Tank Driving in Hampshire

What Can I Expect

Tank driving in Hampshire - full tracked fun near Winchester! This half day experience includes lots of tanks and other classic military hardware for you to get to grips with, as you spend several hours at the venue test driving some of the best war zone paraphernalia there is.

You will have the run of this huge private estate in Temple Valley just outside Winchester, so there's plenty of room to go rumbling around in a variety of military machines, mashing up the mud as you go.

Many of the instructors at this centre are former serving soldiers. That means they have first hand experience of these tanks and military vehicles in combat and conflict settings - and will show how to get the best out of these special pieces of kit.

Your tank experience in the heart of Hampshire starts with registration and a full safety briefing. Drivers are divided into groups to rotate around the four activities on the programme. 

Chieftain Tank: The seminal British Army Main Battle Tank (MBT) that weighs in at a hefty 55tons and boasts high performance and firing power, with 750bhp and a 195mm front turret gun.

Abbott SPG: This Self Propelled Gun is a fully tracked field artillery tank with a fully rotating 105mm turret and a crew of four (commander, gunner, loader and driver).

FV432 APC: The Armoured Personnel Carrier is essential for safely moving troops and gear around. A crew of two can transport up to 10 infantry and all their equipment at speeds of up to 32mp - and it's amphibious too!

Alvis Stormer Missile Launcher: It might look like a tank, but this is actually a mobile platform for the Star Streak High Velocity Missile (HVM) system. You won't be firing any today, but you will be driving this 13.5 tonne hulk - and it's got seven gears!

When you're not driving, you will most often be a passenger on the specially built viewing platforms on the tanks - so there's plenty of time to take video footage and photos of these impressive machines. Your experience ends with a presentation of certificates and a look back on the day you went tank driving at this fab Hampshire centre!

What's Included

• Experience driving a range of tanks and ex-military vehicles
• Welcome, introduction and safety briefing
• Drive four vehicles on a purpose built track for one circuit in each
• Each circuit takes between 5-10 minutes to drive depending on the participant
• Drivers will be divided into small groups to rotate around the activities
• Tuition and guidance from experienced instructors
• Opportunity to ride as a passenger on the specially built viewing platforms on the tanks
• Complimentary refreshments throughout the session
• Receive a driving certificate as a memento of your day
• Experiences lasts for around three and a half hours
• Complimentary premium gift packaging from Into The Blue

Drive each of the following vehicles:

• Chieftain Tank
• Abbott SPG
• FV432 APC
• Alvis Stormer Missile Launcher

When Is It Available

• Sessions run on Saturdays from March through to September and selected Sundays in October
• Morning (09:00-12:30) and afternoon sessions (13:00-16:30) are usually available
• All dates are subject to availability

Suitable For

• Minimum age 16
• Minimum height is 5ft
• Participants who are taller than 6ft and/or with a chest size larger than 52" may have difficulty being accommodated in the vehicle
• o previous tank driving is required

Spectators

• Spectators aged 10+ are welcome for a fee of £15 per person, payable on the day (under 10's enter free)
• The fee includes a passenger ride on or in a tank and complimentary tea and coffee

Anything Else

• The ratio of drivers to instructors will generally be 5:1
• Warm, comfortable clothing and sturdy footwear should be worn