I did my first track day recently and bumming about on UA-cam came across this vid whilst randomly looking at track day stuff. To be honest (and I don’t write this loads) this video is probably one of the very best UA-cam vids I’ve seen. The content spot on and 100% in accordance with my track day experience… which was very good but marred by upselling, poor quality photos and in car film footage together with over zealous instructors (and yep, I was told if I spun any car the day would be over too)… believe this ‘vid, it’s spot on…
Did an Elise experience on the short circuit at Silverstone - it was fun but they limited the revs enormously and the instructor kept making you brake so early it was pointless being in an Elise. Go Karting is more fun and better value, but probably less of a 'Instagram' opportunity for most people.
Great video and I wish I'd seen it before I went on one myself. However, you missed one vital point. They also keep the car in standard road mode and don't allow you to use sport or any performance setting. In my case, I drove a 770BHP Aventador. A gorgeous car with an amazing sound track, but it didn't feel like 700HP+, more like 200. My 4.2litre Jag XF was sportier in standard mode with a mere 420BHP and way more exciting than the Lamborgini was in Sport or Dynamic mode. I know why they do this, it's a good way of making sure you don't spin accidentally. I've since come across a chap who just happens to be an instructor for the same one's I went with (Everyman Racing) and he said individual instructors may allow you to switch to sport mode if they feel you can handle it. However, he told me that certainly wouldn't be allowed with any cars 600HP+.
The everyman racing experience is crap for any car person. On the top of what you mentioned: looooong queue to access anything, even if you booked with a time slot. Everything is overbooked. Instructor feels like just want to get you done asap, and next, then next again... The F430 I drove was like a mickey mouse car. Not even close to be able to pass an mot. Tires was chinese old cracked worn crap. Huge letdown. 458 was better but there was not too much experience... The porsche experience day at Silvertone was amazing. Multiple tracks, skid pad, very good instructors, and almost 5 hrs driving. You got plenty of time to understand the car, the limits, the tracks... amazing. However still the Nürburgring was the best for me this year. Got taxi lap, rented car lap, own car laps, instructor for my friends and miss who was again amazing... Next year April we carry on at the Nürburgring again for sure. Let's go Andy, get your things together. 😁
I did an experience a few days ago with car chase hero's, driving x2 cars (for a total of 2 laps in each!) which was a gift. As you say in your video, scare you into buying the insurance waiver, apparently you would still have to pay if someone else drove into you! My experience was at a local airfield in the middle of nowhere and they charged everyone an additional £2 for car parking!! Personally I think its a joke! I have also done the F4 master at Brands Hatch, which was amazing and I would highly recommend it!
I had the same experience at one of mine, they went on and on about the insurance waiver, telling us fear stories and scaremongering. then they asked if anyone in the room was "brave" enough potentially financially ruin themselves and go without it. me and my mates were the only one to put our hands up, the guy was looking at the other instructors, inhaling through his teeth and nodding his head towards me asking me if I thought i was "michael schumacher". fuck them, disingenuous, convinced two of the other guys in another group to skip it as well because he was cheeky af.
clearly you don't understand the concept of risk and you probably underestimate the insurance costs involved in renting these cars out to potentially anyone that walks in off the street
@@insightphoto you'd be more likely to crash your learners car on your first lesson than bin one of these into the wall at a track. They want you to take insurance because it makes them profit, just like selling you their crappy 720p video feed. Don't be naive.
I let a friend of mine drive my mx5 on track and let him drive it to his limit, he said it was much more fun than doing the amg experience at mercedes world. Point is it dont matter what car you drive, what's fun is driving any car to its limit.
yep , i did my track day same place in the video , was buzzing for months to be able to drive the cars . Finally got the chance and got shouted at for downshifting before a corner , it really wasnt an enjoyable experience , it didnt feel like my experience , they just tell you what to do .
I am looking to book a mini driving experience. Is there anywhere you can book directly that won't take the mickey ?? Please does anyone know or can recommend?
