Mrs B has remarked on more than one occasion recently that she fancies having a go at rally driving, so I’m looking at getting her a rally experience day for her birthday in a couple of months time. Anyone in the North West or North Wales whose done one that they would recommend? I’ve done a search and they all seem to be around the £200 – £300 Mark for a one day experience. Thanks in advance.

I got one for Xmas years ago was somewhere in shropshire I think-wasn’t too much of a drive from st Helens. I got there to find loads of mk2 escorts and thought ‘where are all the egos/impezas?’ no problem with the cars tho – really enjoyed it. My only gripe was it was over far too soon. As soon as I got the hang of it it was time to stop

The Higgins boys are really good people and have a rally school http://www.forestrally.co.uk/

Never done one but raced against them on bikes and they are real gents.

Yes but it was years ago
Phil price rally school in mid Wales
Mark 1 escorts maybe not fancy modern subarus but you get proper rally training on a proper forest rally stage as used by the pros for rally of britain shakedowns, (alistair mcrae was there with the hyundai team packing up from testing the day before when i went, thats how long ago it was!) taught. by a proper respected ex rally driver
My day was amazing, a never forget experience
Highlight was his Sierra cosworth breaking down so for the passenger rides he wheeled out his self built turbo charged ford thing that was apparently precursor to the RS200, then as he sent it round a hairpin with a sheer drop on my side and the rear wheel hanging off track casually said “forgot how fast this thing is, that was a bit close” a split second of my life I will forever remember

Reason they don’t use imprezas etc is you really really have to push as a beginner to get any drift. Its all about the change down in a rwd, into the corner slight turn in down a gear, which will seem very unnatural and out she’ll step, you’ve got it right when you’re looking out the door windows as opposed to the windscreen!! I’ve done a couple and they are good fun but as above over too quick!! Keep an eye on group on as they regularly have one on there.

Yeah groupon is a good idea, thanks. Not in any rush as its a few months until her birthday. The type of car wouldn’t be an issue as she’s not actually into cars as such! I commented on her driving style recently, saying that as a passenger, I felt like I needed to be shouting instructions for the next bend all the time and since then she’s mentioned doing a rally day a couple of times!

btw- my step dad came with me, they cut his course short as he wouldn’t stop crossing his hands when turning – have always remembered to keep the ‘ ten to two’ position since then!

Phil Price has to be the best.

Another recommendation for Phil Price. I bought it for my girlfriend as a surprise (she’d always fancied giving it a go) and she loved it. Paid a trivial amount for him to take me for a hot lap of his circuit in his Impreza. Terrifying…

I had a full day as a gift for my 30th. Mk2 escorts & p 205 in the morning. Aprox 35 mins driving in a field.
Sierra cosworth in the afternoon aprox 15 mins driving in forest and then a passenger ride in a Subaru in the forest.
Brilliant day out but just leaves you wanting more. I think this was about £300 & was in Bristol

Did one with Phil Price’s mate down the road, can’t remember the place or the chaps name, but it was great!

Got to drive an impreza, welded rear diff (RWD only) and road tyres on the back – very easy to step out. Was a great day with them cramming in as much driving as they could. They didn’t mind when my friend beached the car either! The track was great and really got a feel for it by the end, and the passenger ride was immense!

I did one at a hall in Leicester somewhere. Was a tarmac stage using an evo and then loose stages in something else. Great fun but over far too quickly.

Did one at Brands Hatch a few years back now. Escort Cossie RWD conversion.

Also done the race day (Formula Ford)

Rally day wins hands down! 8)

Thanks all. Phil Price looks good so far.

It is a good day out with a lot of time in the car.

Did one at Oulton Park about 10 years ago. 4WD Escort Cosworth, but they switched off the front wheels for the sessions. Really enjoyed it – main memory is the instructor shouting at me to go “faster, faster”. The instructor ripped a tyre off on the demo lap.