Driving a Ferrari has always been a dream of mine. I am unfortunate that I remember Danny Wild driving his red Ferrari around Europe in the Persuaders on TV back in the early 70s. But then when you do get to drive one, you realise that they are only designed to be driven one way, and that’s fast.

But of course with speed limit, kids, other drivers on the road you will find that only a very small time can be dedicate to driving a Ferrari as it should be. In fact much of the driving you would do is totally unsuitable for a Ferrari. OK I will be honest with you, I don’t own a Ferrari but I have driven one. I hired a car and drove it around a racetrack as it was designed to do, which a qualified instructor of course. This has totally changed my perception of why people must own a Ferrari.

I cannot now see any reason to own one at all, except as a status symbol. Nothing comes close to driving this super car around at 150mph, so much legal fun it’s amazing, but driving it at 30mph just seems so much of a hassle. Then my driving instructor came up with some facts. He said add up the cost of buying your Ferrari then add on the insurance, add on your yearly running costs in including servicing, tyres etc.

Then he said calculate how many hours you would actually get to drive your car. Then calculate how many hours you would drive the car as it should be driven. In both cases you get a ridiculously high hourly rate to own a car. So much so that to hire one like I did with professional instruction becomes a bargain.

So I have readjusted my dream, I will stick with my comfortable road car but when I fancy, to the racetrack I will go in the full knowledge I am getting a better deal than the rich and famous. There are many track deals around the UK stating from £99 why not give a try and see if your dream changes.

Mark Flanighan webmaster for driving experience He also has 2 car websites Best Breakdown Cover and Car Breakdown Cover

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