Welcome to part #2 of the Xperiences guide to driving and track day experience gifts for adrenaline junkies and thrill seekers. In this concluding article we aim to finish our brief glimpse of the best that is available on the market today, whether it's Skid Pan & Controlled Driving, karting, tank driving, moto cross or rally driving experiences. If it's on two or four wheels we aim to give you the lowdown on it.
Rally Driving The itinerary and the make of car you drive tend to vary from venue to venue, from a range which includes the Peugeot 206, the ever-popular Fords (Escort MkII, Fiesta, Focus, Sierra or Puma) or the VW Polo. Drive real rally cars on a gravel and dirt, tarmac or forest stage under the expert tuition of rally school instructors. Rally driving experiences take place at rally courses across the UK and use cars such as the Ford Escort, Focus, or even the mighty Subaru Impreza, all fully rally prepared with roll cages, bucket seats and intercom systems for an unforgettable rally driving day.
Moto Cross Motocross racing is widely considered the world's most popular form of motorcycle racing. Held on enclosed off-road circuits it has evolved from scrambling which was invented in the UK in 1924. With large tracks they usually incorporate many natural Motocross terrain features with added man made jumps and other extras. Whether you are a complete off-road novice or a seasoned dirt junkie, there are guided off-road adventure tours that will suit you down to the ground!
Tank Driving During the course of the day you could be driving a Russian Grozdilka tank, a fully amphibious Hagglund tracked carrier, an FV 432 armoured personnel carrier or a Rapier rocket carrier. You could even get a ride in a Lance missile carrier, spend an hour in the armoury and there are other military-themed activities available too - learn how to fire a range of classic weapons like mortars and muskets, go on an SAS woodland patrol or try clay-pigeon shooting. At some events at the end of the day, the best driver gets to crush a car with a 56 ton Chieftain tank!
Skid Pan & Controlled Driving These skid car control experiences test your reflexes and co-ordination to the full as you learn the advanced techniques to counteract under steer and over steer in a simulated loss-of-control situation. Controlling a skid is a useful skill, and this experience teaches you all about it both as a fun day out, and as something you might need to use on the road one day. You'll start with a safety briefing and a discussion on the cause and cures of different kinds of skids. Then you'll use techniques that simulate loss of car control, with the vehicle seeming to get away from you.
Junior Driving There's no need to wait to get your licence before you can drive a car. Now kids can discover the thrill of driving as they get behind a steering wheel for the first time in safe, controlled conditions. An Approved Driving Instructor can show them the rudiments of driving and help them gain confidence in open spaces and a relaxed atmosphere. This experience is all about helping young (and not so young!) learners to make the most of that crucial first drive - to learn more, to experience more and to have lots of fun too.
Karting. Karting is commonly perceived as the stepping stone to the higher and more expensive ranks of motor sports. Karts vary in speed and some (known as Superkarts) can reach speeds exceeding 160 mph. A KF1 kart, with a 125 cc 2-stroke engine and an overall weight including the driver of 150 kilograms has a top speed of 85 mph. It takes a little more than 3 seconds to go from 0 to 60 mph with a 125 cc shifter kart (6 gears), with a top speed of 115 mph on long circuits. Kart racing is usually used as a low-cost and relatively safe way to introduce drivers to motor racing. Many people associate it with young drivers but adults are also very active in Karting - it is considered the first step in any serious racer's career. It can prepare the driver for high-speed wheel-to-wheel racing by helping develop quick reflexes, precision car control, and decision-making skills.
Rally Driving The itinerary and the make of car you drive tend to vary from venue to venue, from a range which includes the Peugeot 206, the ever-popular Fords (Escort MkII, Fiesta, Focus, Sierra or Puma) or the VW Polo. Drive real rally cars on a gravel and dirt, tarmac or forest stage under the expert tuition of rally school instructors. Rally driving experiences take place at rally courses across the UK and use cars such as the Ford Escort, Focus, or even the mighty Subaru Impreza, all fully rally prepared with roll cages, bucket seats and intercom systems for an unforgettable rally driving day.
Moto Cross Motocross racing is widely considered the world's most popular form of motorcycle racing. Held on enclosed off-road circuits it has evolved from scrambling which was invented in the UK in 1924. With large tracks they usually incorporate many natural Motocross terrain features with added man made jumps and other extras. Whether you are a complete off-road novice or a seasoned dirt junkie, there are guided off-road adventure tours that will suit you down to the ground!
Tank Driving During the course of the day you could be driving a Russian Grozdilka tank, a fully amphibious Hagglund tracked carrier, an FV 432 armoured personnel carrier or a Rapier rocket carrier. You could even get a ride in a Lance missile carrier, spend an hour in the armoury and there are other military-themed activities available too - learn how to fire a range of classic weapons like mortars and muskets, go on an SAS woodland patrol or try clay-pigeon shooting. At some events at the end of the day, the best driver gets to crush a car with a 56 ton Chieftain tank!
Skid Pan & Controlled Driving These skid car control experiences test your reflexes and co-ordination to the full as you learn the advanced techniques to counteract under steer and over steer in a simulated loss-of-control situation. Controlling a skid is a useful skill, and this experience teaches you all about it both as a fun day out, and as something you might need to use on the road one day. You'll start with a safety briefing and a discussion on the cause and cures of different kinds of skids. Then you'll use techniques that simulate loss of car control, with the vehicle seeming to get away from you.
Junior Driving There's no need to wait to get your licence before you can drive a car. Now kids can discover the thrill of driving as they get behind a steering wheel for the first time in safe, controlled conditions. An Approved Driving Instructor can show them the rudiments of driving and help them gain confidence in open spaces and a relaxed atmosphere. This experience is all about helping young (and not so young!) learners to make the most of that crucial first drive - to learn more, to experience more and to have lots of fun too.
Karting. Karting is commonly perceived as the stepping stone to the higher and more expensive ranks of motor sports. Karts vary in speed and some (known as Superkarts) can reach speeds exceeding 160 mph. A KF1 kart, with a 125 cc 2-stroke engine and an overall weight including the driver of 150 kilograms has a top speed of 85 mph. It takes a little more than 3 seconds to go from 0 to 60 mph with a 125 cc shifter kart (6 gears), with a top speed of 115 mph on long circuits. Kart racing is usually used as a low-cost and relatively safe way to introduce drivers to motor racing. Many people associate it with young drivers but adults are also very active in Karting - it is considered the first step in any serious racer's career. It can prepare the driver for high-speed wheel-to-wheel racing by helping develop quick reflexes, precision car control, and decision-making skills.
About the Author:
Jimmy Gaulton has been organizing driving experience days for over three decades and has written many definitive articles on the subject. Before buying any driving experience online check out the full Xperiences Guide to Driving Experience and Track Day Gifts which you can find at Xperiences.co.uk - The Ultimate Driving Experience and Track Day Comparison Site
