Gravel Rally Experience Days

[spuckle]

Anyone had any experience of these? Any recommendations?

They seem to vary in price quite considerably - I'd like one that does 4wd and one-to-one tuition. Oh, and one that gives me as much time in the car as possible - obviously.

[spuckle]

Surely someone must've done one of these?!

[Don]

You've set a tall order there.

The Silverstone Rally School has its own loose surface stage. The cars are RWD.

I thoroughly enjoyed the day. A group of 12. Two cars.

So if you are after maximum in-car time I'm not sure you would really be that impressed?

BUT

If you actually want to learn something I thought it was brilliant! The morning consists of lectures (3) each one followed by a practical demonstration and then a practice session for each attendee. The lessons were Powerslide, Handbrake turn and Pendulum effect (a la Scandinavian flick). The afternoon consisted of a run on a fixed circuit of of their stage - followed by a run around the stage following the instructor's (acting as a co-driver) directions. Finally you get shown how it should be done with a breathtaking hoon around the stage in the passenger seat. £250 or so IIRC - we got a discount by filling the day.

I've written about the school before - a search will find my review.

I thought it was utterly brilliant. But if you want to spend all day behind the wheel with 1:1 tuition it isn't it - and look out for that to cost you at least four times as much!

[spuckle]

Thanks, found a few - anyone experienced this one?

www.forestrally.co.uk/courses-full-day.htm


>> Edited by spuckle on Friday 12th May 15:45

[nightdriver]

spuckle said:

Thanks, found a few - anyone experienced this one? www.forestrally.co.uk/courses-full-day.htm >> Edited by spuckle on Friday 12th May 15:45

Haven't experienced it but they are BARS approved which is good. Also the instructors include David Higgins and his brother, current British champion Mark Higgins - so your instructors should know what there doing.....

[JeffSTI2]

I've done the Bill Gwynne rally day which was great fun. If you're prepared to take a chance and go for a late booking, you can get it cheaper. It was the middle of winter when I did it so I guess it gets more difficult to get late bookings as the weather gets better.

www.billgwynne.com

Regards

Jeff

[j.d.clarke]

www.forestrally.co.uk/courses-full

I bought this one for my Dad's 60th, went along to spectate for the day. They had a quick chat about driving techniques and then in the cars to get on with it.

Not much time in the cars though, each car was shared between 5/6 people.

AM was handbrake turns / getting the back end out.

PM was runs along the 5 mile forest stage.

It's run by Mark Higgins and his brother, not particularly well organised, run from a Portacabin in the middle of the forest. Lots of problems with the cars all day as well, seized brakes / engines cutting out / punctures (not their fault) / wheel bearing / hubs had to be tightened after every run.

Cars were 2 X MK2 Escorts (2 litre I think) , full cages, buckets, harnesses etc - very battered bodywork, and also a Mitsi Lancer done up to look like a full WRC Lancer EVO.

The day would probably suit a 'normal' car driver, but for most 'performance' car drivers / drivers with a keen interest in motorsport / interest in advanced driving techniques it probably won't seem particularly exciting.

Just my / my Dad's opinion.

Mark Higgin's is a top bloke though, very friendly / chatty all day - rest of the crew were pretty miserable.

[spuckle]

Thanks, think I'll give the forest one a miss then.

Will probably give Bill Gwynne a go - it's nearer anyway

Edited by spuckle on Monday 19th June 15:25