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In case you needed reminding this weekend is Easter weekend. Dependent on how many miles you have travelled down the road of life, will have different implications on how you might be planning to spend it. For many it will be a mix of religious worship and the chance to spend time with family. Those with kids will spend the majority of it herding their young ones round the garden in search of chocolate eggs and the Easter Bunny. Whilst those with less restricting family commitments will be licking their lips at the thought of a four day weekend.

At Walton Garage we prefer something slightly more adrenaline fuelled than an egg hunt, although that is an added bonus, so we have put together our three top tips on how to spend a perfect bank holiday in and around Surrey. Those hoping for chocolate inspired ideas need read no further, as our suggestions are more along the lines of squealing tyres and burning clutches.

That’s right, we’re talking about taking to a race track. With the UK mad about motorsport, there is a wealth of options up and down the country for you to don your best Stig outfit and go for a spin. From driving experiences in a Lambo or Ferrari, to amateur track days open to vehicles of all shapes and sizes, you can find a cure to your need for speed.

We should count ourselves lucky in Surrey as there is a number of iconic raceways just a stone’s throw away. If you were to throw that stone just a tad further, you would be close to hitting our first suggestion.

Goodwood Circuit – West Sussex

Goodwood as a venue is not only historic for its horse racing, but also as a venue for two and four wheel motorsport. Originally the perimeter track to an RAF airfield during WWII, it still has an airport at its heart today. However since 1948, when it held its first race meeting, the 2.4 mile circuit has become an icon of British motorsports, holding the Goodwood Festival of Speed, the Goodwood Revival, the Goodwood Hill Climb and more recently becoming the starting point of the Mongol Rally.

The track offers a handful of driving experiences to cater for all tastes. Prices start at £135 and go up to £269 depending on which package you opt for. You could go for the Ferrari Masterclass but if you want our opinion, this isn’t the best package on offer. For a start there is the option of the Jaguar D-Type which is hard to resist. This said if its value for money you want, you get more laps and a wider variety of cars to drive in either the British Classics or Americana package.

Ok the British Classics may not top the same sorts of speeds as the Ferrari, but you do get three laps in a Jaguar E-Type, an Aston DB4 and a Lotus Cortina! So that’s three dream drives ticked off the bucket list in one go. Not fast enough? At the other end of the scale the Americana package includes three laps in a Dodge Viper, a Ford Mustang GT and a Corvette C5. More like it?

Check out the link below for more details: http://www.driversdreamdays.co.uk/famous-circuits/goodwood-circuit-west-sussex/Goodwood-British-Classics

Dunsfold Aerodrome – Surrey

Closer to home is our second pick, the Aerodrome in Dunsfold. Made famous as the home of the Top Gear test track, just because Jeremy is no longer welcome, doesn’t mean you’re not. Another former WWII air base (there’s a pattern emerging here), it was designed by Lotus test drivers to put their vehicles through a range of different conditions. With a number of low and high speed corners, paired with a few tasty straights, it is a great option for those looking for track experience.

Package prices do creep up to just under the £300 mark, however their choice of cars is enough to make any automotive fan go week at the knees. The stock list includes Lamborghini, Porsche, Aston Martin, Ferrari, Audi R8, Ariel Atom, Nissan GTR, the new BMW i8 and even the McLaren MP4-12C.

There are a vast a varied number or packages from single car experiences to a mix and even a number of challenges. For more details on all of them check out: http://www.driversdreamdays.co.uk/famous-circuits/dunsfold-aerodrome-surrey?sort=p.price&order=DESC&page=3

Mercedes-Benz World – Surrey

Last but not least and conveniently the most local is Mercedes-Benz World in Weybridge. Opening its doors in 2006, the facility is located at the historic Brooklands motor racing circuit. Although now better known for its museum, Mercedes-Benz World have developed as many as five different courses to test advanced driving skills.

Again packages start around the £200 mark, but can be as much as £1,375 for the Ultimate AMG Half Day Experience. You are also limited to only driving Mercedes Models but there is a rather impressive range of options none the less. Whether you put the SLS AMG or the SL63 AMG through their paces, or even choose the 4×4 package, you’re sure to have a good time.

If you do happen to have a family and high speed track days aren’t a viable option then Mercedes-Benz World could still be a good choice. The Mercedes complex is spread over three floors and offers over 100 cars to drool over, not only this but entry is free to the public.

The complex offers good public transport links to both Weybridge and Woking station, so getting there is fairly cheap and it also lies adjacent to the Brooklands Museum. With a large collection of cars, bikes and even aeroplanes from the Brooklands early days there is plenty to see. There is also a restaurant, café and kids area to keep the young ones occupied while you rest your feet.

Interested? Find out more at: http://www2.mercedes-benz.co.uk/content/unitedkingdom/mpc/mpc_unitedkingdom_website/en/home_mpc/mercedes-benzworld/home/driving_experiences/Driving_Experiences.html

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