Introducing Castle Combe Driving Experiences

Get ready to shift into top gear and burn some serious rubber because our latest new venue gives you the chance to sample the speed of some of the world’s fastest performance cars. So strap yourself in for some serious fun at Driving Experiences Castle Combe!

Located just a short distance from Chippenham at the world famous Castle Combe circuit, this full throttle venue is the perfect place to put the car of your dreams through its paces. Not only will you find a whopping 1.85 mile circuit to tear round, you’ll also find a fleet of incredible cars to choose from too. These aren’t your typical supercars either, they range from legendary rally cars, to British built classics like the Catherham 7. So whichever car you choose you’re in for the ride of your life!

Thanks to the range of experiences on offer there’s something for petrol heads of all sizes too, and the incredible two and three car experiences give you the chance to drive a selection of cars including the lightening fast Lotus Elise and super-tuned Clio Cup 200. If you’re looking for a quick burst of action though, an arrive and drive experience is more than enough to satisfy your need for speed, as you’ll still get to take to the wheel of two different cars – the only hard part is choosing which!

It’s not all about the cars at Driving Experiences Castle Combe though, this brilliant venue also boasts a range of first class facilities to make your day even more memorable. As well as an on site café, you’ll also find ample parking, conference rooms and a spacious spectator area. You’ll even get your hands on a medal or certificate to remember your experience by!

To find out more about Driving Experiences Castle Combe visit The Activity People website today..

3 Segway venues join The Activity People

There’s no doubt we started 2017 with a bang by bringing you a whole host of new venues and activities, but we’re not done yet and it’s already looking like another exciting month here at Activity HQ! So to set March off to a flyer we’d like to introduce three brand new Segway venues: Segway Prestwold, Segway Elvington and Segway Stratford!

These brilliant Segway centres give you the unique opportunity to push a futuristic two-wheeled transporter to the limit – and if you thought standard Segway riding was fun you’re in for a real treat! With bumps, lumps and lots of mud featuring in the specially designed off-road circuits, as well as all the usual twists and turns Segway riding doesn’t get any more exciting than this.

With expert instructors, top-of-the-range off-road Segways, and certificates for everybody who completes the course there’s a lot to love about all three of these venues. But there’s only one way to find out how much fun off-road Segway riding really is, and that’s by giving it a go! So why not visi Segway Prestwold, Segway Elvington or Segway Stratford and find out just how much fun you can have on two wheels..

Congratulations Rally Driving Bicester; December’s Venue of the Month

2016 may be coming to a close, but there’s still plenty of time to find your final adrenaline fix of the year – and December’s venue of the month is the perfect place to see out 2016 in style. After reading through our most recent reviews one venue in particular stood out this month, and we’re delighted to name Bicester Rally Driving as December’s venue of the month!screenshot-from-2016-12-12-16-40-55screenshot-from-2016-12-12-16-41-17

Let’s face it, it doesn’t get much more exciting than climbing into the driver’s seat of a race prepared rally car, and this incredible venue is the perfect place to satisfy your need for speed. There’s a lot to love about Bicester Rally Driving, but it’s the cars that will really get your heart racing. Their fleet of iconic rally cars include: a Subaru Impreza WRX, a Peugeot 206 Super Cup and a classic Ford Escort MK2 RS2000 – meaning there’s something for rally fans of all ages.

It’s not just the fleet of cars at Rally Driving Bicester that guarantee you an authentic taste of rallying though, the tailor-made all terrain course is as real as it gets too, which means your skill at the wheel will really be pushed to the limit. The track boasts a variety of challenging terrains, as well as a combination of high-speed straights and sweeping bends, which are perfect for handbrake turns and powerslides. So it’s easy to see why our customers can’t get enough of taking on the custom rally course at our Bicester venue.

The team of expert instructors at Bicester Rally Driving are also a huge hit with our customers, and their ever friendly approach really helps you squeeze every last drop of speed out of the cars. So if you’ve always wanted to master the art of rally driving, there’s nowhere better to take the wheel and unleash your inner rally star. Don’t just take our word for it though, here’s one of Rally Driving Bicester’s most recent reviews..

“The instructor was really great, helpful but fun. Plus the final run where he drove was insane!”

Dan Call, Rally Driving Bicester

17th November 2016

To book your rally driving experience at our brilliant Bicester venue, visit The Activity People website today!

Introducing Racing Simulation in Corby

Strap yourself in for some serious fun because the latest addition to The Activity People network is Racing Simulation Corby!

13119885_496167617237099_1066014798566086048_o

Based at the world famous Rockingham Motor Speedway, this state-of-the-art simulation centre gives racers the chance to tear round the track at some of the most iconic circuits in motorsport. As if that wasn’t exciting enough, you’ll even get to choose the vehicle! So whether you’re a Formula 1 fan that’s always dreamt of being let loose in a F1 car, or a supercar loving speed demon that’s desperate to drive your dream car, you’re in for a real treat!

