Supercar Experience Day

[24seven 104]

My girlfriend has bought me a supercar experience day voucher for Christmas with a multiple choice car/circuit combo, but I'm feeling spoiled for choice and need help deciding!

 

The cars are:

Ferrari 360

911 turbo

Lambo Gallardo

Audi R8

Aston Martin (DB9?)

Nissan GTR (Prestwold Hall only)

V8 Touring car (Corby only)

 

Circuits:

Donington

Corby

Silverstone (Aston & Ferrari only)

Wigan

Elvington

Great Tew

Mallory Park

Prestwold Hall

Seighford

Teeside (Aston only)

 

I'm not hugely familiar with where all the UK circuits are, but I know Donington is one I'd definitely enjoy driving, and to narrow it down further I'd expect the V8 touring car to be a road-going VXR. Given the choices I'll take something more exotic than a Nissan. I'm not a fan of Porsche's and I don't fancy the Aston as they're more tourers than track cars.

 

So that leaves the 360, Gallardo and R8. Which would you choose?

Edited December 25, 2011 by 24seven

[EdCherry 34 1 Cars]

I wouldn't rule the aston out.

 

I guy I have worked for has owned a couple of those and by far said the porsche was to easy to drive, not very rewarding and just lacked soul. Where as he prefers the aston hugely over it, and I've had a fair few rides out in it now and I love it (if only there was more footwell space for passengers!). He's also abused it on a charity trackday and it faired well for what it was, and he gave it no easy time as he's a multiple (club/national level) gt champion.

 

In my mind there is only one circuit id be driving on that list though. Donnington park!

[Redtop 14 2 Cars]

The track I would choose is Donington as well. I have raced at it, Silverstone and tested at Mallory Park when I was in formula fords. Can't really comment on the others as ive never been to them. Haven't drove the never Silverstone circuit but I would still choose Donny out of the above lot. Just watch it, if you go there and it is wet. The aviaition fuel being dumped by the planes makes it extremely slippy when wet! Tuder inn, down in Castle Donington for an evening meal too

[Cameron 16]

I'd take the Ferrari.

[BERTMAN 40 1 Cars]

i'd be most tempted by the touring car i think!

[d7ve_b 44 1 Cars]

I've done a few trackdays and have driven all of those beasts at various tracks and for me it'd have to be the Gallardo, I drove a ragtop version and it was a great experience..oh the noise...

[chris205gtioliver 0]

I've drove the gallardo too, would go for the Ferrari or 911 next.

[Richie 32]

I did the 911 turbo and a 360. The 911 was great but a little a bit too clinical, where as the 360 gave me a big smile when I floored it. Such a glorious noise with that v8.

 

It'd be between the Gallardo and the 360 for me, tbh I think you'll have fun in both.

[vern 0]

I have driven most of those cars on a super car experence, my 10p worth: Audi R8 most easiest to drive fast. Porsche 911 Carrera most "normal car" like I drove, and surprisingly good fun. Ferrari 360 most dificult to drive fast but would be very rewarding if you had time to get used to it. Aston DB9 like you said is a tourer but was still fun, and worst and last is the Lambo Gallardo it was the one I most looked forward to, and it was a total let down, it had a small cabin and with a crash hat on, I had to tilt my head to sit in the seat and I am only 5' 8, it also had a heavy drive the clutch, gear change and steering.

[d7ve_b 44 1 Cars]

I suppose it depends on the spec of the car, the Gallardo I drove was the ragtop (prob a good job as I'm 6'5) with the paddle shift box.

[24seven 104]

Of the cars I'd definitely say I prefer the looks of the Gallardo, and it'd be the one i bought to show off in. The more i think about it the more the R8 is just a baby-baby-lambo so that's that out. But then the trouble is I can't ignore the Ferrari. They have that sound and I can imagine driving one having that "unique experience that you can only get in a Ferrari" being like the way a 205 feels more fun than newer & faster diesel saloons do. Definitely leaning more towards the Gallardo at Donington I think. Pretty set on Donny as I've been there and it looks even more fun in person than on camera; I've always wanted to drive there. Silverstone might sound all fancy and posh with it hosting the British GP but it'll only be the shortest circuit which is more or less 3 right handers, done. I've got 10 months until the voucher runs out so plenty of time to make my mind up.

