Novice Track Day Special - £500 Volvo at Donington Park feat. MacMaster and More!

‪@GeoffBuysCars‬ , ‪@TheMacMaster‬ and ‪@lloydvehicleconsulting‬ went to Donington Park on a very cold Wednesday for an open track day.
With a little instruction, a lot of spinning and a whole heap of laughs, we managed to get a Porsche Taycan and 2x Volvo 850 Estates around the track.
This video is left in pretty 'long form' for your enjoyment, I wanted to show the learning curve and improvement and also the little snippets of conversation around the track, so sit back with a cup of tea and enjoy some blue skies, some old cars and a fair bit of humour!
No cars were harmed in the making of this film, but one chap in a classic Porsche nearly had a heart attack. Sorry about that! But did you catch it on camera...?

[@therealunclevanya]

Shout out to Andy Pritchard, top guy, calm and professional when you went off roading Geoff 🙂

[@GeoffBuysCars]

He was brilliant wasnt he?!

[@AnnieRed66]

Nice bloke to talk to, too...we chatted bikes and stuff 🏍🏍🏍

[@craighill4709]

@@GeoffBuysCars absativllyposiloutllyawesome!!!!!!!

[@davidmwood560]

Putting in under 2 minute laps at Castle Donnington in an old, tired 850 Volvo estate is really excellent Geoff. Shows a good aptitude for the sport. Maybe you should try for your RAC Competition Licence. I think you'd do well at amateur club meets. I've been racing for more than 60 years; and I know a good line when I see it. Well done Geoff; very well done!

[@GeoffBuysCars]

Oh this comment has made my night!!

[@phenogen8125]

Age is just a number. Go for it. Great video editing by the way.... @@GeoffBuysCars

[@adedavison762]

Volvo sounds proper throaty my friend 👊😵‍💫

[@noelward8047]

Andy Pritchard was a star ... professional, cool, calm and collected. He had assessed Geoff's driving abilities before the first corner ... and was happy. Didn't even flinch during the spin. Top bloke.

[@Cotictimmy]

Yup.

[@escapetheratracenow9883]

Beautifully done, Geoff! Another reason why we love our internal combustion engine cars and motorbikes. Man, car, sound, energy, adrenaline rush- everything missing from electric vehicles.

[@tyrantwitness2482]

This is real mates having real fun! NOT manufactured TopGear! ChrisHarris is better off doing his own show, like he did before TopGear.

[@daryeljames2085]

Thoroughly enjoyed that Geoff, you're filling the old top gear void with seemingly little effort, keep it up... Oh and for Lee's sake, find him a cheap ICE car to throw around, looked like the track day gooseberry!

[@alancns8469]

Can’t beat a track day. The old volvo still sounds the business. PS Lovely to see the nice natural cloud formations changing as the day goes on.

[@GeoffBuysCars]

For today I did my best to ignore the skies. You have to take a day off from it, or, I do…!

[@alancns8469]

@@GeoffBuysCars I knew that’s why you never mentioned it. I travelled down to Newcastle for a days work on the 6th. The skies were crystal clear in the morning. 4 hours later it looked exactly like your track day. Disgrace

[@DebNewton-kh4cv]

@@alancns8469absolute disgrace!!

[@erikinOz7777]

Lee is more comfortable doing food reviews than sitting in a Volvo as a passenger on a race track😊

[@timhicks2154]

That Volvo does sound good! Geoff had more spins than a 1970’s DJ!

[@badger67]

As a 2 wheel fanatic, I really enjoyed that, and was well worth the wait. Andy Pritchard, what a star. Superb effort Geoff and what a great day out.

[@nekite1]

A track day with some subscribers sounds like a great idea. Interesting to see the mix of cars at such an event.

[@steven1515]

Well done, 🏆Geoff. I'm sure you're very proud of your 9 out of 10. Well done 👍. Really enjoyed you going around the track? What really made me laugh was Lee when he was in the car with you, he was making noises like he was sitting on the toilet having a problem🤣🤣🤣🤣 loved it brilliant filming also keep up the good work mate 👍 🏆🏆🏁🏁🏆

[@rwkh10]

For fucks sake I've been waiting for this. Get on it Geoff. Best KZbin channel out there. Top gear stuff.

