Just got back from the Rockingham event and have to say it was absolutely awesome! I've paid much more money in the past for corporate events that havent been anywhere near as good. They way they look after you and the attention to detail is superb.
Highlights were the autotest (scored 29.4) and the slalom, which I was crap at as I nearly took a wrong turn and then messed the line up - got 28.5 for that. The 2 wheeled drive was superb - the level of car control Paul Swift has is amazing.
In the track event, I drove the Corsa, Astra, Vectra and V8XR - so 12 laps in all. Was surprised me was the enthusiasm and willingness to help from the instructors. They have done this so many times now, and we're all lapping at a realtive snails pace, but they all managed to make you feel as if they really wanted to help you improve....and they certainly wanted you to really push the cars. The spanish guy, Gonzales, was especially entertaining and helpful.
Personally I found all the cars good fun.
The Corsa is quick and agile, but felt quite twitchy - it was the easiest one to thrash though.
The Astra felt very powerful, but required a lot of discipline to keep it on line because the power through the front wheels just made it understeer like crazy unless you were in a straight line or very gentle on the throttle.
The Vectra estate was the biggest surprise for me - it felt so easy to balance it on the throttle and totally predictable.
But the V8XR was the highlight for me - I've heard a lot of people say they were a bit dissapointed by it, and its certainly not the quickest around that track du to using the infield, but the sound of the thing at the redline in 3rd was wonderful. Again, it required very smooth inputs, almost like a bike in fact, which maybe explains why I warmed to it.
Must admit it makes me want a new car now. My Focus 1.6 suddenly feels extra dowdy!
We took loads of pics and videos of the day - I'll get them uploaded later
I just haven't uploaded them yet.
