Well guys and girls, it's not about Ducati but it certainly has some racing pedigree and it was like fulfilling a boyhood dream for me Yesterday I was lucky enough to be invited to a McLaren test driver day at Millbrook Proving Ground. I got to drive a McLaren 570s around the Alpine course with blind crests, jumps, accelarating flatout and breaking hard into insane off camber hairpins just like Bond in Casino Royale, around the oval track at over 130mph and down the mile straight where I reached 180mph before stamping on the brakes and lastly comparing a Porsche 911 Turbos S with the McLaren on a salom course. I didn't like the Porsche though I've never done a car track day (and only 1 on a bike 7 years ago) and I've never been to Millbrook but I felt pretty damn good when my co driver said, "you obviously do track days" The day ended with a couple of laps with one of the McLaren test drivers showing me what the car is capable of on a track, which left me with a huge grin Ps. I spent the day chatting with the McLaren drivers and my new Multistrada Pikes Peak that I'm collecting next week got a big thumbs up from the guys and I think I may now have to book some car track days as it was exhilarating
I test drove a McLaren a couple of weeks ago and I then received a special invite to the event. It's maybe the approach they use to get you to buy a car
I can't remember but yes they were all good guys and I throughly enjoyed my afternoon. They have to deal with lots of ridiculously wealthy people (the ones who buy a car to look good) who actually can't drive, so they must have of the patience of a saint
In 25 years I've had one test drive on one bike and the second test drive I went for they said no...."cos we think your going to buy one from somewhere else..." Which I did after they told me that....I have no idea how these vloggers manage it....
I've never test rode or driven any bike or car I've bought. I know it sounds odd but I simply can't be arsed and I'll know from reviews if it's going to be good. I've got a V4 on order with Ducati Glasgow (I know, I know, I live in middle England) and was asked when I was coming up for a test ride. Err, never thanks. It'll be fekkin freezing and probably raining too. Mind you, I wouldn't mind a shot in the McLaren 720S! I couldn't buy one, they're 200k+ but what a car! Interesting they use a 911 turbo to compare with McLaren. Different animals I'd say. But the 911 turbo is often loosely considered King I suppose. I love mine- here it is:-
I was invited to a similar event last spring run by Alfa Romeo at Milbrook to promote the new Guilia Quadrafolgio. Obviously a useful promotional tool for manufacturers.