[@steveray8056]

Now that was fun to watch. The sounds coming out of MacMaster…priceless 😂😂😂. The sounds out of that Volvo engine - delightful. That is why we drive ICE’s. Sub 2:00 laps - WOW!!!

[@nickrider5220]

Forgot to say, I watched it all the way through, the big old Volvo did well and your driving was more than decent , top day at the track 😎

[@GeoffBuysCars]

Thank you!!

[@timhicks2154]

Mighty impressive that was, Geoff. You’ve got right into it!

[@SME_Ste]

Agree, top work

[@NickyB62]

Very impressed, you took to that like a duck takes to water. A few minor off's but you learn from experience. You did exceedingly well

[@beanyb0b.]

Hi Geoff, you thrashed that Volvo hard. It needs a bit of a rest, new brakes, new clutch and and an oil change. Then back to the track next week. Amazing stuff . Was leaning and occasionally spinning around the corners with you .🚗🚗😎🏆. Well done, you deserve " top place " on the podium

[@GeoffBuysCars]

Another open track on the 17th I’m considering 😂

[@_samohT_]

Geoff pulls it out the bag again, top work sir. Living out the Top Gear life in his own way, and doing it in the only car you could ever need

[@julianpalmer4674]

You should have put Lee in the boot to give you even more grip at the back 🤣

[@2760ade]

Yep! All those Christmas dinners and full English breakfasts recently? The FatMaster!!😂

[@timhicks2154]

The extra ballast of the MacMaster must have compromised lap times!

[@noelward8047]

It wasn't a race silly !

[@timhicks2154]

@@noelward8047 - it was!

[@noelward8047]

You are such a silly billy. No doubt you are 2 stone wet through Haha

[@davidflamee]

You and Lee were brilliant. This video goes way beyond my expectations,I would not be surprised if it goes viral. Nail biting, edge of the seat excitment!!! Something I've not seen in a car focused programme for some time You can't beat that exhaust note of the Volvo for adding sheer enjoyment and as a soundtrack to the experience, something that Lee also alluded to. This might be the time that petrol heads and ev owners come together and agree on the unfettered enjoyment of driving a proper car. 100 percent entertaining, 100 percent thrilling, 100 percent do it again.

[@GeoffBuysCars]

Flippin great comment!!!

[@escapetheratracenow9883]

Well said! We need to come together to stop the assault upon our freedoms. The Tory party has fewer than 400,000 members and most of them share their birthdays with the Domesday Book. The Labour Party doesn’t have many more and too many of them are dumber than a second coat of paint. There are millions of us. It’s time to create a political movement that actually reflects the values and aspirations of real people!

[@2760ade]

I'll second that! It was over an hour long, and I didn't even notice!

[@johnwilliamson8110]

Beautifully done everything about it just right . May I also say thanks to Joseph who kept things going and provided a great deadpan introduction.

[@Cowley46]

That was really really good and you did the old 850 proud..sounded epic too.

[@lezbarker2673]

You guys are having so much fun. Love the Spinning 😜 the guy in the Porsche the real Porsche Lee 💩 his pants when you lost it in front of him sheer magic 😅 love it guys I am really loving this content as well as your own stuff but you two together have a great child like innocence together and I mean that with the greatest respect possible as it’s that kind of innocence the world has lost. I love it with my kids we have so much fun from just going to the shops. It’s the best way to live life with a sense of awe and amazement. Keep it up. ❤️🤘❤️🇦🇺❤️ 🇬🇧❤️

[@GeoffBuysCars]

Thanks for the comment!! Yeah we had a right laugh doing this 😂😂

[@judgedino]

Absolutely brilliant! So entertaining! I've done two wheels track days with my mate! Camped in a tent next to Donnington! They were some of the best times, track days all over the country.... camping & just having a laugh! Too much fun! 😂😂 ❤❤

[@stanpritchard7436]

It was good to see that you met my son Andrew, hope he looked after you well.