My son and I have just been to one of these events at Aldershot. It was a little disorganised as there was no information displayed as to what to do or where to go. Yes they do push you to spend extra all the time. I'm wondering if they would blame you for some damage if you don't pay the insurance waiver. The cars were a bit tatty as people are getting in and out of them all day compared to a private owner that would use them a couple of times a week at most. The instructors were ok with us, quite polite. The track was a bit rough though which is the fault of the owners not company running the event to be fair. Not a bad day out TBH, better than we expecting after reading all the reviews. I don't know how much it cost as it was a gift. For most people it is the only way they will have a chance to drive cars of this ilk no matter what condition they are in. I would go again but to a different circuit ie Goodwod as it's only up the road for us.
I just did one today at Brands Hatch, it was sort of "fun" but the cars were mostly in bad shape, the instructors were really annoying putting their hands on the wheel and telling me all the time to short shift, all the time breaking on my behalf very early. I've spent £500 for the "premium" cars, got a ferrari from 2005 that looks worse than an old former rental fiesta bought at an auction. The Ariel Atom was driven all the time on 4th gear, we could not change gears, it was prohibited. All cars being told off when not shifting early, 3 of the 6 cars I drove had VERY junky gearbox. I feel I got ripped off. Never again.
Had similar at Goodwood. Could not heel & toe, rev match on down shifts, keep off the apex pf each bend etc etc. "Instructor" then took me out on a hot lap and absolutely spanked the car to within an inch of its life. Just glad it was not my money else I would have been mighty peeved....
Car Chase Heroes are the ones to go with. No random person should expect to be let loose in these supercars. No matter what driving experience you think you have, the instructors are there for the customers safety. Just cos you weren’t allowed to put your foot down on a corner because you most likely would spin and crash because from the instructors side of it. They are all mostly ex or current racing drivers and know how cars handle and don’t handle. It’s an Experience it’s not a Trackday. Proof is in the pudding. Not all EXPERIENCES are the same.
Yes and even when passenger laps are done the instructors are told not to drive too fast but as fast as a good customer, only the high speed laps are done at full speed
I quite agree. no where in the booking process does it say " race day" or "show off day". The high speed passenger lap is an experience to behold. It makes you realise the difference between your own driving ability and a racing drivers ability.
Man the condescension in all 3 of your comments is making me dread my experience coming up. No one is saying the cars have to be taken to the max but paying to sit in a falling to bits Ferrari and being forced to drive it slower than a 1L Crosa is clearly going to disappoint people. This idea that a normal person simple can't handle these beasts of machines is a bit ridiculous. You're not Lewis Hamilton guys, you don't have some other worldly talent that the common man can't comprehend. Chill out and deflate your egos.
@@jordanh44 sorry to crash your world view but very few people race cars due to its cost and inability to access tracks. Whatever standard you think you are isn’t actually that high thanks to the general lack of competition.
I got a voucher for my birthday and when I was on the website to book a date all the cars that weren’t premium were “unavailable” so it cost me £100 for 2 premium cars, not too annoyed because the cars I’m going to drive are sick but it was a bit weird and seemed money grabby
I agree the car’s condition I drove a f430 and the seat was worn badly and the 997 I drove had check Engine light was on and the dude says it gets serviced every week and the bmw or the fast track car sounded rough
The best one I have heard of is the Porsche experience at Silverstone , For more time on track and more of a buzz maybe try Banger racing with Cecil or Club 100 Karting .
That Porsche experience is good, for one thing it’s designed as a course for Porsche owners to learn their cars and understand the limits of them, and how to manage them on the roads. So even if you don’t rag them, you’ll learn something. It’s also run by Porsche, so the cars are looked after by experts, newish and always in perfect condition (at least they were when I went). The Silverstone experience in general was fine, like most people I found the instructors annoying, in the Ferrari they wouldn’t let you rev it hard, but I enjoyed driving the Lotus Elise much more anyway, I think I also drove a 911 on that day and thought that was good and they seemed more relaxed about it. I feel like these track day courses are better if you want to pick up tips on racing. The instructors often are annoying, but probably because they’re tired of everyone wanting to go flat out. If you want to learn how to drive well you might find them more responsive.
