F1 Driving Experience - advice please
Discussion
I'm looking to celebrate/commiserate the fact that I'm no longer thirty something by taking an F1 Expereince day.
Rockingham and Mallory Park have come up, about £1,300 for the day.
Anybody got any expereince of these events or similar. I've done track events in sports and single seaters, just feel I need to try an F1 car.
thanks....
Rockingham and Mallory Park have come up, about £1,300 for the day.
Anybody got any expereince of these events or similar. I've done track events in sports and single seaters, just feel I need to try an F1 car.
thanks....
s2_dpd said:
I'm looking to celebrate/commiserate the fact that I'm no longer thirty something by taking an F1 Expereince day.
Rockingham and Mallory Park have come up, about £1,300 for the day.
Anybody got any expereince of these events or similar. I've done track events in sports and single seaters, just feel I need to try an F1 car.
thanks....
Rockingham and Mallory Park have come up, about £1,300 for the day.
Anybody got any expereince of these events or similar. I've done track events in sports and single seaters, just feel I need to try an F1 car.
thanks....
I've not done one, but a lot of the people who have have come away disappointed. Artifical rev limits (8k in a Cosworth V8 that can go over 12k rpm), not enough laps, and of course if you spin or don't follow instruction to the letter you'll be black flagged. Mallory in particular is no place for an F1 car, it's only 1.1miles long, so you won't even get out of third gear!
There's one that's run in the south of France by the old AGS F1 team (on their own track) that's supposed to be a lot better, with proper familiarisation laps in an F3 car. It costs a bit more, but would probably give a better 'experience'. And the weather will be better too!
Not that I've tried but I'd go for the South of France version as well (about £2500 I think). I saw an 'F1 experience' on TV that was held at Three Sisters Kart track at Wigan, the drivers hardly got out of 1st gear, I'd of thought Mallory would be a bit better, probably enough to scare you a bit.
I'm 40 this year as well and I've already booked a half-day at Oulton with my own car but I'm also going to book a driving experience with Motorsports Events where you get 5 laps or so in six cars ranging from a Subaru to Ferrari and Lambo. I'm going to check in advance though that there's no rev/speed limits as these are airfield days. If there are limits can't really see the point, same as the F1 experience, althought you could at least say you'd driven an F1 car, but I think you'd probaly get better value out of perhaps looking to hire a Caterham or something with a meaty engine and no limits.
I'm still searching so any advice on driving experiences without limits welcome.
I'm 40 this year as well and I've already booked a half-day at Oulton with my own car but I'm also going to book a driving experience with Motorsports Events where you get 5 laps or so in six cars ranging from a Subaru to Ferrari and Lambo. I'm going to check in advance though that there's no rev/speed limits as these are airfield days. If there are limits can't really see the point, same as the F1 experience, althought you could at least say you'd driven an F1 car, but I think you'd probaly get better value out of perhaps looking to hire a Caterham or something with a meaty engine and no limits.
I'm still searching so any advice on driving experiences without limits welcome.
Unless you've driven something seriously fast before, I think that driving an F1 car will be so overwhelming that you won't appreciate it. There are plenty of other ways to drive cars that are significantly cheaper than an F1 car but still so fast that it will blow your mind away.
I suggest you give Topcats a call. For less than a third of the F1 price you can spend a day driving a race Tuscan or Sagaris with three others, the cars are mind-blowingly fast but with an experienced instructor beside you with dual controls and an intercom talking you around the circuit you can really exploit the capabilities of the car - and will be encouraged to do so. Completely different to an F1 drive where I imagine you will never get anywhere near the limits of the car and be limited to a few 'oh SHIT' moments in a straight line followed by a trundle round the corners.
I suggest you give Topcats a call. For less than a third of the F1 price you can spend a day driving a race Tuscan or Sagaris with three others, the cars are mind-blowingly fast but with an experienced instructor beside you with dual controls and an intercom talking you around the circuit you can really exploit the capabilities of the car - and will be encouraged to do so. Completely different to an F1 drive where I imagine you will never get anywhere near the limits of the car and be limited to a few 'oh SHIT' moments in a straight line followed by a trundle round the corners.
Thanks for the feedback so far.
Having read through some previous threads I'd sort of expected to be steered away from the F1 in preference to more typical events and schedules.
