Wish I could scan the pics I have of me in Dan Gurney's Eagle back in 1967 and a Ferrari at the Factory back in the 1980's What thrills !!
How current an F1 car are you talking about? At Watkins Glen in 1998, Bud Moeller of California let me sit in his 1980 Ferrari 312T5. Now I know why F1 drivers are often accused of not using their mirrors: they're too small and too far back! Several years later, again at the Glen, I got Bud to allow a 13-year-old Canadian friend of mine to sit in the car. His dad took photos but (stupidly) I did not. You never saw such a happy kid!
I was invited to sit in an F2002 display chassis, but sadly, the cockpit opening is so small that it would have been ridiculous for me to even try. It is tiny!
Okay, okay ... I know we are supposed to put our children first but where is the photo of YOU in the car!!! Come on the kid can wait Pete's jealous of your son
That was Dan Gurneys PERSONAL CAR! Very Famous story that he actually raced his own car to many wins. Gotta scan it! -jt
I once sat in a real Williams F1 (ex Hill), but I think this one here counts more: F1 AGS from about 1990, test track of Le Luc, powered by a Ford Cosworth:
I remember reading that one of the F1 teams made a 2 seater car to take sponsors for a ride. Anyone else heard of this or perhaps got a ride in one?
Minardi built several two seaters and also owns now the three seater from the Arrows team. They offer them occasionally for rides, but it is expensive. The company I "rented" the F1 from also now offers a two seater and takes you for a ride (they take you for a ride in the one seater as well...financially).
Well, I didn't check for that, but I was with a small group of people who were taking turns and after watching some unsuccessful attempts to fit by gentlemen smaller than myself I politely declined. That was when I was mad with Dr. Atkins and his impossible-to-maintain diet!
Ryan, I want to shoot myself everytime I hear about them letting everyone sit in the car. I left early that day due to all the late night activities. That would have been the picture to have. Maybe next time.
Ah, the best reason to stay fit - fitting in a race car! Also the reason why, at long last, I don't wish I was 6'2" and 220. Sat in a mid-'90s Minardi at the factory. Car fit great, but those older cars sure left your head and shoulders exposed.
That is actually what keeps me on the tread mill. As far as renting F1 goes: They put rather large seats in them so basically anybody who can drive a go kart can fit into these things. They do stack them by height and weight though. You have to remember that most F1 drivers are jockeys in height and width and have personalized seats, so no wonder no normal person can fit into their seats.
I don't care how much jockeying is done, my 6'7" self is not going to fit in an F1 car period. ever... I am pretty good with the contortionist(sp) stuff, but not that good. Craig
Being tall is not that much of an issue: The seat can go fairly far back and your knees just come up a bit higher. One of the tallest F1 drivers of all times was Hans Stuck and he is 6 feet something. Your helmet might get in the way of the airbox, so loose some power and airflow, but hey.
When I was working in the race shop I had the opportunity to sit in a few Formula One cars: Ferrari, Williams, Lotus, Brabham, AGS, etc. I'm only 5'6", and some of them were a VERY tight fit on me - especially around the pedals. I've never driven any of them, of course.
My neighbor has a huge motorcycle collection/museum in his garage along with 2 F1 cars and 2 more coming. I got to sit in both of them. My favorite was Christiano de Mattas cars from a few years back. It wasnt as uncomfortable as I thought it would be.
As far as I know the two 3 seaters have been auctioned as has been the rest of the Arrows remains, but they were acquired in behalf of the Ascari Race Resort, Spain. DB