[Closed] Calling all driving Gods (supercar advice).

Lambo - on the basis its likley to feel the most bonkers. Some of those will feel just normal given you wont be allowed to raise the revs.

the one done up to look like Lightning McQueen 🙂

McClaren or Lambo would be my choice

6 brands, but only two models. More detail required!

McClaren would be my choice, but the Lambo would be a close second. If the Porsche is a GT3 RS, it would be third, but only if it is a GT3 RS.

Lambo, Porsche and GTR for me.. Never done anything similar mind!

McLaren.

Is it at Knockhill Al?
Could be interesting in the wet 😉

If the Lambo has a V12 engine , then that one.

Ferrari.  Because Ferrari.

McLaren.

Lambo / McLaren, just cos

Also, if I was going to own one of those cars, the GTR would be top of my list, but it's not really a supercar.

Lambo - for the bonkers, and... because Lambo!

Lambo – on the basis its likley to feel the most bonkers. Some of those will feel just normal given you wont be allowed to raise the revs.

Is that how these things go? You can drive this mentally fast car, but please don't go above 40mph?

I'd go for one of the most bonkers too. One of the first 3.

Serious(ish) answer - I drove a Ferrari on one of these things and it was quite boring. You're on a track with no other cars and it's all posh and refined inside, there's no thrill.
The single-seater race car though. That thing was exciting. Dunno what brand it was.

I had a supercar experience for my birthday last year. Similar choice of cars. I chose the Lambo Gallardo on the basis that I'm never likely to own one or go for a ride in one again. It had lots and lots of grip!

It was the most booked out of all the cars, and was very tatty. The owner of the company said, in the briefing, that he didn't understand why everyone wanted the Lambo, not the faster Lotus, or whatever. BECAUSE IT'S A LAMBO!

I'm sure I would have had fun in any of them, but I'm glad I didn't pay for it myself. Three laps - an out lap, a full lap and an in-lap. That's not three laps imo! It must have taken less than 4 minutes. I've always said that I'd buy a Lambo given a lottery win and then not know what to do with it, given modern roads. My drive didn't cure that. I still would.

I'd go for the Lambo, it's the one you're realistically not going to see many other folk driving. Also, don't expect to be able to nail the loud pedal but do enjoy the drive.

I was at Knockhill in my own car when there was a ferarri experience on, I was having great fun overtaking some very expensive supercars who were doing 1900 rpm while I thrashed the nuts off my Golf.

I'd still love a go in one, even to press the pedal hard just once. I mean they can't stop you hooning it for a few seconds can they?

I’d still love a go in one, even to press the pedal hard just once. I mean they can’t stop you hooning it for a few seconds can they?

We were told that there was a limiter fitted and a speed limit (7omph iirc?), for insurance purposes.

Given the forecast, which one is 4WD? The Nissan, I believe is, don't know which models of Ferrari/Lambo/McClaren you've got there.

I wouldn't want to spend my laps getting told to tiptoe around the corners if the weather is bad.

We were told that there was a limiter fitted and a speed limit (7omph iirc?)

What's the point then?

R8 or McLaren - probably best on track. Can't say that I'm too bothered by a Lambo or Ferrari.

A good few years ago and I did one of these but as well as the supercars (Lambo - instructor was v v protective limiting fun, Aston-felt v heavy and ponderous on track) we were given a good few laps at the end in a little ginetta track car. It was far and away the best fun, light nimble, the instructor pushing you on to explore the limits. So if you have something like that I'd spend more time in that sort of thing.

They will have £25 off you for an insurance waiver.

They usually let you pin it in 4th as they are less likely to spin up then.

Lambo

i got a passenger ride in a Lamborghini Aventador, where the instructors give it the beans.

I’ll never forget it.

Porsches, R8s, GTRs and even these days Lambos are pretty common. You don't see many McClarens or Ferraris so I'd go in one of them. The 650LT is meant to be the best car evah. Although if it's at Lochgelly Raceway and not Knockhill it won't matter as you're essentially trundling a massive car round a go-kart track at 20mph.

