IF YOU’RE keen to get behind the wheel of a sports car and burn some rubber at a racetrack, but you don’t have 50 grand to drop on a new vehicle, you might be interested in one of the best Porsche experience days.

There's a reason Porsche is one of the most famous names around — its cars (especially the 911 range) are consistently classed as some of the best-performing on the market.

However, they don't come cheap, with some models reaching high into the six-figure bracket. That's why an experience day could be the perfect way to fulfil a childhood dream.

And with Christmas just a couple of sleeps away, getting someone an e-voucher is a failsafe way of ensuring that you'll have something to give to them on the day.

We've rounded up some of the best on the market — so keep reading.

Porsche Track Day at Heyford Park

• Porsche experience, £49 from Into The Blue – buy here

Starting at just £49, this driving experience from Into The Blue is a bargain.

However, from what we can see, the experience is not guaranteed to be in a 911 GT3 RS, as the wording in the above picture might imply, but rather in a Carrera S model from the 997 generation, which was made between 2004 and 2013.

However, don't be worried about performance — the Carrera S still packs a bolshy 385bhp, and is able to sprint to 60mph in less than five seconds on its way to a 190mph top speed.

The experience is done at Heyford Park in Oxfordshire, and there's even a certificate at the end, which is a nice touch.

Single Supercar Driving Blast for Two

• Single Supercar Driving Blast for Two, £65 from Red Letter Days – buy here

This package represents extreme flexibility, in case you're not sure of your recipient's exact tastes.

It's for two people, meaning that they can take someone else along with them (perhaps even you…) and it's available at 16 locations nationwide, from Fife to Canterbury, so they can take their pick of where they'd like to do it.

And if it turns out that Porsche isn't their marque of choice, then they can choose from a supercar smorgasbord that includes the Ferrari F430 (pictured), Audi R8, Lamborghini LP560, Jaguar F-Type, Nissan GT-R and Aston Martin Vantage.

Porsche Boxster Police Pursuit Driving Experience

• Porsche Boxster Police Pursuit Driving Experience, £99 from Red Letter Days – buy here

Although the Porsche you drive in this experience isn't a 911, it really stands out: for just £99 you can recreate a police pursuit, being chased down by a "police car" for 15 minutes.

You'll take to a Porsche Boxster for 10 "sighting laps" before the real action gets underway, requiring you to drive as quickly as possible to evade the so-called Sheriff behind you.

Sure, it's a little juvenile (literally), but we can't imagine a way to have more fun behind the wheel of a car; especially if you're a fan of Grand Theft Auto or The French Connection (or Blues Brothers, for that matter).

And if the Porsche doesn't take your recipient's fancy, they can choose to get behind of the wheel of a Mazda RX8 instead.

Porsche 911 vs Nissan GT-R at Smeathorpe

• Porsche 911 vs Nissan GT-R at Smeathorpe, £175 from Red Letter Days – buy here

This could be a great experience for a fledgling petrolhead, helping them to figure out which type of car gets their engine revving.

Firstly, they'll get behind the wheel of a 996- or 997-generation Porsche 911 for six miles, experiencing some of the best German engineering on the roads.

Then, they'll get behind the wheel of a Nissan GT-R for a further six miles, to see if the Japanese method of car making turns their head. Thanks to its twin-turbo V6, the latter car is capable of sprinting to nearly 200mph, while the Porsche can hit a more-than-satisfactory 190mph.

However, this experience is only available at Honiton in Devon, meaning it may only be feasible for those living in the South — unless you want to make a holiday of it.

Five Supercar Blast plus High Speed Passenger Ride and Photo

• Five Supercar Blast – £189 from Virgin Experience Days – buy here

If you want to mix driving a Porsche in with a handful of other supercars, check out this five car blast from Virgin Experience Days.

It costs £189, but you certainly get your money’s worth, as you get to drive five top supercars over the course of one day.

Porsche are included along with Ferraris, Lamborghinis, Aston Martins and more, although, as ever, it’s worth checking to see which models are available at your chosen location.

This offer is great for pretty much anywhere in the UK as there’s 17 locations spread across the UK.

Porsche GT3 RS Passenger Ride for One at The Nurburgring

• Porsche GT3 RS Passenger Ride for One at The Nurburgring – buy here

If the petrolhead in your life has been really good this year, then this could be their reward — a hot lap of the world-famous Nurburgring in Germany.

While they won't be able to get behind the wheel themselves, they'll get in the passenger seat of a 911 GT3 RS — one of the most powerful production Porsches on the market — for a lap of the 13-mile "green hell". They'll be in the hands of a pro, and they'll get a USB at the end containing footage of the lap.

Of course, on top of the £195 for the experience, you'll have to pay for flights and accommodation — and at the moment, it might be a good idea to buy refundable.

Triple Supercar Driving Experience at Goodwood Motor Circuit

• Triple Supercar Driving Experience at Goodwood Motor Circuit, £125 from Virgin Experience Days – buy here

If the track your gift recipient is driving around is as important as the tool they're using, then this is definitely the experience for you — the opportunity to drive three supercars (including Porsches) around the Goodwood Motor Circuit.

The race track in West Sussex has huge motor sport pedigree, having hosted many high-profile races (including non-championship F1 races) between 1948 and 1966. A slew of famous drivers have raced on the circuit — indeed, a crash in a Lotus during the Glover Trophy ended the late Sir Stirling Moss' career.

Nowadays, the estate plays host to gems in the motoring calendar — the Festival of Speed and the Goodwood Revival.

In this experience, drivers will do a total of six laps of the circuit in a trio of supercars. Options include an Aston Martin, Audi R8, Ferrari, Lamborghini, Porsche, Nissan GTR or Ariel Atom.

Junior Porsche Driving Experience

• 30 Minute Junior Driving Lesson in a Mini Cooper and a Three Mile Supercar Blast for One, £79 from buyagift – buy here

If you know a petrolhead who's not quite old enough to hit the roads, then you could instantly become their favourite adult by buying them some time behind the wheel of a supercar.

They'll first be given a half an hour lesson in a Mini Cooper S (the hot hatch version of a Mini), covering some driving basics — including parking, reversing, clutch control, changing gear and more — before upgrading to the supercar of their choice.

Options include the Audi R8, Ferrari California, Ferrari F430, Aston Martin V8 Vantage, Lamborghini Gallardo, Porsche 911 Turbo and Nissan GT-R.

How much are Porsche driving experience days?

A Porsche is iconic and notoriously pricey. If you haven't got the funds to fulfil your dream of driving one, a driving day can allow you to experience the thrill, albeit briefly.

You can drive a Porsche for as little as £49, with more premium experiences reaching into the low hundreds.

Where can I do a Porsche driving experience day?

If you want to keep it local, there are loads of great value Porsche driving experience days right here in the UK.

We've selected some great driving experiences not too far from you, with many websites offering a wide selection of locations to choose from.

More from Sun Selects gifting

Interested in driving an F1 car? Check out our round up of the best F1 driving experience days in 2021.

Ferrari lovers should also check out our pick of the top Ferrari driving experience days to buy as a gift.

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