There are few better counties in which to be a motor racing fanatic – and now there’s no better place than Northampton to experience the closest to Formula 1 racing most of us will ever know.
From semi-professional drivers to serious petrolheads to mates on a guys’ night out.
There are few better counties in which to be a motor racing fanatic – and now there’s no better place than Northampton to experience the closest to Formula 1 racing most of us will ever know.
From semi-professional drivers to serious petrolheads to mates on a guys’ night out. All will find competition at its most fierce at Garage51s – an unassuming Duston venue that transports visitors to somewhere they’ve never been before.
The centre offers a complete indoor driving simulation package.
Perfect for birthday parties, team building sessions and those who want to pit their wits against the car and their colleagues in a diverse range of full-size motor sport based simulators.
Andy Rogers, who opened Garage51s earlier this year, has been building, creating and working with motor sport based activities for many years. Hiring out machines for exhibitions, shows and at corporate events, around the world as stand attractions and exhibits.
Where visitors would get the chance to try out some of the world’s greatest circuits from the relative safety of a highly responsive simulator. The collection has grown to such a size, however, he decided to bring as many items together under one roof, and chose the county home of motor racing as his base.
Now, visitors to Garage51s at the Pan Freight Depot on Harlestone Road, can compete against each other on a range of Rally, Formula 1, Go-Kart and Buggy simulators as well as testing themselves on the addictive Speed Reaction feature, large 8 lane Scalextric and Radio Control feature race track plus more in the pipeline!
“Northamptonshire is the home of the British Formula One race, and we are officially licensed by Silverstone,” said Andy. “I don’t know of another facility which offers such a diverse authentic range like this and I’m keen to work with the likes of the Northamptonshire Enterprise Partnership to build this up into a venue that puts something back into local businesses and taps into the interest there is in motor sport. Working with schools and colleges to motivate the passion in young & old, male or female.”
“In almost every business there’s a motor racing fan whose dream it is to drive Silverstone in a Formula 1 car. Now they can get their workmates involved, and make it competitive whilst experiencing the thrills that Silverstone has to offer without the more obvious risks.
“Using the latest in PC graphics technology means that we can add a company’s logo to the trackside billboards, or vinyl branding on the cars, to make it a bit more special for corporates during the experience.”
A room at Garage51s is currently being turned into a meeting room, where clients can hold presentations, run network events combined with some fun and healthy competition on the simulators next door. Catering is available, and the room will include presentation equipment and wifi for use by guests.
“We market ourselves as a family driving destination because we can make the simulators user friendly for everyone from the age of 10 upwards,” said Andy. “We have had visitors with disabilities, male and female, young and old, as all activities can be tailored to suit to everyone’s needs or ability.
“And for larger groups – we can take up to 35 people at any one time – setting up leader boards, creating endurance events, and running pit stop challenges as part of a team building exercise, anything they want their experience to be, we can usually do!
“There’s a 3 tier podium and trophies for presentations at the end, but what’s most important is that the vast majority go away having had a memorable day and having learned something about themselves and about their driving skills.”