Inhale, Exhale, Exige

ajmat · 29th November 2009, 17:28

Another raid on the UK, I planned my leave not based on work but on when the next "Experience" session in Thruxton would be!

Have been there five years ago and drove a Ferrari. This time around, it was time for something different! My choices were

Audi R8 - tempting
Aston Martin - Appetising
Porsche Turbo - tasty - but this is November so expect the worst
Lambo - It is a big truck IMHO
Ferrari Stradiale or a 348 - yawn- have done Ferrari's

Issue was you spend 3 laps in a mazda 3 for orientation, 4 laps in a Cayman (very nice) then 4 laps in the beast of your choice

This meant one needed to spend half one's time getting oriented to the car.

Then I spotted the 1:1 experience - either a Mazda Miata or RX8 ( slightly underwhelming) or an Exige (Bulls Eye). - Ths involves 17 laps - 3 orientation, 2 sets of 7 laps + 1 lap of high speed ride (more fun!)

Rang the UK to book it - sorry sir, on the 8.30 slot is available. I book it but hiccups occured as my card would not go through but they kindly held my slot while I did a bank transfer. Tricky as they do not give refunds!

Plan was to do this, see how I fare and then pay for a drive in an R8 later on

DDay arrived. Landed in England at UK worst worst weather, icy rains, dark clouds. Night before had been enjoying London at its best. Needed an early start to get there at 8.15.

Woke at 6.00 and was on the road by 7.00. Switch on to Radio 4 to listen to the Farmers daily - oh my god, near cyclonic rainstorms expected in the south of the UK. I get on the M25 and then you feel the wind. YOu look ahead and you see black murky clouds. I could barely maintain 70mph and later took it easy.

This cost me time. Reached 10 min late but they pushed me in the briefing room. Basicaly it is a audio visual presentation + q&A afterwards. We were then taken outside and the instructors were waiting. The supercar lot were taken to the Mazda's, the plain vanilla Cayman experience were taken to the cars direct for the orientation. Also on offer was a high speed ride in an RX8 (free for me) and 4 laps in a 348 driven by a race driver - tempting!

Was introduced to Mike - there are two drivers allocated - one drives for 7 laps and then takes a break while the next person takes over and this repeats. As I had my camera etc with me, I decided to go second (also to let car warm up!).

I go to the viewing platform - I am freezing in a sweater + thin shoes for the drive. The light is appalling except for the odd appearance from the clouds.

I watch the supercars rumble and go for a drive to warm up. They park, it is windy and drizzly so no bonnets open

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Size: 65.1 KB

I go to the car and dump camera with a view to video and take pics later. I am freezing so I go in and wait in the cabin. The 9.30 batc h arrive so it is crowded. 10 min later, I go out and see the red lotus pull in.

Weather is improving. I get into the passenger seat. Boy, it is hell getting in. The sill is high, you need to get your legs in then sink your butt into a bootom less pit. When you reach the bottom, you find your head barely touches the top. Mike takes me around and warns me that what is usually the best car on the track is worst in wet weather.

3 laps later, I slap a helmet on and take the drivers seat. It is cosy but everything falls to hand. Interiors are pretty crude and iffy. I take off, Toyota's finest roars, the wind roars, the road roars and Mike calls out.

Gears selection is short if notchy, ride - you don't talk about this in a race car, brakes are direct, steering is very direct. However, you can hardly see out and Mike keeps the mirror focussed for his vision. I take the first two laps easy and power on. Wet track means I would have touched approx 140 max

Downshifting twice in a 100 metres was cool and also the double chicane. OOhh boy, I was loving it and geting into it but then my 7 laps were over so time for a break.

Break over and I slip in and the clouds darken and there is light rain. This session was recorded. Screen capture below

I take off and hit the bends and feel the car about to brake away. I power on and the rain starts. What I discovered in the first session was that the wiper was awful. I try pushing without the wipers and then realise that I need to switch it on. The smearing slows me down and am having dificulty multitasking between reading traction, poor visibility and instructions. The Ferraris pass at high speeds - they have plenty of nanny devices.