I got lucky as I went on my birthday to prestword hall and the guy gave me 2 extra laps but I did have to pay £50 to drive an aventador and £30 for 2x the laps
Useful video thanks. My day drive is a 2022 RS5, prior to that a Litchfield RS6. I love cars, but know the limit of my ability and budget (the RS6 was a 750 BHP monster, but no supercar and driven in a straight line on motorways!. So these days appeal. I have Car Chase Heroes booked up at Abingdon in July 2023, just two cars, will see how that goes. :) Mark.
Loved the video but for the instructor we get a lot of different types of drivers so its difficult to know youre driving levels instantly, now you should never be shouted at or told youre an idiot and i have started to not say instructions mid corner as ive realised i wont get my point across, but any damage from the car a level of responsibility is on the instructors hands if no feedback was given. Also getting into a car thats not youres where you have the level of responsibilty but sat in the passenger seat is difficult and especially if the driver does not listen to any feedback and outdrives themselves.
Im sorry but whwn you say the Instructor lost his cool while you seemed it appropriate to "adjust the steering wheel mid corner" thinking its was absolutely ok. ITS NOT. Instructors are ultimately there for the safety of everybody out there, plus the equipment. They will be dealing with alll types of drivers, including nervous people. Hotshots who think they can drive fast but in reality have no idea of stitching all the requirements of advanced driving together. They do not know from one person to the next who is going to present what to them so limitations have to be made for the sake of everyone. Please all understand that principle. As with anything like this , there is upselling. Just say no.
Like yourself, ive done quite a few of these with a few different companies. Ive had good and bad experiences, great instructors andnot so great ones. If im not happy i put in a complaint as i feel i didn't get the experience i should have or the instructor was a di*k. My last one i did last week was with everyman racing, ive been with them a few times now and they are good, all the cars ive driven with them are in good condition, most instructors are good and let you push your abilities if they are confident. I drove the huracan and the aventador, on the lady lap they were just talking to me and pretty much leaving me to it, even laughing as the aventador was spinning its wheels in the wet 😂. Shame the elvington track is now full of pot holes though
Went with everyman racing at Dunsfold. Had a great time. OK so there is add ons but so to on your average on line gaming. This is suppose to be an experience, not a talent spotting excersize. It has to be structured to safety. Having some no talent thinking he can max out a 600hp supercar and killing himself and the driver can ruin anybodys day. If you go there just to be around cars and get to drive a few you could never afford, you will have a blast.....
I’ve had the pleasure of something more than a track day. My car was featured in Wheels magazine back in December 2003 if my memory serves correctly. I and a friend got to drive 18 sports and super cars on both track and on the road over a 2 day shoot. They needed a Nissan skyline GTR and contacted my friend who had a 3 yr old R34 v spec 2 at the time. We also had a Subaru Legacy as well a twin turbo wagon which they also did a run with to compare to bmw m3 dodge viper the Holden racing teams v8 super car a Lamborghini something to name a few. The GTR came 3rd well they couldn’t really have a $80k car beat everything else now could they? Ps it did blew past the radar at over 315klm hr That was my most satisfying track event I’ve ever had. And my mug is behind the wheel on the main page for the article which the guys got told off about as I’m not part of the reporting team lol 😂
I'm pleased you mentioned how good Thruxton was. Had the ultimate supercar experience there 6 years ago and the cars and drivers were incredible.
I was so excited to go to the super car experience for my birthday until i saw this. Thanks so much
I did my first track day recently and bumming about on UA-cam came across this vid whilst randomly looking at track day stuff. To be honest (and I don’t write this loads) this video is probably one of the very best UA-cam vids I’ve seen. The content spot on and 100% in accordance with my track day experience… which was very good but marred by upselling, poor quality photos and in car film footage together with over zealous instructors (and yep, I was told if I spun any car the day would be over too)… believe this ‘vid, it’s spot on…
Did an Elise experience on the short circuit at Silverstone - it was fun but they limited the revs enormously and the instructor kept making you brake so early it was pointless being in an Elise. Go Karting is more fun and better value, but probably less of a 'Instagram' opportunity for most people.
