Guess what.......

[R2D2]

I've received an invitation to test drive the Maserati range at Millbrook Testing Ground. I've accepted!

 

[R2D2]

........really ! Yes really. It'll be cool and I might get to beat my 142mph round the bowl.

 

[R2D2]

Dont forget to tell us how you get on R2!

 

[pammy]

bloody hell - lucky you!! you'll have a ball.

PS - I've only just got on so only just seen this - honest

 

[R2D2]

Thats OK Pammy. I thought it was pretty mega but I was "overwealmed" with the rush of enthusiasm. Hopefully it should be a laugh!

 

[pammy]

I'd be there like a shot I must admit! When is it?

 

[R2D2]

next week. Last time I was there i did 142mph in a Lexus LS400. I've now done Mercedes at Goodwood, Lotus at Knockhill, Ferrari at Lyddon Hill. Ferrari at Knockhill.
Scariest moment was going around knockhill in the lap record holders "Esprit", nobody had told the guy to slow down for corners!

 

[Maff]

Where do I sign up for these test drives?!!

Have a good time!!!

 

[R2D2]

Where do I sign up for these test drives?!!

Have a good time!!!

Everyday is a test drive day in your 180mph beast!

 

[Alfie]

next week. Last time I was there i did 142mph in a Lexus LS400. I've now done Mercedes at Goodwood, Lotus at Knockhill, Ferrari at Lyddon Hill. Ferrari at Knockhill.
Scariest moment was going around knockhill in the lap record holders "Esprit", nobody had told the guy to slow down for corners!

Thats the one and only thing Lotus are good for, going around corners like they are on rails!

Lucky you. How do you get on this 'Pre Approved for mad days out driving expensive fast cars' list?

 

[R2D2]

family and asking the right people at the right time!!

 

[peterchurch]

Thats the one and only thing Lotus are good for, going around corners like they are on rails!

Hang on Im just off to post a link to this on a Lotus owners forum

Nice one R2 Hope you write a review of the cars you get to play with

 

[pluggers]

........really ! Yes really. It'll be cool and I might get to beat my 142mph round the bowl.

I got 150mph round the bowl had to move over to make way for a Lotus Carlton,Kin ell it was moving

 

[R2D2]

Tomorrows the day! Goal one beat 142mph, goal two beat 150mph (just coz it sounds good) Goal 3 not to crash anything!!! Will report back in due course.

 

[Alfie]

Tomorrows the day! Goal one beat 142mph, goal two beat 150mph (just coz it sounds good) Goal 3 not to crash anything!!! Will report back in due course.

Hope you have a great day.

 

[pammy]

I'm not fussed - I've got a Mondeo 2.0 Zetec to go to Lytham in - so why would I even give tearing around in a mazzer a second thought

Have a brill dya - look forward to the report back

 

[mapleleaf]

lucky sod! I used to drive a maser & never got such an offer. cant wait to hear how you got on. saw fifth gear the other night & they were racing the new Gran Sport incarnation of the coupe. I may be getting tempted to trade the AM ...

 

[R2D2]

Thanks for the comments guys!

It was utterly wonderful day. Firstly we had an Italian Lunch which was lovely and at my table we had several lovely Italian ladies and two Italian Touring car drivers. One of the drivers was Simoni who some might remember drove for Alfa Romeo.( I later went for loony laps with Simoni!)

After a safety briefing we were each assigned a driving instructor from Thruxton to help us get the most out of the cars.

We had the whole range to play with and used the two mile bowl, handling track, Alpine course !!!!!, and the 1 mile straight. The first car i drove was the top of the range Quatroporte . Big but very fast.

Highlight for me was repeated 1 mile runs in auto, paddle manual and sport manual modes. I managed 151mph on the standing mile by chaging up in sport mode at 8000rpm in a Coupe (400bhp?) Trouble was at the 3/4 mile marker you had to really get on the brakes to stop in time!

It was a great and long day what with the traveling but 0-60 in about 4.5 all day was fun and I broke my record.

 

[Maff]

Excellent, any photo's ?

 

[R2D2]

Millbrook bans cameras totally