| Author | Message | ||
| Racer 001 (Mr_0011)
Member Username: Mr_0011 Post Number: 431 Registered: 3-2002 |
Thanks for the kind words Gene. Driving a 360 sure has encouraged me to seek the finer things in life...  Ferraris! | ||
| Gene Agatep (Gagatep)
Junior Member Username: Gagatep Post Number: 114 Registered: 8-2002 |
Racer and Susan, As you know it is fortunate to have the experience of driving such a fine automobile. It is even more fortunate to be able to have the experience at an early age. Personally, I took my early experiences as a driving force to achieve my goals in life of owning one. I take this same drive also in life. Keep your feet on the ground - set your goals - map out your guide path - and drive to it!!! When you get older - mentor others to see how life could be so beautiful (just like how your Dad is doing for you - Susan). Mark---- As soon as my oldest son reachest my height no matter what age - for my son I think it might be his 12th or 13th B-day - he's growing so fast. (I'm only 5'-5" - approx 1.6 meters) - I do also plan for him to experience driving the F. | ||
| TomD (Tifosi)
Intermediate Member Username: Tifosi Post Number: 2013 Registered: 9-2001 |
hey we all remember being a teenager - many of us still act like one | ||
| Racer 001 (Mr_0011)
Member Username: Mr_0011 Post Number: 428 Registered: 3-2002 |
lol... I am not hitting on her! Just trying to have a conversation with another young Fcar fan... | ||
| TomD (Tifosi)
Intermediate Member Username: Tifosi Post Number: 2007 Registered: 9-2001 |
he probably looked at the family pics on their website and is speculating which one is her These days you have to try anything | ||
| Martin - Cavallino Motors (Miami348ts)
Advanced Member Username: Miami348ts Post Number: 3462 Registered: 5-2001 |
Racer is hitting big time on Susan! Mark, might want to keep an eye on that LOL www.FerrariSingles.com Welcome Susan. | ||
| Racer 001 (Mr_0011)
Member Username: Mr_0011 Post Number: 425 Registered: 3-2002 |
Susan, I had know idea you had to 17 in the UK... You must be 18 to have a license in California, but you can always get a learners permit... or drive illegaly... just kidding... ;) I still have some high school left... but I'll finish a few mounths ahead... I'm studing biology, and hopefully get into biotechnology... Junior college first for me... I think it's not a waste of time like most do, it think it'll help me out... and what's 2 years or so? There is an optional class where you get work experience or an internship so I'd like to go that route and start making some money asap... then I'll probably go to a state college and go all the way up to a graduates degree... a Masters will most likely do... though Stanford's Ph.D programs are tempting... But, even though I love the school, it costs an arm and leg, plus your first born... $27k or so for tuition a year... not terrible but still a bit pricey for me... and I doubt such an education will really get me closer to a nice home and new Ferrari faster than the other route... Anyway, only time will tell if I'll enjoy being a life scientist... Either way, enough interests me so I'm not worried about not having enthusiasm to study something else if I get bored of biotech... Do you travel? Have you ever seen the Pacific Ocean? | ||
| Susan Collins (Susan)
New member Username: Susan Post Number: 4 Registered: 12-2002 |
Well, we were karting and I would like to start doing it again but it was more a leisure thing to do at weekends, I didnt really kart seriously i.e. endurance karting, like my dad use too. It would be nice to start it again but we are always busy and what with a-level work and and work we have just kinda stopped going. You have to be 17 here before yuo can start driving, they are planning to change to 18 though. Racer001 - I am planning to major in controlling the car when it is starting to travel sideways and in spins, my main aim is just to learn everything that will make a better driver on the track and on the road. I am really looking forward to my academy day! I see that you are a student on the other side of the pond, are you at college too, what are you studying there? As for the weather here, its usually quite nice in may but it is common to see the odd summer rainfalls. Ps. Thanks for the welcome. | ||
| Bart Boonacker (Sharky666)
Junior Member Username: Sharky666 Post Number: 89 Registered: 9-2002 |
Woops, I just realised, It's gone completly off topic. Just got a bit to carried away I guess. | ||
| Bart Boonacker (Sharky666)
Junior Member Username: Sharky666 Post Number: 87 Registered: 9-2002 |
