Ride in a 3 seat F1 car

masraum · 06:04 PM

Formula GP Experience: Experience the Rush of Riding in a Winning Race Car

Seems like it would be pretty cool. I'm sure you're way below the limits of the car, but I'd think that the feel and sound is still probably pretty phenomenal.

Quote:

You can choose our Discovery Lap Package at $499 (one lap) or our Full Formula GP Package at $999.

DISCOVERY LAP PACKAGE:$499 EXPERIENCE THE THRILL WITHOUT THE EXTRAS
Experience the adrenaline of a one lap ride in a modified Jordan F1™ race car. Feel the acceleration, braking point, and cornering that only a GP car can bring you. An incredible and intense experience that will make you understand the rigors of what GP drivers experience. It's a totally insane experience. Lateral G forces can be as much as 4.5G. During a GP the driver's pulse rate hovers around 160 beats per minute, and has peaks of over 200.

You will not be disappointed; it's pure adrenaline. Your GP lap of a lifetime!

FORMULA GP PACKAGE:$999 INCREDIBLE RACING ATMOSPHERE DURING YOUR EXPERIENCE
A. Welcome and Briefing

B. Karting Experience: It will prepare you for your GP Experience

We want to get your body acclimated to cornering, acceleration and braking forces.

We will put you to the test behind the wheel of the best and fastest karts in the industry. Reaching speeds of up to 65 mph, it offers extreme sensations that will make your experience memorable.

C. Your Formula GP Experience

Step 1: You will be fitted with authentic racing equipment: racing suit,
helmet, gloves, etc.
Step 2: Slide down into seat while the crew straps you in. Make yourself comfortable in the safety cockpit cell (6'4"/250 lbs max)
Step 3: Engine starts - by the time you can comprehend that inaudible noise, a few thumbs-up appear in your peripheral vision and you're OFF...
Step 4: Enjoy your 2-3 laps experience...unless you've been a jet fighter pilot or jumped from a plane at 15,000 feet, it's faster than you've ever accelerated in your life

D. Podium ceremony: Your first GP Podium celebration. You did it!

E. Pirelli starting grid hostess pictures

F. Memories: Bring home video and pictures

Note that our experience is in a modified winning race car, not a replica with a downgraded engine.

The closest adventure experience you can compare it to is skydiving. It will be a great experience that will capture your imagination and excitement for years to come! Your High-Speed Adventure Awaits.

< EDIT >

So far I've only got the two bits of video that the missus took with my phone when we took off and finished and a couple of pictures, but here it is.

Apparently, I got lucky. Both days that I went, I got 3 laps, but these folks appear to have only gotten 2 laps. They had helmets with their own gopro cameras, so here's a lap the way it looked from someone that ran the same track that I did from the same side of the car. On this day they had both cars going at the same time with both Didier Theys and Martin Plowman driving. I guess because it was busier these folks only got 2 laps instead of 3.

You may want to jump ahead to the 3 min mark...

bell · bell's Garage

This will always be my favorite......
Renault Espace F1 - YouTube

Renault espace f1......

masraum · 08-23-2012, 05:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bell

This will always be my favorite......
Renault Espace F1 - YouTube

Renault espace f1......

Yeah, but I don't think you can get a ride in that one.

Joeaksa · 08-24-2012, 06:01 AM

Hmm, my B-day is not far aways... and this could be fun!

motion · 08-24-2012, 06:03 AM

Meh, I'm gonna buy my own F1 car and track it. Why rent when you can buy?

Anyone heard if this event will actually take place?

Joeaksa · 08-24-2012, 06:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by motion

Meh, I'm gonna buy my own F1 car and track it. Why rent when you can buy?

Anyone heard if this event will actually take place?

Will you adopt me? Remember, was the first to ask!

silverc4s · silverc4s's Garage

2012 Formula GP Experience Event Calendar: The One & Only North American GP Experience

Try this link. I had this in an email yesterday from COTA.

Joeaksa · 08-24-2012, 06:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by silverc4s

2012 Formula GP Experience Event Calendar: The One & Only North American GP Experience

Try this link. I had this in an email yesterday from COTA.

Same here and it also lists alternative locations of NYC, Miami, Phoenix and Vegas!

masraum · 07:35 PM

OK, I'm signed up. Nov 11 I ride in a 3 seat F1 car for 2-3 laps, Nov 17 and 18 I watch an F1 race.

