If you want to know what it’s like enjoying rallycross or rally driving, then Trackdays, which has a vast array of experience days, is here to set the scene.
While both have ‘rally’ on the tin, they offer a completely different thrill for those who get behind the wheel.
Let’s take a look and shine a light on which one is right for you, or whether they are of equal merit.
Rallycross combines rallying and circuit racing with the cars battling it out on dirt and asphalt surfaces.
It’s an action-packed and fast paced motorsport that’s incredibly popular in the UK and other countries, especially in northern Europe.
The roots of rallycross can be traced back to Lydden Hill in Kent, a circuit where you can now enjoy a track day with TrackDays.co.uk. which hosted the first event for a TV show.
It is held on a mixed-surface racing circuit and the cars are modified production vehicles or specially built touring cars.
The races can be very short, sometimes lasting just three minutes, so there’s hardly time to catch your breath! Up to eight cars can compete and the races promise plenty of wheel-to-wheel action all the way to the chequered flag.
The flagship series in the UK is the British Rallycross Championship but there are plenty of other series taking place, together with cars including Suzuki Swifts, models which can be driven with TrackDays.co.uk.
Rally Driving is against the clock and the stages are held on effectively closed public and private roads, quite often through forests.
Vehicles head out one at a time and stages can last from 10km up to 50km, while the driver is read the route by the co-driver navigator. The cars differ to road cars as they are stripped to save weight and are likely to have a reinforced chassis to cope with what is thrown at it.
It’s the perfect test of driving skill, courage and determination, not least because of the different driving terrains it presents.
If this sounds like something you’d want to explore, then TrackDays.co.uk has a wide range of rally driving experience days at locations across the UK, from Scotland down to the south of England, so you can taste what it was like for rally superstars like Colin McRae.
Rally cars in our impressive fleet include Ford Escort Mk IIs, Suzuki Swift Cup Cars, Ford Sierras and Subaru Rally Sport Specials, at venues including Silverstone Rally School and Knockhill Racing Circuit to name but several.
Packages range from introductory sessions through to full-day experiences, and there’s even the chance for youngsters to join in the fun, possibly discovering the next future champion.
With Trackdays, you can mix it up by driving on the asphalt of a race circuit or the gravel of a rally stage, putting rallycross experience days and rally driving experience days within reach of those wishing to try something new – and then you can decide which driving style you prefer.