Susan, great to hear you're karting aswell. Are you still karting ? Which class where you riding ? And you must be one of the "rare" racing girls that like to get their nails dirty. Over here, I know like 20 girls that are karting and only 1 sometimes works on her kart. Or is that just a Dutch thing ? And with the free track day, I guess riding along, with someone who knows what he's doing (or should I say she now ? ), is almost as much fun as riding yourself. So you already got your drivers license, what's the age in the UK ? 16 ? | ||
| Racer 001 (Mr_0011)
Member Username: Mr_0011 Post Number: 415 Registered: 3-2002 |
Susan, Glad to hear you like Ferraris. What are you going to major in? How is the weather there in May? Welcome to Fchat! | ||
| TomD (Tifosi)
Intermediate Member Username: Tifosi Post Number: 1995 Registered: 9-2001 |
rob, for all these single F-car guys maybe you can start a singles site where they can find f-car women Great post susan. I remember when my friends father trusted my friend and I to take out his mondial for an hour when I was 17. I will never forget it | ||
| DES (Sickspeed)
Junior Member Username: Sickspeed Post Number: 108 Registered: 8-2002 |
Damn, not only is she a Ferrari fan, but she's thoughtful, too... tsk... if she were just 5 years older...... | ||
| Susan Collins (Susan)
New member Username: Susan Post Number: 2 Registered: 12-2002 |
Thanks for the warm welcome Bart. I generally like cars (especially my dads) but i am interested in them as a result of my dad having such a variety currently and in the past plus with no girl cousins to play dolly's with I started going karting and off roading when I was 13 so although I can be a girlie girl (shpping for clothes, make up, chilling, drinking when its not my turn to drive) i am also keen to get my nails dirty...lol ! Definatly hooked for life and I am looking forward to the next time I get to take it for a little spin but I am looking forward to my academy day where I get to learn how to drive properly and as for the free track day, might give that to Dad as he is the reason why I won it, well share it with him!! | ||
| Bart Boonacker (Sharky666)
Junior Member Username: Sharky666 Post Number: 83 Registered: 9-2002 |
Susan, you sure have a great dad. My dad also lets me drive his car but that's just a Ford Mondeo. Love the way you put it, "driving a Ferrari is like swimming around in a pool of melting chocolate except you get a huge adrenalin rush and then when you get out of the drivers seat all you can do for the next 24hrs is " I think your dad should hide the keys now huh ? Hooked for life Welcome to the board btw - Bart | ||
| Andrew (Mrrou)
Member Username: Mrrou Post Number: 434 Registered: 3-2002 |
If I could find a woman who loved ferrari's as much as I do than i'd be in heaven! | ||
| Racer 001 (Mr_0011)
Member Username: Mr_0011 Post Number: 409 Registered: 3-2002 |
Glad to hear you had fun Susan! Next step, convince your dad you need your own Ferrari. lol | ||
| DES (Sickspeed)
Junior Member Username: Sickspeed Post Number: 88 Registered: 8-2002 |
Mark... Definitely father of the year, as far as i'm concerned... Susan, congratulations, i hope you have more days than not, filled with Ferrari driving... and from the sounds of it, you might be on your way to a career... | ||
| Howie/ExoticAutoBrokers.com (Brokerofexotics)
Member Username: Brokerofexotics Post Number: 284 Registered: 11-2001 |
Mark, You have my vote for Father of the Year! One day, I will give my son the same thrill, although he's only 5 months old now. I wonder what Ferrari's lineup will be like then. Perhaps a 24 cylinder Ferrari? | ||
| Marq J Ruben (Qferrari)
Junior Member Username: Qferrari Post Number: 135 Registered: 2-2002 |
Congratulations, Susan! Sounds like you had a great time and a most thoroughly enjoyable experience! | ||
| Susan Collins (Susan)
New member Username: Susan Post Number: 1 Registered: 12-2002 |
Well what can I say, it was the greatest feeling in the world compared to road driving that is, having the freedom of space, no speed limits, the ultimate car with the greatest speed and a very trusting Dad I had the time of my life. What can I say, driving a ferrari is like swimming around in a pool of melting chocolate except you get a huge adrenalin rush and then when you get out of the drivers seat all you can do for the next 24hrs is smile, when I called my mum after my first session she said "makesure your come back down from cloud nine hundred before you drive home" and thats exactly how it felt, I just kept on saying "I've driven the ferrari, I've driven the ferrari". I really can't describe the feeling I had whilst driving but I will say I doubt very much I will drive anything more enjoyable than my dads 355 GTS! Thanks to my Dad for a great day, and having only just read the post I have only just found out that I won the free trackday so that was mega bonus! I definatly have the best Dad in the world ! | ||
| Racer 001 (Mr_0011)
Member Username: Mr_0011 Post Number: 401 Registered: 3-2002 |
