Good track day as a gift?

[livinginasia]

Hi, I hope someone can help with a recommendation please - a friend of mins has his birthday next weekend and his wife wants to buy him a track day as a gift, not to take his own car but where you get to drive a few laps on a track. I do track days in my own car but I have no idea of which of the track days are good value. Budget is up to £250, and he is based in the south near to Goodwood so Brands and Thruxton aren’t a million miles away.

Has anyone done a good one anywhere in the south where you get more than just one or two laps please ?

Thanks for any suggestions.

[Steve H]

MSV do well organised stuff so Brands would probably be a good option.

[livinginasia]

Steve H said:

MSV do well organised stuff so Brands would probably be a good option.

Thank you ! Will take a look now.

[JeremyH5]

This sounds like she needs to look at 6th Gear Experience where you drive their cars for a few laps and can put packages together to suit your budget.
https://www.6thgearexperience.com/experience-days/...

I don’t know if they offer the circuits you mention.

[JeremyH5]

https://www.6thgearexperience.com/product/supercar...

How about that? Castle Combe and Dunsfold are options.

I might have a go at that myself.

[livinginasia]

JeremyH5 said:

https://www.6thgearexperience.com/product/supercar...

How about that? Castle Combe and Dunsfold are options.

I might have a go at that myself.

That one looks perfect ! Having read that, I am going to do it with him if she books this one! Happy days!

[thebraketester]

Silverstone single seater is fun.

[DanL]

JeremyH5 said:

https://www.6thgearexperience.com/product/supercar...

How about that? Castle Combe and Dunsfold are options.

I might have a go at that myself.

You’ll drive the cars on a track, but it’s certainly not a track day in someone else’s cars if that’s what you’re looking for. A lap or two in each car with an instructor / supervisor and some sensible speed, fast on the straight bits. You won’t be hanging the back out on the corners...

ETA: this was my experience in some of their “lesser” cars, at least; R8, 911 turbo and Aston Vantage. It was nice to drive them, but was no track day...

Edited by DanL on Sunday 24th January 19:57

[JeremyH5]

DanL said:

JeremyH5 said:

https://www.6thgearexperience.com/product/supercar...

How about that? Castle Combe and Dunsfold are options.

I might have a go at that myself.

You’ll drive the cars on a track, but it’s certainly not a track day in someone else’s cars if that’s what you’re looking for. A lap or two in each car with an instructor / supervisor and some sensible speed, fast on the straight bits. You won’t be hanging the back out on the corners...

ETA: this was my experience in some of their “lesser” cars, at least; R8, 911 turbo and Aston Vantage. It was nice to drive them, but was no track day...

Edited by DanL on Sunday 24th January 19:57

My only previous experience with them was in an Aston V8 Vantage at Blyton. There was some delay once I was in the car and I was chatting to the instructor about my three year experience racing MX-5s. This relaxed him and he let me give it the beans. Had a good laugh with him. A mate of mine used to instruct with them and he said there were basically two types of driver; those you felt comfortable with and those that made you pray and wish for duplicate pedals.

[Evoluzione]

If they're taking bookings for 2022 that would be a good idea.

[Cambs_Stuart]

Track obsession offer a track day where you turn up and drive one of their own Clio RS 200's. A tution session is included as well, but your on your own most of the time and free to use the car as you wish (within reason).
Palmersport also offer a lot of experience days that are a lot more serious than a few heavily supervised laps in someone else's supercar.

[marcosgt]

I've done a few of these and most have been enjoyable, but last year (Xmas 2019!) my wife bought me a rally experience at Brands Hatch.

I wasn't sure what to expect really, but it was, without doubt, the most enjoyable one of the lot.

They use Toyota GT86s which, obviously, aren't terribly fast, and the 'stages' are more like Rallycross circuits, but you're encouraged to go as fast as you can (no tutting if you spin or lock the brakes!) and it's non stop input and response, far more exciting at (probably) 40 MPH than 110MPH in a supercar on a wide open circuit.

Highly recommended if you want to do some 'driving'!

M

[livinginasia]

marcosgt said:

I've done a few of these and most have been enjoyable, but last year (Xmas 2019!) my wife bought me a rally experience at Brands Hatch.

I wasn't sure what to expect really, but it was, without doubt, the most enjoyable one of the lot.

They use Toyota GT86s which, obviously, aren't terribly fast, and the 'stages' are more like Rallycross circuits, but you're encouraged to go as fast as you can (no tutting if you spin or lock the brakes!) and it's non stop input and response, far more exciting at (probably) 40 MPH than 110MPH in a supercar on a wide open circuit.

Highly recommended if you want to do some 'driving'!

M

Thank you - that’s a really interesting idea.

[timbo999]

Can recommend the Goodwood Performance Drives - range of MINIs and BMWs from JCW up to M8 Competition with no rev or speed limits. You get three 15 minute sessions with an instructor. The last time I did this (October) my instructor raced Minis at the Goodwood Revival and was pressing me to go faster... I've driven at Goodwood more than once for each of the last 19 years so I (thought I) knew my way round but ended up going about as fast as I ever have. M2 Comp and Z4M40i were highlights for me.

Want2race do similar in Caterhams and Ginetta G40s at a range of tracks - these are during their track days at various tracks.

Both thoroughly recommended - they are definitely not 'experience days' - so much so that I am considering not replacing my track car as I sold it in December '19.

[Cambs_Stuart]

livinginasia said:

Thank you - that’s a really interesting idea.

Good idea. I had a fantastic day out at the london rally school, the cars were well used and tatty compared to a supercar experience, but i did get to really thrash them.