AS THOUSANDS of motorsport fans are expected to flock to Thruxton this weekend, reporter Sophie Day went along to test the track that competing drivers will be facing.

On Saturday and Sunday the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship (BTCC) speeds into the country’s fastest circuit for the first of two visits in 2019.

Judging by the action so far this season, racegoers will be in for a real treat.

Thruxton managing director Bill Coombs said: “It’s a huge deal that we have two BTCC meetings at Thruxton this year.

“It’s the biggest event of the year for us and to be able to have two of those over the course of the year is just fantastic.

“It’s a stunning weekend out, a real family event. Due to the high-speed nature of Thruxton, the racing is probably the closest you will see in the UK, there’s always plenty of slipstreaming and overtaking so it’s very hard to pick a winner.”

But for those who like to go one step further and not only seeing the cars speeding by but feel what the track is like, Thruxton offer around 30 driving experiences, with a combination of cars dependent on your taste.

On Friday, I was lucky enough to be booked on the McLaren 570S Plus experience, giving me the chance to drive a Porsche Cayman, a McLaren 570S and a Formula Renault racing car.

On arrival you are welcomed by members of the Thruxton team at is state-of-the-art hospitality centre, which opened last year, before going into an informative briefing about what you can expect.

The first taste of the country’s fastest circuit will be alongside an instructor, often ex-racing drivers or in some cases current competitors, in a Skoda Salon, but they do not take it easy as the speed increases with each lap.

My first chance to really get behind the wheel was in a Porsche Cayman, and for somebody who drives a Toyota Aygo on a day-to-day basis, this was very different.

Unlike other race days, Thruxton is not just about handling fast cars, but also about learning how to improve your driving, so you are scored on how well you change gears, take the corners and brake, to name just a few areas, but do not let put you off as you will be intrigued to know your score — like I was.

Once I completed three laps in the Porsche — two slow laps and one that I was pretty proud of — it was onto what I was waiting for — the McLaren 570S.

My nerves showed straight away but I was put at ease by the instructor, and for anyone who thinks they might be the same as me there is no need to worry, they are all experts and just want you to enjoy the experience.

Boy, what a car the £160,000 McLaren is. I was told that the top speed that has been seen on this track for the car is 160mph but I am sure it can go faster. On the day I managed 120mph — not too bad.

For those of who want to see how the circuit show really be driven, there is the chance to be taken out by British racing legend Tiff Needell, and it certainly looked like those who did had been on a thrill-seeking lap, as they all came away with huge smiles.

For me I was lucky enough to be taken round by ‘Mad Tony’, as he is affectionately known by the other instructors, and he can certainly drive. It was a white-knuckle experience but one that is so worth doing as you get to experience the track like you have not done before. He said: “It is the best job because of the people that you meet, you get all walks of life and you you get to see them go away with big smiles on their faces.”

Overall the day was an amazing experience and one that I would definitely recommend. I just cannot wait to go back for the championship now.

n THE Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship speeds into Thruxton tomorrow (Saturday) and Sunday.

Britain’s biggest motor racing series produces doorhandle-to-doorhandle action, and with five winners from the opening six races of the year, unpredictability is forecast.

Children aged 12 and under get in free of charge when accompanied by an adult, and not only will there be three BTCC races to enjoy, but also a support series of events.

Tickets, which can be purchased on the gate, start at £17 for Saturday’s qualifiers starting at 9.30am and £34 for Sunday’s race day with racing kicking off at 10.45am.

Children aged 13 to 15 get in for £5 on Saturday and £10 on Sunday.

For more information, go to thruxtonracing.co.uk/racing/btcc or call 01264 882222.