19 Things Every Petrolhead Needs To Tick Off Their Bucket List

1. Go on a track day

There are some incredible circuits around the world that let you test your car at its limits, and in relative safety. CT reader HappyFatMan suggests Anglesey circuit if you’re in the UK - it’s the track with a gorgeous backdrop you’ll have seen in numerous Chris Harris videos.

2. Drive a lap of the Nurburgring

If we’re talking about track days, there’s one special track that deserves a point of its own. Either take your own ride, or rent out a performance car for a few laps of The Green Hell. It’s imposing, terrifying, and incredible fun.

3. Go on an epic road trip

I’m not talking a few hours down the road, I’m talking about crossing continents and spending days, if not weeks behind the wheel with a group of mates. It doesn’t even have to be an expensive ride; I did the Mongol Rally two years ago - England to Mongolia crossing 26 countries and two continents over five weeks… all in an old beater - and it was the greatest experience of my life.

4. Drive an icon from every scene

True petrolheads appreciate all different types of cars. Getting the opportunity to drive muscle, JDM, trucks, and anything and everything in between is a great way to broaden your automotive horizons.

5. Learn to drive a manual

6. Visit Top Gear's greatest driving roads in the world

They might be mostly clogged up with holidaymakers and other Top Gear fans, but they’re still some of the most incredible strips of tarmac in the world. I’ve driven the Transfagarasan Highway, and it’s even cooler than you could ever imagine… just make sure you’re up early to beat the rest of the world there!

7. Learn to drift

8. Drive a supercar

9. Diagnose and fix a problem on your car without help

10. Have a project car

There’s nothing more satisfying than buying a car and modifying it to suit your tastes. It might never be completed, but you’ll have something to be proud of that you’ve poured blood, sweat and tears into.

11. Own a daily and a weekend car

12. Attend an endurance race

Endurance races are arguably the most impressive of all motorsport events, and attending one is a unique experience. We recently went to Le Mans, and it was absolutely incredible, but there’s also the Nurburgring 24h race in Germany, Bathurst 12 Hour in Australia, and of course the 24 Hours of LeMons in America to name a few.

13. Attend Goodwood Festival of Speed

Held in the grounds of Goodwood House, every type of car you can imagine will be on display here. The best part is that not only are there static displays, the cars are driven up the famous hill climb (which is essentially Lord March’s driveway). This year’s event is this weekend, and we’ll be covering it extensively!

14. Go 200mph

15. Drive a car with 1000bhp

You might think this is the stuff of dreams, but a company called Everyman Racing operates on the Dunsfold Autodrome, so you can pay to drive a supercar on the TG track.