DRIVING in excess of 200mph an hour and then crashing on a race track sounds an alarming prospect.

But Formula One fans who want to experience the adrenaline rush Lewis Hamilton gets behind the wheel can now visit a new attraction in Oxford.

The Race Hut opened in Pony Road on Wednesday and customers can now try out its state-of-the-art race car simulators.

Families or corporate groups with a love of Formula One and motor racing can visit the new centre to test their driving skills.

The centre is run by founder David Goode and venue manager Rich Weaving, who decided to open in Oxford following the success of The Race Hut in Slough, Berkshire.

On the opening day they invited along racing driver Jason Plato, who is currently competing in the British Touring Car Championship.

Mr Plato said: “As technology progresses, race car simulation is getting closer to the real thing.

“I’m looking forward to coming back here with a group of mates to enjoy some competitive racing.”

Mr Weaving, 26, from Wheatley, said the Race Hut was based in a building previously occupied by radio station Fox FM.

He added: “Families can come here and have a go, or we get bookings from corporate groups.

“We refer to the simulator machines as pods. People sit in a tubular chassis and there are racing seats, pedals and wheels.

“Customers wear headphones so their senses are fully immersed. It really does represent the experience of a Formula One driver, right down to the field of vision and vibrations caused by the surface of the road – the chassis vibrates.

“As part of the simulation formats you can spin out and crash, but once you have bounced off the wall you can rejoin the race – this is all about people having a good time.”

Mr Weaving said it cost from £10 per driver to try out a simulator and the centre is open seven days a week, from 10am to 7pm.

Driver simulation formats can last from one to three hours.

There is a simulation programme featuring a Formula One car driven by Nigel Mansell, when he was a driver for Grove-based Williams, and another featuring a BMW Mini.

Mr Weaving added: “You would think coming here would be a busman’s holiday for Mini staff but we have already had quite a few customers from the plant.”

Both Mr Goode and Mr Weaving previously worked in motorsports.

Mr Weaving was a race mechanic and engineer and Mr Goode raced in the British and International GT championships.

Mr Goode, who lives in Wokingham, added: “We are in motorsport valley here in Oxford with Williams so close by and Silverstone is just a short drive from here.”

See theracehut.com.