(Although, in reality, I'd have booked the rally experience because I don't "get" supercars. Which is what my mates have done for me as a birthday present- doing it next weekend at Knockhill!)

What’s the point then?

They didn't publicise that prior to arrival, so it may have been untrue, or possibly not a great sales point.

Porsches, R8s, GTRs and even these days Lambos are pretty common. You don’t see many McClarens or Ferraris so I’d go in one of them.

I've seen tons of McLarens lately. Possibly more than the ubiquitous Astons. Not so many Ferraris, and very rarely see a Lambo.

McLaren because it is rarer than the rest.

Not the McLaren, too common.

Not the Farrari, too ****erish.

Not the R8, too Golf’ish.

Not the Aston, it’ll break down.

Not the GTR, too chav’ish.

Which leaves the proper car.

Got given one of these "experiences" a few years back.

You'll likely have 3 laps/car - an out lap, a full lap and an in lap (the place I was at - an airfield was sub minute laps with 3 corners). The instructor will tell you when to change gear, when to accelerate, when to brake. Its very production line, and they'll punt you out if you break the rules. I got proper shouted at for changing gear without a prompt.

Driving on a track feels very different to driving on a road and I kinda wasted the first car getting to grips with the slightly alien environment. Getting in someone else's expensive (paddleshift which I'd not used before) car and immediately thrashing the knackers off it doesn't come especially easy.

I had an Aston DB9 (meh), a Ferrari F430 (nicest of the 3) and a Lamborghini Gallardo (most bonkers, but a very clunky gearbox). The interesting/exciting one in the slightly damp conditions looked like to be the Ariel Atom.

I'd drive the cheapest, then if i loved it maybe if the stars aligned and wifey was in a good mood.......

The interesting/exciting one in the slightly damp conditions looked like to be the Ariel Atom.

The place I went (Llandough) would only let you have passenger rides in the Atom.

GTR - great to drive, Lambo - because it's a Lambo, McLaren and Aston.
The R8 is a watered down version of the Lambo, the Fezza is - well a Fezza.....
Depends what Porsche it is - if it's a GT3 then yes.

I drove a few for my 40th a couple of years back - by far the most fun was the GTR followed by the Lambo and then the Aston - but then the Aston felt like my old TVR sowas different to the other 4wd jobs.

What ever you choose just have fun, listen to the instructor, and they might let you have a bit more of a play.

Depends if you are a driving god or not. I had a similar experience a few years ago and got a choice of a Ferrari 360 or Porsche 996 turbo at Donington. Although i'm a Porsche fanboi I thought i'd go for the Ferrari as it was a bit more supercar-ish. However for a normal numpty like me the Porsche is a far faster car with its 4wd so I regretted it. The Ferrari was OK but a bit scary, the instructor was encouraging me to nail it and drive like I stole it, but the Ferrari did feel very skittish, but the others in the Porsches were far more planted and having a much better time than me.

When do you get to choose? If you can leave it to the day and see what the weather and track conditions are like then doso- if damp or slippery then go for a 4wd car.

I’ve been passenger in an R8, the driver nailed it from a standing start up to (he says) around 95mph.
It was certainly quick, but if I’m honest, it made that speed seem pretty boring.
So I’d avoid the R8.
Nissan gtr for the most impressive off the line acceleration.
Im not a lambo fanboi (at all), but id say the lambo has to be done.
Edit: R8 V10, 570bhp.
But still not exciting. Surprised me tbh.

You don’t see many McClarens or Ferraris

Guy in our village has both with sequential number plates. He is a complete donk.

I did this at leuchars with a very similar line up, i took the gts rs because it was a manual, booked 6 laps so managed to get a feel, by lap 4 i had the tail out. The guys doing it were sound, so long as you took it easy in first so not wrecking the clutch they let you go basically as fast as you could.

I think they quickly spot the can drive against the maddies and treat you accordingly.

We had a 'sighter lap' in an Alfa with three of us driven round by a proper driver. He was basically pootling around and the woman beside me was complaining that we were going waaaay too fast!

Driver reckoned the Porsche Turbo would be the quickest (think I saw 140 on it down the straight) but kinda wished I'd done the Lambo.

