Ferrari Experiences
Whether you are car mad, a speed freak or are just craving an exhilarating adventure, then the Ferrari experience days are perfect for you. What better way to experience the thrill of the Italian stallions than by getting behind the wheel and having a go for yourself?
This is your chance to drive on some of Britain’s most famous race tracks, in some of the world’s most powerful and majestic cars. Get behind the wheel and feel the power under your foot as the accelerator rumbles and you go faster and faster.
This is your chance to prove that you have what it takes to match the best racing drivers in the world, as you step into their cars and sample the exhilarating courses and tracks that have provided so much entertainment throughout the years.
Your instructor will teach you all you need to know, before letting you loose on the track. Choose from a variety of Ferrari cars or combine the experience with other cars such as Lamborghinis, Audis and Aston Martins.
The cars...
There are many Ferrari experiences to choose from and many cars to have a go in during your Ferrari experience, but each experience consists of different cars, so be careful to look at which vehicles are available at the location you choose.
The Ferraris available include the 360, 430, 599, 355, 308, 550 and 575, but for those who do not know much about the cars behind these numbers, here is a breakdown of some of the most popular Ferrari experience cars available:
Ferrari 360 - The 360 is the most prevalent car for Ferrari experience days due to its power and speed. The two-seater car was produced between 1999 and 2005, meaning that it is still at the cutting edge of motoring technology, yet is also a modern classic. The car boasts a 3.6-litre V8 engine and a six-speed manual gearbox that will allow the car to reach a top speed of 186mph. Acceleration of 0-60mph in 4.3 seconds - the car will put you through your paces as you cling to the road and glide through each corner.
Ferrari 599 - The Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano and 599 GTO are both available through the Ferrari experience days, and both promise not to disappoint. The 599 differs from the 360 as it has a much more powerful engine, typically a V12 six-litre engine that will allow the car to shoot from 0-60mph in just 3.7 seconds. Ferrari claim that the top speed for this car is at least 205mph, although you will have a tough job to put that theory to the test as the car accelerates at such as speed that you will reach the next corner before the top speed is achieved. Ferrari 599s are still in production, meaning that the car could be just off the shelf, ready to drive!
Ferrari 308 - If classic cars are more your cup of tea, then a Ferrari 308 experience could represent the perfect day out for you. The 308s were produced between 1973 and 1980, giving an authentic, classic look and feel and even come available as a convertible for extra appeal. The cars have three-litre V8 engines, so the two-seaters will be able to compete with the speed and acceleration of the newer Ferrari cars.
Ferrari 575 - This Italian masterpiece was produced between 2002 and 2006. The car’s 5.7-litre V12 engine pushes the maximum speed to over 200mph; guaranteed to be more than a match for even the most hardened of thrill-seekers. The car reaches 60mph in 4.2 seconds and is thought to be the car that paved the way for the Ferrari 599; come and drive one of Ferrari’s classic manufactured cars, you will not be disappointed.
What can I expect from the experience?
Each experience will depend on the car (or cars) that you choose, as well as the location you are in. Typically, each day will start with a safety announcement, going through the track rules and regulations, and you may be asked to sign some paperwork.
After this you will be taken to the track for a familiarisation lap with the instructor driving or with you at wheel to give you a feel for the layout of the track, the speed of the car and the controls.
Then it is time for you to open the car up. Get yourself in the mind-set of Michael Schumacher or Fernando Alonso as you climb into the driver’s seat of the Ferrari for the first time. Take a couple of laps to get your bearings, learn the corners and feel the power of the car under your feet.
Now it is time for your ‘race-lap’! Set a fast lap time, go for the lap record or just aim to beat the people you came with as you fly round your chosen circuit, handling and cornering the car to perfection until you see the chequered flag.
At this point you may get another chance to beat your time or it may even be time to step out of the Ferrari into a different car, depending on the experience you have chosen. It may even be that the combined experience option you have taken will see you get behind the wheel of a Lamborghini, Porsche or even another Ferrari!
Where are the experiences found?
Experiences are available throughout the UK and you will never be too far away from a great driving day out. Tackle famous British race courses such as Goodwood, Thruxton and Silverstone, or pick a track closer to home. Locations are available in Lancashire, York and Scotland in the north and Oxfordshire and Surrey in the south to name but a few.
Verdict:
Ferrari is a name associated with exclusivity, prestige and high performance. The sound of a Ferrari is something the car fans never tire of hearing. For anyone who loves cars the chance to climb into a Ferrari, fire up the engine and feel the acceleration of these awesome cars is something that will live them forever. So if you're looking for the perfect gift for a petrol head, you can't go wrong with a Ferrari experience.
Location Information
Midlands: Derbyshire (Castle Donington -
Donington Park), Leicestershire (Kirkby Mallory, Kirkby Mallory -
Mallory Park, Loughborough -
Prestwold Hall, Lutterworth -
Bruntingthorpe), Lincolnshire (Gainsborough - Blyton), Northamptonshire (Corby -
Rockingham, Towcester -
Silverstone), Staffordshire (Seighford), Warwickshire (Kenilworth -
Prodrive Test Facility, Stratford-upon-Avon - Long Marston)
North East: North Yorkshire (York -
Elvington)
North West: Lancashire (Wigan, Wigan -
Three Sisters)
Scotland: Fife (Dunfermline - Knockhill)
South East: Hampshire (Andover -
Thruxton), Kent (Lydden ), Oxfordshire (Chipping Norton - Enstone, Chipping Norton - Great Tew, Upper Heyford - Heyford Park), Surrey (Chertsey, Chobham - Longcross, Cranleigh), West Sussex (Chichester -
Goodwood)
Wales: Glamorganshire (Llandow)
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