Aston Martin Driving Experience

"Keep your foot on the brake an push that button." The V8 erupted to life with a loud brap and settled into a cackling, sputtering, uneasy idle. I was strapped in a GT4 spec Aston Martin V8 Vantage getting ready to take off on the first of two ten minute lapping sessions at Yas Marina Circuit with a driving instructor strapped in next to me. The first three cars left the pit lane and then I was next waiting for the marshal to give me the go ahead. Heart rate up, palms a bit sweaty and throat dry...I got the go and took off.  The sound of the car was intoxicating.

The car is a race ready Aston Martin with a stripped out interior, full roll cage and race suspension. It is noisy, cramped, unfamiliar and wonderful. This night has been about two months in the making and the anticipation had reached a fevered pitch by the time we showed up at the track. There was a session in progress when we arrived and we got to watch and listen from the lounge on the second floor which only served to heighten the already intense anticipation. We attended a briefing and then it was down to the pit lane to wait for the beginning of our session.

There were five cars total and by the time I left the pits, the first car was already running at full song down the long straight. There was a series of tight turns and then the very long straight where I buried the throttle and ran up through the gears - immense sound, tach racing through the rev range and violent upshifts. The stands blurring by on either side and the pools of light increasing their cadence across the car as we accelerate all the way to the braking zone. 

I ran a bit cautious to get a feel for the track and the car but consistently shortened my braking zones and upped my cornering speed as we progressed. In the end we were going way faster than I thought they would allow...we were hauling ass for someone (me) who could not afford to buy a crashed Aston Martin. We stayed on the track and I had a very memorable experience - one that I will repeat in the near future.

Before we got strapped in.

The beginning of the long straight.

Coming down a fast sweeper to a 90 degree left hander - hard braking and banging downshifts.

The car is raised on integral jacks. I can't remember if they changed the tires as my instructor was giving me lots of pointers.

Yes....I was fired up when it was all over.

Still getting pointers when it was all done.

A great evening and an awesome experience.
I'll still take a ZR-1.