PERFORMANCE DRIVING PERFORMANCE DRIVING PERFORMANCE DRIVING DRIVING EXCELLENCE The Aston Martin Performance Driving Course is about two things – helping you understand the capability of your car in a safe and controlled environment and making you a safer, better driver. But above all, it is about having fun whilst doing it! All our courses are designed to be one-to-one in nature and our highly experienced hand-selected instructors (who will be with you for the duration of your day) have extensive knowledge of track and road driving. In every aspect, the course is personal to you and has been specifically tailored to the driving dynamics of our Aston Martin Performance Driving Course cars. During the course of the day, the blend of theory and hands-on practice will allow you to drive in a number of different environments where you will experience safe high speed driving on tracks specially designed for this purpose, car dynamics on handling and hill routes, and straight line power delivery and braking on the straights. Not only will the day be memorable, it will also help to equip you with the skill sets to use and indeed improve the driving and enjoyment of your Aston Martin. You can choose to take your course at one of our three driving centres, Millbrook in England, Lommel in Belgium or Michigan in North America and if required, we will be happy to recommend local hotels where you can stay before or after the day’s course. MILLBROOK PERFORMANCE DRIVING England – Millbrook Proving Ground, Bedfordshire. Constructed in the late 1960s, Millbrook is recognised as one of the world’s foremost automotive technology parks. Set in the heart of the English countryside, Millbrook is the UK’s premier multi-purpose test track facility with on and off road tracks. Covering 700 acres with over 38 miles of test environments, Millbrook offers testing for military, commercial and passenger cars. 5 3 2 1 6 7 4 MILLBROOK PROVING GROUND PERFORMANCE DRIVING 1. Handling circuit Aston Martins are renowned for their superb balance of ride and handling and there’s no better way of finding out what this really means than by driving on the handling circuit. 2. City course If you think slow-speed driving is undemanding, be ready to have your preconceptions disproved. The city course demands spatial awareness, concentration, sharp reactions and the ability to plan ahead. 3. One-mile straight Where else can you learn what it feels like to unleash the full power of your Aston Martin? The straight also provides a rare opportunity to practice high-speed braking in a safe environment, allowing you to experience the immense stopping power and ultimate acceleration of your Aston Martin in safety. 4. Hill route circuit This is where you’ll discover the vital importance of perfect poise and balance as you come face to face with non-stop demands in the ultimate handling test. 5. Low grip area (1) Experience the ABS and traction control systems of your Aston Martin on different low grip surfaces that range from ‘checkerboard’ to ‘ice’. 6. Circular high-speed bowl 360 degrees of pure adrenaline. This unique experience demands total concentration, intense forward focus and confidence in both yourself and your Aston Martin. Discover the true definition of high-speed balance. 7. Low grip area (2) Experience understeer and oversteer and how the Dynamic Stability Control System can detect these slides to maintain directional stability. LOMMEL PERFORMANCE DRIVING Belgium – Lommel Proving Ground, Limburg. Situated in the north-east of Belgium, Lommel is one of Europe’s most important automotive test and evaluation centres. Built in 1965 it comprises of over 40 miles of road within almost 800 acres of countryside and boasts the ‘Lommel Alps’ test hills as one of its many features. Aston Martin’s highly trained performance drivers at Lommel are multi-lingual, and between them, speak most of the principal European languages. 2 1 5 6 4 3 LOMMEL PROVING GROUND PERFORMANCE DRIVING 1. Handling circuit Every high performance car needs power - but this needs to be complemented by the chassis, suspension, steering and finally the driver. Doing exactly the right thing at exactly the right time starts to become second nature on this circuit. 2. City course Designed to help you understand the gearbox functions of your car and how basic manoeuvres can be performed with confidence. 3. Performance straight Lommel has a 1.5-mile straight where you can find out what acceleration really means. You will also be able to experience the immense stopping power of your Aston Martin. Ultimate acceleration, speed with safety. 4. Low grip area Some would call it a skid pad. We prefer to think of it as a safe environment in which to experience your Aston Martin’s ABS and traction control systems at work. 5. High-speed oval 2.6 miles of total concentration and intense forward focus. Have confidence in both yourself and your Aston Martin, and discover the true definition of high-speed balance. 6. Vehicle dynamics area Be introduced to dynamic exercises designed to develop an understanding of how driver inputs affect a car’s balance. MICHIGAN NORTH AMERICA PERFORMANCE DRIVING North America – Michigan Proving Ground, Romeo. Approximately 50 miles north of Detroit, the Michigan Proving Ground comprises over 100 miles of test roads spread across 3,880 acres. The facility is vast, and amongst its many tracks it offers a 2.5 mile straightaway, a 1,000 foot braking area and a 5-mile oval. With warm climates in spring, summer and autumn, this facility offers the perfect environment for your Performance Driving Course. 6 4 1 5 2 3 MICHIGAN PROVING GROUND PERFORMANCE DRIVING 1. Precision steering and handling circuit Choosing the right line. Applying the right amount of brake, throttle and steering. These are essential skills for a smooth, balanced performance. Discover precision steering and develop a heightened sense of perception to match the inherent dynamic capabilities of your Aston Martin. 2. Straight With 2.5 miles of straight safe road ahead of you, this is a rare opportunity to truly experience the power of a V12 engine. Exhilarating acceleration. High-speed safety. 3. Hill route When you take on hills with grades of up to 60%, flowing corners and hairpin bends, you soon discover the vital importance of perfect poise and balance. Constant challenge, instant response - profound driving satisfaction. 4. High speed oval The high speed oval on this course is 8 km long. Forward planning is a prerequisite on this high speed track. Discover the high speed balance of your Aston Martin. 5. Vehicle dynamics area (VDA) The VDA at Michigan consists of a diamond-shaped asphalt surface with a unique wetting system that allows simultaneous wet and dry testing. It’s the ideal location to experience the ABS, traction control and Dynamic Stability Control Systems of an Aston Martin. 6. Urban drive cycle track Understand the urban driving techniques required to fully appreciate the Vanquish control systems. CONTACT For UK and European enquiries Tel: +44 (0) 1926 644 944 email for UK: [email protected] email for Europe: [email protected] For North American enquiries Tel: +1 949 341 6260 email: [email protected] Aston Martin Lagonda Limited, Banbury Road, Gaydon, Warwick CV35 0DB England Telephone +44 (0)1908 610620 Facsimile +44 (0)1926 644266 www.astonmartin.com IMPORTANT NOTICE: Aston Martin Lagonda Limited is constantly seeking ways to improve the specification, design and production of its vehicles, and alterations take place continually. Whilst every effort is made to produce up-to-date literature, this brochure should not be regarded as an infallible guide to current specifications, nor does it constitute an offer for sale of any particular vehicle. The contents of this brochure represent the Company’s business as a whole. Text and photographs may relate to models not available for sale in some countries. Performance results may vary depending on the specification of the particular vehicle, road and environmental conditions and driving style. Published figures should be used for comparison purposes only and verification should not be attempted on public roads. Aston Martin Lagonda Limited strongly urges that all speed laws be obeyed and that safety belts be worn at all times. Distributors and dealers are not agents of Aston Martin Lagonda Limited and have no authority to bind Aston Martin Lagonda Limited by any express or implied undertaking or representation. PART NO: 702064