[muddatrucker 125]

Do you actually do much driving on these experience days, I've always heard bad reviews (except for the rally ones).

[Tesstuff 222]

Usually two laps, rev limited. So you wouldn't hear the Ferrari howl as such

[Richie 32]

I was quite amused the the Ferrari seemed to have more interior rattles than my 205.

[Alan_M 66 1 Cars]

My girlfriend has bought me a supercar experience day voucher for Christmas with a multiple choice car/circuit combo, but I'm feeling spoiled for choice and need help deciding!

 

The cars are:

Ferrari 360

911 turbo

Lambo Gallardo

Audi R8

Aston Martin (DB9?)

Nissan GTR (Prestwold Hall only)

V8 Touring car (Corby only)

 

Circuits:

Donington

Corby

Silverstone (Aston & Ferrari only)

Wigan

Elvington

Great Tew

Mallory Park

Prestwold Hall

Seighford

Teeside (Aston only)

 

I'm not hugely familiar with where all the UK circuits are, but I know Donington is one I'd definitely enjoy driving, and to narrow it down further I'd expect the V8 touring car to be a road-going VXR. Given the choices I'll take something more exotic than a Nissan. I'm not a fan of Porsche's and I don't fancy the Aston as they're more tourers than track cars.

 

So that leaves the 360, Gallardo and R8. Which would you choose?

 

Out of them, I'd choose the the 360 and 911 turdbo. Driven them round Silverstone (the smaller circuit) and enjoyed it. Slotted gear shifter on Feeza takes getting used to, but the engine howl is every bit worth it. 911 turbo is an animal, and I drove it in the wet.

 

Although, on that particular experience day I enjoyed driving the Elise S2 more than anything else. Shame you don't have that option though.

 

Oh, and Donnington or Silverstone (it'll be the shorter inside circuit).

[Tom Fenton 1,542]

I've no real view on the cars, however, I would forget Silverstone, I've done a trackday there and did not enjoy it, massive featureless flat place, track is so wide and everything so far away it just does not feel like you are going quickly. Elvington is a mickey mouse airfield, cones everywhere. Teeside is a glorified go kart track. Mallory is OK but small. So Donington every time.

Edited December 28, 2011 by Tom Fenton

[pug_ham 244 3 Cars]

No opinion on cars but track wise from that list of venues I'd pick Donington;

 

Donington is also wide regarded as a power circuit so well suited to all car options.

 

Wigan (Three sisters);

Tiny & mostly a sprint course or karting track.

 

Elvington;

It's an airfield like Tom says so no real fixed circuit with coned corners etc.

 

Corby aka Rockingham;

Never been but not that bothered about going either.

 

Great Tew;

one mile long circuit, no chance for a good blast.

 

Mallory Park;

Also small without much chance to get up to a good speed.

 

Teeside;

"Teesside Autodrome is a small, yet very technical Circuit making it a challenging yet fun place to drive. "

Also only a mile long & mostly used for sprints or karts.

 

Most of the venues appear to have circuits of approx one mile, Donington has close to double that on the shortest circuit.

 

All above circuit pics from here

 

End of the day, your driving so pick where you would most like to go from opinions & info you can.

 

g

[TT205 42]

I would also say Donington as it has so many features and is long enough to floor it, plus each lap takes a decent length of time

 

Have a look at how much track time you get with your voucher though as it all tends to be over very quickly (like 15-20 minutes in the car!)

 

I did one in an Elise on the infield at Rockingham - it's actually a very technical track - takes 2 or 3 laps to get to know it - elise is a good car for this, we were overtaking the ferarris as they weren't being allowed to put their foot down

 

My wife got me an Arial Atom experience for Xmas which should be great fun but I think thats only 3 or 4 laps too so it will be over very quickly

 

From your list I'd like to try the Gallardo or the R8

[harryskid 193]

Big decisions to make there but when you do make them enjoy!

[marksorrento205 80]

I drove a lambo at Prestwold this year. I was limited to a choice of four cars and a few airfield tracks. It was bloody good fun but I only got four laps and they told you when to change gear. As it was paddle shift I kept using the excuse of hitting the wipers instead of the paddle so changed gear a little later. Would have loved to take it around donny

 

No one in their right mind would hand you a lambo and let you thrash it around a track, likewise the chance of knowing someone that has one and would let you have a go is also slim. Better to do one of these than never drive one at all