My Ferrari 360 experience at Thurxton racing circuit

[Dave1]

Few pictures of my day at Thuxton doing a Ferrari 360 experience course back in June. Beautiful weather while messing around in Ferraris and racing cars. What more could you ask for?

The day consisted of driving an MG something (rover 45) 2.5 V6, which I was very impressed with. Then a Merc SLK 3.5 V6 (left me cold). Then came the Ferrari 360 spider which was superb, as expected. Then a drive in the Formula Renault (4,500rpm rev limit). The formula Renaults were a bit old and tired but they were still blisteringly fast round the bends. And before you ask, no I didn't get to drive the Lambo, in fact it didn't move all day. :cry:

http://img57.exs.cx/img57/8830/SLK_1.th.jpg (http://img57.exs.cx/my.php?loc=img57&image=SLK_1.jpg) http://img71.exs.cx/img71/6338/360_1.th.jpg (http://img71.exs.cx/my.php?loc=img71&image=360_1.jpg) http://img57.exs.cx/img57/6151/360_2.th.jpg (http://img57.exs.cx/my.php?loc=img57&image=360_2.jpg) http://img57.exs.cx/img57/8485/360_3.th.jpg (http://img57.exs.cx/my.php?loc=img57&image=360_3.jpg)
http://img57.exs.cx/img57/9874/360_4.th.jpg (http://img57.exs.cx/my.php?loc=img57&image=360_4.jpg) http://img57.exs.cx/img57/1205/360_5.th.jpg (http://img57.exs.cx/my.php?loc=img57&image=360_5.jpg) http://img57.exs.cx/img57/8463/360_6.th.jpg (http://img57.exs.cx/my.php?loc=img57&image=360_6.jpg) http://img57.exs.cx/img57/9421/360_7.th.jpg (http://img57.exs.cx/my.php?loc=img57&image=360_7.jpg)
http://img57.exs.cx/img57/7158/360_8.th.jpg (http://img57.exs.cx/my.php?loc=img57&image=360_8.jpg) http://img57.exs.cx/img57/3849/360_9.th.jpg (http://img57.exs.cx/my.php?loc=img57&image=360_9.jpg) http://img57.exs.cx/img57/831/Renault_1.th.jpg (http://img57.exs.cx/my.php?loc=img57&image=Renault_1.jpg) http://img57.exs.cx/img57/7324/Renault_2.th.jpg (http://img57.exs.cx/my.php?loc=img57&image=Renault_2.jpg)
http://img57.exs.cx/img57/7324/Renault_2.th.jpg (http://img57.exs.cx/my.php?loc=img57&image=Renault_2.jpg) http://img57.exs.cx/img57/6653/Renault_4.th.jpg (http://img57.exs.cx/my.php?loc=img57&image=Renault_4.jpg) http://img57.exs.cx/img57/3397/Renault_5.th.jpg (http://img57.exs.cx/my.php?loc=img57&image=Renault_5.jpg) http://img57.exs.cx/img57/2270/Renault_6.th.jpg (http://img57.exs.cx/my.php?loc=img57&image=Renault_6.jpg)
http://img71.exs.cx/img71/1636/Lambo_1.th.jpg (http://img71.exs.cx/my.php?loc=img71&image=Lambo_1.jpg) http://img71.exs.cx/img71/8809/Lambo_2.th.jpg (http://img71.exs.cx/my.php?loc=img71&image=Lambo_2.jpg) http://img71.exs.cx/img71/8555/Lambo_3.th.jpg (http://img71.exs.cx/my.php?loc=img71&image=Lambo_3.jpg)

Sorry about the arrangement of the pics. I gave up trying to get them four on a line :x

[Anonymous]

Awesome pics there Dave, looks like a fantastic way to spend a day, shame about the lambo, but you can't have it all! :P You've certainly 1-0 on me and alot of others as far as Ferrari drives :D 8) BTW did you have to be 21 to do the day? (and license held for so long)

[Dave1]

BTW did you have to be 21 to do the day? (and license held for so long)


Cheers AL. I don't think you have to be 21, just got to hold a full UK driving licence. Thinking about it they didn't look at my driving licence when I booked in on the day :roll:. I did have an info booklet but think I chucked it. Here’s the web link

http://www.thruxtonracing.co.uk/courses.html

[TT]

As I always say, you are lucky in the UK with some many "driving nice cars on track" opportunities!

[Anonymous]

BTW did you have to be 21 to do the day? (and license held for so long)


Cheers AL. I don't think you have to be 21, just got to hold a full UK driving licence. Thinking about it they didn't look at my driving licence when I booked in on the day :roll:. I did have an info booklet but think I chucked it. Here’s the web link

http://www.thruxtonracing.co.uk/courses.html
Cheers, i have seen some of these courses had age restrictions, i'll look into it as you've made me very jealous :P maybe a treat after/ during my work placement year :D

[mindgam3]

nice! Did they have any rev restrictions or any other restrictions on the ferrari??