Although I've got a huge amount to still to learn in terms of track driving, hiting 40 I guess I'm looking for the 'wow' factor and ticking the 'I've done that' box. I'm lucky enough to have driven some great cars, on some great roads, at some great speeds. But I've never driven an F1 car!
Having read through some previous threads I'd sort of expected to be steered away from the F1 in preference to more typical events and schedules.
Although I've got a huge amount to still to learn in terms of track driving, hiting 40 I guess I'm looking for the 'wow' factor and ticking the 'I've done that' box. I'm lucky enough to have driven some great cars, on some great roads, at some great speeds. But I've never driven an F1 car!
I, too, have loosely considered the 'F1 experience' thing, and agree that for the money asked it would be very frustrating not to be allowed to bring the car 'on-cam' and get a 'proper' dose of the performance. As has been discussed before on these pages, a large chunk of the punters for any 'race experience' business are people who drive a Toyota Corolla and recieved a voucher for their 50th birthday, hence limits are imposed accordingly by the race school.
A long time ago, before I got into performance cars and trackdays, I went to an 'experience day' and drove an ancient FF1600 which had been limited to 4000 rpm! As you can imagine a 100-ish bhp engine with a race cam doesn't exactly set the world on fire below 4000 rpm, and to say that it felt gutless was an understatement. The braking response had been wound-down to bugger-all into the bargain...
The answer for PHers with a bit of experience and ability is indeed to seek out a rather less 'off-the-street-punter' orientated outfit. I, too, have looked at Topcats Racing and am planning to have a day with them later in the year, hopefully in the Tuscan. Unrestricted, I reckon the performance will, indeed, feel mind-blowing, and even in the dry will be a real handful to brake and hustle through corners cleanly.
Incidentally, does anyone know if the Topcats days go ahead if it is wet? I can't imagine anything more scary than a Tuscan in the rain, on wets or otherwise!
A long time ago, before I got into performance cars and trackdays, I went to an 'experience day' and drove an ancient FF1600 which had been limited to 4000 rpm! As you can imagine a 100-ish bhp engine with a race cam doesn't exactly set the world on fire below 4000 rpm, and to say that it felt gutless was an understatement. The braking response had been wound-down to bugger-all into the bargain...
The answer for PHers with a bit of experience and ability is indeed to seek out a rather less 'off-the-street-punter' orientated outfit. I, too, have looked at Topcats Racing and am planning to have a day with them later in the year, hopefully in the Tuscan. Unrestricted, I reckon the performance will, indeed, feel mind-blowing, and even in the dry will be a real handful to brake and hustle through corners cleanly.
Incidentally, does anyone know if the Topcats days go ahead if it is wet? I can't imagine anything more scary than a Tuscan in the rain, on wets or otherwise!
s2_dpd said:
Thanks for the feedback so far.
Having read through some previous threads I'd sort of expected to be steered away from the F1 in preference to more typical events and schedules.
Although I've got a huge amount to still to learn in terms of track driving, hiting 40 I guess I'm looking for the 'wow' factor and ticking the 'I've done that' box. I'm lucky enough to have driven some great cars, on some great roads, at some great speeds. But I've never driven an F1 car!
Having read through some previous threads I'd sort of expected to be steered away from the F1 in preference to more typical events and schedules.
Although I've got a huge amount to still to learn in terms of track driving, hiting 40 I guess I'm looking for the 'wow' factor and ticking the 'I've done that' box. I'm lucky enough to have driven some great cars, on some great roads, at some great speeds. But I've never driven an F1 car!
OK so it is not driving a f1 car however as people have said most of them are either dated or limited
and lets be honest it wont be last years Ferrari.
have a look at this if you fancy something a bit out of the ordanary for your 40th and join the club i was 40 last month
mind you i am slowley going Grey i am sure of it !
www.exclusively-african.com/thunder_city/thunder_city_offer.asp?gclid=CNjWpurm2ooCFQ7UlAodPy2zwQ
drakart said:
Try a PALMERSPORT day. You get to drive cars you wouldnt normally drive and the instructors push you very hard. its great fun and around £700. It was the best day of my life.
Yup far far better (been 10+ times now) - and if that gets you going then ask for a day with one of the FPA cars
far more fun than the 'watered down' F1 experiences and with real drivers...IMHO the only way to experience a proper F1 car would be to get a ride in a two seater. No one in there right mind would take a bloke off the streets and let them loose in a real F1 car. I would not waste my money on a so called F1 drive. Try hiring a Radical SR3 and an instuctor and do a track day at maybe Silverstone GP. You will be grinning for weeks afterwards!!
