Rally driving experiences and subarus
Discussion
There was a thread back in 2010 on this that seemed to recommend all the ones I've looked at anyway - Phil's Driving School, Gwynne Speed, and the London Rally School in Oxford, but my question is slightly different...
My motivations for wanting to do rally driving aside from the obvious are that I've always wanted to drive a Subaru. I've no good reason to want to drive a Subaru other than that it's the car I always picked when playing Colin McRae Rally years ago, probably cos I liked the stars on the side [judge me as you wish!]. However this dream is being brought further into question the more I actually look into them as an actual car to drive. Would appreciate some informed insights as to why they're terrible/ brilliant and how they compare to say Ford Escorts and Citroen C2's and, well, is there any difference at all honestly for someone with zero speedy-driving experience?
I'm aware not all these places offer the chance to drive a subaru hence why I'm asking, but will I necessarily be missing out if I pick the one doesn't [Gwnne Speed]? Are Subarus all they're cracked up to be [in my head] or are there better cars? How much does it matter to someone who's only ever driven in bog standard and is happy going even going slightly too fast down a wind-y country lane? Mostly I'm thinking, is the chance to drive a Subaru worth the extra mileage and ~50 quid price difference?
Would appreciate some insights as I think up til now I've been blindly dreaming...
[also, are the rally driving experiences on offer particularly different to each other or all offer pretty much the same thing?]
My motivations for wanting to do rally driving aside from the obvious are that I've always wanted to drive a Subaru. I've no good reason to want to drive a Subaru other than that it's the car I always picked when playing Colin McRae Rally years ago, probably cos I liked the stars on the side [judge me as you wish!]. However this dream is being brought further into question the more I actually look into them as an actual car to drive. Would appreciate some informed insights as to why they're terrible/ brilliant and how they compare to say Ford Escorts and Citroen C2's and, well, is there any difference at all honestly for someone with zero speedy-driving experience?
I'm aware not all these places offer the chance to drive a subaru hence why I'm asking, but will I necessarily be missing out if I pick the one doesn't [Gwnne Speed]? Are Subarus all they're cracked up to be [in my head] or are there better cars? How much does it matter to someone who's only ever driven in bog standard and is happy going even going slightly too fast down a wind-y country lane? Mostly I'm thinking, is the chance to drive a Subaru worth the extra mileage and ~50 quid price difference?
Would appreciate some insights as I think up til now I've been blindly dreaming...
[also, are the rally driving experiences on offer particularly different to each other or all offer pretty much the same thing?]
Driving an Impreza varies greatly depending on spec, some are ace some not.
I was looking for a good rally day at Xmas and like you wanted to drive a scoob. Every single day I found the Imprezas they were using were 2.0 non turbos so it put me right off the idea.
I decided then the next best thing would be one of the places that has an old rwd escort or similar so you can actually do a bit of sliding about.
If anyone knows of a rally place that lets you drive a proper turbo scoob (or at a stretch Evo etc) then I'd be very keen on that.
I was looking for a good rally day at Xmas and like you wanted to drive a scoob. Every single day I found the Imprezas they were using were 2.0 non turbos so it put me right off the idea.
I decided then the next best thing would be one of the places that has an old rwd escort or similar so you can actually do a bit of sliding about.
If anyone knows of a rally place that lets you drive a proper turbo scoob (or at a stretch Evo etc) then I'd be very keen on that.
RB Will said:
Driving an Impreza varies greatly depending on spec, some are ace some not.
I was looking for a good rally day at Xmas and like you wanted to drive a scoob. Every single day I found the Imprezas they were using were 2.0 non turbos so it put me right off the idea.
I decided then the next best thing would be one of the places that has an old rwd escort or similar so you can actually do a bit of sliding about.
If anyone knows of a rally place that lets you drive a proper turbo scoob (or at a stretch Evo etc) then I'd be very keen on that.
Ooh that's worth knowing! Gwynne Speed did say their C2's do a lot of sliding sideaways so knowing that imprezas don't necessarily is good to know!I was looking for a good rally day at Xmas and like you wanted to drive a scoob. Every single day I found the Imprezas they were using were 2.0 non turbos so it put me right off the idea.
I decided then the next best thing would be one of the places that has an old rwd escort or similar so you can actually do a bit of sliding about.
If anyone knows of a rally place that lets you drive a proper turbo scoob (or at a stretch Evo etc) then I'd be very keen on that.
[I really wish I knew more about these things like what affects what... need to do more nosing around!]
Some 'rally experiences' are just that. You get a small amount of time driving a 'Rally' car on a flat course - Look for a full day course in a proper environment to make the most of it. I went to Phil Price (Wales) for my 30th and honestly I cant recommend it enough.
You get an intro video over cups of tea then they let you loose out on the training circuit with an instructor telling you to give it more power and feel it slide. It was mostly in RWD MK2 escorts (very light and easy to drive/catch drifts) when I went but looks like they run just Imprezas now.
This is the 'training' circuit by the way https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gqvoNGxsN9U
Not my video but gives you an idea. Part of the proper rally circuit is that road that goes up the hill at the back to show you that this is no gravel car park job!
The numbers are limited and there is always two cars out on circuit so after your turn you get a few mins rest then its back in it again. This goes on all day so plenty of seat time.
However, this is the just the training area where you learn the skills. During the afternoon, when you have hopefully learnt a bit, you all get taken out to drive the the dual controls Group N Impreza around the proper rally stage as fast as your abilities allow you as he shouts the directions as co-driver. Phil does assist where required but otherwise its all you!
