Bears on Ice

Not quite ice, just soaking wet basalt tiles and that was just part...

Not quite ice, just soaking wet basalt tiles and that was just part of the experience. The lovely people over at Subaru kindly got us some tickets for a Prodrive experience day at their facilities in Warwickshire.

As with any good day long event the morning started off with bacon rolls and some tea or coffee. Once breakfast was finished we split off in to groups with the bears (Ross, Gareth, Sheldon and Charles) teaming up with the guys from Brilliant (Duncan and Gareth), Golly Slater (Scott), MCBD (Nick) and Daihatsu to form 'Red Team'. Yes, we all got little red dots.

The day consisted of 4 activities and lunch (yay!). We started out over at the adverse handling course with a Legacy, Legacy Sports Tourer and an Impreza STi to play with. We went round for a couple of sighting laps first to make sure we had a rough idea of where to go when it was our turn behind the wheel. To warm up we took it in turns in one of the Legacys to get used to how the track worked before we got our hands on the big daddy STi. The handling on just the Legacys was impressive, managing the tight hair pins and sharp s bends with relative ease while still keeping a respectable speed.

The STi was outstanding, even with the standing water and some rather over keen throttle usage, it always gave more grip then needed. That sport sharp mode and auto diff are very clever and somehow (probably by magic, or maybe fairies) kept the car pointing the right way regardless of Gareth's and Duncan's attempts. Next stop, the high speed Tower circuit.

Not quite knowing what to expect from a wet track and only the second time any of us had driven the new STi we were all grateful for another round of sighting laps to adjust. Once we'd been taken around by the pros (all Subaru rally drivers of various disciplines) it was our turn to play with (and not break) the little beast of a car.

Four laps later and we all had huge smiles on our faces and wanted to go round more! Unfortunately, time had ran out so we all headed back to the main area for lunch and to discuss speeds, gears and those moments where the car saved our respective bacon. Thankfully, even if we ran out of talent the car didn't; so no crashes or serious offs and all the cones survived!

After a lovely chilli and some great treacle pudding it was time for the next segment of the day; the 4x4 course. Isuzu bronchos all round with some dirty great big tires to handle the mud and water. To start with one vehicle had four people, and we only had four laps, so without a sighting lap or any prior knowledge of the course, Ross ploughed on in to the unknown. He did a sterling job for the most part (just one minor issue; something about taking his hands off the steering wheel) and set the standard for everyone else behind.

Parts of the course were amazing, 30 degree leans, high water, super slippy mud and plenty of car breaking bumps lead for an interesting time. It also caused some minor head injuries (the tall people amongst us hitting the roof) and a whole series of pant wetting moments; a huge lean to the right and you don't turn to the left?!? Even then it was enjoyed by all and lead to several conversations such as: how close did you get to the tree; did you really let go of the steering wheel and many more.

After conquering the 4x4 we headed over to the last event for the day, the skid pan. Technically they were salted, soaking wet basalt tiles that provide about the same amount of grip as ball bearings; and it was still raining! The aim here was to show how good the stability control systems are by comparing a run with the driver aids turned on, then with them turned off. Needless to say there was lots of sliding, skidding and drifting. Just to highlight it more we also had a go in a bog standard Legacy saloon which doesn't come with all the clever things the others (tribeca and outback) had, so 180 and 360 spins all round!

We finished a little bit early so we got to have a ride round the fast Tower circuit again, but this time the pro's were driving and told to go as fast as possible.. Thankfully we all have good, strong stomachs, so lunch didn't quiet make it back up.

During the debrief driver & team awards were given out. Unfortunately we missed out on first place by a very slim margin, but for a team of mostly novices we did very well beating several teams (3 or 4) far more experienced at this kind of thing then we were; maybe next time! On a plus note both Ross and Sheldon won individual prizes; Ross for his 'no hands' driving skills and Sheldon for a great all round performance (having not driven for over a year).

Thanks goes to the guys at Subaru (in particular Patrick) and the Prodrive team for such a great day out! The beers are on us next time.