Where in Asia CAN you drive your Ferrari?

The best place you can open up your car is in Indonesia on the toll highways the police dun give a **** once you travel above 200kph and even if they do a small fine of about 20US on the spot should do the trick.

Beware the chief's black NSX though, but i doubt he is going to do the job of his subordinates. Night time is the best.

 

Bangkok, Thailand... no speed limit, no police, superhighway upper deck, smooth as an airport runway, 50 km strech, Last I heard a heavily modified F40 went at 350 Km/h. 280 to 300 Km/h in a Ferrari, Lambo, Lotus, Porsche, Supra is a regular morning excercise. Trust me when you are at such speed you understand the term of " Supercars "...

 

The highways they are building in China are pretty good, its the traffic you have to watch out for.

But, if you want to have fun, just pay the small fee when Shanghai International Circuit has open track days...

 

To really open up a car, we have here in Malaysia our highways...as in Indonesia a small 'fee' of circa USD 15/20 should do the trick if you're pulled over by the police roadblocks.

For mountainous roads and safe fast driving on 'clean' roads, we have a couple of good choices too. Drives to the local hill resorts are a staple for F and P car owners here, normally on a Sunday. But my favourite is a 25km stretch of switchbacks and 2km straights in between on a 'forgotten' road, a test venue for most bikers in the know. I've driven the Futa Pass before and this road is just the same, without the snow mountains in the backdrop but rather a dense tropical rainforest..

Of course we have the Sepang F-1 circuit to go for trackdays and DE. Most trackers belong to the SuperRice brigade i.e SupSkylEvoScoob and the ricers like CTR/ITR/Mivecs. The P-Car fraternity is active on the Sepang, once every two months and also the Lotus Club, mostly Elises. Sadly the Ferraris very rarely make appearances on the track....


A couple of friends and myself are toying with the idea of organizing an inaugural 'legal' cross country run modelled on the 'in'famous Gumball/Cannonball run. Then again, if it's legit, then it ain't fun...

 

I've been in my car with an Ferrari F1 driver in Thailand............he said that our expressways are the best, so my guess is that I'll believe him.

 

I love China, save for the traffic, they have some nice long stretches, but they should put up some barriers, majority of the local folks believe they, their bicycles and animals can outcross a car.

 

That just slows them down, doesn't stop them from crossing.

We were on the way to dinner on Wednesday night, saw someone cross 4 lanes of traffic and make it over the fence. Only to be hit by a motorcycle in the bike lane.

The kicker was that I was telling a visitor that the fences just slowed them down the same instant that the wreck happened. Proved my point...

 

The locals will kill you as it happens over and over again here in Thailand on a normal highway with no fens. The locals will never understand and expect any cars that travel pass them at 280 km/h so they just change lanes... be careful

However, it is a number rule here. If you drive so fast and are in a situation that the local on their motocycle appear so fast in front of you that your break will not stop your car soon enough. Never try to turn your steering wheel to avoid them. Make sure you hold your wheel tight and steady and hit them directly in a stright line. They will die and you will have a good chance to live. However, as it happens over and over again, many drivers turn their wheel and die.... the local ride on with their motorcycle.

 

Pat,

It sounds morbid, but I guess you're right. Thank god our highways are fenced, it was not 10 years ago when a friend in a GTV6 2.5 hit a cow at high speed. He was hospitalized but the cow survived....

 

G'Day,

yeah right, they should learn how to build smooth highways/expressways over here in Peoples Republic of Changes, seems they never get the joints right on bridges / overpasses on them four lane super highways...

Shanghai International Circuit has open track days now? when? how $$much$$???

Best Regards, Seeya in the pub orn on the road somewhere....
DILLIGAF

ps: Happy Eastern!

 

Happy Easter.

Not sure on the dates, but I was told somewhere around 300 RMB/lap, but there is some package deal now.

Always free for a pint, give me a heads up next time.

Cheers,
Erik

 

G'Day,

speaking of a "package deal". see below.
personally, reckon they got the facts wrong, they have a couple of Renault race cars out there at Shanghai F1 International Circuit.

Best Regards, Seeya in the pub or on the road somewhere...
DILLIGAF

Formula One track opens to wannabe drivers
7/2/2005 Shanghai Daily News

Why simply watch Formula One racing one weekend a year when the tour
visits Shanghai when you can hop behind the wheel of an F1 car
anytime you like.
Starting on February 9, the first day of the Year of the Rooster,
visitors to Shanghai International Circuit can experience the utmost
speed by sitting in a Toyota or driving a Renault Formula car. But
the prices will be as demanding as some of the tight turns.
Sitting in an ordinary BMW for one circuit will cost 100 yuan
(US$12) per person, the cheapest of all provided choices. Driving a
Renault F1 car on the circuits is priced 1,500 yuan for 15 minutes,
and 300 yuan for those who prefer to drive their own car.
Before stepping into the car, drivers must undergo a health check,
pay the bill, and a 20,000-yuan deposit to cover any damages to the
car and other equipment, sign a waiver and get some much-needed
training. Racing car drivers will also be required to fill in a car
damage compensation testimonial.
"On the compensation waiver, we've made it clear that experiencing
car racing, just like the stock market, is a bit risky. Besides, we
ask every client to read carefully our event's notice before signing
a contract," said an official with the circuit management company,
surnamed Chen. "Therefore, if someone with heart disease suffers a
stroke in the middle of the trial, we won't shoulder responsibility."