Driving enthusiasts taught the tricks of the track at north-east’s premier motor sport venuePorsche Cayman, single-seater and white-knuckle passenger ride form part of fun-filled day

Croft’s first Race School Day of the year was voted a ‘resounding success’, as more than 50 enthusiasts of all ages took to the circuit in a variety of motoring exotica to learn some tricks of the track.To complement its eclectic racing calendar, Croft remains busy year-round with a myriad of track days targeted at driving aficionados. The aim is to teach them the secrets of expert car control around its fast, sweeping and technically challenging layout.The Yorkshire circuit’s first Race School Day of 2014 attracted 56 eager participants for the popular Racing Car Driving Experience. Following a safety briefing, the students of speed received vital hints and tips from a qualified instructor in a Mazda3 MPS performance saloon as they got to grips with Croft’s racing lines and braking points.Next up was the stunning, class-leading Porsche Cayman – a car that is capable of accelerating from 0-60mph in less than six seconds and sprinting on to a top speed of a jaw-dropping 163mph. Three laps behind the wheel of this mid-engined, rear wheel-drive junior supercar enabled pupils to experience its incredible power and grip levels and left them grinning from ear-to-ear – but the best was yet to come.For budding racing drivers, the purpose-built Formula Forward 2000 was truly the highlight of the day, offering the opportunity to put into practice all of their new-found driving skills and expertise in an ultra-responsive single-seater.The adrenaline-fuelled experience culminated in a high-speed, white-knuckle passenger ride alongside Croft’s resident pro in a Caterham 7, as the talented racing driver exploited the super lightweight sportscar’s extraordinary potential and G-forces to make it dance across the tarmac.Comments at the end of the day ranged from ‘wicked’ and ‘what a buzz’ to ‘I learned so much and can't wait to come back and do it again’. Circuit manager Mike Cantelo said he was delighted with both the turnout and response.“Our first Race School Day of 2014 was a resounding success,” he affirmed. “The sheer thrill on people’s faces was just great to see, and they learned a tremendous amount into the bargain. The hardest part was coaxing them out of the cars again, because they really are so much fun to drive.“The best thing about these driving experiences is that they are accessible to everyone, with no prior experience required and at a very competitive price. If you want to get a feel for what it is like to be in Lewis Hamilton or Jason Plato’s boots, then come along and climb behind the wheel – we guarantee you won’t leave disappointed!”Croft’s Racing Car Driving Experience costs just £185 and is available on selected days from April to October. Details of the circuit’s driving experiences can be found at http://www.croftcircuit.co.uk/driving_experience.html, with each available as part of a gift pack valid for one year.