[No.1]

WOW... nice pics and what a sexy Murcielago :P

I'm definitely going to do this as soon as possible. I'll need to pass my test first... just a small obstacle.

I'd really like to go down to Silverstone to do it... although Oulton Park near me does similar things. I bet it was a blast... i really do dream of owning these cars, and i'm not going to stop until i own them :)

Nice pics too, and what a gorgeous day to drive 8)

[Dave1]

Did they have any rev restrictions or any other restrictions on the ferrari??


No electronic retractions, just the instructor. Generally I was changing at about 4,000rpm in the 360. This is understandable as it is a highly stressed engine.


I'd really like to go down to Silverstone to do it... although Oulton Park near me does similar things


Don't go to sliverstone as they put you on a special short circuit :( . Oulton Park is a fantastic circuit. Don't know what cars they have though.

Thanks for the comments guys.

[mindgam3]

Did they have any rev restrictions or any other restrictions on the ferrari??


No electronic retractions, just the instructor. Generally I was changing at about 4,000rpm in the 360. This is understandable as it is a highly stressed engine.


is that because the enforced a 4k rec change or because you didnt want to go higher than that...... the 360 isnt even in its stride at 4k :(

[jon_s]

nice! Did they have any rev restrictions or any other restrictions on the ferrari??

Probably not, when I did a similar course I got to use all the glorious revs. Looks like you had a great day!

[No.1]

Don't go to sliverstone as they put you on a special short circuit :( . Oulton Park is a fantastic circuit. Don't know what cars they have though.

Thanks for the comments guys.

Well... as you can see i'm only 16 at the moment, so i'd be looking to do this in a few years time...maybe in the F430, the 997 Turbo, the revised Gallardo etc :P

And that thing about Silverstone sucks :roll:

[Dave1]

is that because the enforced a 4k rec change or because you didnt want to go higher than that...... the 360 isnt even in its stride at 4k


Are you joking? Of course I wanted to go over 4,000rpm. I did hit about 7,000 (once) over taking a Porsche 911 but most of the time the instructor just told me to change up. What you got to remember is that Thruxton is the fastest circuit in the UK its so fast in fact that it's not open to "drive what you brung track days" like most UK circuit are. There's no way you can jump into a 360 for the first time and go flat out unless you want to crash that is. Also the cars are used a lot and they want to put them under as little stress as possible.

@Jon_s - what circuit did you do your course at mate? What cars did you get your hands on?

[No.1]

I didn't know that about Thruxton.... but it does seem a bit mean that they don't really encourage you to get the car singing :|

I completely understand it though, and you clearly were allowed over 4k, but with an experience instructor telling you to change up, you trust his judgement and wisdom :D

[mindgam3]

hmmmm when i went to drive an M3 around rockingham there were no restrictions at all, you could rev it to the redline and drive as fast as you wanted. You were just advised to take it easy on the first lap.

Same with the 355 and elise that you can drive there. And they're all not much slower than a 360.

First thing the instructor asked as i was rolling out the pits was, what car do you usually drive.... i replied a clio 1.2 n he just smiled.

Having said tht i did get better driving marks than someone there who actually owned an M3.

Just wish more circuits imposed as little restrictions as rockingham :(

[Dave1]

hmmmm when i went to drive an M3 around rockingham there were no restrictions at all, you could rev it to the redline and drive as fast as you wanted. You were just advised to take it easy on the first lap.

Same with the 355 and elise that you can drive there. And they're all not much slower than a 360.

First thing the instructor asked as i was rolling out the pits was, what car do you usually drive.... i replied a clio 1.2 n he just smiled.

Having said tht i did get better driving marks than someone there who actually owned an M3.

Just wish more circuits imposed as little restrictions as rockingham


Cool :o I'm off to rockingham next then. It does seam to be the trend, a lot of restrictions etc. I went to castle combe for my 18th and that was the same. I can understand thruxton because its so fast. Cheers for the info mindgam3 I look into it. Thing is looks like I'm all out of milestone birthdays. Will have to pay for it myself :(

[jon_s]

I did mine at Bruntingthorpe, the proving ground. I would like to goto a track next time though. I got my grubby hands on a Lotus Elise, Scooby, Race prepared Porsche and a Ferrari 355.

[raphaelws]

great pics :D

any F355?

[dingo]

Awesome....i wish they had something like this in WA. :(
What does a day like that cost in the UK?

[mindgam3]

varies depending on what car and venue you choose.

Anywhere from £80 to £400 is probably an accurate range ;)

[pjrouse]

is that because the enforced a 4k rec change or because you didnt want to go higher than that...... the 360 isnt even in its stride at 4k


Are you joking? Of course I wanted to go over 4,000rpm. I did hit about 7,000 (once) over taking a Porsche 911 but most of the time the instructor just told me to change up. What you got to remember is that Thruxton is the fastest circuit in the UK its so fast in fact that it's not open to "drive what you brung track days" like most UK circuit are. There's no way you can jump into a 360 for the first time and go flat out unless you want to crash that is. Also the cars are used a lot and they want to put them under as little stress as possible.

