Racing Car Driving Experience

Experience Format

Briefing

Our senior ARDS Race Instructor will give a full briefing detailing the important information you need to know before getting behind the wheel and heading out on track; circuit layout, racing line, turn in, apex, exit, braking, throttle control, driving Position, steering, pedal control, gear change, understanding paddle shift, overtaking and flag signals. As part of the briefing we have a unique CGI sequence which shows how a vehicle reacts to the inputs made by the driver including; chassis dynamics, weight transfer, oversteer and understeer.

Instructor demonstration

3 laps

Driving on a race circuit is very different to normal road driving. To make the most of the cars guests will be driving on track you need to learn the racing line and braking points. Our ARDS race instructors will be on hand to help throughout your experience

Guest drives the Porsche Cayman

3 laps

Three laps driving the Porsche Cayman. Nowhere else in the UK will you drive the class leading sports car as your introduction to a driving experience. With 3 laps behind the wheel you'll not only have a huge smile on your face but be ready to take on the next car, no doubt feeling like the next Lewis Hamilton

Guest drives the Formula Renault Racing Car

5 laps

Watching Formula 1 will never be the same again after you've experienced driving a proper single seat racing car on a proper race circuit. Many of the current crop of F1 drivers have raced in this formula with Kimi Raikkonen and Lewis Hamilton both winning the UK series. Once seated with the racing straps fitted around you the engine bursts into life you'll feel like a Grand Prix is about to start. Once up to speed, everything clicks into place as you and the car become one, getting quicker every lap, the car responding instantly. A truly unique experience and one that will be remembered

High Speed Passenger Ride

1 laps

Hold on tight as our resident Stig takes you out for the white knuckle ride of your life. Experiencing a car at its full potential with a professional racing driver at the wheel is incredible

About the Racing Car Driving Experience

Want to feel like Lewis Hamilton and experience real downforce? Now you can on the fastest race circuit in the UK.

You don't so much sit in a Formula Renault as get physically attached to the car. Tightly strapped into the cockpit, you become part of the car. Every bump, camber and vibration is transmitted through the driver, you know and feel exactly what is happening. Slick tyres and wings give razor-sharp responses. Try to relax behind the wheel, even the slightest driver input is a noticeable direction change.

Before the racing car, there's time to get to grips with the race circuit in the fantastic Porsche Cayman. The mid-engined car is great fun and incredibly rewarding to drive, it gives great driver feedback, accurate and responsive steering and great handling balance.

The Cars

Formula Renault

Firmly strapped into the cockpit the car is an extension of you. It will react to every input. When you brake it stops, turn the steering wheel and it darts left or right. Road cars seem soggy and unresponsive by comparison.

We also have the Sports 2000 racing car for customers who are too tall to drive the Formula Renault. These Le Mans looking cars are very fast and have downforce to help corner at high speeds. Great fun to drive!

0-60: 4.5 seconds
Top Speed: 140 mph
Power: 130 bhp
Torque: 110 lb/ft
Engine Size: 1.7 litre 4 cylinder
Gearbox: 4 speed non-syncro
Configuration: Mid engine, rear wheel drive

Porsche Cayman

The Porsche Cayman is a genuine junior supercar. Similar in looks to the 911 but with a mid-engine layout.

Out on track the car gives incredible feedback, allowing the driver to build in confidence and enjoy the increased power and incredible grip that the car generates.

0-60: 5.8 seconds
Top Speed: 163 mph
Power: 261 bhp
Torque: 221 lb/ft
Engine Size: 2.9 litre 6 cylinder
Gearbox: 6 speed manual
Configuration: Mid engine, rear wheel drive

: Cars with In-Car Recording

Racing Car Driving Experience Availability

Open Dated Voucher

Open Voucher Valid for 12 months - £199

Gift Pack Options

E-Voucher - Free

Your gift will be delivered by email straight to your inbox, so it's ideal for last-minute presents. Delivery is free and you’ll receive a personalised experience voucher with an optional gift message.

Gift Voucher Pack - £2.50

Gift voucher pack includes; our current brochure with details of all our experiences and information about Thruxton, personalised gift voucher with an optional gift message and a list of dates to attend.

Why Buy A Driving Experience From Thruxton

Our Top Reasons For Buying A Driving Experience At Thruxton

No on the day pressure to purchase expensive accident damage waiver at registration. The price you see is the price you pay.
Over 35 years of experience in operating driving experiences.
We'll automatically extend your voucher if you have to cancel due to Covid-19.
Our driving experience days operate in a covid safe environment. Find out more
Thruxton is the fastest race track in the UK and a fully licensed FIA venue - not a disused airfield.
No 70mph speed limits or numerous "cone chicanes" to keep the speed artificially slow.
Models from Ferrari, Mclaren, Aston Martin, Porsche, Audi, Jaguar, Ford, BMW, Alpine and single-seat racing cars.
You drive on the full 2.4-mile circuit as used by the British Touring Car Championship (BTCC) and other top-class championships plus we have all the expected venue spectator facilities.

View all the benefits of Thruxton

Need to Know Information

We have over 40 years of experience operating driving experiences and activities
This driving experience can be purchased as an open gift voucher valid for 12 months from the date of purchase
We'll automatically extend your voucher if an event has to be cancelled, or you can't make a date booked due to Covid-19
This driving experience operates from Thruxton Circuit in Hampshire. An FIA and Motorsport UK licenced venue
This driving experience operates in a Covid safe environment
We operate on selected weekdays and Saturdays. Please note: there is a £17 premium if you choose to book on a Saturday, payable when a date is booked
Drivers must hold a full drivers licence
On the day drivers must wear clothes that cover their arms and legs
Helmets, race boots and gloves are provided
Spectators are welcome - free of charge

360 in-car videos available for this experience

The ultimate memento of your visit to Thruxton. Our 360 cameras will capture all the action of your drive in 4K, true 360-degree video for you to enjoy afterwards on all your devices. 360 Videos can be pre-purchased online (save £5) and booked on the day of your visit.

Record your drive in 1 car - £20 (Save £5)
Record your drive in 2 cars - £30 (Save £5)
Record your drive in 3 cars - £35 (Save £5)

Why buy a driving experience at Thruxton

We are one of the very first operators of driving experiences and have an outstanding reputation for doing things properly. We have always taken great pride in making sure that every visitor has a fantastic day that exceeds their expectations, so trust us to look after you and your guests.

Everything is geared around a quality experience and we limit numbers to ensure this
We only use professional ARDS qualified race instructors who will make your drive more enjoyable
All our supercars are maintained by main dealerships and run on premium Pirelli tyres
We have a state-of-the-art hospitality building and restaurant with a viewing gallery
We will always do our best to accommodate special requests

Here's what we don't do:

We don’t restrict the circuit – you drive the full 2.4-mile FIA licenced race track
We don’t create artificial corners to slow you down
We don’t sell at cheap prices to get you here and then pressure you to buy extras on the day
We don’t cut corners on safety or quality

Tiff Needell highlights why a driving experience at Thruxton offers more than other venues.