Supercar experience - what to choose? THE RESULTS!

[Del]

For Christmas, my missus got me one of these Supercar Experience vouchers. This one gets you three laps of a circuit in one car.
I've chosen Mallory Park, but wondering what car I should plump for. The choices are:
Ferrari (model not specified but I think a 360).
Porsche 911 (looks like a GT3).
Audi R8.
Aston Martin (model not specified).
Lamborghini Gallardo.

I always thought I would choose an Aston, but not sure they're best suited to a circuit if in road trim, so I think it'll probably be either the 911 (because I've never driven a rear-engined vehicle with any kind of power) or the Gallardo (because it's a V10 and will sound brilliant).

Anyone have any experience of this kind of event or these cars? What would you choose?

EDIT - bear in mind that I have never driven a car with anything close to the power of any of these, and I've never used a paddle shift.

Added a poll to make it easier

[Tarka]

I did a track day experience about 10 yrs ago at Silverstone. I got to drive Lotus Exige, Porsche 993 and the Ferrari 355.

I was actually going to reply to the most disappointing thread with the 993 and 355. Both were very tired, the Porsche was sluggish and the Ferrari so ungainly, that even on a track it felt like it was twice as big as it actually was. You sit so far forward of a lot of heavy bits. I was so let down because I think the 355 is the best looking Ferrari made over the last 30 yrs.

The Exige was the first car I went out in. It was so much fun, chuckable and easy to keep in the power band and felt twice as quick as either of the "supercars".

Now, looking at your list I would probably go for the 360. It's the most exotic and on track will sound nice. I just hope it's not too tired.
The other stuff is a bit too common - I think that's because supercars are a lot more prevalent on the roads nowadays. The R8 and Gallardo do nothing for me. If it was an Aventador or Mucialago I would go Lambo.

Whatever you go with - it's better than an afternoon furniture shopping so you still win. 😀

[rustydan]

I have never done anything like this or driven anything like those cars before but I would probably go for the porsche as in my opinion it would be the best to drive. The others just seem too 'computerised' for me and thus take away from the driving experience. The porsche is a bit more 'raw' and more of a drivers car.

[MiataMark]

I did a similar day some time ago, Ferrari 355, great experience. Also did a classic version and drove a DB6 and E-type (in the wet).

Of your choices I'd go for the Gallardo because, well it's a Lamborghini and the most 'supercar' like.

[PhoenixCapri]

Paddle shift is easy, so don't worry about that.

Given you don't get a lot of time in the cars at these things I'd probably go for the most over the top thing, so the Lambo or Ferrari. Aston and Porsches of the specs likely to be there are far more enjoyable on open A roads.

[LowStandards]

I drove an R8 on track, it was possibly the dullest thing I've ever done, and I work in IT!

[BT]

I would 100% be going for the 911 GT3.

I had a friend who did one with a R8 and an Atom. Said the R8 was the most underwhelming thing he had ever driven.

[ProjectBobcat]

I was lucky enough to do a twin experience at Donnington with an Ariel Atom and Ferrari 360 Modena. I drove the Ferrari after the Atom and in comparison the Ferrari felt slow and was also very tatty inside (ignition cowling missing etc). I think I would got for Gallardo from the list above

[daslandroverman]

I've driven a 360 and a Gallardo at similar events.

I'll echo the comments above about the 360 being a bit tired (they had 2 running on the day and one blew off a radiator hose sat in the lineup before they started running) but they did rather ruin the Ferrari dream for me.

The Lambourghini was, on the other hand, a completely different animal. It felt much more solidly built, and was hugely different to drive. Controls all had a good 'weight' to them, and although it was a heavier car it took off just as well as the 360.

I suppose it's a bit grim when you've got to look at the choices as least likely to dissapoint, but if the business relies on the car being ragged by 30 or 40 different people every day for a few years then some will suffer more than others.

[skinnylew]

I did Brands Hatch in an Aston V8 Vantage for my 30th and it was good but i agree it's a bit to comfy and cossetted for track. Gallardo for exoticness or GT3 for thrill speed and sound

[Ryannn]

I did one last year in a 458 and a Gallardo. The Ferrari was really disappointing and the whole experience was much better in the Lambo!

[moggyman]

I picked Aston Martin, mainly because it's front engine RWD, which is my favourite layout.

[tofufi]

I've not voted in the poll, as I've only driven one of those cars.

It was a V10 R8, with the manual gearbox. On public roads, it just felt like an A3/A4 - docile, controlled and safe. Except for when you prodded the throttle, boy was it quick...

Can't say whether that'd translate well on the track or not. I did like it though

[BT]

I've been tempted by these kind of days before. The Lambo would certainly be on the list, as would a Ferrari and a 911 regardless of trim because I have been tempted by then so much previously.

I think I'd steer clear of the Aston. It's a marque I've listed after for years and I hear that they fail to impressed, it would destroy my childhood dreams so I'd just rather not drive one and be deluded for the rest of my life I think.

[Porsche]

No brainer... The Lamborghini.

[Midland Performance & Retro]

I did a day in both the Ferrari 360 and Lamborghini Gallardo some years back. Didn't like the Lamborghini at all to be honest. Didn't feel special. Interior was dull and plasticky. The flappy paddle gearbox wasn't great. With practice it may have been much better, but with limited laps it wasn't long enough to get to grips with.

The Ferrari had a good old open-gate manual gearbox. The interior felt like much more special place to sit. The handling balance was beautiful. The car seemed to fit me like a glove from the off. Was 1000 times better than the Gallardo for me.

[Del]

Having done a little more research on the company running it, it *appears* that the Ferrari is a California and the Aston is a DB9, and both are soft-tops.
So I'm definitely leaning towards the Porsche (which definitely is a GT3) or the Lambo.

[Midland Performance & Retro]

For track experience, it has to be the Porsche every time

[thebaron]

Lambo for me

[sb]

Do they not offer open wheel? I got one of these for Silverstone, called them up and swapped for an open wheel experience and never regretted it!