F1 Driving Experience

[Whittie]

Well, I wasn't sure where to put this, so I figured this was about the right spot? Not totally off-topic but not really zed related either...

 

None the less, I would like to share this experience with all of you guys, what it feels like to drive an F1 car!!

 

Several years ago (No, I'm not an old man despite how this sounds ) when I was in uni I was a little lost with what to do and not sure of what direction to take. I was waning between what degree to choose after 2nd year into my chemical engineering degree. Mechanics has always been my love, but I'm not sure mech eng would have landed me where I am today. My Dad figured this out before I did and noticed my marks were sliding. As a bit of a life-adjusting incentive he told me that if I made First Class Honors then he would take me to drive a Formula 1 in France. There are allegedly only 3 companies in the world that do this and AGS Formule 1 is supposedly the best, with the best track (Paul Ricard, France) being an official F1 test track.

 

Well, 5 years after said promise, 2 years after First Class Honors and Last week I drove an F1 car!!

 

The main reason I wanted to share this is to let people know that this is open to ANYBODY with a drivers license. It is just like any other car drive: pay your money and you get to drive! I wanted to let people who are able know that this is an option if you really want the greatest experience you can on 4 wheels. And no, I'm not getting any benefit from recommending this, I just want to share the experience and recommend that those who want to and can get to France to do it, should!

 

We got to do 2x5 laps in a Formula 3 to get used to a single seater and a car with downforce and then 7 laps in an old Arrows F1 with a cosworth V8 transplant. This is the real deal, 650hp and 700kg with me in it. I thought zeds were quick, but WOW! Dad took some short videos which I have put on youtube and there was a professional camera team on the day who are currently preparing a 30 minute DVD of me including incar footage. I'll post the in-car stuff when I get and extract it off the disk.

 

For now, I hope you like it: (watch them in order, it's me taking off out the pits, a drive-by, and me almost falling over with exhaustion and adrenalin after the 7 laps, in that order)

 

 

 

 

You have absolutely NO idea how fast these things go, they make NO power until 8000rpm and then they just don't stop!! The funny noises during gear changes is the car axle-tramping, all the way through to 4th gear, with 12" slicks!! Top speed is limited to 290kph (rev limit in 6th) and at that speed the wind is trying to pull your head off your shoulders! I don't know what else to say other than for those with the desire, do it!

[Linton]

well done and ya didn't stall it

[Whittie]

well done and ya didn't stall it

 

I stalled the F3.... But that's ok, I deleted the video of that

[C.A.R.]

I hate you.

[luvemfast]

Wowsers 

You've got a great dad there.

Best present/reward ever!

I think I speak for all of us when I say, very jealous.

[Six_Shooter]

That's awesome.

 

While I'm not a fan of F1 style racing (it's starting to grow on me, and LOVE the sound of the V10s at full song), I can definitely appreciate the technology and the driver's need to be fit and alert for the entire time behind the wheel, and the forces exerted on them.

 

Sounds like a blast, something I would love to do myself, especially now that I know there is a way to do it.

 

[nizm0zed]

I hate you.

 

x2.

 

[KatoKid]

Me = shade of green.

[NZeder]

As other have said already...wow...jealous...pleased for you...great present/incentive which obviously worked 

[PeterAllen]

Congratulations on both your achievements... Daniel Ricciardo watch out.

 

With your academic success have you considered studying one of the postgraduate Motorsport courses offered in the UK.

 

Here are some interesting discussions:

http://forums.autosport.com/index.php?showtopic=129997

 

http://forums.autosport.com/index.php?showtopic=153902

[peter t]

What can you say except GOOD ON YOU TOM

[tir33d]

Wow, looks to be reasonably priced. Just a shame its not on this side of the world instead.

 

[MaygZ]

Well done.  What an amazing experience.  I too hate you, and yet find you infinitely more attractive now.

 

I guess the closest you can come to it out here is one of the jet fighter experiences.

 

I too am a thrill seeker and am going on a balloon trip during the holidays 

[luvemfast]

I too am a thrill seeker and am going on a balloon trip during the holidays 

Lol Simon 

[Whittie]

Thanks for the kind words fellas

 

The biggest draw back to the experience is that it is on the other side of the world. However, when you compare the cost of the whole day (It's a VIP experience) vs what they charge to do 3-5 hot-laps in a pretend V8 in Aus, it's actually fairly reasonable. They aren't cheap cars to run and maintain.

 

The incentive was a huge help, kept me focused through the hard bits. It's been a real blessing in disguise, I would have liked to try to get into motorsport related work, but it's not something you can bank on due to such high demand and low position openings. I'm seriously enjoying the work I'm doing now and the career opportunities are plentiful and achievable, with enough time on the side to keep motorsport as a serious hobby, so I think that's a pretty fantastic compromise! Just look at my build thread, that's the perfect example of a dream come true for me, made possible through the help and assistance I've had.

 

I will say tho that I always had aspirations of driving an F1 car as a kid, but now that I've done it I have a FAR greater appreciation for the skill of the guys who do it for a living, it's seriously hard!

 

 

[Whittie]

Hey Guys,

 

Here is the incar footage I promised:

 

John:

 

 

Tom:

 

[MaygZ]

WOW!!!

 

That looked fantastic.  You know I hate you now.  I've been trying to convince my wife for about a month now that we need to go to France!

[luvemfast]

Now that looks like fun