It’s not every day that you get the chance to drive a supercar on a racing circuit so when the invitation to experience an exclusive McLaren racing day at Goodwood came in, I jumped at the chance. They decided to organise their first ever Ladies Day to show how easy and fun their cars are to drive.
McLaren Automotive is certainly an iconic car brand, renowned for its performance and sleek good looks. I’ve always been a car fan, collecting scale models when I was a child and watching Formula One avidly. McLaren has had great success in racing under the leadership of Ron Dennis. Whilst McLaren Automotive is a separate division of the company, they’ve undoubtedly benefited from the technology advancements of the racing team. All the cars are hand crafted in Woking, Surrey. Our McLaren racing day started at the stylish showroom in One Hyde Park. I climbed into one of the cars via their signature dihedral or butterfly doors, first pioneered on the McLaren F1. Their single hinge design makes it a lot easier to get into the cabin. Sitting inside, I got a taste of what was to come later. From the panoramic view to the race-crafted steering wheel and Formula One inspired gear shift, everything spells luxury and innovation.
We soon arrived in leafy Sussex and met the McLaren team in the Jackie Stewart Pavilion. I’ve had the opportunity to visit Goodwood before and it’s a unique venue. There’s a contemporary art gallery and a hotel on the estate,...