Last two laps come up, wiper seems to clear the smear and I push hard. It comes out well.

"Not bad considering the conditons" spoke Mike. We swap seats and we go for a wild ride. He drifts the car and shows what could be done before the car bites back.

It's over and time for the RX8 ride. There is a queue under a canopy. The RX8 comes in like a maniac drops, picks up and cuts into others like an Indicab. The rain pours down big time. The supercars are driving like sunday drivers

My turn comes and then am told to hold on - conditions are too rough ...and a Ferrari spun off big time. All cars come in and the drivers wait. 20 min later no joy. i then hear someone being told, it will take another hour or you can come another day. The 10.30 batch are arriving and it is mayhem.

It is freezing. If I go in , I lose my place. One hour for a couple of minutes ride. I think not. I get drenched getting into the Focus and drive home. Conditions are appaling and the Focus gets upset with the still water puddles streaming across. All the Audis and BMW's merely glide by.

All in all, it was a good day but the weather did dampen things. Would have made a great rally day!

Jaggu · 29th November 2009, 17:55

You have the video? Please upload to U tube then

This is a real vacation! You lucky man!

gomzi · 29th November 2009, 19:46

wow, what an experience! The writeup was good too.

Could you please upload the video on you tube?

seems like the number of t-bhpians going to thruxton is increasing. I hope to do this too someday

Nikhilb2008 · 29th November 2009, 20:22

Fantastic! Really awesome! Congrats!

As Jaggu said, please upload the video to youtube

clevermax · 29th November 2009, 20:48

I can understand your frustration about the weather. When it is cold and raining out there in Europe, it makes a very very bad day. I hate going out in such weather, it takes away all the happiness from you!

Anyway, nice to read about your track experience and I too hope I can make it one day. I'll pray for a good sunny day if at all I can manage to get there!

Dippy · 30th November 2009, 12:58

You always seem to have a blast on track days ajmat. Reading this brought back memories of your previous thread. Pushing that small Lotus around that track must be quite an experience. Too bad the weather stopped you from getting into the R8. Nice pictures but as always there is only one car that catches my attention - The Ferrari 355

Waiting for the video link.

I also see some open wheeled racers in the background of one of the pics. Are they available to drive as well?

ajmat · 30th November 2009, 13:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dippy

You always seem to have a blast on track days ajmat. Reading this brought back memories of your previous thread. Pushing that small Lotus around that track must be quite an experience. Too bad the weather stopped you from getting into the R8. Nice pictures but as always there is only one car that catches my attention - The Ferrari 355

Waiting for the video link.

I also see some open wheeled racers in the background of one of the pics. Are they available to drive as well?

The 355 was avaialbe to drive, there was also the option of being driven 4 laps in this by a race driver. The open wheel racers are also avaialble. I had a go last time around. I would have been screwed in that weather

Vid6639 · 30th November 2009, 14:48

So getting into the Exige was like assuming the Lotus position eh?

See the Lotus, Feel the Lotus, Be the Lotus. lol.

Like everyone else can't wait to see the video.

theMAG · 30th November 2009, 14:54

Why cant such a model ever be made to work in India ?!

ajmat · 30th November 2009, 15:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by theMAG

Why cant such a model ever be made to work in India ?!

Maga, you + model = heavy rain

jkdas · 30th November 2009, 16:17

It has an Alpine HU! A thread we youngsters ought to post (I can see ajmat still grinning )

Ajmat; the cost and other details please.

I am waiting for another TBHPians post ; this time he was gifted a track day in LP 640

Quote:

Originally Posted by ajmat

Maga, you + model = heavy rain

Sideways · 30th November 2009, 16:24

Fantastic, must have been fun. Pity about the weather though. If you don't mind could you tell us what it cost (or you could pm me).

Nikhilb2008 · 30th November 2009, 16:29

I think it cost him 230 GBP.