DO NOT do the F1 experience at Mallory Park. I did it a few years ago and it was absolutely rubbish. The (ancient) car's engine is de-tuned so much that there is very little acceleration left. All you get is the sound of the incredibly noisy exhaust. Even the brakes are softened. A total waste of money. The French AGS experience is supposed to be much much better.
The Palmersport day is really excellent, great cars, good instructors, and you can drive the cars very hard.
Or try a TrackClub hire car - they will take it to a circuit for you and you then spend the day (or half-day) blasting around Donnington or wherever. Their Renault Spider is great fun, or Caterham or Exige etc.
Or for something a bit different, Bespoke Cars (advertised in Top Gear, Evo etc) do a classic sports car day where for about £350 you drive about five cars for the whole day along country roads. Ferrari 308, 80's 911, Morgan V8, TVR, Aston Martin, Jaguar E type etc - good fun.
The Palmersport day is really excellent, great cars, good instructors, and you can drive the cars very hard.
Or try a TrackClub hire car - they will take it to a circuit for you and you then spend the day (or half-day) blasting around Donnington or wherever. Their Renault Spider is great fun, or Caterham or Exige etc.
Or for something a bit different, Bespoke Cars (advertised in Top Gear, Evo etc) do a classic sports car day where for about £350 you drive about five cars for the whole day along country roads. Ferrari 308, 80's 911, Morgan V8, TVR, Aston Martin, Jaguar E type etc - good fun.
OK, OK...
I've driven 10,000+ miles in Ferraris & Maseratis.
I've been in the 'wrong seat' of an XJ220, F40, Carrera Cup on track.
I've driven single seaters, legends & sports cars on track.
I've pushed a V12 to 177.
Now I've got a grand or so, for a 1 off, remember forever event - what do I do?
I've driven 10,000+ miles in Ferraris & Maseratis.
I've been in the 'wrong seat' of an XJ220, F40, Carrera Cup on track.
I've driven single seaters, legends & sports cars on track.
I've pushed a V12 to 177.
Now I've got a grand or so, for a 1 off, remember forever event - what do I do?
You could try the aerial equivalent. Go to White Waltham airfield, chuck 300 notes or so at Alan Cassidy, ex-British aerobatics champion, and he'll take you up in an Extra 300 which'll go up to 10g, stomach-contents, heart-condition and blood-flow to the head permitting! Ultimate High at Kemble do the same, with a bit of formation and tailchasing thrown in if you wish.
Some other left-field suggestions away from the F1-thing: there's a hydroplane racing school in Warwickshire, and some of the rally schools will let you rag Imprezas and Lancers on the loose (although I reckon a MK2 Escort would be more fun...).
Some other left-field suggestions away from the F1-thing: there's a hydroplane racing school in Warwickshire, and some of the rally schools will let you rag Imprezas and Lancers on the loose (although I reckon a MK2 Escort would be more fun...).
s2_dpd said:
I'm looking to celebrate/commiserate the fact that I'm no longer thirty something by taking an F1 Expereince day.
Rockingham and Mallory Park have come up, about £1,300 for the day.
Anybody got any expereince of these events or similar. I've done track events in sports and single seaters, just feel I need to try an F1 car.
thanks....
Rockingham and Mallory Park have come up, about £1,300 for the day.
Anybody got any expereince of these events or similar. I've done track events in sports and single seaters, just feel I need to try an F1 car.
thanks....
Well, back to your original question. I have worked for both Mallory and Rockingham (same company as run at 3 sisters) and, although i've not worked ON the actual experiences themselves I know a bit about them. The 3 Sisters/Rockingham option does include quite a bit of time in a Formula Ford car and an F3 car, before you go out in the F1 car. This gives you plenty of time to learn the track and "build up" to your F1 drive. 3 sisters is perhaps a little on the tight and twisty side but does give you lots to do. Rockingham is more open and you will reach higher speeds. I've worked alongside the F1 Experience at Rockingham and can testify they are bl@@dy quick. You DO get into top gear and the engines are not rev limited beyond sensible "engine saving" limits. AFAIK it's a mid 90s F1 car with about 700-800bhp. As I say, I don't know all the details but give them a call and ask specific questions.
M.
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