13667903_526160077571186_2314091664110696649_o

What makes climbing into the driver’s seat of these incredible simulators even more exhilarating is the fact you can choose to race other drivers on the day, or compete against yourself to beat your best lap times – giving you the perfect excuse to unleash your competitive streak.

With spacious spectator areas, a fully licensed bar and an on-site café too, there’s nowhere better to plan a party for petrol heads. So why not experience the rush of racing and book your racing simulation today.

Segway – Activity Focus

Not all extreme sports have to be extreme- and there is no better activity to prove that then a segway ride with The Activity People. We are proud to have 30 of the best segway locations across the UK and Ireland on our network, as there really is no experience quite like one of those beasts out for a spin.

Segway3kid

On paper, a segway doesn’t sound action packed. It’s maximum speed is 12.5 mph, whilst in most countries in the world it has been used as an everyday mode of transportation since it was first unveiled in 1999. Here in the UK, riding a segway on the open roads is illegal, due to a bizarre government law that to this day hasn’t been repealed. According to British law, you can only use segways on private property with the owner’s permission- in 2010, a Barnsley man even got arrested for riding one in public!

Luckily, each of our countryside sites is private property and home to hundreds of acres of natural beauty. The bonkers laws that have stopped thrill seekers across the country from trying out this breathtaking adventure just don’t apply here!

So, why try a segway experience? For starters, riding a segway is the perfect activity for all ages from 10 and up- this really is fun that anybody can enjoy. Each of our sites is located in a different picturesque pocket of the British countryside, so not only will you get that sensation of riding over bumpy woodland tracks and farmland trails, you’ll get to see some stunning sights too. If you thought a day out in the country was dull, you clearly haven’t experienced all the thrilling segway adventures we have to offer!

MKsegway

miltonkeynessed

With over 30 of the UK’s leading segway sites on our network, you should book with The Activity People today for an experience you’ll never forget.

Announcing our venue of the month – Shepton Mallet 4×4

We’re delighted to announce The Activity People site of the month for June is Shepton Mallet 4×4!

Located less than half an hour from Bristol this mad and muddy 4×4 centre is the perfect place to put your off-road driving skills to the ultimate test.

shepton2

It’s not only the off-road course that makes our Shepton Mallet venue stand out though, it’s team of friendly and experienced instructors who make taking on the course as fun and challenging as possible.

So if you think you can conquer rock crawls, mud runs, tunnels and hill climbs there’s nowhere better to experience 4×4 driving. But don’t just take our word for it here’s what our customers thought:

Chris Eley – Shepton Mallet, 4×4

“Totally awesome experience. Had the best time. 5 Stars. Many thanks to all the staff for making it a great experience.”

Steve Ekless – Shepton Mallet, 4×4

“Had a fantastic hour or two with two guys who enjoyed it as much as I did even though I was driving ! It’s a lot harder than you think when you look at the course and trust me, for the first time an hour is enough! Can’t wait for the next time, bring on the mud and water.”

So for a truly unforgettable stag, hen, birthday or team building event, why not find out if you’ve got what it take to conquer this mad and muddy 4×4 course? With Father’s day just around the corner too, a 4×4 driving experience at our venue of the month is guaranteed to score you some serious brownie points!

New Years Bucket List: 10 Activities to Try in 2015

If after a week you’re already thinking about giving up on your New Year’s resolutions why not aim to tick a few things off your bucket list in 2015 instead, and if you’re in need of a bit of inspiration here’s 10 awesome activities to try in the new year.

1. Bungee Jumping

rsz_bungeetwitter

Whether you choose to go it alone or drag a friend along for a tandem bungee jump nothing comes close to the rush of plummeting towards the ground head first!

2. Skydiving

rsz_tapskydive

Jumping out of a plane at 15,000 feet might not be everybody’s idea of fun, but this truly once-in-a-lifetime experience is guaranteed to push your adrenalin levels to new heights.

3. Zorbing

zorb ball

These bonkers bouncy balls are as fun as they are thrilling, and as you bump and bounce down the sloped track you’re guaranteed to be in stitches!

4. Clay Pigeon Shooting

clays123

There’s nothing more satisfying than blowing clays to smithereens as they soar through the air so why not put your sharp shooting skills to the ultimate test!

5. Supercar Driving Experience

R8

Celebrate the new year in style by getting behind the wheel of the car of your dreams and finding out what it’s really capable of by putting it through its paces on the track.

6. White Water Rafting

rafting blog 1

Britain is home to some of the wildest white water in the world which means there’s no better place to experience the intense excitement of negotiating boulder strewn rapids.

