I want to drive the Top Gear lap

[jettapilot]

But I'm not in the UK so where can I go in Sydney to learn to drive fast around a track?

I've had a quick Google and they all say V8 Supercars which make sme think big Fords and Commodores. I want to drive something classier than that - small and sporty.
I'm disappointed I missed the VW days

Any recommendations?

[mikinoz]

You want to use your car or theirs? Makes a difference.

MRT Performance have driver ed days, that are great value with good instruction.

There is also Marulan Driver Training facility - Marulan Driver Training Centre | Packages

[DubSteve]

Just go down King Georges Rd a few times nice long straight be able to pick up a fair bit of speed

[the scotsman]

Wakefield park near Goulburn has speed of the streets days where you can drive your car on the track. Great track and very safe.

[elephino]

But I'm not in the UK so where can I go in Sydney to learn to drive fast around a track?

I've had a quick Google and they all say V8 Supercars which make sme think big Fords and Commodores. I want to drive something classier than that - small and sporty.
I'm disappointed I missed the VW days

Any recommendations?

If you can afford it, go with Porsche up near the Gold Coast.

[Speed]

Just go down King Georges Rd a few times nice long straight be able to pick up a fair bit of speed

Yeah and try to get some air on the dipper near south hurstville!

[jamesatfish]

As others have posted...

If you're using your own car, Wakefield park is probably the best place to go. It's one of the cheapest tracks to drive at, has plenty of run-off so it's hard to get into trouble if you have an 'off', and there are plenty of public days held each month. There are a few people, including a mob on-site at the track, who offer tuition to help you learn to drive fast around that track (and on tracks in general).

If you're wanting to drive someone else's car, most of the luxury manufacturers offer driver training days using their vehicle range, but they're all pretty expensive. I can attest to the Porsche days - I've done most of the courses up to the GT3 track sessions with telemetry - but to get to the first track course (Level 3) you first have to complete their two earlier courses, which will set you back about $1500 per course. The two serious track courses (GT3 and Carrera Cup) cost around $5000 each. The tuition however is top-rate - their chief driving instructor at the days is Tomas Mezera who is the current V8 Supercar Driving Standards Observer (and who won Bathurst himself in years gone by), and the cars are obviously sublime.

If you really just want to drive the Top Gear circuit, wait a few months and buy the new Gran Tourismo game for the PS3. The preview video for that game shows a very realistic drive around the circuit and that's probably as close as us mere mortals will get. As for driving it in real life, you'll need to win a competition or become a celebrity or F1 driver to get an invite to the circuit - when I was at a filming there a few years ago James May just laughed at me when I asked him how I went about getting a steer on the track - I had even offered to take the rental car around...

[jettapilot]

Just go down King Georges Rd a few times nice long straight be able to pick up a fair bit of speed

That would bring back memories. I learnt to drive on that road.
No, I want to corner.

[Highlander]

That would bring back memories. I learnt to drive on that road.
No, I want to corner.

If you want to corner then try the Marulan Driver Training Centre. Run by racer Garry Wilmington who has raced everything from V8s, V12 Jags through to Corollas, the track is only 1 kilometre, all corners and the straight is just long enough to recover your breath before you are back into the twisty stuff again.

You won't meet many nicer guys than Garry and he or another staff member is usually on hand for tuition or a few tips to improve your driving.

Good run off areas and track sides are banked which helps keep you away from the tyre walls if you do get off the black stuff.

If you want to corner, the $100 fee for the day is pretty close to the most fun you will ever have for $100.

Have a look at Marulan Driver Training Centre | Home if you are interested. Its only an hour and a quarter from Sydney and well worth the drive