The problem with growing up is that you often have to give up on childhood dreams, like becoming an astronaut or a racing driver.
I’m still waiting for the call from NASA — though it’s looking increasingly less likely with each passing decade, and especially given how ill equipped I am for interplanetary travel: I can barely find my way on the London Orbital, let alone find a way of escaping the Earth’s gravitational forces.
But I did finally get the chance to make that second wish come true, albeit a bit later in life than I’d planned, courtesy of DTO Motorsport in collaboration with Goodwood Motor Circuit.
The layout of the Sussex racetrack — which plays host each year to favourite fixtures such as Festival of Speed and Revival — hasn’t changed much since the 1950s and 60s when names like Stirling Moss and Jackie Stewart were synonymous with all things automotive and speed related, and therefore, by extension, with Goodwood itself..
You’ve always been able to enjoy track days here, too, either driving your own car around the 2.4 mile circuit or borrowing one from Goodwood’s stable of vehicles; everything from old school Minis, Jaguars and Land Rovers (for which there’s also an off road-course), right up to vintage Alfas, classic Porsches and Mercedes-AMG performance cars.
A brand new experience offered in conjunction with motorsport experts, DTO, however, brings things kicking and screaming into the 21st century and the world of modern-day professional motor racing.
The screaming I’m referring to, by the way, was me. Yes, me screaming with sheer ear-to-ear-grinning joy (and perhaps a bit of pure bloody terror) as I proceeded to hurl some of the world’s finest automobiles around this classic track at pantshittingly fast speeds.
We’re talking here about driving cars like the Ferrari 488 Evo Challenge and the McLaren 570 GT4 at speeds of up to, and sometimes over, 200mph. How does that feel, I hear you ask? Ask my underpants, is the reply.
In addition to four 15-minute sessions in the cars of your choice (from a range that also includes a Ginetta G56 GTA and a BMW M2 Cup Car) the day includes briefings, instruction and one-to-one coaching (in the car) as well as post-drive data analysis from a professional racing driver who accompanies you in the passenger seat whilst you drive. My ‘buddy’ for the day — who tried very hard not to laugh as I stalled the quarter of million pound Ferrari in the pit lane — was Sennan Fielding who’d been driving race cars since the age of 14 and regularly competes all over the world.
“It’s all about rhythm and muscle memory,” he told me as I flipped the paddles on the prancing horse-emblazoned steering wheel, hammering the brakes like hell as I turned into a 90 degree corner at a little over 130mph — at least I think that was what the speedometer said; I was too busy clenching my buttocks as the rolling South Down countryside rushed forward to meet me very very quickly.
There’s also the option to do a ‘hot lap’ around the track where you swap seats with a motorsport professional who shows you how it’s done properly, i.e. even faster.. I got paired with Jade Edwards, the British racing driver who is currently co-presenting ITV4's live coverage of the British Touring Car Championship in which she has also competed.
“Just tell me if you can’t take any more or need me to slow down,” she said through the in-car intercom system, gunning the engine as we donned our helmets and HANS systems, strapped into the car with every conceivable safety device imaginable. Suffice to say, I went the distance and didn’t feel the need to abort — we earthbound astronauts are made of sterner stuff than that. In fact, I loved every terrifying moment of it.
Was it one of the most exciting driving experiences I’ve ever had? Most certainly.
Would I do it again? Too right I would…but just one thing: next time I’m bringing thicker underpants.
For more information, visit goodwood.com. From £1,950 for the day including all insurance, equipment, lunch and refreshments.
