Discoveries and experiences from around the world
I had the very good fortune recently to be invited to an Aston Martin track day and - as ever since my grandfather had a 1952 DB2 I have loved the brand - I happily accepted.
I arrived at the world renowned Millbrook Proving Ground looking forward to a great day's driving and I was not to be disappointed. As many brands test prototype cars there, some quite heavily disguised, all photography was forbidden, which only added to my building sense of excitement.
There are seven different circuits on the grounds and I had an opportunity to try four of them. I was teamed up with a different instructor/driver for each track and it was all run in a typically British warm friendly atmosphere, with a touch of elegance and lots of humour.
My first track was the Hill Route with a 420bhp V8 Vantage. This was a most challenging circuit with incredible ups and downs . . . it was very exciting. This was where the car scenes of the James Bond movie Casino Royale, were shot. I took it easy at first, as the width of the car is impressive, plus I was driving on the right hand side for the first time in many years. I could do the whole tour on 5th gear thanks to the incredible torque, but the circuit demanded precise steering and positioning and was an exhausting drive. An accurate warning for what was coming next.
Circuit no.2 was the City Tour track in a 510bhp DBS V12. The noise of the V12 was out of this world. It seriously put shivers up my spine. This was a flat circuit with lots of narrow curves and changes of gear plus a demanding series of 'S curves. It then started raining and the track was soon soaked. I was sure at the speed we were going that it was only a matter of time before we slide off a curve onto the grass; however, the grip was astounding and it was virtually impossible to slide. In fact the car was so well balanced that it was difficult to get the back end out in the wet. The DBS is a superb sports car with extraordinary handling
Circuit no. 3 had me in the High-Speed Bowl driving the 470bhp DB9 V12. What a thrill! Five lanes across on a perfectly round 2-mile / 3.2km circuit with elevated curves as we moved from the centre to the outside lane. Cruising at 130 mph / 215km/h I could only look straight ahead - it was impossible to glance down at the dash as the track flew past in a never-ending curve. My concentration levels were peaking; impossible to check anywhere but ahead; the car tracking as if on rails and then my co-pilot tells me “Hands off the wheel”. Reluctantly, tentatively, I obey, only to discover that my intense concentration was in vain: the car didn't really need me to steer at all. I could barely hear anything over the pounding of my heart.
Circuit no. 4 saw me on the fast one-mile straight a “light” 520bhp V12 Vantage with much use of carbon fibre and carbon ceramic brakes. The circuit is a one-mile straight drive used for speed and brake testing. Here I was pushing the accelerator to the floor through all 6 gears. My hands started sweating and the noise from the roaring motor was sensual. At 154 mph / 250 km/h the instructor yelled, "Brake!” for me to execute emergency braking. The car didn't move off its line by a fraction and while the ABS must have been working overtime I couldn't feel it at all, though back in the paddock the tyres were smoking - as was I! It was a thoroughly invigorating experience . . . and one that felt so good.
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