If you’ve ever wanted to find out what it’s like to experience a world-class, purpose built circuit then the Radical U-Drive is for you. Wind in your face, the sound of the engine speeding across the track and the feel of each curve you take, this is the ultimate in self-drive experiences – like driving in your own Le Mans! The Radical SR3 is a lot like the Le Mans vehicles seen in endurance races and is hugely popular within the racing community. Featuring aerodynamic bodywork for increased downforce, reduced drag and racing slick tyres for ultimate cornering speed. Listen to the sound generated by this highly tuned four-cylinder racing engine as it accelerates down Pisa straight – it’s mind-blowing! Our cars are also fitted with a 6 speed paddle shift gearbox to complete the ultimate race car feel. You have 7 laps to experience the thrill of a real race car environment – guided by your very own professional race driver from start to finish. Hands down an awesome technical race experience that you’ll never forget – we put you in the driver’s seat so you can get a taste of what it is like to be Formula One driver.
The check-in team was great and my instructor Dion was awesome as well. The equipment and car looked clean and well maintained. Dion taught me the fundamentals and then challenged me to continue to improve with each lap. Totally Awesome Experience!
Run really well, the pro driver was really friendly and his instructions are very helpful. the car had just been power limited quite a lot, I understand why they do this as it’s designed for everyone but mentioning it would be nice. Little disappointing if you are used to anything fast.
Highlands has been an absolute highlight of our trip to NZ. The venue is immaculate, the staff are so much fun and there really is something for everyone. We did Go-Karts, golf, the museum, the Taxi, the loo with a view and I did the U Drive Radical. My son rated the ride in the Highlands Taxi (Porshe) as better than the Shotover Jet Boat, Luge and skiing! His favourite thing we’ve done. Highlands makes Motorsport accessible. We had the best afternoon!
Awesome experience. Pro driver in the passenger seat was great. Very motivational. Knowledgeable and explained everything very well. Will definitely be back for another go!
Absolutely amazing experience. They pushed me past my driving limits. If you want a track experience this is the place to go
Damon was a great instructor to have, and the experience as a whole was top shelf. All in all I’d easily be back to do it again the next time we’re on the south island for sure, and it was good to know they also offer experiences like this back home in Australia too.
This thing is absolutely sensational and understand why you need an expert sitting beside you! I haven’t felt speed like it and glad someone was in my ear to give me gear changing/braking instructions. Downside was that the downshift peddle wasn’t working as it should. I think this agitated the instructor but it just wouldn’t down shift at corners and it kind of ruined the experience. They recognised the fault but wasn’t offered any additional laps or anything extra. For, I think is the most expensive package, then more could have been done. Exceptional day otherwise and I’ll definitely be going again.
What an amazing facility and an incredible day with the whole family. Tons to do and see for everyone, and the Radical U-Drive session was something I'll never forget. A once in a lifetime experience. Until next time.
I thoroughly enjoyed my experience at Highland Motorsports driving the Radical U-drive! The staff's expertise and enthusiasm made the whole event unforgettable. They provided excellent guidance, ensuring I felt confident and excited on the track. Highly recommend this experience for anyone looking for an adrenaline rush! The Highland Motorsports park is a great place to visit!
Best part was just driving the radical u-drive race car. We also enjoyed the museum. It was informative but was also fun with all the interactive things you could do. Everyone was so friendly as well.
Wow!! What a blast. Always a few nerves stepping into the unknown, but with Paul's guidance and encouragement I got to experience just a little of what he and his colleagues do for a living and it is certainly addictive and over too quickly. Definitely want to be back for more.
Had a fantastic time performing radial u drive. Instructor was great giving guidance to go faster safely around the track. Performance and handling of radical was excellent. Could brake so late and turn in was great. Fantastic drive. The highlands facility is excellent. Would love to do the full track in the future. Enjoyed the funny loo. Recommend highlands to anyone interested in motorsport.
Fantastic experience. Steve was an excellent driving coach. His patience and assistance was most helpful. Will almost certainly do it again soon. As with everything at Highlands the professionalism was outstanding.
The incredible performance of the Radical. The instructor was excellent, clearly explained the process. Great experience.
Excellent time had by all the family. Finally got a nice dry day for our car racing. The staff are so friendly and the driver was amazing! Highly recommend. My husband did the Radical U drive and the Ferrari for his 50th birthday and the family went in the Taxi.
I learned about Highlands by chance while in the middle of a month long trip to NZ. A lifelong motorsports fan, I could not pass up the chance to drive the Radical sports racer on a genuine racetrack. I was blown away at the level of presentation, preparation and professionalism I encountered. Needless to say driving the Radical on the "C" course with some excellent pro guidance was unforgettable. Can't recommend this experience highly enough. Simply must do it if you have the chance!
An amazing experience, the friendly and professional staff were great to deal with and the instructor was supportive and encouraged a bit of a push outside the comfort zone. The car was great to drive, grippy and felt very safe in all areas. Being an open cockpit was very cool as you could feel the helmet start to bobble at top speed. Will definitely do this again.