@Jon_s - what circuit did you do your course at mate? What cars did you get your hands on?

I did the 355 experience (before they had launched the 360 one) at Thruxton a few yrs ago. It turned out to be a bit of a disappointment in the end. The home straight had a strictly enforced 40mph speed limit (due to lots of cars constantly coming in and out of the pits) and this was mind numbingly frustrating whilst at the wheel of the most powerful car I've ever driven! I had the most fun in the Formula Renaults (as I was being strapped in, the guy said to me "you can introduce the clutch when changing gear, but it's not essential" 8) ). I did a few laps in an MGF first of all too. Overall the 355 was probably the least fun as the instructor doesnt allow you to fully experience anywhere near the potential the car has - even passenger hot laps in a 355 being driven at full pelt cost extra!

I can understand why they dont allow you to drive it hard as it costs a bomb to run and they dont want to have them crashed/thrashed, but it certainly didnt come close to the magical day I was expecting, although I will never forget the grin on my face after I turned the key to start up that glorious engine :D

[m3mys3lf4ndi]

hmmmm when i went to drive an M3 around rockingham there were no restrictions at all, you could rev it to the redline and drive as fast as you wanted. You were just advised to take it easy on the first lap.

Same with the 355 and elise that you can drive there. And they're all not much slower than a 360.

First thing the instructor asked as i was rolling out the pits was, what car do you usually drive.... i replied a clio 1.2 n he just smiled.

Having said tht i did get better driving marks than someone there who actually owned an M3.

Just wish more circuits imposed as little restrictions as rockingham :(

:D sound perfect ;) - i must get there :D

do U guys had any track racin experience (i dont mean that "briefing") before tryin out those cars ?

[mindgam3]

hmmmm when i went to drive an M3 around rockingham there were no restrictions at all, you could rev it to the redline and drive as fast as you wanted. You were just advised to take it easy on the first lap.

Same with the 355 and elise that you can drive there. And they're all not much slower than a 360.

First thing the instructor asked as i was rolling out the pits was, what car do you usually drive.... i replied a clio 1.2 n he just smiled.

Having said tht i did get better driving marks than someone there who actually owned an M3.

Just wish more circuits imposed as little restrictions as rockingham :(

:D sound perfect ;) - i must get there :D

do U guys had any track racin experience (i dont mean that "briefing") before tryin out those cars ?

absolutely none, unless you count karting ;)

[m3mys3lf4ndi]

hmmmm when i went to drive an M3 around rockingham there were no restrictions at all, you could rev it to the redline and drive as fast as you wanted. You were just advised to take it easy on the first lap.

Same with the 355 and elise that you can drive there. And they're all not much slower than a 360.

First thing the instructor asked as i was rolling out the pits was, what car do you usually drive.... i replied a clio 1.2 n he just smiled.

Having said tht i did get better driving marks than someone there who actually owned an M3.

Just wish more circuits imposed as little restrictions as rockingham :(

:D sound perfect ;) - i must get there :D

do U guys had any track racin experience (i dont mean that "briefing") before tryin out those cars ?

absolutely none, unless you count karting ;)

depends what kind of karting - and for how long ;)
of course couple of rides in a "honda grass cuter powered kart" cant give U meaning of what is racin all about but couple of years is some championships can teach U a lot about it. :D

[m3mys3lf4ndi]

hmmmm when i went to drive an M3 around rockingham there were no restrictions at all, you could rev it to the redline and drive as fast as you wanted. You were just advised to take it easy on the first lap.

Same with the 355 and elise that you can drive there. And they're all not much slower than a 360.

First thing the instructor asked as i was rolling out the pits was, what car do you usually drive.... i replied a clio 1.2 n he just smiled.

Having said tht i did get better driving marks than someone there who actually owned an M3.

Just wish more circuits imposed as little restrictions as rockingham :(

:D sound perfect ;) - i must get there :D

do U guys had any track racin experience (i dont mean that "briefing") before tryin out those cars ?

I went to a test day with Alfas 156... I drove the 1.6 as I drive the Clio :twisted: ! It was funny... And I also drove in a stock Clio, the 1.4 if I'm not wrong, in a kind of casting to be a racing driver (everything paid for the whole season). I failed then... so we decided to buy our own racing car, jeje.

nd thats the best option ;) - can U tell me how much U need to spend approx. for whole season in such a Renault ? (and how many races does it include) - of course if U dont mind asking

[m3mys3lf4ndi]

im thinking about staring some racin here in UK - but unfortunetly i'll be able to do some track days only next year- just to pick a best suiting class - and start proper racing within 2 year

cheers - and good luck in next year :D

(and remember - fun is not a straight line ;) )

[motoyen]

Hey Dave1 I'm thinking about doing their supercars course when I visit the UK next year. I was wondering if you felt the price was worth it? It's a lot of money for me to spend on one day and I would hate to be restricted to 40mph.