My adventure driving an F1 car! | Page 4 | FerrariChat

My adventure driving an F1 car!

Discussion in 'F1' started by Birdman, Sep 2, 2008.

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  1. It's Ross

    It's Ross Formula 3

    Jul 30, 2007
    2,028
    Barrington, Ill. USA
    Full Name:
    Ross
    Great story, kudos for choosing a gearbox. Arrgh.
     
  2. 308ROB

    308ROB Formula Junior
    Silver Subscribed

    Aug 14, 2004
    882
    Netherlands
    Full Name:
    Rob
    The Birdman,
    Wonderful experience and a GREATE write up.
    Thank You for sharing this with us, for me I felt like I was there. :)

    Rob,
     
  3. Peter of Montreal

    Jun 13, 2007
    2
    Yo Birdman,
    You are an OK driver (you manage to beat me the only time I drove a kart)! But you are one of the best storyteller I know. What a great read. Thanks.

    By the way, if you liked this story by Birdman, read this one:
    http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=154645


    Best,

    Peter
     
  4. Birdman

    Birdman F1 Veteran

    Jun 20, 2003
    6,687
    North shore, MA
    Full Name:
    THE Birdman
  5. b-mak

    b-mak F1 Veteran

    I would have, too!
     
  6. tifosi12

    tifosi12 Four Time F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Oct 3, 2002
    48,581
    @ the wheel
    Full Name:
    Andreas
    #81 tifosi12, Sep 4, 2008
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
  7. LightGuy

    LightGuy Three Time F1 World Champ
    Silver Subscribed

    Oct 4, 2004
    39,592
    Texas
    Full Name:
    David
    Uh-oh !
    Your already sliding down that slippery slope.
    Next comes " I think I'll just get that SCCA membership, you know, just for the magazine."

    I'm with the Carreaper; Thread of the month.
     
  8. tifosi12

    tifosi12 Four Time F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Oct 3, 2002
    48,581
    @ the wheel
    Full Name:
    Andreas
    #83 tifosi12, Sep 4, 2008
    Last edited: Sep 4, 2008
    For me it went the opposite direction: I did 3 days Skip Barber first and thought to myself "Now what?". I didn't want to do their racing series, but move up. So I started looking around for rides that I can "borrow" for a day for money. That's how eventually I found the AGS guys in France. I don't care much for participating in a racing series, but I would like to know what it feels like to drive these beasts. And ever since sampling racing cars has become a bit of a passion.

    I've said it before and I say it again: Skip Barber (or any other racing school) should provide classes to move up. Instead they all provide basically the same beginners class and then their beginners racing series. I'm sure this is a market niche that somebody should fill.
    Other hobbies work like this: Be it Scuba Diving or flying airplanes, they all offer classes (and tests) to move up the ladder.
     
  9. LightGuy

    LightGuy Three Time F1 World Champ
    Silver Subscribed

    Oct 4, 2004
    39,592
    Texas
    Full Name:
    David
    Andreas;
    For me the next step up was in a 40 HP Formula Vee.
    Its a different experiance when your wheel to wheel surrounded by people as crazy as one's-self all going for that fast lap.

    Skippy used to have an advanced school back in the coal burning days.
     
  10. BwanaJoe

    BwanaJoe Formula 3

    Oct 23, 2006
    1,764
    Former Space Coast
    Full Name:
    Joe Burlein
    I may have missed it somewhere above, but which driving experience is that one?
     
  11. BwanaJoe

    BwanaJoe Formula 3

    Oct 23, 2006
    1,764
    Former Space Coast
    Full Name:
    Joe Burlein
    They still do.

    In the Formula Car series:

    3 Day Racing School.
    Advanced 2 Day Racing School.
    Advanced Car Control.
    Lapping
    Lead/Follow
    Practice
    Formula 2000 Test Day

    http://skipbarber.com/racing_school/formula/formularacing_school.aspx
     
  12. Birdman

    Birdman F1 Veteran

    Jun 20, 2003
    6,687
    North shore, MA
    Full Name:
    THE Birdman
    Andreas drove the same car as I did at the same facility in France! We are members of an elite club. ;)

    And yes, this is a slipperly slope. Christine even asked me after I did the F1 drive if it was a slipperly slope, soon to be followed by something even more expensive. But we were smart (?) and got the "ultimate" ride out of the way first. Now I want to go backwards and take a more serious intro to racing 3 day course. I'm looking at Skip Barber and Bertil Roos. Roos seems to have more interesting cars (Formula 2000) and the price is a little more reasonable, but they are further from my house.