That was so much fun. After doing a couple of karting races I decided to go for the big one, the Radical. That's by far the best car I've ever driven. Tutored by a fab pro driver, I felt in really capable hands, even urging me to go faster! I'm so amazingly chuffed to have had the opportunity to do this. A++++
Tried to do this in Australia but couldn't find anywhere that would let you drive. Stumbled across Highlands in N.Z. It's a great complex with great staff. My instructor Paul was excellent and helped to elevate the experience even more. We ended up staying for lunch which was also very nice, and don't forget to visit the loo with a view.
Outstanding experience. The team and the attractions at Highlands are great, and the Radical U-Drive was everything I was hoping for and then some. Paul the pro instructor was fantastic and made the whole event extra special. Very highly recommend both the self-drive experience and Paul.
Have never driven a real racecar on a hard track before and Steve made the experience one to remember! Good briefing before heading out and all the right safety gear. Need another go to try and get the tricky double apex corner right but the rest of the lap was a buzz. Apparently looked slow to my friends watching but the G-Force inside the car felt real enough for me. Well worth the money and will be keen to have another go!!
My son had a great time however, we were not advised at checkin to arrange the photos/video at an additional cost which was extremely disappointing very poor customer service
Loved it! Paul was an absolute legend. Great staff amazing facility. Great experience. Happy days…..
I have always wanted to drive a racing car on a circuit and man did this deliver! Acceleration, braking and top speed was thrilling but the cornering grip was off the charts! Paul the pro driver was very informative and the staff on site were some of the friendliest we encountered in our trip. Museum has some great race cars too look at too. Definitely coming back!
I had the time of my life, Damon, the instructor gave me all the info to make this experience something else, I highly recommend every Motorsport enthusiast to make a day out at Highlands Park top of their to do list, everyone crew member make you feel like a VIP, thanks y’all for making this day very special!!
Was lucky enough to drive the radical and couple weeks later the mustang Awesome experience high adrenaline loved it Great instructors who talked how to drive the vehicles on the track and gave you plenty of tips when driving, highly recommend this if you get the chance. The Radical was my favourite to drive incredible experience. Thank you to all the staff at Highland’s, you have an awesome facility
Fantastic experience start to finish!! Loved the track and the instructor was awesome!! Great friendly team made the experience the best!! Thank you all
We came to celebrate my Dads 60th Birthday. The rest of the family had a go in the taxi, which had us squeezing each other legs haha. My Dad had the ultimate experience in the Radical (he loved it so much, he came back to do it again the following day!) the staff were very friendly, and even added a birthday message to the jumbotron. Highly recommend!
We visited Highlands Park as a group of 6 couples where the guys were celebrating a 50th birthday. It was a fantastic experience. The facilities are amazing, the staff are super friendly and well organised and there was plenty to do for everyone. The guys started with the Mustang & Radical self-drive then everyone did the Highland Taxi and Go-Karts. In between events we visited the museum and had lunch at the cafe. The whole event was enjoyed by all. A particular highlight was that those in our group who were not motorsport fans commented that they were taken a little bit out of their comfort zones (Steve driving the Highland taxi!), but not too much. Everyone had a blast....we couldn't recommend Highland Park enough.
I booked this for my husband's birthday, and he really enjoyed the experience. We arrived a little early and waited at the Cafe with view of the racecourse. The loo's with a view are great! He really loved the experience and that the driver kept him safe but still had fun and even encouraged him to go faster, so he wasn't the fun police at all. It may seem a bit pricey but we had a great time.
Even though I was a little nervous being first up in the group of drivers today the instructor was calm and gave clear and continuous instructions which settled us in quickly into a very quick drive through 5 laps of the course. It was an adrenalin rush and turned out to be so much fun . Worth the money .
We came here twice this holiday. First day with 2 families and did the highland taxi and museum. The taxi was great for the whole family. First lap was slow with a tour of the park then "flat out". Our driver Paul was awesome and rhe whole family was blown away with the speed. Had to go back as i wanted to drive the radical. Super low, this thing sticks to the track and paul was pushing me harder the whole time. Not to be missed as this was awesome. My son and i also did the karts and that was good too
A big thank you to Andrew and Damon for making a long time dream reality! It is an amazing and rare opportunity to be able to enjoy some laps of this private track and to do it in a Radical is even more special!
Our family had a fantastic afternoon here with friends from Cromwell. After a great lunch in the restaurant, a good look around the Museum and a session on the Go-Karts with the family (also great fun - they even have tandem karts to take small children on) I was talked into doing the radical U-Drive. So glad I did! An awesome, visceral driving experience - so much more exciting that a road car on the track, with a great sense of speed being in an open cockpit and that low to the ground. Damon the instructor was fantastic at helping me learn the track quickly and giving me confidence to put down the power and trust the car. I highly recommend this to anyone who loves cars and driving - truly a unique and exhilarating experience. Special thanks to Heather and the team for a great afternoon for all the family (but especially me!)
Fantastic experience, and an excellent staff team that really listens to customer feedback. Special thanks to Andrew, Steve, and Heather for helping to make the experience a memorable one for my partner and I. Would recommend without question.
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