Received a PM from 360C last night saying he was taking the F50 and 360 N-GT out at Winton and asked if I wanted to go for a spin. Didn't take long for me to make a decision. Raced into work this morning and headed off at 9am arriving at Winton just before Midday. First bit was really funny, 360C went to jump into the F50 and went to the right hand side. He laughed. Had to be there. Confirmed how long its been since he drove it. Anyway Ted H was there with his Lambo and they had Allan Simonsen there helping to set the car up for Classic Adelaide. Phil arranged Allan to take the 360N-GT out just to make sure everything was OK. As 360C was preparing to get the F50 ready he said put Brettski in with Allan. Wow is all I can say. The seats were nice and tight fitting. When the engine started it was just amazing. The whole car just rattles and vibrates. Into 1st it goes and we were off bunny hoping along pitlane, he gives the clutch a quick press and a bit more juice and she settles. A BIT. I could not believe the corner grip of this thing. You would swear it was on rails. And STOP............... I actually had to tighten my belts after a couple of laps as we braked deeper into the corners. I could talk you around the whole lap but would have to write a novel. So we do a few laps and I'm like pinch me, I must be dreaming. Alan comes in after about 3 laps. I says thanks that was fantastic, I can't believe how it handles around corners. Allan says, "Oh, I was just warming it up. I want Phil to check to make sure there are no leaks and that the car is OK. I saw a little oil on the track". I'm like that was a warm up. So off we go again for about another 5-6 laps, lost count. I could go on forever. Just an absolute amazing feeling and an experience of a lifetime to do laps in such a great car with a very successful International driver and a nice bloke as well. Have met him a few times, but today was the first where I got to spend some time with him. Meanwhile 360C was doing a few laps in the F50 and having a ball. We were in before him so I saw it come down pitlane. His head was on an angle so I asked Phil what was wrong. He said oh, probably just looking at gauges. Turns out the wrong helmet was bought and the only way to fit was to tilt the head. Lunch was had and then 360C says its time for a run in the F50. This is just an amazing car considering its road registerable (well in most countries). The sound was deafening but awesome. Again the corning speed and braking was just amazing. We did about 6-7 laps and I just couldn't believe this weapon. On the in lap he gave it a quick squirt in 1st and it backfired. Just sensational. I'm running out of big words. 360C was saying how its quite an easy car to drive. He's been in PP's F40 which is also a weapon but he was explaining how when the turbo comes in its real aggressive. Next was the 360N-GT again. This time with 360C driving and with new tyres. He drove really well and in fact drove out of the pits with the car in better control than Allan. We did around 5 laps. I think 360C will be a bit tired tomorrow. I reckon by the end of the day he would have completed close to 100 laps in both cars. Thanks again 360C, it was an awesome day and I look forward to one day hopefully returning the favour. I'll get some track tryes for the Senator. Here's just a few pics I took. Be warned one has me in it. Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
it just so happens that I was given the opportunity to have that exact same experience. Same track, same driver, same car. I won't be forgetting it in a hurry either.
Lost count in the 360N-GT, but in the F50 didn't get out of 3rd. I thought this was a really great circuit to appreciate both cars. Although full throttle is only around 30-40% on this track the corners highlighted how good they were.
As opossed to Similar track, similar driver, similar car. lol I won't be forgetting it either PP, it truely was a great experience.
You're welcome Brettski, glad you enjoyed the experience. You left at just the right time because it was "game over" for the F50 with a massive oil leak soon after you left. Luckily it had plenty of oil pressure when we noticed it, so no harm done. No idea what the problem is until we take the floor off. To be fair to Allan, he was taking you out on dead cold, very, very old slicks. The car is really lethal under those circumstances. Think starting off on a ball bearing covered road in a car that requires 4000+ RPM to get moving. A fine balancing act to say the least When I went out I was on new slicks with a lot more grip and the car was well warmed. Last time I drove the was October 2007, so it was good to give them a bit of a run.
The 360 N-GT gets into 5th gear and the F50 into 4th gear. The speed that the N-GT flies up and down the sequential gearbox is amazing.
Awesome! I won't soon forget my ride in 360C's F50, was only on public roads but still mind blowing. Lucky man to experience it on track!
I was referring to the bunny hoping. You did a great job getting it out of the pits. Take it as a compliment. Its amazing at how hard they appear to be to drive at low speed. I was saying to Phil I would stall it. I always tried to drive my car out as quietly as possible. There is no such thing as a soft gentle drive out of the pits in this thing. You almost have to rev the living daylights out of it and drop the clutch and hope for the best. Really makes you appreciate the skill of professional drivers. Sorry to hear about the F50. Remember what I said about the M's. The middle one is always the challenge.
The Veloqx cars have different engine management to the "standard fare" N-GT's and GT's. They are VERY angry at low revs. Believe it or not, it actually wants to stall at typical pit lane speeds circa 80kmh. Hopefully the F50 isn't anything major................... i.e. cheap
WOW!! Just WOW!! Thanks for sharing Brett!! I have seen both cars and they are both beautiful and amazing. Being taken around the track in them both would have been amazing!! Thanks again! SD, what can we say about you mate?? TOP CLASS effort!! You get two thumbs up from Pap. Also good to hear you drove the N-GT. I remember you said it had been a while since you had driven it. The F50 looks GREAT in those pics. I am glad you both enjoyed the day, it looked like great fun!! Bravo bravo! Next time you take them both out (probably another 2 yrs for the N-GT) send me a PM and I will fly to Melb for a couple of laps!
