Tank Driving in Hampshire
Destination Hampshire - Located near Winchester, this half day tank driving experience includes lots of classic military hardware for you to get to grips with, as well as the added bonus of a quad biking session too!
After registration there is a full safety briefing and you will meet your instructors for the day - they know all the vehicles inside out and will help you make the most of your experience. All drivers are divided into groups and rotate around the following activities, with approximately 40 minutes spent on each activity.
Chieftain Tank: 55 tones of metal trundling across the countryside and a whopping 700bhp to boot!
Abbott SPG: this stands for "Self Propelled Gun" - mind your heads!
APC: this time it's the "Armoured Personnel Carrier" you will be driving.
Quad Bikes: great fun and there's bound to be dust, mud and water to play in.
The experience ends with a debrief and presentation of certificates.
Experience Summary: All drivers will be divided into small groups to rotate around the activities. You will spend approximately seven to ten minutes driving each of the tanks and between 20 and 30 minutes on the quad bikes. The whole experience lasts for around three and a half hours. Shorter
tank driving experiences are available too.
Availability: Sessions run on Saturdays from March through to October and also Fridays between April and October. Start times are usually 0900 or 1300.
Location: The venue is near Winchester with easy access from junction 9 of the M3/A31.
Requirements: The minimum age is 16 and minimum height is 5'0". Participants who are taller than 6'0" and/or with a chest size larger than 52" may have difficulty being accommodated in the vehicle. Warm, comfortable clothing and stout boots are advised.
Spectators and Facilities: Spectators are welcome, but are charged at £10 per person, with under 10's entering free. The fee includes a passenger ride on a military vehicle and complimentary tea and coffee. Spectators are booked in and paid for on the day. All drivers are offered complimentary refreshments throughout their session.
Customer Reviews
At the start of the experience my husband got dressed in the army gear and this thin bloke suddenly turned into Michelin man...for a while! He was nervous, but excited, especially when he got to drive the Chieftain tank. His smile said it all - the boy that he had almost forgotten about came out to play. I know it was a day he will remember forever. One word of caution though - as a spectator, get to the cakes and buns first. When I got there they had all gone!!
Carole Robertson