29.05.2010: Testing the supercars
May 28th, 2010 by Richard Aucock
THE SMMT hosts its annual test day every year at Bedfordshire’s Millbrook in May – and, once again, yours truly attended!
It comprises of major manufacturers brining their model range to Millbrook Proving Ground in Bedford and letting all of us journalists drive them on closed circuits and on the open road!! Sound like fun? It is!
Our day started at 5am; but driving the 3 hour journey was a small price to pay to be able to drive some fantastic cars in the sunshine! The Car Dealer team looks forward to this day every year, and who wouldn’t? Audi, Porsche, Bentley, VW and Jaguar will all be there, among others, and we don’t want to miss ANYTHING!
We are taken through a safety briefing before being given our driving passes, and let loose on the brilliant facility in some of the most exciting cars launched this year.
First up for me was the Golf R. What better way to get my eye in again on the hill route! This is a one way road simulating driving in the country side, and what a road it is! Huge gradients, tight hair pins, and long sweeping curves makes it THE place to take the cars all day. Imagine the best roller coster in the world, with better seats (in this case a Golf R) and you’re half way there.
This was Jade’s first experience of Millbrook, and indeed, really fast cars. So, I took our newest member along for a white knuckle ride in the Golf to show her the ropes. It took her until we were half way round to let out a “Oh my god” and it was all expletives after that!
Dan took no chances and headed straight to Ford to get his name down for the Focus RS 500. This was soon booked out for the whole day, our man was one of the lucky ones to try it, and you can read about that very soon!
But, the highlight of the day was Audi’s stunning R8 Spyder. We were lucky enough to get behind the wheel for the 40 minute road route around Bedford. I will be telling you all about this brilliant supercar in full soon, but, for now all I will say is… Wow!
This really is a “Kid in a sweet shop” day, with grown men giggling with excitement as they jump in and out of great machines all day. It really doesn’t get any better than this… Unless you have £100,000′s to spare!
Duncan
Tags: SMMT