I'm an F1 driver!
Discussion
Not quite a track day so I thought I'd post this here...
I decided to do the F1 experience at Three Sisters, it's something I've been talking about for years and never actually did it. So I thought I'd put some of my redundancy to good use
It started out with a little driving assessment in A Fiat 500 Abarth
Followed by a little jump to
The Lambo was very flattering car to drive, nailing apexes was easy, you could put the power down whenever you felt like it. I can see why poseurs drive them through London, no more difficult than the Fiat.
This on the other hand felt a lot rawer, given the choice between the two I'd have the Ferrari
Then onto proper race cars
The racing school formula felt just like a go kart
The F3, however was the 'mans' version, probably my favourite car of the day - I'd happily have one as my daily driver:
Then of course onto the F1
The F1 was the only car to feel significantly quicker than my Monster. It was stunning, I managed to be progressive with the throttle and get up to the redline in 5th at the end of the straight (geared down for the circuit of course - probably only doing ~120).
Spectacular fun, I'd recommend it to anyone who's really passionate about it. It's definitely inspired me - I'm about to pay my deposit to enter the Caterham academy next year!
I decided to do the F1 experience at Three Sisters, it's something I've been talking about for years and never actually did it. So I thought I'd put some of my redundancy to good use
It started out with a little driving assessment in A Fiat 500 Abarth
Followed by a little jump to
The Lambo was very flattering car to drive, nailing apexes was easy, you could put the power down whenever you felt like it. I can see why poseurs drive them through London, no more difficult than the Fiat.
This on the other hand felt a lot rawer, given the choice between the two I'd have the Ferrari
Then onto proper race cars
The racing school formula felt just like a go kart
The F3, however was the 'mans' version, probably my favourite car of the day - I'd happily have one as my daily driver:
Then of course onto the F1
The F1 was the only car to feel significantly quicker than my Monster. It was stunning, I managed to be progressive with the throttle and get up to the redline in 5th at the end of the straight (geared down for the circuit of course - probably only doing ~120).
Spectacular fun, I'd recommend it to anyone who's really passionate about it. It's definitely inspired me - I'm about to pay my deposit to enter the Caterham academy next year!
I got to do that about 4 years ago. Stunning day's fun. At the time I think the car topped out at about 145 in 6th with 600+ hp. I was entering the straight at probably 50-60 and hitting the limiter about 3 seconds later. The traction control was understandably set to be very sensitive, so top gear was the only one it was drivable in.
t at the time, and scared of binning it into a wall.
Hoygo - Engine was a Judd, I don't think it was standard for the car. I think the Judds were used a few years earlier than this '96 Forte Corse.
The brakes and tyres were a n00b setup, they hit temperature a lot quicker than real F1 which meant we didn't need to drive within 10% of the limit.
Waffles - Really surprises me, the lambo felt 'boring' but the ferrari was just raw enough to be fun. I suppose if you're only used to smaller cars it could seem a little odd (then again I have a smart roadster and a classic fiat 500 so...)
The brakes and tyres were a n00b setup, they hit temperature a lot quicker than real F1 which meant we didn't need to drive within 10% of the limit.
Waffles - Really surprises me, the lambo felt 'boring' but the ferrari was just raw enough to be fun. I suppose if you're only used to smaller cars it could seem a little odd (then again I have a smart roadster and a classic fiat 500 so...)
Wow, that looks like a fun day out
I know what you mean about Lamborghini vs Ferrari, I've driven both on the track and as dramatic as the Lamborghini is, it's perhaps a little 'too capable' for anything other than fast road work or bad conditions. It'll be a lovely car to own though.
Out of interest, roughly what was the cost of the day and the amount of track time you got if you don't mind me asking ?
Mrs is stuck for a bday pressy for me, and that looks a lot of fun
I know what you mean about Lamborghini vs Ferrari, I've driven both on the track and as dramatic as the Lamborghini is, it's perhaps a little 'too capable' for anything other than fast road work or bad conditions. It'll be a lovely car to own though.
Out of interest, roughly what was the cost of the day and the amount of track time you got if you don't mind me asking ?
Mrs is stuck for a bday pressy for me, and that looks a lot of fun
graeme4130 said:
Wow, that looks like a fun day out
I know what you mean about Lamborghini vs Ferrari, I've driven both on the track and as dramatic as the Lamborghini is, it's perhaps a little 'too capable' for anything other than fast road work or bad conditions. It'll be a lovely car to own though.
Out of interest, roughly what was the cost of the day and the amount of track time you got if you don't mind me asking ?
Mrs is stuck for a bday pressy for me, and that looks a lot of fun
Yeah, the Lamborghini would be a perfect car for your mate who doesn't really like cars but does want to pose, the Ferrari gives you both.I know what you mean about Lamborghini vs Ferrari, I've driven both on the track and as dramatic as the Lamborghini is, it's perhaps a little 'too capable' for anything other than fast road work or bad conditions. It'll be a lovely car to own though.
Out of interest, roughly what was the cost of the day and the amount of track time you got if you don't mind me asking ?
Mrs is stuck for a bday pressy for me, and that looks a lot of fun
I got a deal as I did it in April, a little over £1200, but it's about £1700 normally. So expensive but it is a bucket list type thing.
For that I got:
5 laps abarth, instructor driving
10 laps abarth, me driving
6 laps Lamborghini
6 laps Ferrari
10 laps formula racing school, paced
7 laps formula racing school
10 laps F3
10 laps F1
Laps are short at three sisters though - about 1 mile.
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