Very early Saturday morning (6am to be precise) Tom and I sleepily stumbled into the car and started our journey to Silverstone where Tom was to be a race car driver for the day. Silverstone is UK's largest race track. It is where the Grand Prix is held along with many other car races and a number of experience days. Driving a single seater race car was my gift to Tom for his graduation last year. The days book up far in advance so its taken over a year for Tom to be able to get in.
By the time we arrived nearly two hours later we were much more awake. Our Starbucks stop helped, Mom I'm sure that makes you proud. We drove in alongside porches, Bentley's and various other makes of cars. It surprised me how many people were there to race around the different tracks that day. Tom was directed to his track and after signing in we had about 20 min to wait. Luckily we picked up some magazines when we stopped for coffee. After a while Tom was taken into a briefing room to learn about the car, the track and all of the tricks. Then, it was race time!
With helmets on and all racers seated in their cars it was time to go. Vroom Vroom. Not too fast at first though. The first half of driving time was spent following the pace car giving the drivers time to adjust to the single seaters and the track. Then the race began. At least 15 cars sped around the track at speeds nearing 150 mph. Round and round they went, click click click with the camera I went. I paid special attention to Tom's car, number 11, and got many good pics of him zooming past.
Tom enjoyed his time and is glad he can now say he has driven a race car. He did admit it was a bit terrifying being so close to the ground whilst driving that fast, his car went 93 mph in 1st! I think he feared for his life out there. A good adrenaline rush to start the day and a few laps feeling like Lewis Hamilton, not a bad morning.
Love
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