    Birdman
     
  13. BwanaJoe

    BwanaJoe Formula 3

    Oct 23, 2006
    1,764
    Former Space Coast
    Full Name:
    Joe Burlein
    Duh. I missed the AGS on the side of the car. I thought this was the one in the US from somewhere around page 1!
     
  14. tifosi12

    tifosi12 Four Time F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Oct 3, 2002
    48,581
    @ the wheel
    Full Name:
    Andreas
    #89 tifosi12, Sep 5, 2008
    Last edited: Sep 5, 2008
    I have done some of those American driving experiences as well: What's now the Andretti experience a couple of times, the NASCAR experience and another F1 from guys based in Las Vegas. At least they were until last year, but I think they went belly up. :(

    LOL
    Funny you mention this. There are several companies in Europe offering the same experience in Le Luc. I did it with a Swiss group, you probably with a different company. Doesn't matter. Anyhow, my group at the end was awarded "membership" in the Grand Prix Drivers Association or something along those lines. It sounded just like the real GPDA of the F1 guys, but is of course entirely meaningless. :)

    You're doing the right thing: If you're into racing (and spending some serious cash on a F1 drive shows you are), a 3 day racing class is a must. You will learn so much that will make you go faster if you choose to drive on a track and it will also make you appreciate the nuances in driving of the pros. Skip Barber has btw a fantastic book you should read.

    No doubt about it. It just wasn't for me for a variety of reasons: Safety, time, resources. I restrain myself to virtual racing, occasional go kart races and "driving experiences" such as the discussed here. I realize there is Hertz and then there is not exactly. C'est la vie.
     
  15. Killing Time

    Killing Time Formula Junior

    Sep 5, 2008
    460
    Los Angeles
    That was one of the best stories I've read on this forum! Thank you for sharing!
     
  16. EHKim

    EHKim Karting

    Dec 17, 2003
    72
    Socal

    If you can afford to travel, I highly recommend that you sign up for Skip Barber 3 day racing school at Laguna Seca.
    As you probably know, Laguna Seca is one of the premier race tracks in the U.S. It is also in very close proximity to one of the most beautiful places in the U.S., namely the Monterey peninsula. While you are honing your skills in a open wheeled race car, the Mrs can enjoy shopping and art galleries.
     
  17. Birdman

    Birdman F1 Veteran

    Jun 20, 2003
    6,687
    North shore, MA
    Full Name:
    THE Birdman
    True. In fact the head instructor Rene handed me a business card for his company that does the exact same thing at the same track. he subcontracts with AGS. He sells the same program on his website and buys days from the AGS people at wholesale, then resells it. His card says www.formula-event.com

    Birdman
     
  18. Birdman

    Birdman F1 Veteran

    Jun 20, 2003
    6,687
    North shore, MA
    Full Name:
    THE Birdman
    Hi Everyone,

    This is not a professional production (just my wife with a handycam and I added a few comments) but if you want to see some video from this F1 experience, it's on youtube:

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lwWoJvZWBEY

    It's a little over 4 minutes.

    Birdman
     
  19. fire_n_ice

    fire_n_ice Formula 3

    Jun 9, 2006
    1,087
    Amazing story! Thank you!
     
  20. tifosi12

    tifosi12 Four Time F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Oct 3, 2002
    48,581
    @ the wheel
    Full Name:
    Andreas
    No surprise.

    One day I'd like to do another track with a different F1 car. How about you?
     
  21. BwanaJoe

    BwanaJoe Formula 3

    Oct 23, 2006
    1,764
    Former Space Coast
    Full Name:
    Joe Burlein
    Sweet! And just like F1 you have random women hanging around!

    (BTW, we heard the voice over and for a second I thought we had Blue World on. :D )
     
  22. Veedub00

    Veedub00 F1 Rookie
    Owner Silver Subscribed

    Jun 30, 2006
    4,886
    Troy, Michigan
    Full Name:
    James
    my favorite line,

    "Now imagine a shop vac hooked up to your eye sockets"

    awesome write up. you should win free membership here for a year.

    thanks for posting it.
     
  23. Birdman

    Birdman F1 Veteran

    Jun 20, 2003
    6,687
    North shore, MA
    Full Name:
    THE Birdman
    YES!! Absolutely!

    I agree. Can you convince Rob? :) Sheesh, I have never even gotten thread of the month with these long-winded stories! :(
     
  24. dmaxx3500

    dmaxx3500 Formula 3

    Jul 19, 2008
    1,027
    birdman,what car magizine do you write for?,,if not you should send them this post and the f1 in montrel post and you will be hired on the spot,,great write ups
     
  25. Birdman

    Birdman F1 Veteran

    Jun 20, 2003
    6,687
    North shore, MA
    Full Name:
    THE Birdman
    Maybe I can be the next Peter Egan?
     

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