Congrats Mark... for being a good father! I'm sure she enjoyed it and will never forget it... looking forward to her thoughts on the experience... DES, The F1 system is very good. Sometimes more exciting than driving a stick (for me atleast). It kinda quote CAR magazine the F1 system is a 'purity' of a machine and driver linkage. It sort of... invites you to learn with it, remember that it's still the same transmission, it's just a different way to shift gears. Again, CAR magazine put it nicely when they said that it (F1 system) can be exploited like few others (other autos or manu-matics I assume). My experience with it was fine... I tend to lift my foot off of the gas pedal a tad when I pull back to shift. I don't know if I should, but the owner of the car says he does it sometimes... but even if you keep your foot on the gas you can't powershift because the clutch will automatically be engaged. Even though there's no clutch pedal to press, there is still a clutch to be thinking about. IMHO, a six speed manual is probably a nicer choice if you want more freedom with the transmission... though I will say, as cool as it is, the 'clanck/click/clunk' of the stick isn't the greatest thing since sliced bread like everybody says. I think it's just as great to pull the F1 shifter and be pressed back into your seat... makes you feel kinda like Schumi... lol | ||
| Debbie (Dilly)
Junior Member Username: Dilly Post Number: 96 Registered: 9-2001 |
Sounds like a new racerchick has been born to me! Nika and I are proud | ||
| magoo (Magoo)
Advanced Member Username: Magoo Post Number: 3669 Registered: 2-2001 |
Mark, Spoken like a very proud Dad. Maybe a 007 movie in the making Huh? | ||
| Andrew Menasce (Amenasce)
Member Username: Amenasce Post Number: 396 Registered: 10-2001 |
Looked like a fun day! Nothing's better than a wet track and a RWD ! | ||
| Mark Collins (Markcollins)
Junior Member Username: Markcollins Post Number: 53 Registered: 7-2002 |
Well I'm pleased to say that went completely wothout a hitch, 20 minutes or so running around the Airfield perimeter road to get used to the car then two 20 minute sessions on track with an Instructor, she even won the 'most improved driver of the day award' and won a free trackday! Racer001 I'll get her to post here so you know how she felt/ feels! Hubert, she's already booked on a 'driver academy' day in March '03 with a guy called Ed Moore, he coaches many of the 'film stars' in driver ability inc Pierce Brosnan for the recent Bond movie some still pics here, it was wet and dull so apologise ofr the quality, http://www.collinsclan.co.uk/Hullavington0612/index.html video to follow | ||
| DES (Sickspeed)
Junior Member Username: Sickspeed Post Number: 84 Registered: 8-2002 |
Racer... First off, Mike's right- don't let people give you sh!t because you're pushing something they'll never have, small-minded, closed-minded people have no business interacting with the rest of society... Mike's advice is a little more euphemistic (and alot more sound) than the advice i'd give you, so, like he said, don't even pay any attention to them... Now... getting back to these cars... i don't know who your friends are or just how good of a friend you must be for them to let you drive their Ferraris, but you're one of the luckiest- if not THE luckiest person i've ever spoken to... the 360 keeps me coming back, i don't know, she's just gorgeous in her own right, i've always wanted to test her, but i have a question: For me, driving a stick is so much fun... i've never driven an F1, but i just can't see how it could be better (or even compare) to a manual transmission- what was it like...? is it easy to drive F1...? is it better, is it more fun, from your point of view...? i'd really like to know, thanks... | ||
| Racer 001 (Mr_0011)
Member Username: Mr_0011 Post Number: 398 Registered: 3-2002 |
Michael N., Thanks man. What really get's to me is when people start talking w/o asking questions and listening... It's like this... Guy at the parking lot: "Nice car." Me: "Thank you. It's not mine though." -apperantly this is where they stop listening... Guy: "So how many drugs did you sell to buy this Ferrari?" Me: "No sir, I'm not a drug dealer..." Guy: "Oh... so which dealer did you steal it from?" I never win  ... but I don't care... when I get a Fcar I'll be a little older... | ||
| Michael N. (Man90tr)
Member Username: Man90tr Post Number: 735 Registered: 4-2001 |
Hey Racer, You are way too accepting of rude people. Why did you have sly comments "coming to you" because you drove the car alone? So what if it was your car -- whether you are 18 or 55 -- you should still be afforded the respect of a F-car driver. Unfortunately, the more successful you are and the older you get -- the meaner people can be reference what you have. Listen to the comments, hear them, but please don't make an excuse for their meanness. And when you drive by, don't waste your time looking at people that you have to "look back" to see (unfortunately this applies to life itself all too often as people make you ignore them because of actions such as what you experienced). Enjoy your f-car when you get it. Michael | ||
