deano87
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Registered: 21st Oct 06
Location: Bedfordshire Drives: Ford Fiesta
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Yesterday, I was treated to the Ferrari 360 Experience at Silverstone. It was my 21st birthday present from my girlfriend.
The day included 4 laps in a Lotus Exige S, 4 laps in a Ferrari 360, 1 what was supposed to be 1 high speed passenger lap in an Exige, however, one was not available, so it was a Focus ST Safety Car.
It was a great day, albeit the weather turned a bit sour. Believe it or not, my highlight was probably the passenger ride in the ST, and not driving the Ferrari. What the driver made it do in the wet was amazing, and power sliding around the outside of some Lotus Exige's on Silverstone was amazing 
I would recommend the experience to anyone, however there is loads of waiting around. I was the 1st driver in our group. I learnt in the Exige pretty quickly (which subsequently had to be taken out of service as it couldn't get into 3rd  ) but waiting so long before I got in the Ferrari, meant I was only just getting used to it, by the time the 4th lap was up. Also, the instructor has a brake pedal, and kept braking for me  this really annoyed me, as I would have preferred him saying "brake brake BRAKE" etc so I was actually driving myself.
Also, they tried to charge £20 for a professional photo which wasn't that good, or £25 for the photo + disc, which had just the 2 photos on they take. Needless to say I didn't buy, even though it would have been a nice keep sake, because I don't really like being ripped off
Anyway, here are some pics.
Belting up for the 'slow instruction lap' - 80mph was 'slow'.
Driving.
Over taking a Ferrari 
Dad not used to my camera, dodgey focus but the Exige made me grin, a bit better than my car.
Ferrari 360 in the rain 
Happy happy.
Coming back in after the ST passenger lap - I liked this so much because an ST is a more accessible car & realistic than both the Exige and Ferrari.
More pics found here:
http://public.fotki.com/deano87/ferrari360experienc/
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lil_g
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Registered: 29th Oct 06
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Looks like a great day Deano! I'm looking to do something like this in the near future!
So what did you prefer, the Exige or Ferrari 
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deano87
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Registered: 21st Oct 06
Location: Bedfordshire Drives: Ford Fiesta
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Exige I think. Gearbox was absolutely horrid though, very very notchy and hard to get used to/know what gear you were in because it's so close together. I didn't have enough time to take in the Ferrari. You need 8 laps in each imho, not 4.
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Corsa_Sport21
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Registered: 13th Apr 08
Location: Leven, Fife. Drives : 205 GTi
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Yeah they always say they let u rag them on the race experience days but they dont.They say they do at Knockhill but they dont either.The bottom hairpin is a 2nd gear corner,yet they wont allow u to come out of 3rd for it.
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Haimsey
Premium Member
Registered: 8th May 05
Location: Nottingham Drives: Corsa B
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Looks awesome Deano Shame about the weather, but still
Marcy Marc 
White Sport Progress Thread
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Daniel_Corsa
Premium Member
Registered: 21st Apr 04
Location: Wigton, Cumbria
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You look most happy getting out the 360 I have to say Deano, awesome experience to have!
I'l never forget mine!
Thats what my mate hated about Silverstone, they had brake pedal and kept slowing him down!
I'd have also argued for a go in the red one, a Ferrari isn't real unless its RED!!!
Mate of mine has an Exige and its not the nicest of cars to drive but my my its fun!
April '06' Corsasport Feature Car  | Aug '08' Total Vauxhall Feature Car | Spring '09' Fast Car Feature Car
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deano87
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Registered: 21st Oct 06
Location: Bedfordshire Drives: Ford Fiesta
User status: Offline
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In the Exige he said change gear and we was changing at 4.5-5krpm, and I was like, this isn't a very quick car. So when he said change on a straight I didn't and took it to 6krpm and it just got going. Still a great experience, but they could be a lot lot better. But then I guess they'd be double the price etc. Can't be cheap doing these things.
But, there was 12 people in out 9.30 slot. Everyone paid about £179 as it was on offer. So that is a fair wack. And whilst we were on the circuit, waiting. Another 12 were in the Exiges, and as we left, another 12 turned up. Then you have the single seaters, 4x4, rally experiences etc. They must rack it in but have huge overheads.
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lil_g
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Registered: 29th Oct 06
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Thats rediculous!
I'd be wanting some limiter action, especially in the Exige!
