Formula 1 2019

Foo2rama · Mar 1, 2019

MRC
Try Formula Libre (Run What Ya Brung single-seaters) racing in a 1600 F3 when there are 3 litre F1 cars in the same wet race. You see a big ball of spray in the mirror: "How much faster than me is it going?"

That’s bad enough in the dry, can’t imagine in a single seater in the wet. Heading down the back straight at Willow Springs pulling through 120 on the way to 140mph, with a super charged vette behind you. Give him the track day point after he tucks in and he pulls past you like you where parked... he hits 170 on corner entry.... humbling, while not as scary.

MRC · Mar 1, 2019

Foo2rama
That’s bad enough in the dry, can’t imagine in a single seater in the wet. Heading down the back straight at Willow Springs pulling through 120 on the way to 140mph, with a super charged vette behind you. Give him the track day point after he tucks in and he pulls past you like you where parked... he hits 170 on corner entry.... humbling, while not as scary.

It was my first race with that car, and my first with proper wet tyres and wings too. So I kept out of the way of everyone. Rest of the year was against other 1600 F3 cars so that was more relaxing 😲

Foo2rama · Mar 1, 2019

MRC
It was my first race with that car, and my first with proper wet tyres and wings too. So I kept out of the way of everyone. Rest of the year was against other 1600 F3 cars so that was more relaxing 😲

Those are some large stones you have my friend, I won’t even drive a down force car, I know my limits.

MRC · Mar 1, 2019

Foo2rama
Those are some large stones you have my friend, I won’t even drive a down force car, I know my limits.

Those early 1970's wings were more for fashion than performance in the lower formulae.

Another wet race, at Cadwell Park this time .....

texasmade · Mar 2, 2019

MRC
Try Formula Libre (Run What Ya Brung single-seaters) racing in a 1600 F3 when there are 3 litre F1 cars in the same wet race. You see a big ball of spray in the mirror: "How much faster than me is it going?"

Where do you get to drive an F3 car? I've always wanted to drive a single seater for fun.

MRC · Mar 3, 2019

texasmade
Where do you get to drive an F3 car? I've always wanted to drive a single seater for fun.

In the case of mine I bought it from the previous year's championship winner. But I had been racing for nearly 20 years by then.

Use your favourite search engine to find "car racing school" I am out of touch with modern methods of teaching but in 1976 the idea was that you had an assessment in a (pretty crappy) saloon then if you passed that you got a 2nd session with proper instruction on lines, braking points etc. Then you were sent out in an old Formula Ford on road tyres with a very restricted rev limit. Any mistakes and you'd get a real ear-bashing from an expert at it (Tony Lanfranchi). As your times got better and you behaved properly the rev limits were raised and the times came down. Eventually you had another saloon assessment at which 100% had to be scored. That was the point at which you were circulating at times roughly back of the field in a real race.

There are also track-day specialist outfits, but they have much more expensive cars than old Eldon FFs and probably want a higher display of skill and a hefty damage deposit. Don't know if they do single-seaters.

There is a real-life track instructor who occasionaly posts here and on the Calibre 11 forum, perhaps he'll see this and comment.

Ultimate would be to rent an ex-Jim Clark Lotus 33 from Classic Team Lotus, or an ex-Mario Andretti Lotus 79! Produce an International Race Licence and a briefcase full of high value bills for that 🙁

texasmade · Mar 7, 2019

Paddy Lowe taking a leave of absence from Williams. He's been a disaster for them when I thought he was going to be a great addition when they initially hired him.

simonsays · Mar 7, 2019

MRC
Those early 1970's wings were more for fashion than performance in the lower formulae.

Another wet race, at Cadwell Park this time .....

Is this a prepare for take off moment? That looks like the bottom of the mountain.

Foo2rama · Mar 7, 2019

texasmade
Where do you get to drive an F3 car? I've always wanted to drive a single seater for fun.

As @MRC said you don’t just jump in. Although there is one place you can but I’d recommend experience in Sports or GT cars on a shared track first. It’s kinda like if you have to ask your not ready.

