30mph from the first sign. Elsewhere, feel free to enjoy the cars.
So, on the day, the cars we had were
Porsche 911 Turbo
Ford Focus rally spec car
Lotus Evora
Range Rover Sport
Nissan GTR
Apologies were given that the Ferrari and Audi were unavailable - the Ferrari is in getting repaired again and the R8 was out on long term hire. This was disappointing for me as I wanted to finally drive a Ferrari and realise my dream! They did say that anyone who was desperate to drive the Ferrari could give them a call another time and see if it was there they could get a drive.
Now when I hear people talk about different supercars etc and their characteristics, I did not fully appreciate the differences. When you know you are never going to be able to afford these types of car you don't pay too much attention to their strong and weak points!
Anyway, if I had to have one car out of these to use for 7 days it would need to be the RR, purely as I need the space for a dog and occasionally bike. Other than that, my thoughts on the cars were
911 - absolutely fantastic and easy car to drive. This car led the group so could have its legs stretched (actively encouraged by the ES guys). Accelerated brilliantly, gripped the road excellently and everything just seemed good about it inside. I think this could easily be a daily driver and you would arrive refreshed. Oh and I would remove the stereo - would never be on whilst I was listening to the engine sound!
Focus - was wild, very wild, unbelievably wild! ES guy explained that as it was tuned to the hilt, and I think had twin turbos, that when you accelerate past the 4000 revs the accelerator actually kicked back at you as it dumped the pressure. Very unnerving the first few times until you learnt to keep the foot down. Car was very very noisy and although it was great fun, I don't think you could drive this for more than an hour at a time, never mind as a daily driver!
RR Sport - is just a big luxury armchair mounted on big wheels - point and press the pedals and it gets there effortless! Lots of space, this and the Focus were used to carry the passengers who weren't driving at that point.
GTR - fierce acceleration, big wide car that seemed to tramline and follow camber very easily. Had to constantly straighten up but I think you could maybe get used to this as a daily driver.
Evoras - the only car without turbo so power delivery was very different. Also felt the gearbox was strange, couldn't quite put my finger on it but seemed a bit too far forward to the dash and less precise changes. Was an absolute pain to get in and out of, I daresay if you owned one that you would work out a more graceful entry and exit routine though! And rear visibility was useless - in the wing mirrors you saw the rear air intakes and in the rearview mirror you saw hee-haw!! Wouldn't fancy trying to park it!!
Overall had a fantastic day, all the other drivers were good lads (and lasses), there was no stupid or dangerous driving. Importantly, the ES guys were relaxed, great chat and actively encouraged you to enjoy your drive and enjoy your day. I was a bit nervous with my lack of supercar driving experience but it was a very mixed group and everyone got on really well.
I learnt a lot from the day, especially the fact that how fast these cars can both accelerate and drive. And can do this safely. And how they are there to be driven like this. Sometimes on the road you might get passed by a supercar and think "show off" or whatever but now I have huge respect (and jealousy) towards them.
Would thoroughly recommend this to anyone who was thinking of it - you don't need to be a racing driver, you don't need to already have a supercar - just go along and enjoy the experience.
Thanks to the ES guys and to all the other drivers on the day. You made this chappy a very happy man yesterday, an experience that will live forever with me and hopefully I will repeat at some point!
First of all, I have never driven a supercar, I am normally seen behind the wheel of some boring diesels. So my experience may differ from many on here especially those who regularly feature in Scotlands Finest Spotted.
The guys from ES made us very welcome although it was a surprise, and a bit unnerving, to have to sign an indemnity form before we got in the cars agreeing to pay the first £2500 or so of damage! This hadn't been mentioned anywhere that I saw and spooked me a bit.
Anyway a quick de brief told us that we had to keep the cars in the same order, we were allowed to overtake other cars but not each other. Villages had to be strictly 30mph from the first sign. Elsewhere, feel free to enjoy the cars.
So, on the day, the cars we had were
Porsche 911 Turbo
Ford Focus rally spec car
Lotus Evora
Range Rover Sport
Nissan GTR
Apologies were given that the Ferrari and Audi were unavailable - the Ferrari is in getting repaired again and the R8 was out on long term hire. This was disappointing for me as I wanted to finally drive a Ferrari and realise my dream! They did say that anyone who was desperate to drive the Ferrari could give them a call another time and see if it was there they could get a drive.
Now when I hear people talk about different supercars etc and their characteristics, I did not fully appreciate the differences. When you know you are never going to be able to afford these types of car you don't pay too much attention to their strong and weak points!
Anyway, if I had to have one car out of these to use for 7 days it would need to be the RR, purely as I need the space for a dog and occasionally bike. Other than that, my thoughts on the cars were
911 - absolutely fantastic and easy car to drive. This car led the group so could have its legs stretched (actively encouraged by the ES guys). Accelerated brilliantly, gripped the road excellently and everything just seemed good about it inside. I think this could easily be a daily driver and you would arrive refreshed. Oh and I would remove the stereo - would never be on whilst I was listening to the engine sound!
Focus - was wild, very wild, unbelievably wild! ES guy explained that as it was tuned to the hilt, and I think had twin turbos, that when you accelerate past the 4000 revs the accelerator actually kicked back at you as it dumped the pressure. Very unnerving the first few times until you learnt to keep the foot down. Car was very very noisy and although it was great fun, I don't think you could drive this for more than an hour at a time, never mind as a daily driver!
