F1 Steering Wheels Last Only Two Races

Remember the French GP in which MS had to quit because of a faulty switch on the steering wheel? That had big repercussions for the testing of those switches (the same are also used in other cars like e.g. the Mc Laren). A friend of mine is involved in this area, so I'm not really surprised they only certify them for 2 races.

 

I heard that too - quite interesting huh? I thought about you and a comment made on the practice thread that we should all be at Monza - well since this doesn't seem probable, I did the next best thing - watched Inside GP, opened a bottle of wine and parked my self in the chair wishing I was in Italy instead of Texas. I made a toast to you and your comment. Got to run now back to tv to watch remainder of practice. Interesting comments huh???

Carol

PS - you going to Autosport International this year?

 

That sounds yummy - there's a bottle of Grey Goose in the kitchen but no pomagranite juice - must get some tomorrow and try that!

John and I will be at Sebring in March - already have airline tickets, and ordered race tickets. We will definitely have to meet you!! and have some Italian wine to cheer on the GT2 Ferraris.

Autosport as I was so hoping is featuring Le Mans - the F1 display depicting Ste Devote was unbelievable and they are saying the Le Mans display will be a notch above that with even a touch of mist at dawn!

LE MANS 24 HOURS RACE COMES TO ASI 7/9/2006

The legendary Le Mans 24-hour race will come to life at the Autosport International Exhibition, the world’s largest motorsport show, at the NEC, Birmingham on 13 and 14 January. The Le Mans feature, in association with BEN and Motor Sport magazine, will reunite the famous drivers with their famous cars, tracing the history of this near-mythical race from its very beginnings in 1923.

This exceptional circuit has been witness to the most renowned manufacturers, and the greatest drivers in motor sport, pushing endurance to, and beyond its very limits. Bentley, Alfa Romeo, Bugatti, Ferrari, Jaguar, Aston Martin, Porsche, Matra, Renault, Mercedes-Benz, BMW and Audi have gone down in the annals of Le Mans history. Autosport International will recreate the circuit, bringing together a spectacular display of cars and their now legendary drivers.

Autosport International recently scooped the award for the most original stand from the Association of Exhibition Organisers for their F1 Racing feature in 2006. A similar concept will be undertaken to represent the drama, atmosphere and excitement of the Le Mans racing circuit. The feature will fill 990m² of Hall 20 recreating many of the famous landmarks of this great circuit. With their meticulous attention to detail, the designers will also be looking to incorporate the early morning race day mist.

Commenting on this unique feature, Gordon Creese, Special Events Manager for BEN, The Motor and Allied Trades Benevolent Fund, said: “We are delighted to be working with Haymarket Exhibitions on such an exciting project. BEN is the only occupational charity for those who work or have worked in the automotive and related industries, including motorsport. A number of top named drivers continue to give us tremendous support and they have already pledged to attend this event. This will provide a unique platform for us to raise much-needed funds, to promote our new book ‘The British at Le Mans’, as well as hosting a charity gala dinner at the Hilton Metropole in the presence of the legendary drivers. I am sure it will be the most sensational Autosport International feature to date.”

- - - -
We get into Birmingham on Friday the 12th - meeting our friends from Glasgow, Cardiff and hopefully London - who cares about the weather, you will be inside except for the short walk from the NEC to the Hilton!!! Join us!

Carol

 

Funny, i just finished watching the last part of practice with my vodka & Coke (all I've got in house :|) and wish I was in Texas instead of Michigan!

 

SEE . . .it just goes to show that us "die-hards" should have gotten together in Monza and we could be drinking Italian wine together in anticipation of Sunday. (it's back to being warm and humid in TX, MI is the better bet right now!!).

Carol

 

I have a bottle of chianti I'm saving to drink during the Brazilian GP if indeed it is MS's last race. And if it is, I'm very glad my first and only GP so far was watching him and FM dominate at Indy this year.

Mark

 

i heard the wheels cost about 50k.

 

What are they made out of, magnesium? 50k is insane, but I've also heard that the steering wheels cost more...

 

Let me see what I can do.

 

They don't throw them away, surely?
Better put them on ebay and recoup some of the costs!

 

Two things

First, I bet there is a fair amount of logic in those wheels. I am sure the ECU is elsewhere but the proportional dials for various adjustments are not cheap, and no doubt they use milspec components only and redundant circuits for important things Combine that with a magnesium frame and carbon fiber housing and its an expensiv piece.

Second, I bet they quote costs that probably include R&D costs as well as production costs. I don't see how production costs would be $50k+ on a steering wheel, but they probably factor in R&D costs across the # of wheels they will need to make and go that way.

 

I believe they are factoring in R&D costs when they attribute the value of the steering wheels. Regardless of the actual cost, they are super cool and quite rare. I have some race used originals in stock, including one from the F300 Michael raced at Suzuka in 1998, and some replicas from the F200-3GA and F2004, which cost a fraction of the price.
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yes, i'm quoting myself. i heard 25k euros on speed tv inside grand prix.

 

Just curious: whom did you buy the genuine steering wheel from? A Dutch guy perhaps?

Best, Peter

 

I have bought several of these originals over the years from contacts direct at the Factory in Italy. I am not sure who you are referring to that is from the Netherlands. The replica is made in the UK.