F1 Driving Experience at 3 Sister?
Discussion
Has anyone done this?
looking at a few advertised its at least half the price of the others, some of which you don't actually get to drive the F1 car, its a 2 seater passenger ride!
With the 3 Sisters one they claim you get 10 laps driving an older F1 car, presumably the rev limiter is set quite low?
looking at a few advertised its at least half the price of the others, some of which you don't actually get to drive the F1 car, its a 2 seater passenger ride!
With the 3 Sisters one they claim you get 10 laps driving an older F1 car, presumably the rev limiter is set quite low?
I've read a good review of this place but don't know anybody who's been there.
http://www.agsformule1.com/en/drive-a-formula-1.ph...
http://www.agsformule1.com/en/drive-a-formula-1.ph...
Rockingham have an F1 experience too in a 1996 Forti or a 1993 Arrows. I read a review about the day when it was first launched and it came highly recommended. The rev limit was 10,000 of I would guess a 16,000rpm limit when the car was raced so you won't be able to play with most of the power, but the reviewer said it was scary fast anyway. You'd probably still be looking at F3 performance.
I`d be surprised if you get out of 1st gear in an F1 car there as has already been said, it is a Kart circuit.TVR Sagaris said:
CDP's right: it's basically a kart circuit. My dad did a Formula Ford day up there and he had lots of fun, but it's not the best for anything bigger than that.
I did this and it was good fun. About 4 cars on the track at the same time, blue flag overtaking, all 2nd and 3rd gear stuff. I did watch a ferrari experiece day who were there at the same time and it did look a little stunted. Whether or not there were rev limits or the track was just too small to get a good run up I don't know. As said, it's a large kart circuit so I doubt you can get much out of it.I have just looked it up
http://www.racing-school.co.uk/driving/formula1.as...
£1450!
Fot that sort of money (well at least half) I'd be looking at a Plamer Sport day (they have Formula Jaguars that you can really push.
http://palmersport.com/formulajaguar.aspx
There was one at Circuit de Catalunya a few years ago that I was tempted by, but I never got around to doing it.
At the time it was about £2000 for 10 laps (including the warm up cars) and you could buy extra laps if you had the cash.
The cars were also quite up-to-date (i.e. less than 10 years old) and they didn't artificially reduce the rev or speed limits.
Looking at them now though, they seem to be £3000+
http://www.adren-a-line.com/
At the time it was about £2000 for 10 laps (including the warm up cars) and you could buy extra laps if you had the cash.
The cars were also quite up-to-date (i.e. less than 10 years old) and they didn't artificially reduce the rev or speed limits.
Looking at them now though, they seem to be £3000+
http://www.adren-a-line.com/
Renault F1 are also doing their own F1 driving experience...for 5,500 euros.
http://www.renaultf1.com/Feel-It,1241.html
http://www.renaultf1.com/Feel-It,1241.html
kaese said:
Renault F1 are also doing their own F1 driving experience...for 5,500 euros.
http://www.renaultf1.com/Feel-It,1241.html
Sounds good. I've got about $100 in my desk draw so I'll wait until that's worth 5,500 Euros. http://www.renaultf1.com/Feel-It,1241.html
August probably
Glyn84 said:
.. You'd probably still be looking at F3 performance.
I've worked on a number of these days and I can say that the F1 car is a very different beast to the F3 car (which you also get to drive on this experience).The cars are 600kgs with 600bhp and you don't feel restricted on revs, the thing still howls like a banshee and gives you a tremendous kick in the back.
I did this "unofficial" video 3 years ago at Rockingham.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R-w-qevioYM
I cant speak for the 3 Sisters Experience as i've never done it but at Rockingham you get a long straight, fast right and a fast left, 2 hairpins and a chicane so plenty of chance to work the car.
You get one-to-one tuition from a senior instructor which we've done in Mini's, Lotus's and even in the fleet of Middle-East V8 Supercars. You then get 17 laps in the Rockingham Single Seaters. Then 10 laps in a totally unrestricted F3 car (on slicks if dry) and then your 10 laps in the F1. The price also includes overnight accomodation & meal for driver and guest and of course catering during the day.
It's a premium experience, you are with just a small group. If you work out what you get it's exceptional value for money.
I've never seen any driver get out of the car that was not totally blown away by the experience and we've had a number of ex race drivers.
Maxx
Maxx said:
Glyn84 said:
.. You'd probably still be looking at F3 performance.
I've worked on a number of these days and I can say that the F1 car is a very different beast to the F3 car (which you also get to drive on this experience).The cars are 600kgs with 600bhp and you don't feel restricted on revs, the thing still howls like a banshee and gives you a tremendous kick in the back.
I did this "unofficial" video 3 years ago at Rockingham.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R-w-qevioYM
I cant speak for the 3 Sisters Experience as i've never done it but at Rockingham you get a long straight, fast right and a fast left, 2 hairpins and a chicane so plenty of chance to work the car.
You get one-to-one tuition from a senior instructor which we've done in Mini's, Lotus's and even in the fleet of Middle-East V8 Supercars. You then get 17 laps in the Rockingham Single Seaters. Then 10 laps in a totally unrestricted F3 car (on slicks if dry) and then your 10 laps in the F1. The price also includes overnight accomodation & meal for driver and guest and of course catering during the day.
It's a premium experience, you are with just a small group. If you work out what you get it's exceptional value for money.
