[ajmat]

Thruxton is one of the UK's fastest circuit with a series of fast bends and a couple of complex ones too. It was originally an airfield which was later converted into a racing track.





The main events held are bike races and touring cars, oh and also super trucks!

My first time was in 2002 when I tried the Boxster and the Ferrari 360 Modena followed by the Formula Renault. That session really opened my eyes on race craft and what a well set-up car is all about. The Boxster was sensuous, the 360 was sensational and the Formula Renault was an experience. This was a life changing calibration and I have strived to keep learning!

The second time was in 2009 with the Lotus Exige, I chose the Exige for an intense 12 lap coaching session with a tactile machine. It would have been fun but it was pelting down making the analogue Exige a rather challenging in the wet.

At Thruxton, I still needed to overcome my weak points - the Complex (Campbell and Cobb Corners) and the Club corner. Those corners are tricky and if you master those two, the rest of the track follows though. If you muck them up, it slows you down and scrambles your mind. My other visits to the UK were hobbled by time, money and coinciding with the Touring car season when two events are held over summer

Roll onto 2024 and I needed to be in the UK for a visit. This time, I planned my visit around the experience day. 10th/11th were the scheduled dates for May. I chose Fri 10th as being a weekday, it would not be as crowded. I booked that then booked my friends time and the air tickets!

From the last time

[ajmat]

I was actually considering the Alpine or the Lotus Emira. The latter was manual so I felt that I would need more time to get the most out of it.

Other options were:

Mclaren 570S- High on the list but might be a little detached
Jaguar F Type R - my heart was on this but I sort of wondered if I should meet my hero
Audi R8 - an older one maybe
Alpine - still on my list
Mustang - more of a road car and not the right car for the corners
Aston Martin V8 Vantage - not on my radar
Lamborghini Huracan - ditto
Ferrari 458. -decided on this.


Booking Process

The previous booking process saw one book a date and time directly on the website. Now you either buy a voucher or book over the phone. I emailed them and they responded that the Ferrari slot was available for 8.45 or 9.10 am. I think they try and get everyone in early. I also decided to go for the Plus and get a Formula 3 car for 5 laps.

Booking made, I spent time studying the track and watching some YouTube videos. (Nowadays, personal video devices are not allowed in the car). I was determined to make it happen

[ajmat]

Thruxton is 110 miles from where I was based. It also involved navigating the M25. I needed to get there well in time. The M25 is also the worlds biggest car park. I have got stuck there many a time.

Fortunately, WFH Fridays means, people party on Thurs and are not always up early on Friday. Started early and got through the M25 onto the M3 and then the A303. I was doing well on time, so I stopped for a coffee off the M3.



Reached well in time. The place had changed with a proper building instead of Portacabins. There is a proper reception building and a large cafe.



One registers at the reception and they take your pic. You sign a waiver digitally. They print a sticker which you tack it on your shirt. A QR code is stuck on your evaluation card along with your pic. We would be fetched from the cafeteria 5 min prior to our session for the briefing.

Took a walk around.

An Alpine on display



Loved the vents



A Taxi




Hello Ladies!!!



I then hung out in the café and had quick coffee. The breakfast on offer was a fry-up, something that I hardly need! . The group was called and escorted to a room for the briefing. The QR code on the card is scanned both on entry and exit to provide evidence of your completing the briefing.

The briefing covered the track, how you hold the wheel, safety, etiquette, flags etc. This is both through instruction and a video.

We were divided into two batches for the track orientation. Being the first batch, we are picked up outside the building by an instructor in a Puma ST. Our instructor explained everything in a pretty comprehensive and detailed manner. I had grabbed the front seat so I could take in how to position the car and also observe the curbs. By the 3rd lap, he showed up how it came together in a flying lap. The Puma ST was not bad although interiors were a bit sad. We were dropped in the pits and the second batch began their track orientation.

[ajmat]

After we were dropped off at the pits, a group of instructors are on hand. You hand your card over to them and one of them is assigned to you. A young person called Josh was assigned to me. Walked up to a line of 987 Caymans and got seated.



Josh checked my driving position and ensured that I had access to the controls etc.The Cayman had 58000 miles on it but was none the worse of it. Drove out of the pits.

"Have you been on the track before?"

"Yes, but it does not mean that I know everything!"

