A few weeks ago, we mentioned, with sheer excitement, we were going to drive a 500bhp Lamborghini Gallardo as part of the Lamborghini Thrill Super Car Blast with Extreme Element, care of 6th Gear Experience. Here’s how we got on…
Shop4 Biker rolled up at Elvington Airfield, Yorkshire to a very large car park and made our way to the Drivers Sign-In tent, which was clearly signposted. Inside, you are requested to show your driving licence and the staff fill you in on the different options available on the day, such as the ability to buy more laps and to purchase a memory stick which will contain the video of your laps after the experience. A waiver form is also produced, where you can purchase insurance for £25 that will insure you against any mishap that may happen whilst driving the vehicle. Without the £25 insurance, you would have to pay the first £2000 should anything occur. Being a wet day, we felt the £25 option was the best to take.
Outside of the tent was a food van, selling hot drinks, burgers, chips, hotdogs and other hot foods. The toilet facilities at the airfield were very clean.
We made our way to the drivers desk where we were taken on a demo lap in the backseat of a 4×4. The airfield track is quite big, with 3 cars on the track at one time. The track consists of a series of corners, including 2 chicanes and a long straight. The staff driving the 4×4 talked us through the track and pointed out the cones that indicate when we should be turning the wheel.
After the demo lap, we exited the 4×4 and waited at the barrier til our name was called. When called for, we met the staff at the marquee who then ascorted us to our Lamborghini Gallardo. There were three Lamborghini Gallardo’s on offer and we drove the navy blue with white racing stripes. After a quick brief from the instructor, we accelerated towards the photo booth, where the cameraman takes a quick snap of you before your drive. We then progressed onto the circuit.
The first lap we took it easy, finding our way around the circuit, with the instructor prompting us to brake, change gear and turn at the right times. Driving a 550bhp supercar is a totally different experience to driving your day to day car, and the slightest touch of the accelerator has you off and away. Driving on a circuit too is different, knowing when to turn, making sure you don’t go wide. The instructor was pleasant, and patient and encouraged us to step on the gas and pick up some speed, which we did once we were comfortable with the track. And let me tell you, it is quite a thrill putting your foot down on a race track in a Lamborghini. Certainly an experience we’ll never forget!
Some other drivers on the track were consistently fast, and I would imagine these people have either drove the supercar before or bought some extra laps on the day. Our experience lasted 4 laps, and was very enjoyable. If you’re new to driving the supercar, you might want to buy some extra laps on the day, as it takes a couple of laps to get used to the handling of the car, and after that you’re away.
We drove the supercar back to the drivers desk where we then headed to the Media truck, where you could view and purchase the photographs which were taken of your laps. They have cameras situated around the track and the photographs included different shots of you driving the car and of you at the beginning of the drive. If you pre-purchased the memory stick, you can pick up the video of your drive from the Media truck. As part of your experience, you receive a certificate which shows you successfully completed the supercar drive. This is also obtained from the Media truck.
So all in all, a fantastic day. The staff were very friendly and kept us well informed. The facilities were clean. The airfield was easy to get to, with a huge carpark that was more than adequate for the drivers and spectators. We felt there should have been a tent for the drivers to wait in as the waiting part of the area was all open air, with people standing about in the cold. Fortunately for us, it wasn’t raining, but it was still quite chilly and had it been raining, we’d have been drenched. That is the only quibble.
Most importantly, the supercars were incredible machines and a pleasure to drive, with friendly, expert advice given throughout the drive.
We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves and recommended the driving experience days with Extreme Element.
