In the introductory bumf for Jonathan Palmers Bedford Autodrome motorsport venue it says:

The Motorsport Sensation at Bedford Autodrome. Guests drive every high performance car. They experience one of the most thrilling memorable days of their lives and they will love it.

Rarely do you read marketing blurb that on reflection so accurately and honestly describes the day. Big Mike had promised that I would love it, other colleagues said the same and so expectations were high.

I was not disappointed. The Motorsport Sensation is a sensation. It succeeds massively on two counts. First, you really do get to drive all this kit. It is all fast, cars are beautifully presented, well maintained and the instructors are superb. The day is run so professionally that you never have time to sit about and get bored. You are fed and watered throughout the day and best ofall encouraged to really drive.

The second element of the success of the day is down to the staff and management. They have obviously been trained - not just in how to drive - but in how to look after paying guests. There is none of the apology mangement so prevalent here in the UK. Nothing is a problem, you are continually encouraged, coached, motivated driven to drive faster, to push the cars and to have fun.

There is serious attention to safety too, and much focus on 'mechanical sympathy', smoothness and understanding what it takes to drive faster. I have done a fair bit of driving and competing, but I drove home a better driver thanks to the input I'd had during the event.

The success of the day is a credit to the staff, instuctors and management and in particular the vision of Jonathan Palmer. He knows what makes a good day great and how to ensure customers have a sensational time. I was on a 'corporate day' courtesy of CBRE - their entertainment dollars were well spent as it's an event their customers will remember for a long time.

If you get chance to go, you must.

http://www.motorsportsensation.com/

http://www.bedfordautodrome.com/

We drove 7 different cars: Formula Palmer Audi, Caterham 7 Sprint, Mitsubishi Evo VI, Nissan 350Z, Palmer Jaguar JP1, Renalut Clio Cup and a Nissan Pathfinder.