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Daniel_Corsa
Premium Member
Registered: 21st Apr 04
Location: Wigton, Cumbria
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quote:
Originally posted by deano87
In the Exige he said change gear and we was changing at 4.5-5krpm, and I was like, this isn't a very quick car. So when he said change on a straight I didn't and took it to 6krpm and it just got going.
Yup its like a VTec  Toyota VVTi engined 180 / 190 bhp in the normal exige, Exige S pulls alot better but has a bigger price tag to match!
April '06' Corsasport Feature Car | Aug '08' Total Vauxhall Feature Car | Spring '09' Fast Car Feature Car
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whitter45
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Registered: 15th Nov 02
Location: Norton
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i did a ferrari day at loughborough
test laps in a STI, 4 laps in a 360, 4 laps in a 550 and 4 laps in 355
The STI really impressed
the 360 was a dog of a car - hard to drive, handling was a bit of a hand full
550 was very quick but the 355 was by far the best experience
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whitter45
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Registered: 15th Nov 02
Location: Norton
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not to high jack
to share
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Andy Stocker
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Registered: 31st Aug 00
Location: Herts Drives: Porsche 911
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I have a Porsche 911 experience when I book it up 
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Minty_Fresh
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Registered: 1st May 08
Location: westmidlands
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ive got a driving experience, not sure when to book it though because of the weather..
5 laps in a focus rs (tester laps)
5 laps in a gallardo
5 laps in a porshe 911 turbo
5 laps in a aston martin vantage
5 laps in a ferrari 550
cant wait
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Corsa_Scotty
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Registered: 8th Aug 07
Location: Scottish Borders
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i went in a 360 and i didnt find it too exciting
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deano87
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Registered: 21st Oct 06
Location: Bedfordshire Drives: Ford Fiesta
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quote:
Originally posted by mk4_boy
ive got a driving experience, not sure when to book it though because of the weather..
5 laps in a focus rs (tester laps)
5 laps in a gallardo
5 laps in a porshe 911 turbo
5 laps in a aston martin vantage
5 laps in a ferrari 550
cant wait
bet that was expensive.
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Minty_Fresh
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Registered: 1st May 08
Location: westmidlands
User status: Offline
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not sure the rents paid for it as a present
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BYRON
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Registered: 1st Jun 04
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Looks like a good day out.
Im at silverstone next week driving the GTR. should be a good crack.
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deano87
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Registered: 21st Oct 06
Location: Bedfordshire Drives: Ford Fiesta
User status: Offline
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The Porsche experience look like they'll be better tbh. Porsche have their own massive building and a range of car. I presume theirs is more a marketing venture, rather than direct money making. I presume you'd get more time and '1 to 1' tuition etc.
EDIT: Can't find anything having a Porsche experience and it isn't offered on the Silverstone website. I did find this though:
http://www.porsche.com/uk/aboutporsche/pressreleases/pcgb/?pool=uk&id=2007-07-20
quote:
Once completed, the world-class training facility, named the ‘Porsche Driving Experience Centre’, will allow every customer of a new Porsche in the UK and Ireland to receive expert tuition in their driving skills as well as the performance capabilities and stability systems of their cars.
[Edited on 17-11-2008 by deano87]
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Joe
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Registered: 20th Jun 04
Location: Hesketh Bank, Lancashire
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What kind of mpg were you getting?
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Nick-S
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Registered: 3rd Mar 04
Location: Leigh. Drives: RS Megane 230 F1 Team R26
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quote:
Originally posted by Joe
What kind of mpg were you getting?
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deano87
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Registered: 21st Oct 06
Location: Bedfordshire Drives: Ford Fiesta
User status: Offline
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Kurt
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Registered: 23rd Oct 05
Location: Hi
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ffs joe i was getting excited scrolling down as no one had posted that
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Nath
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Registered: 3rd Apr 02
Location: MK
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I did one a Silverstone a few years back.
I drove an Audi TT 3.2 V6
mkII Elise
Ferrari 355
And like you, I found the Lotus to be the most fun. It was so chuckable, great fun!
I also got 3 flying laps as a passenger in a Caterham R400. When I got out the car my Dad said I was as white as a ghost I felt really ill after that! I love rollercoasters but this was something else!!! Such a rush!!
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Stu_22
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Registered: 25th Mar 02
Location: Luton
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I did one at thruxton. I prefered the single seater race cars to the ferrari
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Graham88
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Registered: 16th Apr 07
Location: South East Kent Drives: E46 M3
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I want to go in an Ariel Atom
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