theanthillmob.com - palmersport

The day began early setting off at 6:00am and picking up my colleague (Emma) on the way. We arrived just in time for a full English breakfast and briefing before a full days driving.

First up the Nissan Pathfinders. It is amazing how these cars don't roll over or stall at times, particularly when you are going through 5 feet of water. Although this is the most sedate of the days events it is still fun driving a 4x4 as it was meant to be driven and not with a back seat full of kids

Next up the Mitsubishi Evo VI, and time for my first spin of the day. I clocked a pretty fast time on my second attempt but apparently at no point did I actually look like I was in control of the car ....... no change there then. Into the minibus and off to our next event.

Whilst waiting for the Clio Cup Cars, we had time for a bit of light entertainment in the twin engine karts. I'm quite a big fan of karting but I have to admit they seemed a little tame after driving a turbo powered

Evo VI on wet tarmac.

All Photos

We drove the Clio's on the big west circuit which had enough straights to get us over 100mph. We were assisted by the fact that the racing prepared Clio's went from 0 - 60mph in 4 seconds!! ....... did I mention I spun this car too!!

Now into the Formula Palmer Audi race cars (and the fire proofs) to drive exactly the same circuit, so at least we knew where the bends were ....... this didn't seem to help ....... did I mention that I spun this car ....... twice!! This did not detract from the sheer enjoyment of being propelled from 0 - 60mph in 3.5 se

conds when sat about 3 feet off the ground ....... or even more impressively from 60 - 0mph in 1.6 seconds!!

....... time for lunch!!

....... time for more driving!!

Next up the Caterham 7 Superlights ....... 0 - 60mph in 3.9 seconds!! We drove these on the east circuit, which was slightly shorter but far more twisting and undulating than the west circuit ....... perfect for spinning out ....... twice in this car!! Most people seemed to agree that these were the most fun to drive, extremely powerful for their weight and able to slide round those corners with the rubber burning!!

On to the north circuit for some fun in a Nissan 350Z. These were the same model that you would buy from Nissan with the exception of the brakes and exhaust ....... apparently if the standard fittings were used they would have to be replaced every other day!! Despite the fact that this was a standard two seater sports car it still managed 0 - 60mph in 5.9 seconds. !This was the only car that I didn't spin ....... might have had something to do with the traction control!! However some people still managed to get it pointing the wrong way!

Finally into the Palmer Jaguar JP1 on two different circuits, first the north circuit which we had just driven in the Nissan 350Z, so we knew the circuit. However the north circuit was a bit small to fully appreciate being propelled from 0 -100mph in 6.8 seconds!! Despite the fact that we had already driven the circuit I still unsurprisingly managed to spin the car.

And then onto the final drive of the day, the Palmer Jaguar JP1 on the south circuit with straights that enabled us to reach speeds of 130mph+. Unfortunately for me there we also some bends ....... and one of them was at the end of the 130mph straight. Although the instructor seemed quite calm the fact that we ended up over 200ft into the run off area (also know as the field) suggested that perhaps I was going a little to fast into the 'S' bend. Anyway that's certainly the first time I've been in a car travelling backwards at over 100mph.

....... back to the hospitality suite for some late afternoon tea and medals.

We were all presented with data sheets on our Formula Palmer Audi drive which we examined very carefully. We also had our times for each event on a scorecard and a vast sheet contain each one of the 100 participants times for each and every event (all can be accessed below).

Ok ....... let's get one thing out of the way, our Sauber team came last!! ....... but I was assured that there was no shame in this whatsoever (so I can't understand why William Mullett from Deutsche Bank was crying!!)

The individual medals were awarded (none for me ....... or William) and the team trophy presented to the Toyota team.

....... then back into my rather sedate and comparatively well sprung Mondeo and back home down the M11 ....... at under 100mph!!

PalmerSport is without a doubt the best driving day in the UK. I have also been to Brands Hatch, Silverstone and Goodwood all of which are thoroughly enjoyable, but for sheer variety and speed (Palmer Jaguar JP1) the PalmerSport day out is the best ....... I have it on good authority that I'm already down for next year!!

Just to prove things don't always go to plan click the picture of the Palmer Jaguar JP1 to see some video of what can go wrong ....... and no this wasn't me!!

		Click on the data sheet to the left to view a read out from one of my laps in the Formula Palmer Audi. The coloured lines show my speed, revs, degree of throttle depression and the gear I'm in. The grey lines show exactly the same data for a professional formula 1 racing driver. Bottom left shows my lap time of 1min 25.70secs versus a formula racing drivers time of 1min 9.32secs ....... so I'm not quite there yet!!

		Click on my scorecard to the left to see my times for the different events. This also shows the number of spins per event; I get a sneaking suspicion the instructors were being kind to me!!

		Finally click on the data sheet to the left to view all 100 participants times and scores for each event. Unfortunately my numerous spins cost me dearly as all lap times after a spin are not included, however I did manage a very respectable 16th place in the Caterham 7 Superlight and and even better 14th place in the Mitsubishi Evo VI

					Click on any of the pictures to the left to see video of that event. Unfortunately I was not able to obtain any footage of the Nissan Pathfinder 4x4's as this took place away from the main observation area.