FORGET WHAT YOU KNOW ABOUT DRIVING
Buggies are not the same as cars, so don’t expect comfortable seats, power steering and air conditioning! Instead, get ready for a boneshaking ride in a vehicle that’s been stripped of almost everything except an engine and four wheels. The results of this simplistic design are surprising acceleration and ability to deal with uneven terrain. There’s a reason these machines are king of the dunes in hotter parts of the world. In the UK, you’re more likely to be ragging around a dirt track or along woodland trails than over sand, but you’re sure to have the ride of a lifetime.
CHOOSE YOUR VEHICLE
The loose definition of buggies that we’ve given above is pretty typical in this corner of the motorsports world. And that’s reflected in the range of vehicles that come under the umbrella term of “buggies.” Below, we list a few of the most common types. You’ll notice that they share a few common characteristics: simplicity, ability to off-road and emphasis on enjoyment.
- Rage buggies: The most popular type of buggy on the scene, at least according to the former presenters of Top Gear*, is the rage buggy. These are exposed-framework machines with spidery bodies and, usually, a roll cage. Some of them have engines of 1,000 cc - enough to send them at blistering speeds across mud, grass or pretty much anything else. Have a blast in one of these buggies in Oxfordshire.
- Powerturns: Built to foster teamwork, Powerturns have side-by-side seating for two people. Each seat is equipped with a throttle which controls the power to the wheel on their side only. In this way, accelerating in a straight line, cornering and stopping are collaborative efforts! There’s a buggy venue in Nottingham where you can try these buggies alongside their rage cousins.
- Offroad karts: Like the go-karts you find on tarmac circuits but with bigger wheels and chunkier tires, off-road karts are usually built for racing around grass circuits. Have a go with a buggy experience in Devon.
- Junior buggies: The designs we’ve mentioned above, Powerturns aside, are for drivers of at least 16 years old. If you’ve got a pintsized petrolhead around the house, get them their fix by tracking down a buggy built for youngsters. Expect lower top speeds and more safety features - without compromising on excitement. Start your search for junior buggies in Surrey.
TAKE SAFETY SERIOUSLY
This is an important one. Everything that makes driving a buggy fun also, potentially, makes these vehicles less safe than alternatives. Don’t worry, our experience providers will do everything in their power to prevent you from coming to harm. What’s really important is that you listen to safety briefings before driving the buggies and use the safety equipment that you are given correctly. You should be provided with - at least - a helmet and possibly overalls and gloves too. You must wear closed-toe shoes and we recommend avoiding loose clothing while making sure your arms and legs are covered.
SLOW AND STEADY - AT FIRST - WINS THE RACE
Briefed and kitted out, you’ll be raring to go as soon as you’ve got your bum in the driver’s seat. But putting pedal to the metal straight away is likely to end badly when you get to the first corner, if not before. We recommend starting off slow to get a feel for the vehicle - how responsive is the throttle, how does it handle, etc. Once you’ve got to know you’re buggy, you’ll be much better prepared to tackle the course ahead of you. You’ll also have increased your chances of a) clocking better times than your companions, and b) taking home memories of seamless driving, rather than serial crashing.
BRING THE GANG
As with so many things in this life, buggying is an experience that you’ll enjoy more if you share it with important people in your life. Racing can be an option in some circumstances, which is great for stag and hen parties, while Powerturns allow children to ride with their parents, and give team building outings a real boost!
