What Can I Expect

Get behind the wheel of 'Big Rig' on an American truck driving experience! Clive Shaw has been trucking in his Kenworths for years now and these showcase rigs are perennial favourites at truck fests and shows around the country. This is your chance to actually drive one!

Clive first came up with the crazy idea of importing an actual American truck from the United States in 2011. After many, many hours of work (and a lot of stainless steel polishing) Clive's first rig, which came all the way from Tennessee, was as shiny and smooth-running as the day it first pounded those American highways.

Pretty pleased with the result and with several Best Kept Super Truck Awards on his dashboard, Clive decided to do it all over again. So Clive is the proud owner of the only pair of Kenworths with matching livery in the UK and has added to his collection with a Peterbilt and even a Kenworth previously-owned by none other than Burt Reynolds.

Now (as the famous American soft drink Christmas advert goes) they're 'coming to your town', with American truck driving experiences at a selection of venues around the country.

And yes, these trucks are most definitely the real thing. They boast 500bhp+ and have manual gears. Using the Eaton Road Ranger transmission, this means that, with lo and hi gears, you have 18 in total. Yep, you read that right...e i g h t e e n! As you might suspect, driving one of these mahoosive American big rig trucks is not like driving your average car. So, each experience begins with a 10-minute in-cab briefing, then 5 minutes with your host driving, so you can see how it all works.

Then it's over to you for your chosen drive time on the track with you at the wheel. If you opt for the 20-minute experience, you get time to attempt some of those classic trucker manoeuvres.

Whether you've always wanted your 10:4 Smokey and the Bandit moment, or just love that classic snowy winter scene with the brightly lit Kenworth delivering truck loads of festive cheer, we think you will relish the chance to have a go at an American truck driving experience. Dates are limited, so don't hang around!

When Is It Available

• Dates are subject to availability and weather conditions
• Due to the popularity of this experience, please book early to avoid disappointment
• More dates and venues will be regularly added

2025 Dates

• Ardingly:  1st & 2nd March, 11th & 12th October
• Knutsford:  22nd & 23rd March, 4th & 5th October 
• Essex:  31st May, 1st June, 18th & 19th October
• Northern Ireland   Newtownards: 5th & 6th April

Suitable For

• Minimum age 17
• Participants must hold a full, valid driving licence
• Minimum height 5ft
• Maximum height 6ft 6ins
• Maximum weight 19 stone
• Drivers must be able bodied and any medical conditions that may affect driving ability must be disclosed at the time of booking

Spectators

• Spectators are welcome to come and watch at all venues for no additional charge
• Disabled access may vary depending on location
• Children must be supervised at all times
• Pets are not permitted at any circuit
• Toilets, viewing areas and refreshments are available at all venues

Anything Else

• Specific vehicle availability may be subject to change due to mechanical or operational factors
• In cases of extreme weather i.e snow, fog or ice experiences may be re-scheduled for safety reasons
• Comfortable shoes with thin soles are recommended