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- Glasgow
- GTP_Mars
Introduction
Back in January, I turned 30 and my colleagues at work clubbed together to buy me the best birthday present ever... a Ferrari driving experience. I booked my 'experience' for Saturday 10th September and here is my report! (specially amended for GTP
)
Thursday 8th September: Prologue
Having not actually driven a real car in about 6 months, friends, workmates and my insurance company suggest that a bit of practice might be in order. Luckily, my room happens to be equipped with the most advanced driving simulation equipment and software available to the general public... A PS2, a DFP and GT4!!
I decide that in order to practice for my Ferrari drive, I will take out the Cizeta around the Nurburgring Nordschliefe.
Figure 1. My GT4 set-up. (note: GT4 Limited Edition courtesy of vipersan 👍 )
Friday 9th September: Psyching up
A quick pint after work on Friday was all I was allowed, so Coca-Cola was the order of the day in my local boozer! Whereas you can even drink a can of beer on particularly long straights in GT4, that sort of thing is frowned upon when driving real cars, especially really expensive real cars that are not yours.
Saturday 10th September: The Big Day
Hangover-less and raring to go, I catch the train to Stratford-upon-Avon and make my way to the Shakespeare Raceway to race or not to race, that was the question. After a torrential downpour, the rain finally stops just in time for my warm-up laps in the Subaru Impreza, to familiarise myself with the circuit. Then its quickly into the Ferrari itself, but not before a quick photo opportunity!
Figure 2: TM pretending to own a Ferrari.
Im overjoyed to discover that the clutch is automatic and the gear shift paddles are located behind the steering wheel, exactly like my GT4 set-up! The instructor grins nervously in the passenger seat, and asks me if I have read the safety instructions and signed the disclaimer. At this point I think about saying No just for a laugh. I decide not to.
As I tentatively pull out onto the circuit proper, I am aware that there are several other, equally expensive cars on the circuit too. At this point I elect to wait until they are as far away from me as possible. Then Im away! Too busy concentrating on my braking points, I hardly notice what speed Im going, but hit the 100 MPH mark down the back straight (according to my instructor!). A few laps in and Im getting more confident. The Lamborghini Murcielago infront looks like hes missed the apex, and I prepare to overtake. Just stay behind him for the moment, brake a bit harder no, harder than that bit more says the instructor. Spoil sport. And before I know it, its back into the paddock, and my days as a Ferrari driver are over!
Epilogue
After a grand day out, and the fulfilment of a life-long ambition, its back off to London for a quick pint. Id like to thank everyone who contributed to my day, especially Dara and CJ who came up with the idea and for booking it, and to Mo for coming with me on the day and for taking the pictures!
Edits
Had to be careful stepping on the gas too heavily coming out of the corners as it was quite twitchy. But the whole car felt pretty light on it's feet. Of course, the best part was being pushed back into your seat on the back straight as you accelerated up through the gears - that is something that Kazunori will have to work on!
Back in January, I turned 30 and my colleagues at work clubbed together to buy me the best birthday present ever... a Ferrari driving experience. I booked my 'experience' for Saturday 10th September and here is my report! (specially amended for GTP
)Thursday 8th September: Prologue
Having not actually driven a real car in about 6 months, friends, workmates and my insurance company suggest that a bit of practice might be in order. Luckily, my room happens to be equipped with the most advanced driving simulation equipment and software available to the general public... A PS2, a DFP and GT4!!
I decide that in order to practice for my Ferrari drive, I will take out the Cizeta around the Nurburgring Nordschliefe. 
Figure 1. My GT4 set-up. (note: GT4 Limited Edition courtesy of vipersan 👍 )
Friday 9th September: Psyching up
A quick pint after work on Friday was all I was allowed, so Coca-Cola was the order of the day in my local boozer! Whereas you can even drink a can of beer on particularly long straights in GT4, that sort of thing is frowned upon when driving real cars, especially really expensive real cars that are not yours.
Saturday 10th September: The Big Day
Hangover-less and raring to go, I catch the train to Stratford-upon-Avon and make my way to the Shakespeare Raceway to race or not to race, that was the question. After a torrential downpour, the rain finally stops just in time for my warm-up laps in the Subaru Impreza, to familiarise myself with the circuit. Then its quickly into the Ferrari itself, but not before a quick photo opportunity!
Figure 2: TM pretending to own a Ferrari.
Im overjoyed to discover that the clutch is automatic and the gear shift paddles are located behind the steering wheel, exactly like my GT4 set-up! The instructor grins nervously in the passenger seat, and asks me if I have read the safety instructions and signed the disclaimer. At this point I think about saying No just for a laugh. I decide not to.
As I tentatively pull out onto the circuit proper, I am aware that there are several other, equally expensive cars on the circuit too. At this point I elect to wait until they are as far away from me as possible. Then Im away! Too busy concentrating on my braking points, I hardly notice what speed Im going, but hit the 100 MPH mark down the back straight (according to my instructor!). A few laps in and Im getting more confident. The Lamborghini Murcielago infront looks like hes missed the apex, and I prepare to overtake. Just stay behind him for the moment, brake a bit harder no, harder than that bit more says the instructor. Spoil sport. And before I know it, its back into the paddock, and my days as a Ferrari driver are over!
Epilogue
After a grand day out, and the fulfilment of a life-long ambition, its back off to London for a quick pint. Id like to thank everyone who contributed to my day, especially Dara and CJ who came up with the idea and for booking it, and to Mo for coming with me on the day and for taking the pictures!
Edits
It was a very wet day, and the track was quite pitted and there was alot of stones as well, so it wasn't the easiest of surfaces to drive on. But it was surprisingly easy to drive. Believe it or not, anyone who has played GT4 with a DFP could drive this thing quite easily! The gearshift paddles are bigger and heavier than the DFP (of course), but otherwise it's very similar, especially having no clutch to use as well.Arwin
Had to be careful stepping on the gas too heavily coming out of the corners as it was quite twitchy. But the whole car felt pretty light on it's feet. Of course, the best part was being pushed back into your seat on the back straight as you accelerated up through the gears - that is something that Kazunori will have to work on!
I have a couple but they are 1:43 scale 
..... Oh bold 
Won't convince any chicks that you own a Ferrari like that.