Thruxton Driving Experience. Drive Lotus, Ferrari, Lamborghini, Porsche, Aston Martin, Racing Cars and Mazda. Official Thruxton Motorsport Centre Website.

theMAG · 30th November 2009, 18:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by ajmat

Maga, you + model = heavy rain

Driving in the rain = FUN = drifting

29th November 2009, 17:28	#1
ajmat Team-BHP Support Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Bangalore Posts: 14,860 Thanked: 27,954 Times View My Garage	Inhale, Exhale, Exige Another raid on the UK, I planned my leave not based on work but on when the next "Experience" session in Thruxton would be! Have been there five years ago and drove a Ferrari. This time around, it was time for something different! My choices were Audi R8 - tempting Aston Martin - Appetising Porsche Turbo - tasty - but this is November so expect the worst Lambo - It is a big truck IMHO Ferrari Stradiale or a 348 - yawn- have done Ferrari's Issue was you spend 3 laps in a mazda 3 for orientation, 4 laps in a Cayman (very nice) then 4 laps in the beast of your choice This meant one needed to spend half one's time getting oriented to the car. Then I spotted the 1:1 experience - either a Mazda Miata or RX8 ( slightly underwhelming) or an Exige (Bulls Eye). - Ths involves 17 laps - 3 orientation, 2 sets of 7 laps + 1 lap of high speed ride (more fun!) Rang the UK to book it - sorry sir, on the 8.30 slot is available. I book it but hiccups occured as my card would not go through but they kindly held my slot while I did a bank transfer. Tricky as they do not give refunds! Plan was to do this, see how I fare and then pay for a drive in an R8 later on DDay arrived. Landed in England at UK worst worst weather, icy rains, dark clouds. Night before had been enjoying London at its best. Needed an early start to get there at 8.15. Woke at 6.00 and was on the road by 7.00. Switch on to Radio 4 to listen to the Farmers daily - oh my god, near cyclonic rainstorms expected in the south of the UK. I get on the M25 and then you feel the wind. YOu look ahead and you see black murky clouds. I could barely maintain 70mph and later took it easy. This cost me time. Reached 10 min late but they pushed me in the briefing room. Basicaly it is a audio visual presentation + q&A afterwards. We were then taken outside and the instructors were waiting. The supercar lot were taken to the Mazda's, the plain vanilla Cayman experience were taken to the cars direct for the orientation. Also on offer was a high speed ride in an RX8 (free for me) and 4 laps in a 348 driven by a race driver - tempting! Was introduced to Mike - there are two drivers allocated - one drives for 7 laps and then takes a break while the next person takes over and this repeats. As I had my camera etc with me, I decided to go second (also to let car warm up!). I go to the viewing platform - I am freezing in a sweater + thin shoes for the drive. The light is appalling except for the odd appearance from the clouds. I watch the supercars rumble and go for a drive to warm up. They park, it is windy and drizzly so no bonnets open I go to the car and dump camera with a view to video and take pics later. I am freezing so I go in and wait in the cabin. The 9.30 batc h arrive so it is crowded. 10 min later, I go out and see the red lotus pull in. Weather is improving. I get into the passenger seat. Boy, it is hell getting in. The sill is high, you need to get your legs in then sink your butt into a bootom less pit. When you reach the bottom, you find your head barely touches the top. Mike takes me around and warns me that what is usually the best car on the track is worst in wet weather. 3 laps later, I slap a helmet on and take the drivers seat. It is cosy but everything falls to hand. Interiors are pretty crude and iffy. I take off, Toyota's finest roars, the wind roars, the road roars and Mike calls out. Gears selection is short if notchy, ride - you don't talk about this in a race car, brakes are direct, steering is very direct. However, you can hardly see out and Mike keeps the mirror focussed for his vision. I take the first two laps easy and power on. Wet track means I would have touched approx 140 max Downshifting twice in a 100 metres was cool and also the double chicane. OOhh boy, I was loving it and geting into it but then my 7 laps were over so time for a break. Break over and I slip in and the clouds darken and there is light rain. This session was recorded. Screen capture below I take off and hit the bends and feel the car about to brake away. I power on and the rain starts. What I discovered in the first session was that the wiper was awful. I try pushing without the wipers and then realise that I need to switch it on. The smearing slows me down and am having dificulty multitasking between reading traction, poor visibility and instructions. The Ferraris pass at high speeds - they have plenty of nanny devices. Last two laps come up, wiper seems to clear the smear and I push hard. It comes out well. "Not bad considering the conditons" spoke Mike. We swap seats and we go for a wild ride. He drifts the car and shows what could be done before the car bites back. It's over and time for the RX8 ride. There is a queue under a canopy. The RX8 comes in like a maniac drops, picks up and cuts into others like an Indicab. The rain pours down big time. The supercars are driving like sunday drivers My turn comes and then am told to hold on - conditions are too rough ...and a Ferrari spun off big time. All cars come in and the drivers wait. 20 min later no joy. i then hear someone being told, it will take another hour or you can come another day. The 10.30 batch are arriving and it is mayhem. It is freezing. If I go in , I lose my place. One hour for a couple of minutes ride. I think not. I get drenched getting into the Focus and drive home. Conditions are appaling and the Focus gets upset with the still water puddles streaming across. All the Audis and BMW's merely glide by. All in all, it was a good day but the weather did dampen things. Would have made a great rally day! Last edited by ajmat : 15th August 2016 at 12:32.
	() Thanks