Everyone laughed at the Ariel Atom driver who was doing his one lap in the downpour...

Oh, and its likely that all the cars could be automatic, if that changes anything?

Did one for my 40th (eek ten years ago) at the old ProDrive track (Fen End). Had about 5 laps (inc in/out). Approach then was to try and get people going “fast” in straight line, rather than through the bends for most people. There was a rule that if you span it, your drive was over, as this meant you weren’t listening to the instructor. If you listened they let you push a bit harder.

Had drives in supercharged Ariel Atom and Ferrari convertible (think it was a 360). One was an absolute hoot, the fastest thing I’ve ever driven, or am likely to drive and would have one if I could, I can still remember details of driving it, and then there was the Ferrari, which I can barely remember.

Did something similar a few years back, but the most fun was a stripped out Polo Gti with proper sticky tyres! It was amazing how you could throw it around!

Lamborghini.

I've followed them on the road. Nothing, but nothing gets past a Lamborghini tractor.... 🙂

I'm probably the least knowledgeable person on this thread but if I'd bought you this as a gift and you told me you'd driven an Audi then I'd think you were a (boring) ungrateful knob.

HTH 😁

Shame there's no Lotus on that list. I would like to try one for the giggles of fast cornering.

He was basically pootling around and the woman beside me was complaining that we were going waaaay too fast!

Chicks eh. She should have been in a Nissan Micra.

Ferrari

I had a cracking experience day in a GTR a few years ago. The instructor was really good and it felt like a proper track day rather than a watered down pootle.

He even encouraged safe overtaking too! It was years ago though and I can't remember the company. My mate drove us down in his Civic Type R. He said it felt like a Micra on the drive home lol.

If you still have time, call in advance and book some more laps. It's normally loads cheaper than if you do it on the day. And print out any email verification of that before you go - when I did mine, it hadn't been passed onto the people who were there on the day, but I showed them the confirmation print and it was all fine.

I chose the Gallardo 570LM. To be honest, it was quick but I was so far under the limit of what it could do that it felt a bit tame.
The bloke started off sighting where I should've on track, but didn't bother after the first lap as he reckoned I knew pretty much what I was doing.

The thing that surprised me about the car is that it was so easy to drive; comfortable, good visibility, light steering and easy to manoeuvre at low speed etc....I expected it to be intimidating, but it was actually fine.

I did 4 laps (got 2 in he deal and paid for 2 more) but wish I'd paid for 2 more really.

The best part of the session was the passenger drive in a supercharged Aerial Atom. It was 300bhp and was absolutely amazing.

I've done one of these and drove a Ferrari F360. It was nice and clearly fast, but like others on here the best buy was a paid passenger ride in a Radical SR1.

It blew the Ferrari out of the water with the cornering speed and how late it could brake. We were also on track with a bunch of R8's and Gallardo's and flew past them all. I was practically shaking when I got out!

I treated Mrs Pondo to one of these for her birthday this year, was actually an ok setup - I picked the "DB5" first, then a Dodge Hellcat, then a Lamborghini Huracan, and she had a hoot (she said 🙂 ). I think I'd be thinking fast and engine noise - she was allowed to give it bootfuls (under instruction) but there's no way you'll be allowed to corner it anywhere near the limit. She had three laps in each and stayed out for six in the Huracan. 🙂

no Austin Allegro - is disappointed

I did one, DB9, Gaiardo, 575 in that order.
I've always loved Astons, dream car is a mid-90s 'proper' Vantage but that was my least favourite, good but not as good as the other two.
Mambo was great, noticeably quicker and a lot of fun.
575 was best, bit of a handful on damp track but a real hoit. And yes you are allowed to really push them!
.
If I was offered another lap I'd take the Ferrari, it was by farbthe most fun. To buy I'd take the Lambo, I'd just put the Ferrari in a hedge on a real road.
.
Is it coincidence that my order of preference is the reverse of the order I drove them? Does knowing the track better make it more fun rather than the car itself?

Cheers all. mcmoonter it's at East Fortune. I did one at Lochgelly and tried a 911, it was over so quickly I didn't get much out of it. I'd certainly hope for auto, and ithink an Evora might be on the list too.