Great video and I wish I'd seen it before I went on one myself. However, you missed one vital point. They also keep the car in standard road mode and don't allow you to use sport or any performance setting. In my case, I drove a 770BHP Aventador. A gorgeous car with an amazing sound track, but it didn't feel like 700HP+, more like 200. My 4.2litre Jag XF was sportier in standard mode with a mere 420BHP and way more exciting than the Lamborgini was in Sport or Dynamic mode. I know why they do this, it's a good way of making sure you don't spin accidentally. I've since come across a chap who just happens to be an instructor for the same one's I went with (Everyman Racing) and he said individual instructors may allow you to switch to sport mode if they feel you can handle it. However, he told me that certainly wouldn't be allowed with any cars 600HP+.
The everyman racing experience is crap for any car person. On the top of what you mentioned: looooong queue to access anything, even if you booked with a time slot. Everything is overbooked. Instructor feels like just want to get you done asap, and next, then next again... The F430 I drove was like a mickey mouse car. Not even close to be able to pass an mot. Tires was chinese old cracked worn crap. Huge letdown. 458 was better but there was not too much experience...
The porsche experience day at Silvertone was amazing. Multiple tracks, skid pad, very good instructors, and almost 5 hrs driving. You got plenty of time to understand the car, the limits, the tracks... amazing.
However still the Nürburgring was the best for me this year. Got taxi lap, rented car lap, own car laps, instructor for my friends and miss who was again amazing...
Next year April we carry on at the Nürburgring again for sure. Let's go Andy, get your things together. 😁
same experience for me, overbooked, rushed and the Ferrari I drove felt like an old rental ford fiesta from early 2000s
Your time slot is a booking in time not your drive time. People need to read the information on their websites.
I did an experience a few days ago with car chase hero's, driving x2 cars (for a total of 2 laps in each!) which was a gift. As you say in your video, scare you into buying the insurance waiver, apparently you would still have to pay if someone else drove into you! My experience was at a local airfield in the middle of nowhere and they charged everyone an additional £2 for car parking!! Personally I think its a joke! I have also done the F4 master at Brands Hatch, which was amazing and I would highly recommend it!
I had the same experience at one of mine, they went on and on about the insurance waiver, telling us fear stories and scaremongering. then they asked if anyone in the room was "brave" enough potentially financially ruin themselves and go without it. me and my mates were the only one to put our hands up, the guy was looking at the other instructors, inhaling through his teeth and nodding his head towards me asking me if I thought i was "michael schumacher". fuck them, disingenuous, convinced two of the other guys in another group to skip it as well because he was cheeky af.
Michael Schumacher has brain damage. You should have said responded I can drive way, way, way better than Schumacher.
clearly you don't understand the concept of risk and you probably underestimate the insurance costs involved in renting these cars out to potentially anyone that walks in off the street
@@insightphoto you'd be more likely to crash your learners car on your first lesson than bin one of these into the wall at a track. They want you to take insurance because it makes them profit, just like selling you their crappy 720p video feed. Don't be naive.
I let a friend of mine drive my mx5 on track and let him drive it to his limit, he said it was much more fun than doing the amg experience at mercedes world. Point is it dont matter what car you drive, what's fun is driving any car to its limit.
yep , i did my track day same place in the video , was buzzing for months to be able to drive the cars . Finally got the chance and got shouted at for downshifting before a corner , it really wasnt an enjoyable experience , it didnt feel like my experience , they just tell you what to do .
Go direct with silverstone. Unbelievable experience and worth the money, full beans down the hangar straight
I am looking to book a mini driving experience. Is there anywhere you can book directly that won't take the mickey ?? Please does anyone know or can recommend?
My son and I have just been to one of these events at Aldershot. It was a little disorganised as there was no information displayed as to what to do or where to go. Yes they do push you to spend extra all the time. I'm wondering if they would blame you for some damage if you don't pay the insurance waiver. The cars were a bit tatty as people are getting in and out of them all day compared to a private owner that would use them a couple of times a week at most. The instructors were ok with us, quite polite. The track was a bit rough though which is the fault of the owners not company running the event to be fair. Not a bad day out TBH, better than we expecting after reading all the reviews. I don't know how much it cost as it was a gift. For most people it is the only way they will have a chance to drive cars of this ilk no matter what condition they are in. I would go again but to a different circuit ie Goodwod as it's only up the road for us.
have you done a ariel atom one?