29th November 2009, 17:55	#2
Jaggu Team-BHP Support Join Date: May 2004 Location: Bangalore Posts: 20,215 Thanked: 15,906 Times	You have the video? Please upload to U tube then This is a real vacation! You lucky man!
	() Thanks

29th November 2009, 19:46	#3
gomzi BHPian Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Mumbai Posts: 798 Thanked: 236 Times	wow, what an experience! The writeup was good too. Could you please upload the video on you tube? seems like the number of t-bhpians going to thruxton is increasing. I hope to do this too someday
	() Thanks

29th November 2009, 20:22	#4
Nikhilb2008 Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Bangalore Posts: 5,196 Thanked: 10,138 Times	Fantastic! Really awesome! Congrats! As Jaggu said, please upload the video to youtube
	() Thanks

29th November 2009, 20:48	#5
clevermax Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Tvm/Amsterdam Posts: 2,086 Thanked: 2,640 Times View My Garage	I can understand your frustration about the weather. When it is cold and raining out there in Europe, it makes a very very bad day. I hate going out in such weather, it takes away all the happiness from you! Anyway, nice to read about your track experience and I too hope I can make it one day. I'll pray for a good sunny day if at all I can manage to get there!
	() Thanks

30th November 2009, 12:58	#6
Dippy Senior - BHPian Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Mumbai, India Posts: 7,558 Thanked: 2,462 Times	You always seem to have a blast on track days ajmat. Reading this brought back memories of your previous thread. Pushing that small Lotus around that track must be quite an experience. Too bad the weather stopped you from getting into the R8. Nice pictures but as always there is only one car that catches my attention - The Ferrari 355 Waiting for the video link. I also see some open wheeled racers in the background of one of the pics. Are they available to drive as well?
	() Thanks

30th November 2009, 14:48	#8
Vid6639 Team-BHP Support Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Bangalore Posts: 17,728 Thanked: 43,463 Times View My Garage	So getting into the Exige was like assuming the Lotus position eh? See the Lotus, Feel the Lotus, Be the Lotus. lol. Like everyone else can't wait to see the video.
	() Thanks

30th November 2009, 14:54	#9
theMAG Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: May 2006 Location: Avon, CT Posts: 7,217 Thanked: 1,807 Times View My Garage	Why cant such a model ever be made to work in India ?!
	() Thanks

30th November 2009, 16:24	#12
Sideways BHPian Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Madras - India Posts: 641 Thanked: 31 Times View My Garage	Fantastic, must have been fun. Pity about the weather though. If you don't mind could you tell us what it cost (or you could pm me).
	() Thanks

30th November 2009, 16:29	#13
Nikhilb2008 Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Bangalore Posts: 5,196 Thanked: 10,138 Times	I think it cost him 230 GBP. Thruxton Driving Experience. Drive Lotus, Ferrari, Lamborghini, Porsche, Aston Martin, Racing Cars and Mazda. Official Thruxton Motorsport Centre Website.
	() Thanks