That being said Simraceway offers it up in San Francisco.
https://simracewaydrivingschool.com/programs-experiences/formula-3-racing-school/

MRC · Mar 7, 2019

simonsays
Is this a prepare for take off moment? That looks like the bottom of the mountain.

Yes, bottom of The Mountain. A Lotus Twin-cam with a 22mm air restrictor does not have enough power to take off at the top. It does have enough power to loose the back-end and spin between the Armco barriers on the following short straight though. Pigs to restart after a spin those Twinks.

Foo2rama
As @MRC said you don’t just jump in.

Well I did. Paid my noob tax in the form of a large bill for new parts from Lola Cars, then went to racing school.

Foo2rama
Simraceway offers it up in San Francisco.
https://simracewaydrivingschool.com/programs-experiences/formula-3-racing-school/

Looks like a very similar process -- but at a rather higher price 😲

In real F1-related news, Aston Martin are going to sponsor what was the McLaren/Autosport Award. Look at the list of previous winners! https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/McLaren_Autosport_BRDC_Award

Ssunnylee24 · Mar 9, 2019

New show on Netflix.
Wow!

simonsays · Mar 9, 2019

MRC
Yes, bottom of The Mountain. A Lotus Twin-cam with a 22mm air restrictor does not have enough power to take off at the top. It does have enough power to loose the back-end and spin between the Armco barriers on the following short straight though. Pigs to restart after a spin those Twinks.

I love that place, never tried it on 4 wheels, feels narrow enough on two! Room for a cig paper under the back wheel.

No Josh Brooke’s

bdp · Mar 9, 2019

Back to 2019 F1

Not long now until the first race of the year and while Melbourne is not the most exciting track or provides the most exciting race it does offer the first real look at the new cars, drivers and liveries (as opposed to pictures).
So these arrived in the post the other day and I cant wait.
Are any other OF members going?

Wivac · Mar 9, 2019

I'm having an off year due to doggo commitments. Think plan is Silverstone and spa next year and maybe Le Mans for a change.

texasmade · Mar 9, 2019

I've been attending the USGP every year since 2015. Usually just buy general admin but got main GS seats last year. I'll probably go again this year and get main grandstand seats again. Last year I was about 5 rows from the track around P18. Great view of Ferrari and Redbull pits.

MRC · Mar 10, 2019

Wivac
I'm having an off year due to doggo commitments. Think plan is Silverstone and spa next year and maybe Le Mans for a change.

But there might not be a Silverstone next year.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/formula1/47490727 British GP: F1's Ross Brawn says stalled talks with Silverstone 'frustrating'

No way could Brands be brought up to modern standards sandwiched between the M20 and a housing estate and Donington -- well who knows.

I am lucky to have watched GPs at all three and F1 races at Oulton too 😀

DotOverNine · Mar 11, 2019

Yeah, don't miss the documentary on Netflix! Watched 9/10 episodes this weekend.

DotOverNine · Mar 11, 2019

My interest in wristwatches all begun with Mika Häkkinen becoming champion in 1998. Tag Heuer released this watch and i just had to have it. In 1999, he won again. And yes. I did also bought that watch, the same except white dial.

bdp · Mar 13, 2019

F1 Season launch in Melbourne today, with all 20 drivers and 10 team principles. Cant wait for a pit lane walk tomorrow.

rob#1 · Mar 13, 2019

MRC
But there might not be a Silverstone next year.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/formula1/47490727 British GP: F1's Ross Brawn says stalled talks with Silverstone 'frustrating'

No way could Brands be brought up to modern standards sandwiched between the M20 and a housing estate and Donington -- well who knows.

I am lucky to have watched GPs at all three and F1 races at Oulton too 😀

I used to love the alternating Brands Hatch / Silverstone routine, we always had camping and pub preferences sorted out beforehand 😁. Was lucky enough to see F1 races at various circuits around Europe back in the days when general admission was 15 quid or so, and would love to see Brands back on the F1 circus but agree that it’s unlikely - there’s nothing like watching the madness of the Formula Ford festival from either Druids or Paddock Hill 😲