RR Sport - is just a big luxury armchair mounted on big wheels - point and press the pedals and it gets there effortless! Lots of space, this and the Focus were used to carry the passengers who weren't driving at that point.
GTR - fierce acceleration, big wide car that seemed to tramline and follow camber very easily. Had to constantly straighten up but I think you could maybe get used to this as a daily driver.
Evoras - the only car without turbo so power delivery was very different. Also felt the gearbox was strange, couldn't quite put my finger on it but seemed a bit too far forward to the dash and less precise changes. Was an absolute pain to get in and out of, I daresay if you owned one that you would work out a more graceful entry and exit routine though! And rear visibility was useless - in the wing mirrors you saw the rear air intakes and in the rearview mirror you saw hee-haw!! Wouldn't fancy trying to park it!!
Overall had a fantastic day, all the other drivers were good lads (and lasses), there was no stupid or dangerous driving. Importantly, the ES guys were relaxed, great chat and actively encouraged you to enjoy your drive and enjoy your day. I was a bit nervous with my lack of supercar driving experience but it was a very mixed group and everyone got on really well.
I learnt a lot from the day, especially the fact that how fast these cars can both accelerate and drive. And can do this safely. And how they are there to be driven like this. Sometimes on the road you might get passed by a supercar and think "show off" or whatever but now I have huge respect (and jealousy) towards them.
Would thoroughly recommend this to anyone who was thinking of it - you don't need to be a racing driver, you don't need to already have a supercar - just go along and enjoy the experience.
Thanks to the ES guys and to all the other drivers on the day. You made this chappy a very happy man yesterday, an experience that will live forever with me and hopefully I will repeat at some point!
I also did a run with these guys when they were up in Aberdeen last week. I was lucky enough to get to drive the R8 and it was my favourite car of the day. I think the GTR needs a geo set up as there is no way it should tram line so badly. I was really surprised at how good the Evora was.
I would definitely do it again.
I would definitely do it again.
I did this last year and was really pleased with the car selection on my day, except the Caterham. I have a Westfield and was a bit disapointed with this choice, however that said the Caterham was the Cosworth engined one. I also had the 911 Turbo and the Focus as well as a 360 Spyder.
All these cars were wonderful in their own right. The Ferrari simply for the sound of that V8 just behind your ears, the 911, just for being so easy to operate, the Focus, wel what can I say, insane, but noisy at 3000 rpm, and the Caterham which was just like my own car, but a bit better finished off.
On the West Coast Run a few weeks ago the Focus and the Evora turned out of the Fort William road at the Oyster run as I was tryng to turn thee also before parking They were followed by the Nissan, a 430 and the R8. They were all heading back to Lochearnhead, I assume, and when I was heading home that day, nearing Crianlarach, the 5 cars were heading north out on the afternoon jolly.
I thoroughly enjoyed my day and would do it again, but with a different choice of cars obviously.
All these cars were wonderful in their own right. The Ferrari simply for the sound of that V8 just behind your ears, the 911, just for being so easy to operate, the Focus, wel what can I say, insane, but noisy at 3000 rpm, and the Caterham which was just like my own car, but a bit better finished off.
On the West Coast Run a few weeks ago the Focus and the Evora turned out of the Fort William road at the Oyster run as I was tryng to turn thee also before parking They were followed by the Nissan, a 430 and the R8. They were all heading back to Lochearnhead, I assume, and when I was heading home that day, nearing Crianlarach, the 5 cars were heading north out on the afternoon jolly.
I thoroughly enjoyed my day and would do it again, but with a different choice of cars obviously.
Good write up.
I spotted you lot when you were parked there - wondered what the event was...
Seem this lot a few times. Seem to be doing quite well. (Hope they are - always good to see nice cars in these parts)
Craigie said:
Seem this lot a few times. Seem to be doing quite well. (Hope they are - always good to see nice cars in these parts)
cragie said:
Sometimes on the road you might get passed by a supercar and think "show off" or whatever
Edited by monthefish on Monday 14th May 14:58
monthefish said:
Edited by monthefish on Monday 14th May 14:58
Hope that makes sense - I know what I mean!!
Craigie said:
whereas now having done it I realise that overtaking on these types of roads, in these cars, is effortless, its not about showboating its just driving them the way they are meant to be driven!!
Welcome to Pistonheads! 
The road runs are even more fun when you are allowed to overtake each other.
IainT V6 said:
Did anyone else see Exhilirate Scotland get duped on The Real Hustle a month or two ago in a scam involving the Falkirk Wheel and four cars from their stable? Comedy gold 
Yes just happened to be flicking channels when I thought I recognised one of the plates. Quick check of my photos from the day and realised it was definitely the same fleet.I don't think it showed how long they had to wait to find out it was just a prank!
IainT V6 said:
Did anyone else see Exhilirate Scotland get duped on The Real Hustle a month or two ago in a scam involving the Falkirk Wheel and four cars from their stable? Comedy gold
Yes seen that, thought it was brilliant 
I'm off to do the oban run myself with 4 other friend on Saturday looking forward to it
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