Formula 1 course - any one done it?

[Luca Brazzi]

Don't normally frequent this forum, so be gentle

I've been reading about this, and wondered if anyone on here has tried this.
Their site:
http://www.agsformule1.com/en/drive-a-formula-1.ph...

Their brochure:
http://www.agsformule1.com/download/031106-143319_...

Recognising that these things by their nature are very expensive, what do people think of the above?

Summary from the brochure for their top spec course:
from page 10 of their .pdf file

Masters package at Paul Ricard
5 laps in F3 car
8 laps F1-V8
8 in ex F1-V10 (Arrows and Prost 4 laps each)
10,200 euros

Recognising that frustratingly, it seems like you only get 2 hot laps in each of the V10's rather than 6 if you stayed in the one car.

I know you will all have views, some along the lines of for that you could buy your own car and have much more fun learning to drive properly etc. I'm thinking of a once (perhaps twice ) in a lifetime go at driving almost unobtainable machinery.

Just general thoughts wanted really. Still only a thought in my head at the moment.

Thanks all,
LB

[PetrolTed]

I did the low rent version at Mallory Park a few years back. Definitely worth doing if you can - the power is like nothing else ever experienced.

That course seems pretty steep though for the number of laps you get. Although I suppose it is at a decent circuit so it's longish laps on a proper circuit

[Maxx]

Wow, seems really expensive for what you get, I felt sure the Paul Ricard one was at least a couple of days and quite a lot more laps than that.

I've not done any F1 experience but I have and do work for the two companies on the UK that provide them, "Everyman" (the Mallory one mentioned above) and "The Racing School" who provide the experience at either 3 Sisters (Wigan) or Rockingham (Corby). They provide roughly the same type of experience, various cars leading up to the F1. I did an "unofficial" video of the one at Rockingham on a previous day I worked on for a few buddies, it's on Youtube here : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R-w-qevioYM

M.

[456lbft]

I have spoken to a few people who have done both and they agree that Palmersport JP1 is a bigger rush. The benefit of having an instructer sitting alongside you encouraging you to go faster and taking the brakes off if you apply them too much(!!) is much more satisfying than scratching the surface of a F1 cars performance. Best of all take a few mates and compare times afterwards. maybe after you done that a few times you will be better prepared for what an F1 car can offer.

[Luca Brazzi]

Thanks everyone. Very helpful. Have done the Palmersport day and did indeed thoroughly enjoy the JP1.

Ii one day I were to do the F1 thing, I would certainly do as much practice beforehand at the track and building up in other cars so as to get the most out of it.

I think another session at Palmersport beckons in the meantime.

LB

[Marki]

My ex Boss raced at Lemans many times and did a season in F3000 i got to drive his Cosworth DFV F3000 car at Mallory but also a bit

[AndrewD]

A colleague of mine is involved in this:

http://www.grandprixdrive.com/ 

Ex-Schumi 1993 Benetton, you have to get yourself to South Africa but flights are cheap and the cost of the day seems amazing value...

[Luca Brazzi]

AndrewD said:

A colleague of mine is involved in this:

http://www.grandprixdrive.com/ 

Ex-Schumi 1993 Benetton, you have to get yourself to South Africa but flights are cheap and the cost of the day seems amazing value...

Now that is exceptional value.

[Fidgits]

Luca Brazzi said:

AndrewD said:

A colleague of mine is involved in this:

http://www.grandprixdrive.com/ 

Ex-Schumi 1993 Benetton, you have to get yourself to South Africa but flights are cheap and the cost of the day seems amazing value...

Now that is exceptional value.

R25,000 is 1700 quid!

What do you actually get for that though?

[AndrewD]

Snip:

Classroom briefing
Audi TT - 3 laps by instructor, 3 laps by you
Mygale Formula Ford 2000 - 4 laps following a pace car, 4 laps unpaced (includes onboard camera so that your driving can be critiqued later!)
Dallara F3 car including camera & telemetry for later review - 4 laps paced, 4 laps unpaced
F1 simulator
F1 car - 4 laps

[Luca Brazzi]

And better value it would appear than the one I put at the top of the thread.

[Maxx]

The UK one (at least the Racing School one) still seems much better value. Cost is £1,350 which includes Overnight Accomodation plus Dinner & Breakfast for you and one guest. Circuit Familiarisation in a Lotus Elise or similar (i.e. you passenger, instructor drives). You then get 10 laps driving the Elise with instructor next to you. Then you do 10 laps in a single seater behind a pace car which will gradually increase it's pace to get you up to speed. You then get 7 laps "un-paced", then do 10 laps in an F3 car and finally 10 laps in the F1 car. All meals/snack drinks on the day are included as is a certificate and photo, plus you get to wear the proper gear, FIA 3-layer racesuit, race boots gloves etc.

I worked on one of these events at Rockingham the other day and everyone was blown away by the experience, there was even one guy there who was doing it for the third time he enjoyed it so much.