So i drove a 12C yesterday...

:)

I was the fatter, shorter, greyer, older, more-billy STIG at Top Gears Test Track

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If you've never done it before and get the chance, don't turn it down, do it! As well as the 12C there was an array of supercars, from Ferrari to Lamborghinis to R8's to GTRs to an Atom and a KTM and all sounded great, went fast and were thoroughly put their paces.

So how do you rate it Greg?

I didnt give it 'the full beans' being mindful of the instructor [who i think was also the owner of the car] who sat next to me and kept asking me to change up at 5.5k revs, and its a £200k car also focussed the mind a little...

I've been out with MSO in a 12C Spider and he showed me what the car can do acceleration-wise. On that drive we mixed A and B roads with motorway and the car was [an over-rated word but it just fits in this scenario] epic. I was very quiet as I was amazed at the pace of the thing and the civility of it at the same time. It's a very capable car - capable of being very rapid when you want it to be and also capable of being a village cruiser all within the same drive.

Taking this one out yesterday was just as much fun despite going slower. I had the control. I could manually do the gear changes [when advised], I could set the speed around the corners [Hammerhead was a great corner...] and accelerate as much as the instructor would allow [and that was quite a lot :)] but the length of the straights, the inclement weather [drying track, so on the lap board I would have had a 'MM' - mildly moist - next to my time] and the owner / instructor next to me tempered my enthusiastic right foot a little.

If I had £200k to buy one would I? Yes, it'd be a spider to get the best of both worlds, and in 7.5/10 grey / black.

Nice to hear the comments of one of us after getting behind the wheel, much appreciated Greg.

Cool Greg!! :cool:

Was this a paid gig, offer from a friend or something McLaren arranged?

>8^)
ER

Erik, it was an early 40th Birthday present from my best Mate and Mountain bike buddy :)

You're going to be 40?!?!

Damn, I'm old. :D

Very cool gift. :) Wish I could have shared my 12C drive (that never happened) story. ;)

>8^)
ER