By MSN Cars, last updated May 23 2005
Few words carry as much social stigma as 'speed'. In the wrong company, any mention of travelling in a fast-moving car, never mind enjoying it, will have you admonished and thought of as a criminal. The truth of the matter is that many of us cannot deny the thrill it carries; if a highly-trained police driver still gets the urge to ‘test’ his patrol vehicle at almost 160mph, its no surprise that ordinary drivers have the same desire. While no one could condone inappropriate speed – in urban areas, busy motorways or poor conditions, there are places where you can explore the limits of your vehicle in relative safety. Here are five ways to savour speed without becoming a qualified police driver.
Autobahn
Ignore the urban myth – there are speed limits in Germany, though some sections of the autobahn network are derestricted. Like any major road however, it will have bad weather, crawling trucks and bumbling drivers, so some common sense is required. The sections in the extreme corners are the quietest, such as those in southern Bavaria and western Friesland. Even these sections may have restrictions, either when the road is wet, in darkness or through residential areas. Before indulging in any high speed driving, ensure your tyres are free from bulges or scrapes and inflated to the correct pressure. It is also worth having your car fully serviced before making the long trip, or it may be an even longer trip home.
Nurburgring Nordschleife
While in Germany you might want to consider visiting the original Nurburgring. Used in the Formula 1 calendar until 1976, it is recognised by many as the world’s greatest race circuit. With 72 corners and a total length of 13 miles, it represents a significant challenge to novices and the experienced alike. The final section contains two straights linked by a single kink, which will give you the opportunity to travel well in excess of 100mph. It is worth bearing in mind that in the eyes of the law, the Nurburgring is a public toll road; therefore your car must be road legal, and any incidents that occur you may be legally (and financially) responsible for. Accidents and injuries are quite common, so check your car, your insurance cover and take it one lap at a time. Nurburgring Nordschleife
Airfield
Probably the safest place to travel over 100mph, simply because they are designed to cope with aeroplanes travelling at similar speeds. Few operational airfields will let you on, but many ex-RAF sites now take paying customers. Gather some like-minded friends and you can pay for the use of a runway, and often the perimeter roads, too. Places like Bruntingthorpe (Leicestershire) and Elvington (Yorkshire) regularly open their gates to the general public. The only thing to watch for is a lack of run-off – explore the whole venue carefully before you start, and put a braking board at least 150 metres before the end of the straight if there isn’t one already in place. Running out of asphalt while slowing down from 150mph is not a pleasant experience. As always, ensure your car is in a suitable condition before taking part. Elvington is a good place to test-drive cars like this jet-powered car
Isle of Man
If the thought of travelling to Germany is too much, how about a short trip to the Isle of Man? Out of town the roads are derestricted, though in built-up areas the speed limits are just as strict as in mainland UK. The famous TT races have given the island strong links with the world of speed, but bear in mind that during the summer months, many thousands of bike enthusiasts travel to enjoy the competition, which leaves high-speed driving out of the question. Take your car across from Hayesham or Liverpool, and go out of season for the quietest roads.
Click here for our Honda Civic Type-R drive on the IoM – with video
Track Day
Circuit days used to be the preserve of rich gentlemen, but these days you can get out on track for less than £100. Some circuits are quicker than others, but most have sections where you will reach over 100mph with ease.
Silverstone and Thruxton in particular have fast sections where you can travel as quickly as your car and bravery will allow, and Londoners will find the relatively handy Brands Hatch useful too. If you do not own a car that is capable of high speeds, some firms organising track days also offer the chance to hire out vehicles. As a bare minimum, you will be required to wear a crash helmet, and many firms insist that cars are road legal and pass a noise test.