I've never seen any driver get out of the car that was not totally blown away by the experience and we've had a number of ex race drivers.
Maxx
Would you know how much the days costs? cant see a price anywhere on the website.
Maxx said:
You get one-to-one tuition from a senior instructor which we've done in Mini's, Lotus's and even in the fleet of Middle-East V8 Supercars. You then get 17 laps in the Rockingham Single Seaters. Then 10 laps in a totally unrestricted F3 car (on slicks if dry) and then your 10 laps in the F1. The price also includes overnight accomodation & meal for driver and guest and of course catering during the day.
Which circuit layout do you use at Rockingham? It does sound like you get a lot of running, as a lot of the F1 experiences I've seen seem to give you 2 or 3 laps. As a petrol head and an F1 fan one day I'll do one of these experiences. Just need to start saving!One final question... I know you mentioned ex race drivers have absolutely loved it. Are there any restrictions on people with current race licenses? I know on some experiences they aren't too keen or like you to get written permission beforehand. Can't see the logic in that myself but it's their cars at the end of the day.
Edited by Glyn84 on Saturday 8th May 10:55
CDP said:
I've read a good review of this place but don't know anybody who's been there.
http://www.agsformule1.com/en/drive-a-formula-1.ph...
I would love to try the LeMans wining 905b, but €9375 will sadly be forever too rich for my blood http://www.agsformule1.com/en/drive-a-formula-1.ph...
Glyn84 said:
Which circuit layout do you use at Rockingham? It does sound like you get a lot of running, as a lot of the F1 experiences I've seen seem to give you 2 or 3 laps. As a petrol head and an F1 fan one day I'll do one of these experiences. Just need to start saving!
One final question... I know you mentioned ex race drivers have absolutely loved it. Are there any restrictions on people with current race licenses? I know on some experiences they aren't too keen or like you to get written permission beforehand. Can't see the logic in that myself but it's their cars at the end of the day.
The circuit they use is called the Handling Circuit, there maybe a layout on the Rockingham page. It's a long straight, 90deg right, medium straight, chicane, hairpin, fast off camber right, medium straight and another "open" hairpin. You reach well over a hundred miles per hour by the end of the pit straight even if you are fairly conservative with the loud pedal.One final question... I know you mentioned ex race drivers have absolutely loved it. Are there any restrictions on people with current race licenses? I know on some experiences they aren't too keen or like you to get written permission beforehand. Can't see the logic in that myself but it's their cars at the end of the day.
Edited by Glyn84 on Saturday 8th May 10:55
Not aware if any restrictions for race license holders.
Maxx
I have been lucky enough to experience this at three sisters. My girlfriend at the time bought it for me for my 30th birthday present. she is now my wife!
As mentioned the circuit is very small and tight but this did not dissapoint at all. in fact i think that was a blessing really as knowing how fast it was if i had been given a proper circuit i probably wouldnt be here now. There wasnt a restriction on revs as such although i couldnt tell you what it reved too (too busy laughing, screaming and looking where i was going). The guys who ran it said you will hit the rev limiter along the back straight which is about 135 mph in the gear you are in (one gear all way round) but dont worry you wont hurt anything.
it is the single most impressive experience of my entire life so far. i cannot put into words what the acceleration is like but i could feel my internals moving. They start you off on the day with an instructor (we had MG's but this may have changed). this is to learn the lines etc of the circuit. then into formula fords for a couple of ten lap sessions with about 5 cars out at a time. then break for lunch and after that a formula 3 which to be honest was in a way more enjoyable, if not as impressive as the F1. it was an amazing car to drive and it didnt have too much power for the average bod (although very very quick). then ten laps in a 1996 F1 car. cant remember the name of the team but suffice to say they were very unsuccessfull. so a rubbish F1 car (think it had Pedro Diniz on the cockpit? But absolutely amazing.
I would highly recommend doing something like this to everyone. It will change your perspective of what a fast car is forever.
the description of the one at Rockingham does sound slightly better than the day had mind. I guess it just depends on price.
As mentioned the circuit is very small and tight but this did not dissapoint at all. in fact i think that was a blessing really as knowing how fast it was if i had been given a proper circuit i probably wouldnt be here now. There wasnt a restriction on revs as such although i couldnt tell you what it reved too (too busy laughing, screaming and looking where i was going). The guys who ran it said you will hit the rev limiter along the back straight which is about 135 mph in the gear you are in (one gear all way round) but dont worry you wont hurt anything.
it is the single most impressive experience of my entire life so far. i cannot put into words what the acceleration is like but i could feel my internals moving. They start you off on the day with an instructor (we had MG's but this may have changed). this is to learn the lines etc of the circuit. then into formula fords for a couple of ten lap sessions with about 5 cars out at a time. then break for lunch and after that a formula 3 which to be honest was in a way more enjoyable, if not as impressive as the F1. it was an amazing car to drive and it didnt have too much power for the average bod (although very very quick). then ten laps in a 1996 F1 car. cant remember the name of the team but suffice to say they were very unsuccessfull. so a rubbish F1 car (think it had Pedro Diniz on the cockpit? But absolutely amazing.
I would highly recommend doing something like this to everyone. It will change your perspective of what a fast car is forever.
the description of the one at Rockingham does sound slightly better than the day had mind. I guess it just depends on price.
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