I just did one today at Brands Hatch, it was sort of "fun" but the cars were mostly in bad shape, the instructors were really annoying putting their hands on the wheel and telling me all the time to short shift, all the time breaking on my behalf very early. I've spent £500 for the "premium" cars, got a ferrari from 2005 that looks worse than an old former rental fiesta bought at an auction.
The Ariel Atom was driven all the time on 4th gear, we could not change gears, it was prohibited. All cars being told off when not shifting early, 3 of the 6 cars I drove had VERY junky gearbox.
I feel I got ripped off. Never again.
Had similar at Goodwood. Could not heel & toe, rev match on down shifts, keep off the apex pf each bend etc etc. "Instructor" then took me out on a hot lap and absolutely spanked the car to within an inch of its life. Just glad it was not my money else I would have been mighty peeved....
great video - looking for best experience for my son so will look at Thruxton and Silverstone as options.
Car Chase Heroes are the ones to go with. No random person should expect to be let loose in these supercars. No matter what driving experience you think you have, the instructors are there for the customers safety. Just cos you weren’t allowed to put your foot down on a corner because you most likely would spin and crash because from the instructors side of it. They are all mostly ex or current racing drivers and know how cars handle and don’t handle.
It’s an Experience it’s not a Trackday. Proof is in the pudding. Not all EXPERIENCES are the same.
Yes and even when passenger laps are done the instructors are told not to drive too fast but as fast as a good customer, only the high speed laps are done at full speed
I quite agree. no where in the booking process does it say " race day" or "show off day". The high speed passenger lap is an experience to behold. It makes you realise the difference between your own driving ability and a racing drivers ability.
Man the condescension in all 3 of your comments is making me dread my experience coming up. No one is saying the cars have to be taken to the max but paying to sit in a falling to bits Ferrari and being forced to drive it slower than a 1L Crosa is clearly going to disappoint people. This idea that a normal person simple can't handle these beasts of machines is a bit ridiculous. You're not Lewis Hamilton guys, you don't have some other worldly talent that the common man can't comprehend. Chill out and deflate your egos.
@@JcakRitchie 🤣🤣🤣 if you knew about my racing background you’d know there’s no ego
@@jordanh44 sorry to crash your world view but very few people race cars due to its cost and inability to access tracks. Whatever standard you think you are isn’t actually that high thanks to the general lack of competition.
glad ive never been on one of these
Damn I’m currently on my way to one and I just found this video, I hope it goes well
Did it go well?
Yes very well actually
@anormalguyonyoutube2863 can you tell me which one you went to I want to try
@@Islam_is_the_truth.4 I believe it was Ingliston in Edinburgh Scotland
@@anormalguyonyoutube2863 Thanks
many thanks, i think ill just hire a cool car for a whole day instead of a track day. cheers
I got a voucher for my birthday and when I was on the website to book a date all the cars that weren’t premium were “unavailable” so it cost me £100 for 2 premium cars, not too annoyed because the cars I’m going to drive are sick but it was a bit weird and seemed money grabby
I agree the car’s condition I drove a f430 and the seat was worn badly and the 997 I drove had check Engine light was on and the dude says it gets serviced every week and the bmw or the fast track car sounded rough
The best one I have heard of is the Porsche experience at Silverstone ,
For more time on track and more of a buzz maybe try Banger racing with Cecil or Club 100 Karting .
That Porsche experience is good, for one thing it’s designed as a course for Porsche owners to learn their cars and understand the limits of them, and how to manage them on the roads. So even if you don’t rag them, you’ll learn something.
It’s also run by Porsche, so the cars are looked after by experts, newish and always in perfect condition (at least they were when I went).
The Silverstone experience in general was fine, like most people I found the instructors annoying, in the Ferrari they wouldn’t let you rev it hard, but I enjoyed driving the Lotus Elise much more anyway, I think I also drove a 911 on that day and thought that was good and they seemed more relaxed about it.
I feel like these track day courses are better if you want to pick up tips on racing. The instructors often are annoying, but probably because they’re tired of everyone wanting to go flat out. If you want to learn how to drive well you might find them more responsive.