[@johnnunn8688]

You dragged him up well. 👍🙏

[@2760ade]

He's a lovely bloke!!

[@hawaiisteve932]

That was a great video , thanks for taking us along . The instructor we had at Willow Springs said "don't bring a car to a track that you cant afford to leave there" , wise words & at 500 quid for a track day car you got it dead right & the Volvo lives to fight another day . As was said Andy = Top Bloke and another Brummie by his accent :) .

[@alanyoung9796]

Great video Geoff, 1:55 with Lee and his 8 Xmas dinners this week is pretty damn good. Keep up all the great content.

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

When you passed me after you had changed the rear tyres, it was the least dramatic move in the history of overtaking, due to my complete fear of speed once I had spun out on exactly the same corner where you came off on the first spin! (And the 2.0 10V lacking about 45 bhp compared with yours, of course...)

[@Street-Hawk]

It is a shame i could only film you from one place. Oy was nice to meet you all.

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

@@Street-Hawk , great to meet you too!

[@noelward8047]

Be fair. Don't spoil it.

[@impy1980]

That looked so much fun, you can definitely see the moment it clicked for you and you started taking corners faster. Andy was spot on that you did everything the right way, you listened, you started slow and you consistently found the limit of the car for the conditions. All that torque and power Lee's Porsche has, a £500 old Volvo is where it's at. The old girl does sound really good though. Get Lee a cheap old car, and let's have some more track days. Like Andy said, dry decent weather and the car would be faster. I'm glad you really enjoyed it, and it was fun watching you progress through the day.

[@johnwilliamson8110]

In the middle of enjoying this . Lovely atmosphere and event on a beautiful day. Lee’s reaction to you spinning him around in front of the Porsche was a moment to savour.

[@shiTthebed86]

Lee in the passenger seat made me laugh hahahaha brilliant

[@RustyRoseAdventures]

Amazing and very enjoyable video Geoff. Was waiting and ready to watch the minute it came out last night! I know nothing about racing but it got me excited about racing and all the silly vehicles I could do it in 😂 and from where I was watching it looked like you did superbly! Well done! Look forward to another day I’m sure!

[@timhicks2154]

Bloody cold with little grip. Geoff done great!

[@ScottSherrington]

Geoff, what an awesome video. you were on point mate. I enjoyed every minute of driving vicariously through your driving! I'm voting this as one of my favourite videos yet👍

[@GeoffBuysCars]

This means a lot to me!!

[@andrewkistell4446]

Excellent video , I can't wait for Smokey Geoff track day coming soon

[@BartMGRX]

I bet this won't be your last trackday! Small tip from me: make sure you get all the braking and downshifting done before you enter a corner, it can really unsettle the car if you do it midcorner especially in these cold and damp conditions.

[@seanswilson]

A thoroughly enjoyable 1h 15m and 17s, down to the last second, and you kept it honest, mistakes and all. Well done, and would love to see another.

[@GeoffBuysCars]

thank you, that's why I left the long edit :-)

[@sib923]

Wow 9 out of 10 from Andy! I'm honestly not surprised Geoff...Great, instinctive driving, just the way it should be! Well done and happy driving!

[@crazyforcars]

Lee on a race track is like a fish on a bike 😂.

[@ashvox]

Trackday at 100K . 1 hour and 15 mins. of a early christmas gift , cus this level of content truly is a gift. Beautifully done . Thank you Geoff , you are indeed EPIC !!!

[@PorscheRacer14]

I remember reading about Andy in Porsche Panorama like 20 years ago. Glad to see he's flinging cars around and sharing his enthusiasm and expertise. Looks like everyone had a blast despite not ideal track conditions. Probably ideal in a way to learn on as the limits come quicker and at slower speeds. Better than going off at higher limits and having a bad shunt. Car sounds proper. I always say, there's maximum fun to be had in the cheaper, slower cars, especially when you're footing the bills. I miss having a track near me where I live now. It was always a good way to decompress, have fun and individually challenge yourself and meet interesting people.