7. 4×4 Off-Road Driving

off roading

Why not put your driving skills to the ultimate test by heading off the beaten to take on a mad and muddy off-road driving course.

8. Paintball

7

If you’ve always dreamt of unleashing your inner action hero, paintball gives you the perfect opportunity to live out your childhood dreams, no matter how old you are!

9. Segway

apblog3

From flat out races to off-road treks there’s no end to the fun that can be had on Segway, and almost anybody can master the art of riding the futuristic transporter.

10. Quad Biking

TAP fb

Quad bikes can conquer almost any terrain so get ready for some mud churning mayhem as you take on the ultimate off-road adventure.

The Activity People’s Top 5 Movie Car Chases

Bullitt-car chase

Throughout this week, The Activity People have been counting down their Top 5 Movie Car Chases via our Facebook page. We’ve chosen the ones that make us want to get behind the wheel and burn some rubber just like our cinematic heroes.

It was a tough decision to make, because there’re just so many great scenes to choose from, and plenty of epic, big screen wheel-spinners missed out all together.

There was no place on the list for the awesome Vanishing Point or Smokey and The Bandit. In The Bourne Supremacy, Matty Damon manages a riveting chase, despite crashing his car around fifty times, and it still didn’t make the list. They made two whole movies full of gas guzzling, car smashing action and called them both Gone In 60 Seconds, but neither could accelerate into our Top 5; nor could any of the brilliant Fast and Furious franchise.

The movies which race onto our Top 5 list are there because we think they embody all of the reasons that everybody loves a good car chase: the thunderous engine noise, the screaming tyres, the shiny bodies zipping through impressive locations and, of course, the trail of destruction they leave in their wake. And these cars are responsible for plenty of silver screen carnage.

So sit back, strap yourself in, and enjoy The Activity People’s Top 5 Movie Car Chases. Is your favourite on the list?

5. The Blues Brothers

480_blues

Jake and Elwood Blues are on a mission from God (apparently), and they’re not going to let anything stand in their way…not even a crowded shopping mall.

At the time of release, this movie held the record for most cars crashed. A total of 12 ‘Bluesmobiles’ were used throughout the film, including one built especially to fall apart.

To view the scene click here.

4. The Bourne Identity

best-car-chases-ever-20100820022713835

His Supremacy chase didn’t make the list, but a chase from this equally great movie did. The Italian Job might be a little more famous for hurtling through a grand European city in a Mini Cooper, but the live action driving in this flick really puts the beloved little car to the test.

The release of the film had to be rescheduled, after director Doug Liman ordered a series of re-shoots, including this riveting chase. We’re certainly glad he did.

To view the scene click here.

3. Bullitt

carchase_1801315c

The undisputed Daddy of the car chase and a title usually preceded by a Number 1 in lists of this nature, this exciting Steve McQueen vehicle only reached Number 3 in our list, but the iconic San Francisco streets and the unmistakable muscle car rumble will ensure that this movie lives forever in the annals of cinema history.

Director Peter Yates called for the chase to be shot at speeds of 75-80mph but the cars used managed insane speeds of over 110mph. Filming of the chase scene took more than three weeks and resulted in less than ten minutes of footage. But it’s great footage, indeed.

Two Ford Mustangs and Two Dodge Chargers were used to shoot the chase scene. All were expertly modified for high-speed chasing.  Both Chargers were junked after filming along with one of the Mustangs. McQueen attempted to purchase the remaining Ford many years later but the private owner refused to sell and to this day the car sits, un-driven, in a barn.

To view the scene click here.

2. The French Connection

thefrenchconnection-001

Another all time classic at Number 2. This time it’s Gene Hackman’s iconic portrayal of tough cop Popeye Doyle behind the wheel. He’s pushing the pedal to the metal in pursuit of the bad guys. The trouble is they’re not in a car. They’re in a runaway train speeding by on an overhead track.

Like Bullitt, no music accompanies the scene, though director William Friedkin edited the sequence to the tempo of Carlos Santana’s Black Magic Woman. The only sound we get during the movie is the harrowing noises of the carnage that unfolds.

The crash that takes place at the intersection of Stillwell Avenue and 86th Street was unplanned but included in the movie because of its realism. The man involved was driving to work, oblivious to the fact that the chase was being shot. Producers later paid bills for the car’s repairs.

To view the scene click here.

1. Ronin

ronin (1)

A gritty and intense, rocking roller coaster of a chase shot on location on the busy streets of Paris. Ronin mightn’t be the biggest movie name on the list, but with the unforgettable chase sequences director John Frankenheimer set out to create the textbook car scenes that all subsequent Hollywood speedsters would learn from and emulate. Everybody here at The Activity People thinks he definitely succeeded.

