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Drive the Ferrari 458 Italia and Porsche Cayman
Driving Experience Format
Safety Briefing |
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| Our unique driving experience briefing details the important information you need to know before getting behind the wheel and heading out on track. | ||
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| Circuit layout – 2.4 miles per lap, 8 corners, fastest circuit in the UK Racing line – Turn in , apex, exit, braking, throttle control |
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| Driving Position – steering and pedal control, gear change, paddle shift Chassis dynamics – weight transfer, oversteer, understeer Overtaking and flag signals |
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Porsche Cayman - Retail Value: £38,500 |
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Technical Spec | |
| Mid-engine Rear wheel drive 2.9-litre flat 6 6-speed manual |
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| Power | 261bhp | |
| Speed | 163mph | |
| 0-60 | 5.8sec | |
| Initial laps driven by the instructor in the Porsche Cayman | ||
| Driving on a race circuit is very different to normal road driving. To make the most of the cars our customers will be driving on track you need to learn the ‘racing line’ and braking points. We use the brilliant Porsche Cayman for these initial laps. The best sports car on the market. Our ARDS qualified race instructors will demonstrate the racing lines and braking points plus other hints and tips to help you get the most from your driving experience. Out on track it may seem quite unfamiliar with no road marks or signs and no cars coming in the other direction, but after watching and listening to your race instructor you’ll have built up a good idea of the circuit layout and be confident when you first get behind the wheel and head out on track. |
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Porsche Cayman - Retail Value: £38,500 |
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Technical Spec | |
| Mid-engine Rear wheel drive 2.9-litre flat 6 6-speed manual |
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| Power | 261bhp | |
| Speed | 163mph | |
| 0-60mph | 5.8sec | |
| 3 laps pupil drives the Porsche Cayman | ||
The latest Porsche Cayman is a genuine junior supercar. Similar in looks to the 911 but with a mid-engine layout, this new model has the larger 2.9-litre engine with a 6-speed manual gearbox. 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. Nowhere else in the UK will you drive such an expensive and new 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. |
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Ferrari 458 Italia - Retail Value: £170,000 |
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Technical Spec | |
| Mid-engine Rear wheel drive 4.5-litre V8 7-speed F1 dual-clutch |
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| Power | 562bhp | |
| Speed | 202mph | |
| 0-60mph | 3.3sec | |
| 4 laps pupil drives the Ferrari 458 Italia | ||
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The Ferrari 458 Italia is the latest supercar from Ferrari. They've applied all there technical knowhow from their F1 team and applied it to this car. The result is stunning. Seated in the drivers seat you feel embraced by the car, the dashboard surrounds you. The steering wheel could be straight from Alonso's F1 car, it controls: engine, suspension, traction, gearbox as well as delivering arguably the best steering feel of any supercar available. Out on track the car just gets better. Hit the throttle in any gear and the car takes off immediately. Once up to speed the car has so much grip. Jeremy Clarkson gave the best summary of the car: "The Ferrari 458 is one of the all time greats. It's really is absolutely, unbelievably, mesmerizingly brilliant" |
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Formula Renault Racing Car - Cost: £50,000 |
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Technical Spec | |
| Mid-engine Rear wheel drive 1.7-litre 4cyl Non-syncro manual |
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| Weight | 420kg | |
| Power | 130bhp | |
| Speed | 140mph | |
| 0-60mph | 4.5sec | |
| 5 laps driving the Formula Renault Racing Car | ||
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. We use the Formula Renault race car which is firmly placed on the ladder to F1. 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 truely unique experience and one you'll remember forever. |
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Ferrari 458 PLUS Driving Experience
This driving experience is all about the very latest and according to the press, the very best Ferrari ever made - the 458 Italia. To look at, it's obviously a Ferrari with some hints of previous models but ultimately looks ultra modern. As you would expect from Ferrari, the 458 Italia is a technical tour de force that results in a driving experience that rewrites the supercar rule book.
No words can properly describe the feeling you get when driving the Ferrari 458. It is quite simply unbelievable.
As part of the Ferrari 458 driving experience, guest will have a chance to learn the race circuit with an ARDS qualified raceinstructor initially as a passenger and then driving the Porsche Cayman.
The Porsche Cayman in this driving experience is the new generation 2 version with the larger 2.9 litre engine. It's a fantastic sports car that out performs other more expensive machinery. A great car that gives the driver lots confidence behind the wheel.
Having completed plently of laps, guests will then be introduced to the Ferrari 458. The car is so technically advance that the driver environment takes some getting used to. Our ARDS qualified race instructor will be at hand to help explain the controls before you head out on to the UK's fastest race circuit to enjoy the best supercar Ferrari have ever made.
After the shock of the Ferrari is a totally different driving experience, the Formula Renault racing car. Its a slicks and wings championship car, Lewis Hamilton won the UK series on his way to Formula 1. Seated in the car everything feels very raw. Flick the engine starter and noise suddenly overwhelms the senses. Head out on track for truely unique driving experience, one that will never be forgotten.
Gift Pack options
DVD Gift Box - £5: Gift pack will include a Thruxton branded gift box. Inside the box is a presentation card of their driving experience - showing the exact driving experience the recipient will be attending, complete with image of the main car in the driving experience taken by ace automotive photographer Pete Gibson. Also included is our unique driving experience DVD which comes in its own personalised case with the recipients name, experience they're been given and space for a gift message plus our full colour brochure and list of dates to attend.
Our exclusive driving experience DVD is narrated by Tiff Needell and includes specific information on the driving experience they'll be attending, information on Thruxton circuit, in-car filming plus much more.
Standard option - free: Gift pack will include our current brochure, list of dates to attend and a personalised card for the recipient with their name and a personalised message.
Need to know
This experience can be purchased as an open gift voucher valid for 1 year from the date of purchase
This experience operates from Thruxton Circuit in Hampshire
We operate on selected weekdays and Saturdays. Please note: there is a £10 premium if you choose to book on a Saturday, payable when a date is booked
Drivers must hold a full 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
Why Buy From Thruxton - Top 5
1. Drive the UK's fastest race circuit
2. No 70mph speed limit or extra chicanes to slow your speed down
3. Latest Supercar from all the major manufacturers
4. Over 30 years experience in operating driving experiences
5. Auto Express award winner 3 years running
WANT TO SEE MORE? CLICK HERE
Price
£370
Ferrari 458 Italia Specification
| Configuration | Mid engine. rear wheel drive |
| Engine size | 4.5 lt V8 |
| Gear box | 7 speed Paddleshift Dual Clutch |
| Power bhp | 462 |
| Torque lb/ft | 398 |
| Top speed mph | 202 |
| 0-60 | 3.4 sec. |
What the Motoring press say about the Ferrari 458 Italia
The Motoring press have been heaping praise on the new Ferrari:
Jeremy Clarkson exclaimed: "I know this car is £170,000 but I don't care, I don't care if this car eats one of my legs. The Ferrari 458 is one of the all time greats. It really is absolutely, unbelievably, mesmerizingly brilliant"
Fifth Gear said: "The 458 Italia is the new supercar benchmark, delivering genuine supercar performance and handling, all the thrills you expect from a Ferrari, plus surprising refinement and ease of use." Check out their full review here
EVO said: "I can't believe how far Ferrari have taken it. . . . . it's go any time, any place performance" Check out their video review here also a video of EVO putting the Ferrari 458 Italia through its paces on track
See Fifth Gear presenter Tiff Needell pushing the Ferrari 458 Italia to the limits on track here
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