Best trackday with cars included preferably -Elise

[nobbles]

Does anybody recommend a good trackday experience, one of those all in and driving different cars.... Lucky enough to get offer for a birthday present but not sure which or where. NB I do have an Elise but do not want to hurt her or abuse her, I would rather use and abuse a provided car...

[nick@pharmarecru]

I had a ball at the Bedford Autodrome a few years back - it's a Jonathan Palmer thing - no rev limits lots of different cars ans "go faster" instructors. Not cheap but good.

[maxf]

Thruxton was ace!

Some crap laps in an MG... then...

3 laps - SLK 350
4 laps - Mercielego
4 laps - 360
3 laps - 911 turbo
3 laps - F355
6 laps - formula renault single seater

The insturctors was genuinely very good. All but one (355) were really egging me on (and I'm not slow) - I managed to get the 360 in a bit of sideways action which the instructor didnt bollock me for.

I actually learnt a lot, and by the time the single seaters (limited to 4k rpm) came round I was keeping up with the more timid supercar drivers.

The Mercielago is one of the only e-gears in the county and is ace - more power than you could ever use (I started laughing out loud when I floored it).

They dont tend to let you drop into 2nd for slow corner, and ask you to stick to 3rd and 4th, but the torque on the cars is awesome so it really didnt take anything away from the experience. I redlined the 360 and 911t a few times without problem or comment - and had the single seater bouncing of the olimiter a good few times!

The 355s were all LHD, but all the others were RHD - there was a RHD 360 spider, and LHD modena - if that matters.

You basically buy a course then can add extra cars on the day. Being a gimp I added them all (it also made up for the traffic jam on the M25 I struggled through)

[nobbles]

MaxF - how much was your track day?

I have researched the Jonathon Palmer day and it sounds fantastic but at 700 quid maybe I am expecting too much from my birthday present - I wonder about haggling?

Any other recommendations?????????

[maxf]

I think it was about £320-350 for the lambo and 360 (plus MG and SLK), then I added the rest when I was there - about 50 for the single seaters, 55 or 60 each for the 911 and 355. I recon I *probably* had change from £500. I also bought a DVD of my laps on top of that.

Not cheap and not as hooligan-esq as Ive heard the JP days are - but it was the only place in the country I could find who would let me drive that combo of cars, and on a decent track.

My digi camera was broken a few days before but I have some normal pics I can post if I ever get round to scanning them in. I'll also upload the DVD at some point.

There were elises there too - but I drive one anyway, so didnt bother about asking about them - I think they might have been part of a more structured 'school'.

[mindgam3]

I did an M3 experience at rockingham and the elise and mini cooper S experience people go out at the same time.

Great track, probably the best facilities in the UK and no rev restrictions etc in place at all

[nobbles]

Rockingham have an Elise day 449 GBP, I think it is a new event. I am waiting for more info from them as to track time etc. From looking at all the "experiences" it does seem to come down to track time, for example the Lotus experience at Rockingham is 150 GBP and lasts 2 hours, but only 20 minutes of this is track time.

The 449GBP elise day is potentially what I am looking for but the expensive Jonathan Palmer day is still very tempting and when broken down possibly good value compared to cheaper events.

Any one know more about the Rockingham Lotus event?

[maxf]

If you really want to drive the elise - go to Hethel! Ive done the £99 one and it was ace - they also do a £450 and a £600 course which are more involved. Good tutors who encourage you to drive fast!

Alteratively - if you have a sports car already book up on a first lotus airfield day. Learn lots about your car and swap in with elise drivers as well.

[ssbell]

They probably won't thank me for putting this up on a public site, but you are guaranteed a ball at Bedford Autodrome and it's one of the few (only) places you can drive a real single seater around and experience what it's like....


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