I took the first lap slowly. Mindful of the previous instructor's advice, I positioned the car exactly at the Complex and got through. The ghost had gone, preparation was everything. I then built-up speed. The Cayman is something else. It's like the ideal date, she is communicative and fun, gives you the right feedback and you always know where you stand with her. I was really nailing it although I needed to work on later braking. Josh kept encouraging me to push it more.


You can see how my approach changes

Lap 1




Final Lap




Exiting and clipping the curve

Lap 1



Final Lap


Result





The Cayman really blew me away! It was the car of the day. Its balance is unbeatable!

[ajmat]

Session over, I hoofed it to the supercar tent for the 458. Another instructor was assigned, his name was....Josh!

Guess Josh is the new Stig!

Yeah! The Professional Pose



Josh checked my driving position. The seat was hard but snug. Had a dodgy cloth cover on to reduce seat wear. One look at the interior and you would really feel shortchanged after a Porsche. After all, this is a Fiat! This had 48000 miles on it

When I feel a little too comfortable



As I was confident about the track, I opened it up. The 458 scythed through the corners. It was so smooth. I felt the Porsche communicated with me more. The Ferrari was more like driving gods chariot. The soundtrack is amazing though.



I then put my foot down and used the paddle shifters. This car is intuitive at high speeds. Those redline warning lights on the steering are no gimmick! You can focus on the road and the lights give you an idea when to upshift.



Wont bore you with more similar pictures - I was a lot more consistent

Amazing but the Porsche in reality blew my socks off.

Result




Josh also commented that if I had more time to build up confidence with the car, I would have been pretty much up there and moving faster.

I still had the Formula 3 to complete. I also was also pondering on whether to pay for either a trip with Tiff, or a few laps in the Alpine plus the Jag. I asked Josh

"Take my word - that old man is nuts! you'll never experience anything else like that!" I was still vacillating-pinged the team on WhatsApp- Viddy cannot make a decision, Manson merely told me - you've already decided so stop asking!

[ajmat]

Now it was Formula 3 time

Walked over to the pits, it was manned by a team of old men. As I was wearing only a T shirt and jeans, they tut-tutted

"You need to cover your arms, for that, we got bright ghastly yellow shirts for such cases"

I produced my lightweight company jacket instead and was taken to a section where I donned a balaclava and racing shoes. I had to put my keys, wallet and phone into a small locker as it was tight in the car.

I was allocated a Formula 3 car. At that point, I realized my age, fitness and weight was catching up. It was tight, I probably could identify every vein in my posterior. Seat adjustment consisted of slipping polystyrene pads behind me, until I could floor the clutch. I was instructed to keep revs high and stay within 3000rpm and 3rd+4th. Gears were notchy.






Hit the track to find 4th was not falling properly, I made do with 3rd but after two laps, I was recalled as the Marshalls felt the car was making odd noises. Too right. I was put in a Formula Renault and completed my session.





Overall it was fun although I did not push it. Must be the old man in me. The change in car had disrupted the tempo. I extracted myself out and changed back. The Balaclava went into a laundry basket.

Emerged in one piece and made my decision.

I'm done with driving, now let's get driven

[ajmat]

Went to the Supercar Kiosk. Tiff was hanging around.

Went up to the lady manning the kiosk and said, I need a taxi and paid up.

Tiff said "Will be with you in 5 min"

He reappeared and in exaggerated form

"Your taxi awaits you, Sir"

Jumping into the M2. I strap in and noted small stress cracks in the screen, this M2 has seen a lot! He switches on the video and begins his show (part of the package!).



The noise of B58 engine being extended gave me goosebumps from my time with the M4 in 2023!

You may not be driving but this was fun. Tiff calmly narrates about the speed, relates anecdotes on happened here and there. as if on a Sunday drive and calmly makes the M2 dance like Travolta has never attempted. Into the corners, he slams it and was drifting through at 90-degree angles. Having tried this earlier with a C63,I know this ain't easy.

Yeah, the following pics look similar but let me take you through it

Note how he flicks the car orthogonally from one side to......






.....the other!!!


and again, see the tyres smoking hard





After two laps of blissful idiocy, the tread softens up so we need to drive the normal way. All this on a stock M2 with stock Pirelli's. This lap demonstrated the proper lines.




