Today was a good day! Some of you may of seen a Hyundai driving experience advertised online, i applied and managed to get one of the 500 spots available. I wasn't really sure what to expect from the day, but it was at Millbrook (which is local to me) and i have never been before. Turned up this afternoon and the event was being held in the same place they used to film Fifth Gear which was cool! Hyundai had made an effort. We had a nice free lunch with a few options for food, we were given an iPod for tasks we were going to be doing and they strapped a fitbit to your arm to monitor your heartbeat. We had a quick briefing about the plan for the day and a competition was mentioned (i will come back to that). So first task was to be blind folded and touch certain bits of the car and shout them out, next was a tech challenge based on the cars gadgets and finally we got to rev the nuts off one to make it pop and crack on the overrun. All pretty straight forward so far! Now into the cars, Hyundai had a good 10-12 cars with quite a few pro drivers. We were taken onto the Alpine Handling Circuit, for those who don't know many films and famous chases/accidents have been filmed there, like Casino Royale. Once the instructor done a lap it was my turn, i have to say the circuit is like the perfect B road. So technical and challenging, it was great fun for my first experience driving the car. After that it was a 0-60 challenge on the straight, but we were able to go up to about 130mph. I managed 5.9 seconds which was the fastest of the day. You only get one chance and you don't know what to expect so i just went with what i thought, we weren't allowed to use launch control either. The final task i would carry out would be to drive onto the high speed bowl and push the car to about 130mph for a couple of laps. Something i didn't expect was for it to play with your perspective, my eyes couldn't make their mind up! Finally it was some hot laps from the pros and damn they can drive, the car performed fantastic! Finally it was back inside for another chat and the bonus round... It was an optional chili challenge, but i wanted the points as someone at Hyundai told me i was winning! I do not deal with hot food well at all, but i had a viper naga chili and it was brutal! So to the final scores and somehow i managed to win the whole bloody thing! The prize is one of those money can't buy experiences and for some even a bucket list opportunity. I am very lucky to be going to the WRC GB and to be the co pilot in Hyundai's WRC car! So excited, was not expecting to win anything! I got some other nice merch as well and got to meet some nice new people and have a chat.
I must say a massive thank you to Hyundai for putting on such an event, which was free and for the amazing prize, opportunity to drive their car and to be allowed into the legendary Millbrook proving ground. My thoughts on the car? Well i will be going to the dealer on Monday for a chat!
Don't have too many photos unfortunately, but will still share.
I must say a massive thank you to Hyundai for putting on such an event, which was free and for the amazing prize, opportunity to drive their car and to be allowed into the legendary Millbrook proving ground. My thoughts on the car? Well i will be going to the dealer on Monday for a chat!
Don't have too many photos unfortunately, but will still share.
saw quite a few PistonHeads folk won a place.
