From start to finish, the Silverstone experience was slick, well co-ordinated, and, most importantly, memorable. As soon as we arrived, friendly staff checked us in and off we went to enjoy a coffee in the on-site café while we waited for the drive briefing. We were amazed at the number of people arriving - all equally enthusiastic and pumped full of adrenaline. Driving experiences range from single-seater racing cars to the infamous Aston Martin.

Well informed and obviously experienced driving instructors gave us a fifteen minute safety, car and course introduction in one of the briefing rooms, so we felt in safe hands. We were then off to the starting area, given a helmet, and a short introduction to the controls, especially the six speed F1 paddle shift which undeniably takes some getting used to. The Ferrari 360 Modena’s engine size is a whopping 3586cc V8 and 400 brake horse power, capable of 0-60 mph in just 4.3 seconds. Before I knew it we were storming around the circuit at speeds in excess of 120 mph. I was out first with Greg trailing...only to see him flash past in a blur before the first corner with, I’m sure, a cocky wave and a chuckle. That was it, I was hell-bent on catching him and we weren’t even into the first corner.

Deep-seated in the Ferrari 360 Modena we had a qualified instructor at our side, so the thrill overrode any apprehension, as we were confident that we were in safe hands. I therefore had no doubts in really pushing the car to its limits – after all, the Ferrari is capable of hitting 186 mph. With this in mind, there are certainly no restrictions preventing you from seizing the opportunity to experience the full package of this fantastic car……and catching Barnes!

The southern circuit course includes the Hanger Straight, which is the perfect territory to give this fantastic machine a real run, but it wasn’t long enough and the gap was widening. With just three laps of the 1.9 mile course, Jenson Button would have been hard-pushed to catch him. How rude. It was my treat and he’d made me look like I was driving a go-kart.

The next thing we knew, we were back in the paddock, just craving to have another go; what a truly fantastic introduction, although it definitely makes you want to go out there again. It’s no wonder Silverstone get up to three hundred thrill-seekers every day. The Silverstone Ferrari experience also presents a great opportunity for corporate team bonding, or even as a gift for friends or family. In our case, it had made for a rather frosty aftermath. Greg had not only beaten me on the track, but his instructor scores were better – in every department.

We collected our certificate and souvenir photo back at headquarters, still not talking. Sure we’d driven one of the fastest cars in the world, but I’d come a miserable second and wanted to get back out there to show Barnes it really wasn’t the done thing to outshine your host.

For £99 in this sort of car, it really is excellent value for money. Unless you book on a major event day, friends are also welcome to watch as you race around the course. Just make sure you don’t take Barnes.

See the Silverstone website for more details: www.silverstone.co.uk

With thanks to Helen Hoban at Silverstone for her help, and Greg, if you’re reading this, Silverstone want to talk to you about driving etiquette at some stage.