I'll ask about extra laps and getting drive round by a trained driver.

Well I called them and was rejected twice.

https://www.supercarworlduk.com/product-page/drive-1-supercar

If it had been at Castle Combe or Thruxton, or a circuit in Wales, (not sure which one), it might have been with a driver I used to work with, Roger Orgee. He used to race back in the day, and is pretty handy behind the wheel. When I’ve got some spare cash I’m going to arrange a drive with him.

Why would you get rejected (if it's not too personal)? I thought this was pretty much open to everyone

I'll just leave this here. Sadly the chap who ran days from Loch Earn to Glencoe and back, leading upto 15 different 'supercars', from GT3, Huracon and 430, through to Elise, Focus ST rally and Impreza something... They would stop every 10-15 miles and swap drivers.

https://langathollexperience.com/supercar-tours-scotland/

Rik I am already booked on, they rejected my calls

Matt..."sadly", why?

Whichever car you choose, it can only be better than my experience which involved watching my 14 year old son throw an Aston Martin DB9 and a Nissan GTR around a track. We got him a driving experience for his birthday last year and he loved it while I had to stand and watch which was no fun. He said the instructors were spot on and encouraged him to hammer them as fast as he dared and got both up to nigh-on 100mph then they took him for a 'hot lap' in a Vauxhall Monaro which you could tell had done a few hard laps. There were all sorts of supercars and they certainly weren't going easy on them with one particular Gallardo which they were absolutely beasting.

Well I had a great time. I took 2 spotting laps which was a help. Choice was a DB9,some topless Ferrari, Huracan, GTR and an Elise (180bhp). I did 3 laps in the latter then 2 in the Lambo.

I spun the Elise! It felt a bit like my smart, just stiffer and faster (brakes were dreadful). Lambo made a great sound/shove in the back but you're more isolated from the road.

It's got me thinking about track days, and reassured me that I'm not a bad driver, and my car actually handles pretty well.

Good to hear that you enjoyed it. Sounds like the Elise needs new brakes but I guess these Supercar experience places get the most out of their cars consumables.

Elise brakes are definitely not terrible, even with the stock pads they should be good. There is no/very little servo depending on model (180bhp I'm assuming it was a supercharged Toyota) so don't feel like a 'normal' road car (much less bite). Stand on them properly though and you'll wish you had harnesses on. Stock brakes are good till 200+bhp on track. As you've found its quite easy to spin them (lift off oversteer?).

AH OK nixie, I was having to properly stand on them. It was one of the instructors' old track car, and didn't seem in the best of shape. Lift off oversteer I think yes.

Been looking at track days, good grief this isn't cheap even with my own car!

Was it an experience megastore day? If it was then I think its an ex race car.

No not cheap at all. On the lotus forum I'm on I think £800 - £1000 per day is the standard 'cost' of a track day (when you add in cost of day, cost of fuel, insurance, tyres, over night stays, travelling etc and the increased maintenance cost). Its bloody good fun though.

I had one of these days for my 40th. The Gallardo was most fun, I had its tyres squealing on the curbs, which makes you feel like a driving God even if it is a bit slower. The Ferrari instructor was a bit limiting and wouldnt let me really hammer it and as much as I was really looking forward to driving the Atom it was a handful and needed more laps to get confident and not spin it off. In the end I felt like the Atom was a bit of a waste of track time.

The instructor lap in the Aventador was properly mental.

Next track day for me is a drifting day in Caterhams, quite excited because I am seriously considering building my own.

I chewed a set of tyres on a track day in my 911 Turbo. They were about 50% worn before I started and knew they would end up cooked. Cue a £1400 replacement set ! Car now sold. Pointless expense.

I drove the Lambo, my son drove the Ferrari and we both enjoyed. Beware they will lay it on thick about potentially crashing and extra insurance but in reality you won't get too near the limit.

@nzcol seem similar on porkers at days I've been on. They are just too heavy for proper abuse. The Elise isn't quite so hard in its tyres (also a set is only £450ish and you can get 2-3 sets of rears per front set).