Story about the McLaren F1 Ride

[StanAE86]

I did a write up on my McLaren F1 ride. It wasn't easy to express in words. It would be much easier for me to just yell "WOOOO HOOOO!!!" in your ear at the top of my lungs, but you'd think I was crazy. So here it is:

http://www.geocities.com/MotorCity/Downs/7128/M5/McLarenRide.html

[yg60m]

Thank you very much to share your experience with us mate, this is very cool !! :D
I reminds me the TT's ride in an Enzo, we can almost live it through the words :wink:

[mindgam3]

Very nice mate ;) I guess you're now in the very fortunate club of people who have been in a McLaren F1!

[sameerrao]

Nice review! The only sad part of riding a ultra-fast car like the Enzo or the F1 is that the cars are so freaking fast that by the time you adjust to the speed of the car and the violent forces of nature buffetting you from side to side, the ride is over ... :D

A once in a lifetime opportunity - I am sure you will be reslishing telling this to your grandchildren..

[oscargarza88]

its temporarily unavailable will come back later cuase im interested, and man ur luck how did u get a ride? u dotn have to answer if u say it at the page :wink:

[StanAE86]

Nice review! The only sad part of riding a ultra-fast car like the Enzo or the F1 is that the cars are so freaking fast that by the time you adjust to the speed of the car and the violent forces of nature buffetting you from side to side, the ride is over ... :D

Absolutely. I got two laps, but there's so much going on...it's over before you know it.

its temporarily unavailable will come back later cuase im interested, and man ur luck how did u get a ride? u dotn have to answer if u say it at the page :wink:

It's a free Geocities homepage, so maybe, with people visiting and the pictures loading, it's going over capacity? I'm not sure, but here's the write-up without the pictures...if you can, go to the website later and see the pictures too (it's much better that way) :D :

I spyed it out of the corner of my eye as I approached one of the garages in the paddock of California Speedway. It was white, draped in the glorious Motorsport colors. Designed to cut the air like a scalpel, it rose only to the level of my waist. I peered in through the window and saw the unpadded bucket seat mounted directly between the left and right sides of the car - the ideal driving position. Previously learning that rides would be awarded through a lottery, I handing the attendant my ticket and hoped for an ounce of good fortune. Lunch came and the McLaren was sent out to the pit lane with the E36 M3 race car. Today's fortunate winners would have the opportunity to ride shotgun in either the McLaren or M3.

In a daze of excitement, I followed the race cars to the pit lane and watched as warm up laps were taken. Ben Auberlen and Boris Said would be the lucky pilots.

After watching the initial passengers receive their rides, I remembered my own entry. I ran back to the front desk to ask whether any tickets had been drawn and unclaimed. I was in luck, five tickets were yet unclaimed. As I told the attendant my name, my pulse quickened as I saw my handwriting on one of the unclaimed tickets. "That's ME!" I exclaimed as my blood pressure increased. Before I knew it, I was in line, holding an "e-ticket" in one hand and a helmet in the other. My heart was racing as the thunderous roar of the the McLaren's V12 blasted past and the highly tuned straight 6 of the M3 in tow. I watched continuously as the McLaren and the M3 roared in and out of the pits, both marking the pavement with long melted streaks of rubber from the Michelin racing slicks. The sound was deafening as everyone covered their ears each time a race car left, demonstrating its 0-60 acceleration prowess.

As the rides were staggered between the M3 and the McLaren, fate would decide which car the lottery winners would ride in. Although a ride in either was fantasy turned reality, the McLaren clearly was the favorite. Afterall, how often does someone have the opportunity to sit in a car where the "street version" starts off at an astronomical selling price of $1 million?

Part way through the ride sessions, it was determined that the M3 was only firing on 5 cylinders, so out came the "back-up" car. Digging back over two decades, a track prepped 2002 was rolled out. Clearly, testament to the great history of BMW Motorsports.

Surprisingly quick in acceleration, the 2002 likewise ripped out of the pit lanes, holding its head high as it shared the speedway with the McLaren. The smiles from those returning in the 2002 were no smaller than those returning in the McLaren. Ultimately, the lunch hour passed much too quickly and the time allotted for the rides was over before my turn came up. My name and "e-ticket" was recorded and I (as well as the others which had not received their ride yet) were instructed to return the next day.

Not one to miss out on a chance of a lifetime, I was present the next afternoon and confirmed my identity before being allowed back into line. Today, the lucky winners would be receiving rides in either the McLaren or a M1 Procar.