[@DebNewton-kh4cv]

I’m leaning into the corners in my lounge room!! Excellent footage, great driving! 👏🥳

[@tyrantwitness2482]

This is a proper day out! Who the hell wants to go watching football??

[@dinosshed]

Very cool, love it. There's so much enjoyment in grassroots racing classes. Some mates and I run a pulsar at a charity event, which is based on endurance. 12 hour and 24 hr race weekends in modified production cars. It's great fun, best thing ever.

[@newagetemplar6100]

Kids won’t be getting any Xmas Presents and mummy won’t be going on holiday next year as daddy’s just gone and bought a track day car 😂

[@GeoffBuysCars]

Exactly 😂😂😂

[@newagetemplar6100]

@@GeoffBuysCars 🙄😂. E36 mate , cheap and an abundance of go faster bits for not too much money. My let you have a play in our M3 race car next year at Donnington or Cadwell if we go testing. Nice channel mate , thanks for giving us a public voice and some good content. ❤️🎄☃️

[@funkytunky4219]

great fun video thanks for taking us out on your track day in an everyday family car

[@SeaSawSi]

Great work Geoff! Great in car footage and a brilliant edit 😊 I would like to echo the comments from Andy and others, that you really did a superb job and those fast runs at the end of the day were great! Your lines and style were consistent and you were pushing the car at the limit regularly, as I said at the time, your car control was excellent, the oversteer control out of McLeans was a thing to behold! Very impressed mate! Onwards and upwards 😎🤘🏻

[@philiplindley7384]

Lee, fighting all the corners.😂😂😂😂

[@carlkuss8300]

Kudos Geoff 👍 you should definitely keep at it. Believe me it becomes a passion. Trying to improve a line,testing different tyres and pressures,little mods etc. Anything to shave another second. By the afternoon you certainly didnt need a novice sticker!! Ive been at it for nearly 15 years and you were like a duck to water 😂

[@JamesSmith-qs4hx]

That Volvo sounds good Geoff...

[@eddiegremlin]

Thanks Geoff, brought back some good memories of the Troops Day Track events I attended, only part of which was on track, there was also drifting, off roading and skid pan. In my limited opinion the turns in the area of the old bridge were the most technical and you handled them well. The laps were I was driving were in race prepared cars, MX5, Jaguar F Type and a Nissan GTR but many more as a passenger.

[@drjonze]

Its a great sounding Engine Geoff

[@GeoffBuysCars]

Isn’t it?!

[@Doomedtofreeze76]

Marvellous! I thoroughly enjoyed every moment of that, Geoff! But you forgot to warn everyone that trackdays are highly addictive! Please keep your videos coming, I love your laid back approach.

[@acwdrivingservices9877]

Great Video Geoff! Thanks for the entertainment and the laughs, much needed in this miserable world. You did well, but the real star was your Volvo, high mileage, £500 to buy, hammered around a track by you and it never missed a beat! Sounded great too. They really don't make them like that anymore, and probably never will. More like this please.

[@TomTwain]

I can't remember seeing so much frost on the 'inside' of a car's windows... and I'm old enough...🤣

[@SierraNovemberKilo]

I can. Mid journey on the M62, frosting inside & out plus freezing fog. Nightmare Beetle drive!

[@SFlightline]

But who left his sunroof open overnight?? 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@phenogen8125]

A series landie has more internal ice than out; open windows to warm up....

[@TomTwain]

@@SierraNovemberKilo You had a Beetle... but did'nt have the obligatory camping stove in the passenger footwell... 🤣

[@bentullett6068]

I have windscreen frosting issues in my 2013 SEAT Ibiza, its because its Spanish and doesn't like the cold.

[@stevenwithanS]

A nice blue sky sure brings out the c. trail jets. That must have been the biggest rush ever. My face is sore from smiling. Cheers from The Great White North eh.