I got lucky as I went on my birthday to prestword hall and the guy gave me 2 extra laps but I did have to pay £50 to drive an aventador and £30 for 2x the laps
Took my son to one of these days few years ago same nonsense with insurance but i did think it was just a money maker
Experience day not track day. Thats the main issue most people have in comprehension of what will happen on the day.
It’s all a waste
Of money . I did a bunch of them in Vegas . They are all much slower than what I track in ever level .
Hmmmm,,,,in the states the insurance is 39bucks. I mean 3 laps around a speed limited car sounds about rite. 😊
Useful video thanks. My day drive is a 2022 RS5, prior to that a Litchfield RS6. I love cars, but know the limit of my ability and budget (the RS6 was a 750 BHP monster, but no supercar and driven in a straight line on motorways!. So these days appeal. I have Car Chase Heroes booked up at Abingdon in July 2023, just two cars, will see how that goes. :) Mark.
How did you find it Mark?
I'm pondering the same; mark ?
Mark?
@@junaidiqbal731 it's his yt name here, i was just addressing him
Id rather put the money towards renting out a Sierra Cosworth for the day!!!
I’m going to an experience day on Saturday but I’m 9
Loved the video but for the instructor we get a lot of different types of drivers so its difficult to know youre driving levels instantly, now you should never be shouted at or told youre an idiot and i have started to not say instructions mid corner as ive realised i wont get my point across, but any damage from the car a level of responsibility is on the instructors hands if no feedback was given. Also getting into a car thats not youres where you have the level of responsibilty but sat in the passenger seat is difficult and especially if the driver does not listen to any feedback and outdrives themselves.
Shit for real ? Dam I was thinking about booking one of these for me n my brothers
Useful... 👍
Im sorry but whwn you say the Instructor lost his cool while you seemed it appropriate to "adjust the steering wheel mid corner" thinking its was absolutely ok. ITS NOT.
Instructors are ultimately there for the safety of everybody out there, plus the equipment.
They will be dealing with alll types of drivers, including nervous people. Hotshots who think they can drive fast but in reality have no idea of stitching all the requirements of advanced driving together.
They do not know from one person to the next who is going to present what to them so limitations have to be made for the sake of everyone.
Please all understand that principle.
As with anything like this , there is upselling. Just say no.
Like yourself, ive done quite a few of these with a few different companies.
Ive had good and bad experiences, great instructors andnot so great ones. If im not happy i put in a complaint as i feel i didn't get the experience i should have or the instructor was a di*k.
My last one i did last week was with everyman racing, ive been with them a few times now and they are good, all the cars ive driven with them are in good condition, most instructors are good and let you push your abilities if they are confident. I drove the huracan and the aventador, on the lady lap they were just talking to me and pretty much leaving me to it, even laughing as the aventador was spinning its wheels in the wet 😂.
Shame the elvington track is now full of pot holes though
Went with everyman racing at Dunsfold. Had a great time. OK so there is add ons but so to on your average on line gaming. This is suppose to be an experience, not a talent spotting excersize. It has to be structured to safety. Having some no talent thinking he can max out a 600hp supercar and killing himself and the driver can ruin anybodys day. If you go there just to be around cars and get to drive a few you could never afford, you will have a blast.....
I’ve had the pleasure of something more than a track day. My car was featured in Wheels magazine back in December 2003 if my memory serves correctly. I and a friend got to drive 18 sports and super cars on both track and on the road over a 2 day shoot.
They needed a Nissan skyline GTR and contacted my friend who had a 3 yr old R34 v spec 2 at the time. We also had a Subaru Legacy as well a twin turbo wagon which they also did a run with to compare to bmw m3 dodge viper the Holden racing teams v8 super car a Lamborghini something to name a few.
The GTR came 3rd well they couldn’t really have a $80k car beat everything else now could they? Ps it did blew past the radar at over 315klm hr
That was my most satisfying track event I’ve ever had. And my mug is behind the wheel on the main page for the article which the guys got told off about as I’m not part of the reporting team lol 😂
They’re absolute shite, biggest waste of money