| Racer 001 (Mr_0011)
Member Username: Mr_0011 Post Number: 397 Registered: 3-2002 |
DES, a friend of mine got a 360 Modena F1, so I've driven that model... I've driven his previous cars as well, a TR, 308, and F355... IMHO, the 360 is the best car, and the TR was the most fun out of the previous 3 cars my friend owned. There was a bad experience I had with the Modena though... I guess it was cause I drove alone so I had it coming to me... I was called a 'preppy kid' (which is a bunch of crap) and spoiled, etc... I got the "How much did daddy pay for your new toy?" lines... But that only happened once or so, and I haven't really driven it THAT many times. | ||
| Jonas Petersen (Karsten335)
Junior Member Username: Karsten335 Post Number: 127 Registered: 11-2002 |
I'm 17 and have driven one before. 2 actually. Greatest fealing ever. I'm not good enough in speaking english to write my thoughts, but it sure was some entrigin? rides | ||
| Bart Boonacker (Sharky666)
Junior Member Username: Sharky666 Post Number: 80 Registered: 9-2002 |
Mark, that's great to hear. I wish I had a dad like that, well I mean one with a Ferrari I guess it probably won't be a problem, she passed here test so riding on a straight shouldn't be that big of a problem. And if you'd consider adopting Roel, don't do it He already drove Jens his 348, adopt me instead Just kidding, enjoy the day and I'd love to see the making of a new, female, Ferrari enthausiast. | ||
| Manu (Manu)
Member Username: Manu Post Number: 567 Registered: 2-2002 |
Mark - you ARE mad!!! By the way - women are typically really sympathetic drivers - it would be better if she was a little more experienced, but hell - who cares ? (imagine a 17 year old GUY driving the car - I'd much rather it be a girl).. She'll never forget it - hats off for having such a big heart. | ||
| Steve Anderson (Sranderson)
New member Username: Sranderson Post Number: 13 Registered: 11-2002 |
Thanks Mark (old pal) Being such a good Dad, and with my son looking at this thread, you have screwed things up for the rest of us! LOL | ||
| Hubert Otlik (Hugh)
Member Username: Hugh Post Number: 365 Registered: 1-2002 |
Mark- You should be applauded! Next thing, get her some seat time at a 'performance driving school'; e.g. the equivelent to skip barber, etc. in the UK. Regards, hubert | ||
| DES (Sickspeed)
Junior Member Username: Sickspeed Post Number: 68 Registered: 8-2002 |
Racer... what Ferraris have you driven and how was the opportunity available to you...? | ||
| Racer 001 (Mr_0011)
Member Username: Mr_0011 Post Number: 396 Registered: 3-2002 |
I'm 17 too, however, all the Fcars I've driven don't belong to either my mother or father. Tell her to post her thoughts about the car here Mark. I've never meet anybody else my age that has driven a Ferrari. Is it six speed or F1? | ||
| Roel de Fouw (Spawnz)
Junior Member Username: Spawnz Post Number: 91 Registered: 6-2002 |
Mark, I already got my driver's licence but... If you'd just adopt me, you'd owe me a ride. Sound like a good deal. | ||
| Willis Huang (Willis360)
Intermediate Member Username: Willis360 Post Number: 1044 Registered: 8-2001 |
Another RacerChick in the making. | ||
| Michael N. (Man90tr)
Member Username: Man90tr Post Number: 732 Registered: 4-2001 |
Good going Mark. We need more parents like you in the world. | ||
| DES (Sickspeed)
Junior Member Username: Sickspeed Post Number: 64 Registered: 8-2002 |
Mark... As nervous as you are, just know that she'll NEVER forget it... damn, you're a cool parent, i think i might cry... | ||
| Andrew (Mrrou)
Member Username: Mrrou Post Number: 424 Registered: 3-2002 |
relax.. it will all be over soon andrew | ||
| bruce wellington (Bws88tr)
Intermediate Member Username: Bws88tr Post Number: 1234 Registered: 4-2002 |
mark start your valium drip now... regards, bruce | ||
| Jonas Petersen (Karsten335)
Junior Member Username: Karsten335 Post Number: 124 Registered: 11-2002 |
Nice Looking forward to it! | ||
| Mark Collins (Markcollins)
Junior Member Username: Markcollins Post Number: 52 Registered: 7-2002 |
My 17 yr old daughter passed her driving test 6 weeks ago and as a 'well done' present I said she could drive my 355..eek Anyway the day has come, well it will have tomorrow morning, admittedly it's on an old Airfield with a track marked out with cones so in theory there's little to hit other than another car, cones, airfield landing lights.......perhaps I'll just let her go on her own and not sit in the passenger seat!............wish me luck I'll post the video! |