[@stanpritchard7436]

It was good to see you again Andrew, you are looking well, love from dad, and happy birthday on the 24th, look after yourself, love to the family.

[@MrDangermooser]

Looks like you took your dad out for a drive when Lee got in 😂😂😂

[@noelward8047]

Oh dear.

[@michaelsimpson9779]

Hasn't got a clue, that bloke. Just a well heeled foodie. See him when Geoff took him for a drive on road several months back. Aprehensive as all get-out.

[@DaleSteel]

How good does a volvo 5 cylinder sound. Reminds me of the BTCC. My fave car ever 850 btcc

[@orwellboy1958]

Well done Geoff. Glad you enjoyed it. Love the skid lid by the way.

[@DrBobtheblob]

Really good video, I was also there and it was unbelievably slippy but great fun! Good driving, well done!

[@SidBonkers51]

That looked tremendous fun Geoff and you did really well, especially after swopping your tyres round.

[@blacksheep1971]

Imagine what Geoff could do with the budget and crew from Top Gear when his content is this good already!❤

[@phil7301]

Bought back memories of the BTCC Volvo estates 😁 !!!! Thats some great driving mate 👍🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿😉

[@lovecara1]

Instead of Should have gone to Specsavers its Should have gone to Quick Fits. Love it I could feel the Adrenalin rush from the comfort of my sofa. Loving the content of your videos keep it coming.

[@dariuspringle2608]

As the MacMaster says, “The car’s got a soul!” That 20 valve sounded awesome Geoff.

[@leeturner1324]

Excellent episode mate keep doing these specials

[@andrealocatelli5637]

Have been waiting for this moment all week!

[@AdelinoGambiarras]

Not bad for a first timer that was awesome I loved.

[@colin13579]

What a blast! You looked like you had the best time. Big up for the estates too!

[@harveyupton6613]

Fantastic video, forget all the racing techie comments, the smile on you face said you nailed it. What a great day you must have had. 👍🏻

[@craighill4709]

Great performance in an old beat up volvo, enjoyed every minute. (Geoff, we want more track days)

[@BionicRusty]

Awesome 👏👏👏 🚙 💨

[@krisjones3359]

Great to see you had a great day Geoff, I remember my first trackday Dec 29 2017, Mallory Park, drove there in the snow, hoping it was going to be cancelled, but it wasn`t, lol, icy track in a Porsche 987 Boxster S, was an awesome day to remember 👍😁

[@sophie02222]

Oh my god honestly !!! I just loved that soooo much ! You did a great job ! I reckon you’ll get into this track day thing ! You were looking like you absolutely loving it !! 👍👍👍👍👍

[@GeoffBuysCars]

Can’t remember the last time I had so much fun 😂😂

[@capnpugwash5403]

A really good intro for anyone wanting a track day at Donington. I certainly have the lines burned into my brain.

[@jonatkinson1971]

Probably the best 500 quid you can spend whilst keeping your clothes on. Brilliant video and that old 5 banger sounded epic😊

[@markbray2988]

I'll see you this evening Darling... I'm just going for a spin in my Volvo.

[@toucheturtle3840]

That 5 pot sound is awesome. Shame it’s pulling a barge…😂

[@bentullett6068]

A Volvo 850 has racing heritage courtesy of being in the BTCC

[@toucheturtle3840]

@@bentullett6068 So does my ZX7R…it doesn’t mean it was the best bike in its class.

[@bentullett6068]

@toucheturtle3840 I think with a little tweaking Geoffs stripped out 850 track special could be fun and fast.

[@toucheturtle3840]

@@bentullett6068 So is my ZX7R…😁

[@tyrantwitness2482]

Geoff, you found the cars limits and managed to slide around the bends without losing it! Excellent!

