Wacky Racers Driving Experience

If you’re old enough to remember the incredible TV show called Wacky Racers, then this insane driving experience is for you. Your bucket list doesn’t always have to be travel, it can include thrilling and fear inducing experiences. We’ve enjoyed various activities such as driving a Single Seater Formula One Car, Axe Throwing and even Indoor Sky Diving with iFly, so when we saw this driving day, we had to check it out.

What Was Wacky Races?

So, let’s start with giving you a little detail about what Wacky Races actually is, before we go into the driving day itself.

Wacky Races was a cartoon series between 1968 and 1969, which was inspired by the 1965 comedy film ‘The Great Race’. It was produced by Hanna-Barbera who was well know for Scooby Doo and the Flintstones. The story was based on 11 different cars racing against each other in numerous road rallies throughout North America. The drivers would all fight and find sneaky ways to stop the other contestants from winning, in the hopes that they could become the ‘World’s Wackiest Racer’. There was a raft of regular characters in the 11 race cars including Dick Dastardly, Muttley and Penelope Pitstop. We adored Wacky Races as a child and for those of you who have never heard of it, we recommend you check it out.

If you’re already a fan, then you’ll be excited to hear that you can head to Northampton and take part in a worlds wackiest driving experience. Although it’s not the same style cars as the cartoon, you’ll still have a blast and a laugh or two along the way.

Wacky and Unusual Driving Experience in Northamptonshire

We found this on Buyagift who we regularly use to purchase our experience days. The track day is basically an opportunity to be driven around in various wacky contraptions. We did notice though, that the video you see online does make it look cooler than it is, because you will need to wear racing suits (like the ones you wear for go karting) and sometimes helmets for safety.

Although you’re not required to have a full driving licence, you must know how to drive a car, and there is a minimum age of 16 years old. Also, if the day has to be cancelled due to bad weather, then they will contact to offer alternative dates.

Interestingly the vehicles have been designed by popular TV mechanic Edd China who you may know from Wheeler Dealers on the Discovery Channel. When we booked the experience, it was £94.00 but obviously this can always change. They only offer specific days of the week for the Wacky Racers experience, and this is either Friday, Saturday or Sunday. We assume it’s because the track is used for other types of racing through the week.

Finding the racecourse in Northampton was slightly difficult, because the postcode given didn’t take us to the direct location. So, make sure you take contact numbers with you, just in case you cannot find them.

Start times will vary, so we can’t give you a precise idea of when it will be, but there tends to be around 12 people in each group. When you arrive, you’ll be offered some light refreshments, given a race overall and then go through a briefing with the instructor on what will happen during the day. If you or any spectators want hot food, then it will be available to purchase on the site.

Spectators are welcome but there is a fee of £10 per person, which we know may put some of you off. We’ve never had to pay for someone to come with us before, but for the fee they will also enjoy light refreshments, a Wacky Races Goodie Bag and Souvenir Programme.

The Unusual and Wacky Race Cars

You’ll then drive or be driven in a number of vehicles, which include.

• Jackets and ties are provided as you head off for a chauffeured trip in a fully equipped office. Strapped safely into your office chair you’ll experience three breath-taking laps of the Oval Raceway.

• Next up take a seat on the iconic leopard print sofa, capable of travelling up to 87mph, as seen on TV’s Top Gear. You’ll complete three chauffeur driven laps of the Oval Raceway.

• Take to the controls of the Double-Decker car – the driver in the top car controls the steering whilst another driver in the bottom car controls the pedals.
• After the excitement of the Double-Decker car, you can tuck yourself in to the world’s fastest street-legal bed. Snugly tucked under a duvet, you will be chauffeur-driven around the British countryside to take in scenic views on a 5-mile ride before returning to the Raceway.

The entire day should take about 3 hours, and you will also see demonstrations of other amazing wacky cars through the experience such as the World’s Fastest Shed, The Del Boy Rally and a Stock Car. Just make sure you leave yourself plenty of time to really enjoy the day. At the end you’ll return to the Wacky Racer HQ to receive your personalised souvenir certificate; gotta love a certificate.

As with most experience days, photographs will be taken throughout, and you can purchase these at the end.

If you want to make a it a weekend of racing, then why not tie it in with a Silverstone Single Seater Driving Experience. Both of these track days take place near each other so can be combined easily.

If you end up booking the Wacky Racers Driving Experience at Buyagift, then make sure you tag us on Instagram. We would love to see how the day went and what you’re up to as you tick more items off your bucket list.

*Sadly, we have been informed that this activity is no longer available on Buyagift or any other experience day sites. But there are still plenty of exciting alternatives on Make a Bucket List, to give you the thrill seeking you’re looking for.