On Tuesday this week I had an amazing day, the opportunity to drive 5 super cars at Rockingham Raceway.  I started off with a briefing at 9am and then got to choose my cars.  I picked the Lamborghini Huracan, Ferrari 458, Aston Martin, Audi R8, and the McLaren 570s plus a high speed lap in a BMW M3

First the McLaren, a 3.8l twin turbo V8 £143K (http://cars.mclaren.com/sports-series/570s), I choose this as an upgrade as I thought that it might be the only time I would be up close and personal with one of these.  To be honest I am not experienced driving with this type of car, but I thought it was “normal” rather than exciting.  Don’t get me wrong it was an nice drive, lots of power and handled well on the track.  The gear change was crisp and moving up and down the gearbox was smooth, but there was something missing.  When I finished the 4 laps, and got out of the car, I didn’t feel the need to get back in for another 4 laps.

Second was the Lamborghini Huracan Spyder, a 5.2l V10 £215k (https://www.lamborghini.com/en-en/models/huracan), another one chosen as an upgrade.  Now after the tame McLaren, this was a monster! The noise, power and acceleration was amazing.  The noise when changing down gears made my body tingle, the grip was superb and the feeling it gave me, well it was like having goosebumps.  It was an awesome car to be in, next to and drive, and when I got out I just wanted to get back in again.  I said to the instructor with me, I could drive the McLaren to work everyday, but the Huracan, that was to blast the cobwebs away and be naughty.

Third was the Audi R8, a 5.2 V10 £132k (https://www.audi.co.uk/new-cars/r8/r8-spyder.html).  As an Audi driver, this is the one I would be looking at when taking my car in for service, a dream to aim for.  Be careful of what you dream for! Whilst this was a good car to drive it felt safe, even safer than the 570s.  It was quick and handled well, but you could drive this on a daily basis, which I suppose it was designed for.  Well this one I wouldn’t, the gear change was so bad, up or down it felt like a demolition ball hit me in the back every time I changed gear.  I hope that this was down to the car on the day and not a general fault as it ruined the experience.

Fourth was the Aston Martin Vantage, a 4.7l V8 £88k (http://www.astonmartin.com/cars/the-vantage-range/v8-vantage-s).  This felt special compared to the previous 3 cars, you just felt different when stepping in and getting the seating position just right.  Once the car started, the noise was soothing but with a hint of naughtiness.  On the track, the one thing that made it stand out from the others, was the power band.  Once up to speed I could complete every single lap without changing gear.  Corners where I had to change down on entry and then up on exit previously didn’t happen with the Aston.  You braked, slowed down for the corner, and then accelerated, all in the one gear with an amazing noise coming from the engine. Absoluteness heaven.

Last was the Ferrari 458, a 4.5l V8 £169k (https://www.ferrari.com/en-GB).  This was my final upgrade car, and wow, wow, wow! What an amazing to car to take around a track, but still could be used every day.  The handling was sublime, the grip amazing, comfortable to fling around a track and you always felt safe no matter what you did.  The noise especially dropping down a gear sent tingles down my spine, and the acceleration was mind blowing.  So glad I had the opportunity to drive this.

Lastly was a high speed lap in a BMW M3 with a racing driver, I thought I graced the track well, but this guy was light years ahead.  That M3 sped through the track, blasted past super cars and slide around the corners.  The grin beneath my helmet was from cheek to cheek.

Out of all the cars, which one would I choose, easy, the Aston Martin.  Great to drive on the track and ideal for getting to and from it, a guilty pleasure.

I must thank the company, Supercar Drive Days (https://www.supercardrivedays.co.uk/) and their team on the day.  They made you feel welcome from the registration, through the briefing and then onto the track.  Well worth the experience