[@bensbutcherseastsussexsurv6100]

what a great day out so much fun you all had i love this keep them coming...( THE NEW TOP GEAR IS HERE ❤🤩)

[@liammedler]

I did warn you about cold tyres on the craner curves! Great track, great conditions and it looks like a great tutor too. I might take my 850 T5 instead of the MX5 next time

[@duncancampbell9490]

Such great memories of my fun outings..... I NEVER did a trackday at 0 degrees though !! 5 pot sounded ace ! Great Video.

[@jbz2079]

That was great fun. That old Volvo sounds great, that five cylinder howl is very addictive. Top marks for you too in learning how to go faster and stay on the track. People think that front wheel drive cars are all about getting the heavy end round the corners. Nope, if the back end lets go, it's game over. A long time ago we used to rally a 130TC Strada, powerful, but the Escorts could run rings round it on handling. I often thought about a Guy Croft 2.0 liter twin cam in an Escort, but thought anout it was as far as it went.

[@therealdojj]

looks like you had some fun there

[@rayhall3954]

New channel, Geof races cars.

[@renekrimpenvan1896]

Great video, 😃 even your breakfast revieuw on the macmasters video.

[@thijs3514]

Awesome! And well done 🔥 you are doing a great job at promoting petrol/diesel cars🔥🔥💪

[@benskinner5956]

Looks like you had a fun day out so now you’ve mastered going round corners straight maybe you could try an make a Volvo drift car then you an Lee could have a drift competition

[@alannaclarke6633]

We loved watching this. We will miss our old volvo. Great video 😄

[@MoosesValley]

Awesome stuff. You sure had a ton of fun. Poor Lee and his EV ... Andy is a top bloke !

[@matthewwiddows6319]

thought you drove that pretty well, nice and flowing and made use of the kerbs.

[@GeoffBuysCars]

Thank you!

[@noelward8047]

Most would have avoided those kerbs in the prevailing weather. You deserve the praise ... you flippin' lunatic Haha

[@spamsucker132]

I think your Volvo needs ; some decent, fully disposable, track tyres, some decent track brake pads ( and some silicon fluid ) a bloody good service and tune up (note the word up - lots of dyno time ), and a bit of lead for your right shoe. And a little compartment to store your brain in after you've taken it out in the pit lane ( it's why you can't commentate during a lap ). And a roll cage for the rally stages. And some beer for all those muscles you didnt know you had afterwards. Probably get two or three barrels in the back of that. And now you need a motorhome for the three day meets.

[@tyrantwitness2482]

If fitting winter tyres, fit all four! If you don't, you'll find the back overtaking the front when braking!

[@johnmoncrieff3034]

That was a blast not just for you but us at the other end of the lens. I was following on the camera & calling out braking points and when to floor it! Much better than any video game! Andy is right on a dry summers day 1minute 40 seconds is an achievable lap time!

[@SunnyD1865]

god the 5 cylinder whiteblocks sound glorious, donington is such a rewarding track once you start getting it right too. going to have to say we need more of this!

[@artif1ed]

Geoff, you did so well and I think you may have just hit upon a great new series and a second channel idea "Geoff drives cars". Take cars on track days, maybe a series on building a proper track weapon from the Volvo too. Whilst Im far from an expert, you were one of the best debutants I think I can remember, solid lines, track placing, track etiquette, etc. Well done chap.

[@GeoffBuysCars]

I’m loving these comments, honestly before the tyre change I wanted to come home 😂😂

[@artif1ed]

@GeoffBuysCars its amazing how crap it feels sometimes, only for one small change to completely transform that crap feeling into one usually reserved for hardcore hallucinagenics! Hahaha! Again Geoff, great video!

[@Dunkelzeitgeist]

My favourite bit is Mr Joseph racing with E10, a baby seat in the back, wearing brown brogues and being the most out of place one could be, love that man 😂 and him helping you re-fuel aha

[@NickB_Yorkshire]

What a brilliant day guys. I drove around Donnington for a few laps when I had my Sapphire Cosworth in the 90s. Great fun. We had the Melbourne Loop part of the circuit as well. Was great to see your confidence going up through out the day and the lap times tumbling. That engine sounds absolutely awesome too 😊