[pjs]

Going on one of their afternoon sessions in April, Clio, Caterham, M3 and 911. Cant wait. Anyone done this? Any good? much track time?

[NFS]

Originally Posted by pjs

Going on one of their afternoon sessions in April, Clio, Caterham, M3 and 911. Cant wait. Anyone done this? Any good? much track time?

The 1/2 day sessions are new. I think they've introduced these as a lower cost option to keep the corporate market going through the recession. They are also doing some evening sessions now, which would be a laugh.

I've been a few times on the all day sessions and it's fantastic fun.

The M3's are new this year, but I have driven the Clio's, Caterhams and 911's. On a full day you also get a go in the Jaguar JP1 and Formula Palmer Jaguar single seater, plus some off road stuff and skid pan races in the caterhams.

The instructors let you have a really long leash and if you have some basic ability they will really let you push yourself to your limits and beyond. You get plenty of track time as well. Funnily enough I was on their website earlier and they have just introduced cockpit cameras, so as an 'optional extra' you may be able to get a USB stick with your laps on etc.

You are going to have a great time. Wish I was going this year.

[pjs]

Originally Posted by NFS

The 1/2 day sessions are new. I think they've introduced these as a lower cost option to keep the corporate market going through the recession. They are also doing some evening sessions now, which would be a laugh.

I've been a few times on the all day sessions and it's fantastic fun.

The M3's are new this year, but I have driven the Clio's, Caterhams and 911's. On a full day you also get a go in the Jaguar JP1 and Formula Palmer Jaguar single seater, plus some off road stuff and skid pan races in the caterhams.

The instructors let you have a really long leash and if you have some basic ability they will really let you push yourself to your limits and beyond.

You are going to have a great time. Wish I was going this year.

Sounds great, nice one

[NFS]

Have a look on the website - especially the videos (click on The Cars) - should get you in the mood!

http://www.palmersport.com/

[pjs]

Originally Posted by NFS

Have a look on the website - especially the videos (click on The Cars) - should get you in the mood!

http://www.palmersport.com/

Fantastic. Get yourself booked on, only costs 5 tanks of v power..

[Tunna_uk]

I did the full day version. Was an epic day, I will never forget. The instructors WILL push you to the edge of your driving skills and then behond. They don't care. They want you to rag the cars as they were intended.

The JP1 and single seater at the end of the day was as close to F1 as you can get for the money.

The JP1 is faster than a Bugatti Veyron around the track there.

The caterhams were the most difficult to master. Sudden explosive oversteer. Fun tho !

[dxb335d]

My Old manager worked there for few years as an instructor, I even thought about doing it. Another ex racer joined them as an instructor also.

[NFS]

I believe Justin Wilson was originally an instructor there. His flying lap on the old Formula Palmer Audi was used as a comparison to the data from the guests laps.

[TMP]

I did this last Sep so got the USB stick of the JP1 and Palmer Jag. Great footage and even has telemetry overlaid (revs/speed etc).

The JP1 was terrifying tbh as the instrcutor pushed me so hard and I ended up spinning at 100mph

[Tunna_uk]

Originally Posted by TMP

I did this last Sep so got the USB stick of the JP1 and Palmer Jag. Great footage and even has telemetry overlaid (revs/speed etc).

The JP1 was terrifying tbh as the instrcutor pushed me so hard and I ended up spinning at 100mph

Yes I got the USB as well. Cool idea to take away and keep. I remember at one point thinking the brakes had started to fade in the JP1, but it was the instructor using the dual controls to HOLD THE BRAKES OFF !!!! He had put his foot under the pedal !! and at the same time shouting in the intercom faster faster faster. They like to play a little game with the other instructors to race each other/ see who can get each client to go faster

[NFS]

Originally Posted by TMP

The JP1 was terrifying tbh as the instrcutor pushed me so hard and I ended up spinning at 100mph

I had an epic spin in the JP1 last time I went.

I was accelerating out of the bends onto the longest straight and instead of letting the car scribe it's own arc over to the right I applied a very slight amount of steering alongside a totally wide open throttle. This just overloaded the tyres and I lost it incredibly quickly.

[TMP]

Originally Posted by Tunna_uk

Yes I got the USB as well. Cool idea to take away and keep. I remember at one point thinking the brakes had started to fade in the JP1, but it was the instructor using the dual controls to HOLD THE BRAKES OFF !!!! He had put his foot under the pedal !! and at the same time shouting in the intercom faster faster faster. They like to play a little game with the other instructors to race each other/ see who can get each client to go faster

Really, omg! Yep they do push you hard - my intercom wasnt working well over the roar of the engine, so he was using hand signals mostly....3 fingers up to drop three gears

One of the other guys got really shouted at as he refused to go above 4t/5h gear and wasnt using full throttle....of course his tyres then went cold which made the car even more jittery.

Originally Posted by NFS

I had an epic spin in the JP1 last time I went.

I was accelerating out of the bends onto the longest straight and instead of letting the car scribe it's own arc over to the right I applied a very slight amount of steering alongside a totally wide open throttle. This just overloaded the tyres and I lost it incredibly quickly.

lol, sounds very similiar to mine - carried a bit too much speed through the last corner, full throttle out, corrected the car a little when should have let the car run wider and SNAP (no chance to catch!).

Awesome car and gave me the upmost respect for the single seater. If I am lucky enough to go again, I will really try and find the maximum limit of the brakes (a lot of pedal effort required) - thats the key to going v.fast!

[TMP]

Originally Posted by pjs

Going on one of their afternoon sessions in April, Clio, Caterham, M3 and 911. Cant wait. Anyone done this? Any good? much track time?

Glad you booked this then Paul - is that the bbq session

[pjs]

Originally Posted by TMP

Glad you booked this then Paul - is that the bbq session

I'd much rather be at work, behind my laptop and desk. Bloody client who wants to go I'm afriad! No bbq, looks like that is for the evening sessions