Best Supercar Track Experience Advice

[DucatiRoss]

Hi All,

I tried searching for existing posts on this topic and am obviously a techno-dunce and failed miserably. So I'm sorry to have to ask something that must be posted at least once an hour.

I'd be grateful for any suggestions for the best track experience out there that :-
- gives me access to the most exotic and interesting cars
- gives me the most track time
- lets me thrash the nuts off all of them with no silly rev limits or the like
- is at a track/venue that allows the most to be made of the cars

I'm experienced on track racing two wheels, but never driven a car on a circuit, so this may be a factor to consider.

The best suggestion wins a share of the track time (ok, maybe not, but I will write all about it !)

thanks chaps.

DucatiRoss

[E-bmw]

I don't know if this is pertinent to you or not & doesn't really answer your question but may give you another idea.

Have you thought of a track day/evening in a rental track car?

Several companies do it & depending on budget you will get lots of time on track in a well prepared competitive car.

[Truckosaurus]

DucatiRoss said:

...
- lets me thrash the nuts off all of them with no silly rev limits or the like
...

Unsurprisingly, if you drive sensibly at first then the instructor will encourage and allow you to drive flat out for the rest of the session, whereas if you start off like a startled rabbit they wind you back and not let you use the performance.

I believe the 'best' of these days is the Palmersport at Bedford events, much more than the short 'experience' drives offered elsewhere (which are ok for what they are).

[Craikeybaby]

Palmersport is the usual answer.

[upsidedownmark]

Palmersport. For my money, the half day with the JPLM, single seater and whatever else they offer in that package currently.

Generally avoid supercar days, and understand there's an inverse relationship between 'exotic' and 'thrash the nuts off it'.

Or more DIY hire a caterham on a regular trackday..

[C70R]

If you just want to go quick (and not put photos of yourself standing next to a Lambo on Facebook), Bookatrack Caterham or Palmersport are the bet options.

[dh00065p]

Or if you want something really quick with masses of downforce try one of Puremotion motor sports Radicals on the Silverstone Grand Prix circuit and feel the g force.

[DucatiRoss]

Palmersport seems to get a big vote of confidence then. Have to say that a few laps in a Radical sounds awesome too.

As a subscriber and avid reader of Evo, I was also thinking of the 6th Gear Driving experience, with their top package being driving of 10 supercars on their Supreme experience :-
https://www.6thgearexperience.com/product/supreme-...

Anyone done this one and is it worth the big bucks ? 3 laps in each car doesn't sound like a huge amount to get a feel for each one though.

The palmersport full day program really does look good though - the thought of driving a F3000 and the JP-LM car is really tempting. The site doesn't give details of actual driving time or prices though :-
http://www.palmersport.com/full-day-programme.aspx...

Thanks for the advice - anyone got any more ?

[Truckosaurus]

DucatiRoss said:

...I was also thinking of the 6th Gear Driving experience...

We bought my step-father one of there experiences at Longcross (top of the M3). It was good setup they've got going, but it is not a track day or fast driving experience by any stretch of the imagination (nor does it claim to be).

It looked like they allowed decent bursts of acceleration on the straight, but it the cornering is more road driving than track driving, which is to be expected as the course is pretty much a road and not a track.

[MrC986]

The likes of the 6th Gear Experience are just that i.e. a brief experience. I've done the Palmersport day a few times in the past and it's a more immersed opportunity to drive fast with instruction and they will encourage you to drive faster if you are able and the conditions allow. I recommend you have a closer look at how they run their days and speak to them directly - it's the adage you get what you pay for IMO.

[upsidedownmark]

DucatiRoss said:

Palmersport seems to get a big vote of confidence then. Have to say that a few laps in a Radical sounds awesome too.

As a subscriber and avid reader of Evo, I was also thinking of the 6th Gear Driving experience, with their top package being driving of 10 supercars on their Supreme experience :-
https://www.6thgearexperience.com/product/supreme-...

Anyone done this one and is it worth the big bucks ? 3 laps in each car doesn't sound like a huge amount to get a feel for each one though.

The palmersport full day program really does look good though - the thought of driving a F3000 and the JP-LM car is really tempting. The site doesn't give details of actual driving time or prices though :-
http://www.palmersport.com/full-day-programme.aspx...

Thanks for the advice - anyone got any more ?

A supercar experience will be just that - you'll get to experience the car. If you're used to tracking bikes, don't expect to be impressed (few cars will impress in a straight line). IMHO, I wouldn't waste half that..

Palmersport are (or were at the time I did it) a 15 min session in each car. The instructors will actually get you to drive faster than you think possible.. I needed a proper lie down after both the quick cars... the atom seemed mundane after. That or the radical would be my picks. Or as I say you could have a whole day in a caterham from say bookatrack for less than the supercars.

[C70R]

I actually had a great time at Thruxton on one of their 'experience' days. A few laps in a couple of road cars, then 20min (on a short track) in what they charitably described as a "Formula Renault". It was a rough-and-ready single-seater (right-hand H-pattern 4 speed) so my expectations were low, but the cornering speeds it was capable of were astonishing.

[DucatiRoss]

Thanks for all the advice everyone. Palmersport it is ! I'll let you know how I get on.

[Hifly130]

Palmermotor sport are great. Very professional and really get you to push hard. Had a high speed spin on their old porsche 911 and instead of being taken off was encouraged to push just as much the next lap. Problem is they are pricy but money no object they would be my 1st call.

Puremotion motorsport, great instructor got you to push again. Radical will blow all those supercar experiences into the weeds. Amazing down force. Again pricy but their radical blast is ok price wise.

SWB racing use 2010 formula ford turbo at bicester. Done it recently very good value for money and a lot better than other cheap single seater experiences however there is the boss usually sitting in a land-rover just off the circuit. If he doesn't like your driving your off. 1 spin allowed.

Best is find an experience you like and YouTube it. If the instructor is telling drivers to stay in 3rd gear and "just use the torque" avoid. Lots out there for people who want to say they've driven a Ferrari but not many will let you really drive them (which is understand le).

[Joshs96]

Another option for if you wanted a cheaper but shorter experience could be to look into Drift Limits, I've done a drifting day there and they give the briefing for their track experiences at the same time, and they said they try to push you to get the most out of the car, and joked that their instructors have no sense of self preservation left anyway.

Got quite an interesting range of cars as well including a nitrous injected lamborghini gallardo and a 1000hp nissan GTR, and most of them are on slicks as well.

[Hifly130]

I have done drifting also at driftlimits and it was great fun and yes they really got you to push but then again they are old mx5 s which are cheap to replace. Would thoroughly recommend their drifting.

I did their atom and it was very much stick it in third ( was a tricky box) and leave it but in terms of cornering and acceleration they got you to push.

Their formula renault experience does looks to be on coned out section of runway. I think there policy is put it in one gear and leave it but I maybe wrong.

Edited by Hifly130 on Thursday 3rd August 09:23

Edited by Hifly130 on Thursday 3rd August 09:24

[V8Chris]

I will back up Palmersport

[DucatiRoss]

Great comments everyone. This has really helped me. I will contact Palmersport and see if I can afford it !

Thanks muchly.

[alexpez]

Another + for the Palmersports day here. As stated above, ease into each car to build up the trust of the instructor next to you and you'll be encouraged to go faster than you think you can.

I loved the Atom! My radio unplugged during the session and I couldn't hear a word of instruction. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XouV5A52V6U&t=...

Edited by alexpez on Tuesday 8th August 14:20