Single Seater

A Single Seater track day is as close as it gets to experiencing what it is like to be the new Michael Schumacher or Nigel Mansell. Feel the rush of adrenaline whilst driving at super-fast speeds and sitting so low in the vehicle you are virtually on the ground! With a Formula 1 track day, you get to pretend you are a real racing driver! Just imagine yourself being at the front of the grid in pole position, waiting for the lights to turn green as the tension mounts! Professional instructors will show you how to negotiate bends at unbelievable speeds before accelerating onto the straights on some very demanding tracks! A Single Seater driving experience really will satisfy your need for speed!

As all driving experiences, the activity will start with an important safety briefing. This will be held in a group class with other participants and covers introductions to the instructors, driving and handling techniques and generally, what you can expect to get out of your experience.

Most of the below options include familiarisation laps where an instructor will drive you and other participants around the track at a steady pace in a saloon car to give you a general idea of the layout whilst providing tips and advice on how to get the most out of it along the way.

Once in your single seater racing car, the instructor will brief you again on the various controls and dials before making sure you are comfortable, prepared and passing over your helmet!

You will normally follow a pace car around the circuit for a couple of laps just to help you get used to handling the car and the racing lines, as well as helps boost your confidence and reassurance. The pace car will then pull away, leaving you to floor the accelerator and experience true adrenalin at incredible speeds!

After your allocated number of laps have been completed your will return for a further class debrief and depending on location and package, certificate presentations.

Single seater and racing car experiences are available at many circuits situated around the UK including the most famous ones such as Silverstone and Rockingham. There are also options to suit all budgets. At the lower end of the scale, you can choose to drive just the one vehicle, then the higher you go the more prestige circuits become available as well as the ability to enjoy more laps or more than one vehicle or experience (such as supercar driving). At the top end of the scale, you can enjoy a drive in a real ex-Formula 1 racing car!

The majority of the cars available will be Formula Ford; most professional drivers begin their careers in these types of vehicle following on from karting, although Formula 3 cars are also available. Both cars have fantastic handling abilities and are capable of speeds of up to 100 to 130mph. Top speeds are not the most exciting aspect when it comes to racing car experiences, handling, acceleration and being in a small cockpit so close to the ground all add to the exhilaration!

Important information

Duration

The time spent behind the wheel varies number of laps allocated, which again is dependent on package and venue chosen. The below experiences range from around eight minutes to twenty minutes, however this may or may not include time spent behind the pace car. You can check further details at the retailer. You should allow for up to an hour at the venue to cover pre and post drive briefs, certificate presentations and allocated drive time including whilst behind the pace car. This time may be longer depending on the package chosen (if more laps are allowed or more vehicles involved, your duration at the venue will be longer). Please also be aware other participants will be present, hence there may be some wait, as all drivers on the day will take it in turns behind the wheel.

Are spectators welcome

There are normally no restrictions for spectators and they are allowed along free of charge. The retailer will specify this if any different. All venues will have viewing and sheltered areas along with toilets. Some venues will have catering facilities.

Are these experiences weather dependent?

It is unlikely that the event will be cancelled due to severe weather, as the activities do not tend to run during the winter months. If you are in any doubt, we advise you to ring up the venue on the morning of your activity to check whether it is scheduled to go ahead. If cancelled it will be rearranged for an alternative date.

Other information

The majority of venues require you to be at least eighteen years of age and have held a full driving licence for minimum twelve months; however, some venues have a minimum age of seventeen. Maximum age requirement is usually seventy years old.

A full and valid driving licence will need to be provided at the event regardless of the venue, photocopies are not permitted.

Weight and height restrictions may apply; more details can be obtained from the retailer.

Most venues you may be given the option of purchasing a collision damage waiver for an additional charge, however you are under no obligation to do so.

“ A truly amazing experience. Makes me wish I was a real formula 1 driver! Not only are these guys world famous and rich, they also get to experience this at a greater level week in and week out!. I highly recommend this to all F1 or general racing fans! Being so close to the ground is unreal, and the cars handle like a dream! ”

Steve Marshall - Single Seater Motor Racing Drive, Redletterdays.co.uk

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