It seems insane, I don't normally spend that sort of money on this sort of thing, but I've been busting my @ss for the past year and I can afford this. Since it's unlikely that I'll be buying my own like Motion, and it's equally unlikely that any teams are going to invite me to drive one ala Tiff Needle on Fifth Gear...

If you want to skip to the good stuff, go to 3:40

If you sign up by Nov 1 and use code F1X3COTA2, you should get a free GoPro HD Hero Naked.

masraum · 08-31-2012, 09:05 PM

Here's a video of someone riding in one of the cars.

Zeke · 09-01-2012, 07:33 AM

He didn't have much grip on those tires. I wouldn't call that a racing lap, but fun I'm sure.

masraum · 09-01-2012, 08:13 AM

Quote:

He didn't have much grip on those tires. I wouldn't call that a racing lap, but fun I'm sure.

Yeah, I noticed that too. I suspect it's still a hoot to have the V10 howling away behind you, and probably still has more grip than anything I've ever ridden in.

masraum · 11-11-2012, 06:08 PM

HOLY CARP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Today was the day, and I'm having a hard time putting the experience in words, at least, not words that you'd use in mixed company.

The acceleration was definitely spectacular and relentless. The first time he got into the gas with conviction, I felt the blood flowing out of my feet and legs. I didn't notice that the rest of the time, but I suspect that's because my heart and the adrenalin kicked things up a notch or three.

I don't know how fast we got up to, but I'd be surprised if it wasn't somewhere in the 165-180 range. We were definitely cruising. Ive been 150 in an '88 911, and this was nothing like that. I thought it was interesting that the lift on your helmet is enough for you to feel it lift and feel it tugging against the chin strap.

The website say the only thing that it may compare to is skydiving. I went skydiving on Wed. It was really cool, and I want to do it again,
...but it doesn't hold a candle to riding in an F1 car.

We weren't at the COTA track which is where the race is going to be next weekend. We were at another track called the driveway, Driveway Austin Motorsports Academy and Retreat.

The website says the course has a 2500' straight. I think the course is about 2 miles. The only difference between what we drove today and the map above was that they didn't put the cone chicane out.

Didier Theys was the driver. I thought that was pretty neat to not only meet him, but to be driven around the track by him. He did have one front tire lock up a little going into one of the turns when i was riding with him, and he did wag the back end a little once coming out of a lower speed corner. I signed up for and went three laps which was good because the second and third were faster than the first.

He also went out and showed us the line and raced with us when they unleashed us in the go carts.

It was neat that there was a lady that must have been in her 70s or maybe late 60s that came and did one lap.

If I could have paid for more laps, I absolutely would have!

All in all, it was an absolute blast. If they come again next year, I'll probably do it again, and if you think you might like it, I highly recommend you sign up.

masraum · 03:27 PM

OK, they've got dates scheduled at the Austin F1 track in March and some slightly different options including a slightly higher price, and a new option that adds onto the previous option. If you're interested, call them up or get on an email list. I suspect there are probably some coupons/codes that can be used to knock some off of the cost. The first time that I went I used a code that got me a free GoPro camera. The second time I went, they gave me a code to knock $100 off of the price. I suspect that there will probably be codes to get a bit off of the stuff in March as well.

2012 Formula GP Experience Event Calendar: The One & Only North American GP Experience

Mar 15, 16, and 17.

masraum · 11-25-2012, 05:56 PM

I did a bit of research. I think the track that I was on was about 1.65 miles, 3 laps, almost 5 miles. I think the laps took about 1:20-ish, so that's about 4 mins total of ride time.

The 2 laps at COTA will be a bit over 6.8 miles which is pretty cool. I may have to save up and do it again, but March will be back around pretty fast.

D911SC · D911SC's Garage

Thanks for the info othine experience. It sounds like a 'must do' if you can. I would love a chance at this.

I asked my 12 year old son if he would do it should he get the chance. He said "no way". Maybe he remembered our 10 mins in a pretty fast double go-kart. He spent most of the time screaming as we approached each corner. I'm pretty sure they were happy screams though...

masraum · 11-26-2012, 09:22 AM

If I had a 1500hp awd Lamborghini, I might not have thought it was that cool, but since I don't... If you like acceleration and handling He, you'd probably love this. I did, and everyone that I spoke to had the same reaction.

It might be a bit extreme for all but the bravest 10 year olds.