Freewheeling and free styling car tricks at stunt school
Our handpicked selection of stunt driving schools are run by some of this country's most skilled tricks drivers. These guys and girls spend hours and hours learning the art of freestyle driving, practicing the classic stunt moves over and over again so each one is inch perfect. Having the chance to learn with these expert teachers is a real privilege for any motoring fan.
Even if you don't know the name Paul Swift, you will certainly have seen some of his work, as he drove like a mad stuntman in the 2010 World Cup adverts and made a fleet of R8s dance gracefully for the ‘Beauty and the Beasts’ Audi TV campaign too. Paul runs schools for wannabe stunt drivers in Silverstone (yes, that Silverstone) and Darlington, with loads of hands-on time in the cars to nails all those favourite tricks. What's more, he really is a very affable guy, so it'll be a convivial experience for all involved too!
Learn the best autotest moves
As well TV and film work, these drivers also compete in events called Autotests. This is a series of challenges were the cars are pushed to their limits busting out gravity-defying feats that are ever more daring to see who can be crowned the trickster of the track. The itineraries for our experience days mirror these comps with a series of tests to undertake, with you taking it in turns to have a go.
Some our favourite moves include a good old classic 360 spin, where you come in at 70mph, swing the car round and then simply keep on driving in the same direction. Very cool indeed. Then there's parallel parking, but make no mistake, this is not the same as reversing slowly and surely into the spot like you do on your driving test. For this version you'll be flicking the vehicle into a tight space with aplomb.
A more serious side to stunt car training is the fact that it shows you what to do when you get into trouble out on the public roads. If you lose grip in the wet and feel the back end starting to swing out, your new-found skills will help you stay calm and in control of the flailing vehicle.
Style it out or do stunts in some crazy cars!
Conversely if you want to just throw caution to the wind and go for a very silly day out, there's the auto circus. Students on these courses will be part of a veritable cabaret of crazy car challenges. The name of the game here is 'anything goes' as you get the bonnet bouncing in the custom-built wheelie car, try driving when you're in a car perched on top of another and try to tame the clown car.
But our two absolute favourite stunt driving school sessions? Well, first up there's banger racing where you bump and bash your way around the dirt track in an old wreck of a car. Then the ultimate experience - throwing a genuine three wheeler Reliant Robin around in the Del Boy derby. We're not sure the plastic pig is capable of any stylish stunts, but they are superb fun.
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