Driving on the Thruxton Race Track with legendary Tiff Needell

I was actually considering the Alpine or the Lotus Emira. The latter was manual so I felt that I would need more time to get the most out of it.

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Thruxton is one of the UK's fastest circuit with a series of fast bends and a couple of complex ones too. It was originally an airfield which was later converted into a racing track.

The main events held are bike races and touring cars, oh and also super trucks!

My first time was in 2002 when I tried the Boxster and the Ferrari 360 Modena followed by the Formula Renault. That session really opened my eyes on race craft and what a well set-up car is all about. The Boxster was sensuous, the 360 was sensational and the Formula Renault was an experience. This was a life changing calibration and I have strived to keep learning!

The second time was in 2009 with the Lotus Exige, I chose the Exige for an intense 12 lap coaching session with a tactile machine. It would have been fun but it was pelting down making the analogue Exige a rather challenging in the wet.

At Thruxton, I still needed to overcome my weak points - the Complex (Campbell and Cobb Corners) and the Club corner. Those corners are tricky and if you master those two, the rest of the track follows though. If you muck them up, it slows you down and scrambles your mind. My other visits to the UK were hobbled by time, money and coinciding with the Touring car season when two events are held over summer

Roll onto 2024 and I needed to be in the UK for a visit. This time, I planned my visit around the experience day. 10th/11th were the scheduled dates for May. I chose Fri 10th as being a weekday, it would not be as crowded. I booked that then booked my friends time and the air tickets!

From the last time

I was actually considering the Alpine or the Lotus Emira. The latter was manual so I felt that I would need more time to get the most out of it.

Other options were:

• Mclaren 570S- High on the list but might be a little detached
• Jaguar F Type R - my heart was on this but I sort of wondered if I should meet my hero
• Audi R8 - an older one maybe
• Alpine - still on my list
• Mustang - more of a road car and not the right car for the corners
• Aston Martin V8 Vantage - not on my radar
• Lamborghini Huracan - ditto
• Ferrari 458. -decided on this.

Booking Process

The previous booking process saw one book a date and time directly on the website. Now you either buy a voucher or book over the phone. I emailed them and they responded that the Ferrari slot was available for 8.45 or 9.10 am. I think they try and get everyone in early. I also decided to go for the Plus and get a Formula 3 car for 5 laps.

Booking made, I spent time studying the track and watching some YouTube videos. (Nowadays, personal video devices are not allowed in the car). I was determined to make it happen

Thruxton is 110 miles from where I was based. It also involved navigating the M25. I needed to get there well in time. The M25 is also the worlds biggest car park. I have got stuck there many a time.

Fortunately, WFH Fridays means, people party on Thurs and are not always up early on Friday. Started early and got through the M25 onto the M3 and then the A303. I was doing well on time, so I stopped for a coffee off the M3.

Reached well in time. The place had changed with a proper building instead of Portacabins. There is a proper reception building and a large cafe.

One registers at the reception and they take your pic. You sign a waiver digitally. They print a sticker which you tack it on your shirt. A QR code is stuck on your evaluation card along with your pic. We would be fetched from the cafeteria 5 min prior to our session for the briefing.

Took a walk around.

An Alpine on display

Loved the vents

A Taxi

Hello Ladies!!!

I then hung out in the café and had quick coffee. The breakfast on offer was a fry-up, something that I hardly need! . The group was called and escorted to a room for the briefing. The QR code on the card is scanned both on entry and exit to provide evidence of your completing the briefing.

The briefing covered the track, how you hold the wheel, safety, etiquette, flags etc. This is both through instruction and a video.

We were divided into two batches for the track orientation. Being the first batch, we are picked up outside the building by an instructor in a Puma ST. Our instructor explained everything in a pretty comprehensive and detailed manner. I had grabbed the front seat so I could take in how to position the car and also observe the curbs. By the 3rd lap, he showed up how it came together in a flying lap. The Puma ST was not bad although interiors were a bit sad. We were dropped in the pits and the second batch began their track orientation.

Continue reading BHPian ajmat's experience for more insights and information.