You also get taken out as a passenger in his Rally Impreza at full speed which is worth the visit on its own.
At the end of the day, they setup a timed course in the practice area as seen in the above video - no co driver for this bit, you are own your own.
This is the course: http://www.philprice.co.uk/courses/1-day-intense-c...
We traveled up there the night before and stayed in the Horse & Jockey in Knighton which is 30 mins away
So you get to train in one, drive a proper one around a proper rally course as fast as you can and then get driven in a Group A Rally car at full pace all in one day - sounds like you've found a winner at Phil Price.
You get an intro video over cups of tea then they let you loose out on the training circuit with an instructor telling you to give it more power and feel it slide. It was mostly in RWD MK2 escorts (very light and easy to drive/catch drifts) when I went but looks like they run just Imprezas now.
This is the 'training' circuit by the way https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gqvoNGxsN9U
Not my video but gives you an idea. Part of the proper rally circuit is that road that goes up the hill at the back to show you that this is no gravel car park job!
The numbers are limited and there is always two cars out on circuit so after your turn you get a few mins rest then its back in it again. This goes on all day so plenty of seat time.
However, this is the just the training area where you learn the skills. During the afternoon, when you have hopefully learnt a bit, you all get taken out to drive the the dual controls Group N Impreza around the proper rally stage as fast as your abilities allow you as he shouts the directions as co-driver. Phil does assist where required but otherwise its all you!
You also get taken out as a passenger in his Rally Impreza at full speed which is worth the visit on its own.
At the end of the day, they setup a timed course in the practice area as seen in the above video - no co driver for this bit, you are own your own.
This is the course: http://www.philprice.co.uk/courses/1-day-intense-c...
We traveled up there the night before and stayed in the Horse & Jockey in Knighton which is 30 mins away
So you get to train in one, drive a proper one around a proper rally course as fast as you can and then get driven in a Group A Rally car at full pace all in one day - sounds like you've found a winner at Phil Price.
Edited by The Hofff on Wednesday 1st July 15:24
This is their promo vid on you tube which shows you more of the full course and what happens on the day
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_nBK94lInfY
There are plenty of other vids on there too to give you an idea
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_nBK94lInfY
There are plenty of other vids on there too to give you an idea
I used a gift voucher* at the Oxford one.
It's a bit of torn up WW2 airstrip with a bunch of tyres thrown around to make a couple of courses. This makes understanding where the course go's, hard. Turn left at the tyre...(surveys a scene of 20 plus tyres...guesses, get's it wrong).
On the other hand I abused the Sh*t out of their subarus and no eyes were batted.
I had fun. I got to do some lairy powerslides on a broken up concrete/gravel surface and when I got it wrong I killed a tyre or two, but didn't hit anything hard. However, it wasn't really a "Rally" experience in my mind. If you just want to thrash on a MK2 Escort and a Subaru, it'd do fine.
It's a bit of torn up WW2 airstrip with a bunch of tyres thrown around to make a couple of courses. This makes understanding where the course go's, hard. Turn left at the tyre...(surveys a scene of 20 plus tyres...guesses, get's it wrong).
On the other hand I abused the Sh*t out of their subarus and no eyes were batted.
I had fun. I got to do some lairy powerslides on a broken up concrete/gravel surface and when I got it wrong I killed a tyre or two, but didn't hit anything hard. However, it wasn't really a "Rally" experience in my mind. If you just want to thrash on a MK2 Escort and a Subaru, it'd do fine.
- (P.s. would people please stop giving overpriced driving experience vouchers to people. Give the money and let them spend it on a track day (full day), and not just a few hours, mostly being briefed or waiting for a turn.).
I did my Stage Rally licence at the Silverstone Rally school.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0mwDAhin2pk
I used one of their Mk2 escorts, but they also had some Imprezas and the website says that they include a Turbo one.
The course/track they use was really good and the instruction was top notch. THe course looks way better than the airfield type setups imho.
I was there while there was a bunch of folks doing an experience 1/2 day and would strongly recommend.
That said for the extra few quid, I think I'd look to do the BARS course and test rather than just an experience day, that way you actually come away with something and get a bit more instruction / time in the car etc.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0mwDAhin2pk
I used one of their Mk2 escorts, but they also had some Imprezas and the website says that they include a Turbo one.
The course/track they use was really good and the instruction was top notch. THe course looks way better than the airfield type setups imho.
I was there while there was a bunch of folks doing an experience 1/2 day and would strongly recommend.
That said for the extra few quid, I think I'd look to do the BARS course and test rather than just an experience day, that way you actually come away with something and get a bit more instruction / time in the car etc.
Munter said:
- (P.s. would people please stop giving overpriced driving experience vouchers to people. Give the money and let them spend it on a track day (full day), and not just a few hours, mostly being briefed or waiting for a turn.).
I fully understand why experience days limit people but its just not for me.
I have been in the past an instructor at the London Rally School. I can confirm the Subaru's are turbo'd and have around 300hp. Plenty of courses to choose from including an all day Subaru course, or you can just bite the bullet and have a 121 in a Subaru.
There are a couple of venues that LRS use, the airfield at Worminghall and a farm near Bicester. The latter is far more salubrious and has a more representative stage to drive on. However IIRC there is no option to just do Subaru's at the farm.
hth
There are a couple of venues that LRS use, the airfield at Worminghall and a farm near Bicester. The latter is far more salubrious and has a more representative stage to drive on. However IIRC there is no option to just do Subaru's at the farm.
hth
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