Again, the McLaren was the favorite. I was fifth in line as I tried to determine which car would be my ride. The M1 went out with the McLaren in tow, which would put me in the M1 when my turn came up. Although slightly disappointed, I certainly didn't complain. But when the cars returned, the McLaren came in first...it had passed the M1 during the ride session. This meant I would be riding in the McLaren if no more lead changes occured! Following a few more sessions, the M1 began experiencing brake problems. Cue the back-up car and out rolled the 2002 AGAIN!

Well, when my turn finally arrived, fate shined its smile upon me as the McLaren was to be my chariot and Boris my tour guide. I strapped on my helmet and received instructions on entry:

"Put your butt in first, then swing in your legs, tilt your head way down to your knees as you drop in the seat. Watch out for the rollbar, okay...one more rollbar to clear, there you go." I was in. The 6-point harness was tightened around my body like a bear-hug from a pro wrestler.

"If anything happens, this releases the seatbelts and this lever opens the door...okay?"

"Okay," I responded as I recalled the liability waiver I had executed the previous day.

Starting with the uncanny sound of a motorcycle engine, the McLaren quickly roared to life and settled into a low rumble as the upswinging door was lowered. Boris hit the acclerator and suddenly, I was a NASA astronaut being transported into a world I only dreamed of. The car lunged forward with shocking force as the wide Michelin tires clawed at the tarmac and the McLaren went ripping down the pit lane. In a matter of seconds we reached the end of the pit wall and I glanced at the digital speedometer, which now read 78mph. The car tilted to the left as we entered onto the banked pavement of Turn 1; the digital tachometer climbing ferociously towards the right side of the display unit. We continued the long turn, the V12 singing behind my head. Suddenly, I slammed into my shoulder harness as Boris braked the McLaren like a drag car releasing it's parachute. My feet dangled in mid air, reaffirming to me, my high school physics lessons: "a body in motion tends to stay in motion," until large Brembo racing calipers are summoned to bring a halt to the fun like CHP on Highway 49. As my feet returned to the floorboard, the sonorous melodies of the Munich built V12 returned and began filling the cabin once more.

Quite the opposite experience of being outside, inside the car, the engine was a complete masterpiece of all the right sounds that raises all the hairs on the back of your neck. The engine was never too loud and sounded as if it always had untapped power as the the rpms constantly raced to the redline. If only BMW could bottle and sell the music of the motor. It is absolutely, without a doubt, one of the most incredible sounds on the planet, and makes Beethoven's 5th, sound like a lullaby.

Every crease in the pavement, every crack and undilation was transmitted directly to my seat. Without any real padding, it amazed me that race drivers tolerate an environment more hostile than a nude Playboy Playmate at the local pub. What amazed me more was the fact that race drivers had to endure these conditions without losing focus from the task at hand - connecting apexes faster than the next guy.

As the first lap neared completion, the McLaren again leaned left on the banked straight of the speedway. I watched the speedometer intently as it climbed...150, 155, 160, 165, 170, and 173 before Boris eased up on the throttle slightly as we entered Turn 1 and rocketed towards my second lap.

It's difficult to describe the experience as it was truely "surreal" in all respects. The ride was over so fast and during the whole time, you're trying to take everything in: the speed, the revs, the shifter (which was a traditionally gated one rather than a sequential gearbox), the steering inputs, your body being pushed side to side, the deceleration and accleration forces...every little thing. The accleration, braking, and turning grip were all phenomenal. Even more so when you consider the car was designed 10 years ago. Afterwards, I sat and wondered how something so ridiculously raw could exist.

Quoting the venerable Ferris Bueller: "It is so choice. If you have the means, I highly recommend picking one up."

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From:

http://www.geocities.com/MotorCity/Downs/7128/M5/McLarenRide.html

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[fabro_s]

What a great experience, congrats!!!! :mrgreen:

[Zonda11]

Holy fuck...That is insane, but unless you get a ride in a Formula 1 race car - you will never have a better ride. Must make driving on regular roads feel like idling.

[oscargarza88]

now it works, i really dont think it gets better than that, but u have to have more pics! right....

[SilviaEvo]

wow you are soooo lucky! but like Zonda said the Formula 1 drives will be the only thing better than a ride in the McLaren

[CMonakar]

Nice writeup. When they perfect the mind meld we've got to meet up so I can get that experience from you;)

[BADMIHAI]

It sounds like you were really impressed. I know I would also be very impressed by such a ride.