buyagift voucher - any suggestions?
Discussion
I'm looking for suggestions on good tracks or activities to do with this voucher - not proper "track days" as such, but I've got a buyagift voucher which is pretty transferrable between different 'driving experience' providers. The booking website is full of all sorts of stuff : fast & furious stuff aimed at 10-year olds, A-team van driving, HGV experiences, tank driving, as well as a load of 'supercar thrill' type stuff. I've done a couple of these before : the first (mainly in Rover 25s [!!!])got me into trackdays for many years, and the second was a very sanitised drive of a few miles in an R8 and a 911 GT3 ... great cars, but short-shifting and speed limits won't cut it any more for me.
In fact I'd much prefer to rag an MX5 or a retired rally car around with fewer restrictions on what I'm up to, and hopefully pick up a few new skills on the way.
I'm happy to travel anywhere in GB, as I'll make a weekend of it.
Any suggestions on locations / experiences that are all about driving on the limit and less concerned about protecting some pseudo-exotic machinery? The voucher is worth somewhere around £150-200 if that helps.
(edit) : For context, I've done a load of proper trackdays in my own car (sold a few years ago) around the UK over the years : Goodwood, Silverstone, Brands, Donington, Anglesey, various airfields etc.
In fact I'd much prefer to rag an MX5 or a retired rally car around with fewer restrictions on what I'm up to, and hopefully pick up a few new skills on the way.
I'm happy to travel anywhere in GB, as I'll make a weekend of it.
Any suggestions on locations / experiences that are all about driving on the limit and less concerned about protecting some pseudo-exotic machinery? The voucher is worth somewhere around £150-200 if that helps.
(edit) : For context, I've done a load of proper trackdays in my own car (sold a few years ago) around the UK over the years : Goodwood, Silverstone, Brands, Donington, Anglesey, various airfields etc.
Edited by Bootdog on Saturday 29th January 21:41
I've done a few over the years. If they are fairly cheap days, ie sub £200, your options will likely be:
"Tank" driving. Not really a tank, but a tracked APC. It'll make a load of noise and drive over more or less anything, very different experience, probably the most memorable.
A skidpan or an off road experience. Offer something different, more about control than adrenaline. You'll probably feel you got something for your money and you might learn a thing or two.
Single seater experience. Blat around a small track in a small formula car. They'll be restricted in some way, but you'll be able to drive them how you want as fast as you can. Fun to be had for sure. (My review of Silverstone single seaters if interested: https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
Supercar snoozefest. Drive an old Gallardo like you're in a 50 zone, on a driving test, and the police are watching. You can hope you're lucky enough to turn up on the right day and get the instructor that let's you floor it occasionally.
Having done all of the above, the only one I wouldn't do again is the supercar one. That said, the enjoyment will depend on who you do it with. Read reviews, ideally from people like yourself who have a bit of motoring experience.
"Tank" driving. Not really a tank, but a tracked APC. It'll make a load of noise and drive over more or less anything, very different experience, probably the most memorable.
A skidpan or an off road experience. Offer something different, more about control than adrenaline. You'll probably feel you got something for your money and you might learn a thing or two.
Single seater experience. Blat around a small track in a small formula car. They'll be restricted in some way, but you'll be able to drive them how you want as fast as you can. Fun to be had for sure. (My review of Silverstone single seaters if interested: https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
Supercar snoozefest. Drive an old Gallardo like you're in a 50 zone, on a driving test, and the police are watching. You can hope you're lucky enough to turn up on the right day and get the instructor that let's you floor it occasionally.
Having done all of the above, the only one I wouldn't do again is the supercar one. That said, the enjoyment will depend on who you do it with. Read reviews, ideally from people like yourself who have a bit of motoring experience.
Edited by Pebbles167 on Sunday 30th January 03:58
Got one of these before Christmas, booked the normal experience at Abingdon but went for a 911, Caterham and Challenger Hellcat. Not really interested in ‘supercars’ but thought I’d see what the fuss is about with 911 and Caterhams, and always fancied a go into some modern american muscle.
I made memories with one of these.
Took my Dad for his birthday after my Mum died, so he would have been about 81 then.
We had a day at an airfield in Leicestershire and drove:
32 tonne artic
49 seater coach
JCB, including digging and filling in a hole
Competitive Mini Moke auto-solo driving with a difference - the driver was blind fold, the passenger had to direct.
There was more, but I don't remember those bits.
We had great day and talked a lot more than we used to.
I remember my shock when I found out he had been part of the team that invented Ibuprofen.
He's no longer with us now, but I still remember that day
Took my Dad for his birthday after my Mum died, so he would have been about 81 then.
We had a day at an airfield in Leicestershire and drove:
32 tonne artic
49 seater coach
JCB, including digging and filling in a hole
Competitive Mini Moke auto-solo driving with a difference - the driver was blind fold, the passenger had to direct.
There was more, but I don't remember those bits.
We had great day and talked a lot more than we used to.
I remember my shock when I found out he had been part of the team that invented Ibuprofen.
He's no longer with us now, but I still remember that day
Having done a few I'd agree with posters above and steer well clear of the "supercar" thrill/blast days. My personal best days out (that haven't been in my own car) were rally days at the Cambridge rally school, where handbrake turns and drifting were very much encouraged and a single seater day at Silverstone.
Edited by Cambs_Stuart on Monday 31st January 17:19
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