The film enlisted the crème de la crème of stunt drivers from all over the world, including former Formula 1 driver Jean-Pierre Jarier.

The chases in the movie are famous for being some of the most authentic ever committed to film, and one of the subtle tricks used to do this was a set of modified right-hand drive cars. In these impressive machines, the passenger side was made up to mirror the real controls. Robert De Niro and Natasha McElhone then mimicked the stunt drivers while the action played out.

To view the scene click here.

There you have it, The Activity People’s Top 5 Movie Car Chases in all their petrol powered glory. The films we can’t watch without wanting to leap behind the wheel and satisfy our own burning need for speed.

If you’re looking to burn some rubber, too, we offer a number of great activities that allow you to do so. Get behind the wheel in karting, rally driving and many more. They’re fast and fun adrenaline explosions, and they’re also perfectly safe.

Visit our website to find out more, then get out there and really floor it.

The History Of Karting

indoor

The sport of Go karting or karting as it is more popularly referred too, has undergone some major changes since it’s inception in the USA as little more than feisty ride-on lawn mowers ridden by the odd amateur enthusiast.

Modern karts driven by the professionals of the sport can now reach speeds of around 160mph and are used as training for aspiring F1 world champions. Karting as a leisure activity made it way across the Atlantic into Europe during the swinging 60s and has steadily grown in popularity on this side of the pond ever since.

Karting’s origins in the USA

Art Ingels is generally accepted to be the father of karting. A veteran hot rodder and a race car builder at Kurtis Kraft, he built the first kart out of scrap metal and a surplus two-stroke cycle engine in his garage in Southern California in 1956, and his new invention immediately caught the imagination of an audience of a few hundred people when he tested it in the car park of Pasadena’s famous Rose Bowl.

In 1958, American outfit Go Kart Manufacturing Co became the first kart manufacturer, whilst another American company, McCulloch, was the first to produce engines for karts. Its first engine, the McCulloch MC-10, was an adapted chainsaw 2-stroke engine.

Karting quickly caught on, with karting facilities springing up in many towns and cities across the USA.

This initial widespread enthusiasm, however, lasted only until a lack of finances towards the end of the 1960s saw many of these facilities begin to disappear and karting become a much more select sport with only those who could afford it able to take part. Karting as a sport also suffered at this time from lacking a governing body, meaning it had no basis on which to develop a bona fide professional sport, so for decades was predominantly enjoyed on a recreational basis.

The shift to Europe

Unlike other motorsports with origins in the USA such as Demolition Derbies, Drag Racing or Stock Car Racing, karting and kart racing has succeeded in making the transition from the States to Europe, becoming a highly popular leisure activity as well as a key learning ground for professional drivers.

In the late 1960s, European engine manufacturers became more popular than their American counterparts. This trend continued into the 1970s as McCulloch, the leading American Go Kart engine manufacturer, was bought by Black and Decker, who had no interest in producing kart engines. It was during the 1970s that today’s modern Go Kart designs came into force. The engines were at the side, rather than at the back of the kart.

Karting becomes a sport for real

The creation of several regulatory bodies in the 1980s strengthened the idea of Go Karting being more than just a hobby. Karting had, for several decades, predominantly enjoyed on a recreational basis, but the introduction of regulatory bodies helped it to open up to people who wanted to get a good grounding in motor sports.

Though it is a relatively short one, the history of karting as an organised sport is extremely illustrious, to say the least. Karting has acted as a high-octane kindergarten for some of the greatest drivers in the history of modern motorsport. Senna. Prost. Schumacher. Alonso. Räikkönen. Button. Hamilton. All of them used competitive karting as their first stepping stone towards the eternal glories that F1 world championships bring with them.

Karting as a leisure activity

Kart racing is generally accepted as the most economic form of motorsport available. As a free-time activity, it can be performed by almost anybody, and as a motorsport in itself, it is one of the sports regulated by FIA (under the name of CIK), permitting licensed racing for anyone from the age of 8 onward.

Besides traditional kart racing, many commercial enterprises offer karts for rent, often called “recreational” or “concession” karts. The tracks can be indoor or outdoor. Karts are rented by sessions and use sturdy chassis complete with dedicated bodywork to provide driver safety. These karts also often contain limiters, which allow those running the circuit to slow down or even completely stop karts remotely if they feel that there might be any danger to drivers out on the track. Most of these enterprises use an ‘Arrive and Drive’ format which provide customers with all the safety gear (helmets, gloves and driver outfits) and allow them to show up any time to race at a reasonable price, without the hassle of owning one’s own equipment and gear.

Karting, then, has enjoyed a varied history, but has now firmly established itself as one of the most popular motorsports in the world.

Book your Karting Experience NOW.