What an experience!

I received a 360 degree video but YouTube only plays the centre portion. Check it out and hear the conversation.

https://youtu.be/BM61NLu5a5Y

If you want to see the full 360. One needs to download the full version where you can see me grinning like an absolute idiot with the excitement of Vidyut driving a Corolla

A final pic




Tiff was a real gentleman. Genuine, friendly, no airs about him. Top Man!

He is the only winner of the Bangalore Grand Prix in 1985!

I really need to think about that preloved M340i or a C63 (V8 of course)

Some hacks to enjoy Thruxton

• Study the track and listen attentively about the corners
• Focus on smaller performance cars which you can drive and 7-9/10th of their capability. It's more fun. The Ferrari was fun the first time I drove it as it more tactile with a manual box and hydraulic power steering. Later versions got faster no doubt but you won't be able to drive the wheels off it as they reach much higher speeds. Recommend the Alpine and Emira
• It might be better value to go for a basic experience and buy add-ons on the day. They might discount things. Tiff's drive was discounted as also some of the cars. My Ferrari was offered at 30% discount, a week before the session. I would have waited for this but I was under time pressure. The R8 and Jag were a lot cheaper than the others.
• The formula cars are an acquired taste especially when you are older. In hindsight, I should have stuck with basic Ferrari package and driven some other road cars.

Stepped up the viewing gallery to cool off before my 90 min drive

Some Views

[ajmat]

It all came to an end.

Went to the Photo/video stall to view the pics. They use a combination of AI, the time etc to put it all together. Some pics were not there but they added these later when I mailed this.

I was on the clock and scared of spending more money which would starve my imaginary BMW 328i restoration fund. Time to go to Westfield Shepherds Bush to shop for the ladies and later take in a show at the West End that evening. So it was an 80-mile drive into London

I seem to the be expert in buying clothes for young ladies. I select the clothes and take pics. Wander off and my daughter say yes/no. This time, she was busy so she trusted me. The clothes have just reached her today so I will know if my blind shopping works.

No, those leopard prints were not allowed



Took a look at this monster. You needed to register to view it. Used my UK phone for this.







Big Juggaad IMHO. Its huge but underwhelming in reality.

Also took a look at the BYD Dolphin - The Chinese are outdoing the Europeans for sure!

Two hours later

Clothes for the girl, kitchen knives for the wife and shoes for me. I'm beat and need to ensure the A40 jam to get back.

Back to the shopping trolley.




More about this

It was a case of

What I had planned to rent

Pug 209 auto



What they were to give me

Dacia Sandero 1.0 CVT

Me James May? No way!



What I upgraded to





I enjoyed this car (took a diesel). It was an extra 100 pounds well spent. It was all the car I needed except for a small boot. I enjoyed it a lot, I would reconsider its brother - the M220i but for that awful rear end

[ajmat]

Thread moved out from the Assembly Line.

[mugen_pinaki27]

Fun! Fun! Fun! That's how I would describe your thread. Not for a moment did any experience feel "boring". You do have a unique style of presenting content, @ajmat. Can you send me the link for the 360-degree video, that'd be great. The track was technical yet fun at the same time.

Cheers!

[saikishor]

It has been a long time since I saw or heard the name Tiff Needell. Used to be a big fan of him when I was a kid, used to watch Fifth Gear on Discovery Turbo. I wonder what he has been upto in today's day and time, apologies if that felt wrong as I haven't been following him at all.

[ads11]

Really enjoyed reading this.
I've long thought about getting my mum and dad a track day experience as a gift. I think just having the Tiff taxi experience alone would be just the ticket for them. You've made a compelling case to look into it more for their next visit. In fact I might try it out for myself one day.

I do agree on the note about the smaller cars that you can wring more out of. Mates of mine who regularly do track days swear by the relatively more humble sporty rides in comparison to the pedigree cars, think one of them has a fettled Miata as their track weapon.

[ajmat]

Originally Posted by ads11

Really enjoyed reading this.
I've long thought about getting my mum and dad a track day experience as a gift. I think just having the Tiff taxi experience alone would be just the ticket for them. You've made a compelling case to look into it more for their next visit. In fact I might try it out for myself one day.
.

Great -all details re here. Hope they are not faint hearted else you might have to pay those stiff British inheritance taxes