Daggernite
06-22-2006, 05:41 PM
Well yesterday, I finally drove my dream car, the Ferrari 355. Been a JW member, of course I have some pictures, a movie, and a few words to say.
I got to drive the Ferrari thanks to my auntie who bought me a experience gift from www.buyagift.com. This package included a safety briefing which included the usual stuff. i.e what the red, yellow flags mean etc. A 3 lap passenger ride in a hot hatch, then after that you get to take control of the hot hatch before been let loose in the ferrari. The ferrari's on offer was the 355 or the 550.
http://img486.imageshack.us/img486/9033/ferrari3555mh.th.jpg (http://img486.imageshack.us/my.php?image=ferrari3555mh.jpg)
The racetrack was prestwold hall racetrack, an old airfield, very similar to the Topgear track actually. It consists of 1 long straight, then a medium straight, a technical corner 2 fast corners, and then a tight S-bend which was rather annoyingly limited to 30-50 miles since health and safety told them off, for it been too close to trees.
Since I had never heard of this place I was expecting a low-class kind of affair. Similar to the one I had seen before at 3-sisters racetrack, which was a really thin go-kart type track, with lesser quality cars, which sound in not to good nick. But at prestwold just entering through the gates made me realise this place takes its self serious. Just endless amounts of Hugh tarmac area with a rally school to my left. I continued down the road to where I was meant to go, which was the track area. I was surprise when I saw the cars on offer and the length and width of the track.
This is what I saw
http://img57.imageshack.us/img57/7316/4some8zd.th.jpg (http://img57.imageshack.us/my.php?image=4some8zd.jpg)
The hothatches at 3sisters were MG ZR’s. In comparison the hothatches here at prestwold was Focus RS’s and the latest WRX!
The passenger drives was fun with the instructor, it wasn’t fast, he was just trying to get me and 3 others familiar to the track and show us the fastest way around certain bends, and how to use the pits and so on. Nothing was said that any true enthusiast doesn’t know. The only complaint was that I was shoved in the back of the WRX with two lanky bulky guys, and with the helmet on I was practically cramped and unable to move, I just tried to take in at much as I could of what the instructor was saying.
Then after all said and done, we all get back out and without delay I was the first called out to drive my 3-familiarisation laps in the new WRX. Now considering I’m a Japanese car lover, and the WRX and STI are right at the top of the list for my favourite cars, I instantly became excited, and ready to drive as good as I could.
With this been the first time in a credible sporty car, I was so anxious to see just how well, and how better it would be compared to my everyday Vauxhall Astra. Quite obviously, the answer is a lot better. Acceleration was punchy and instant, and brakes were excellent too, the turn in and exit speeds was far quicker, better handling, and the car obviously was in a different league to mine. And this was obviously apparent with just tackling the long straight and first corner. But every lap it proved its self even more.
Where my Astra would of just under steered and rolled oh so terribly. The WRX just gripped and got on with it. Thankfully it lived up to what I expected it to be, and that’s a machine which is kick-ass.
http://img64.imageshack.us/img64/1773/wrxdale3hd.th.jpg (http://img64.imageshack.us/my.php?image=wrxdale3hd.jpg)
Me having fun J
I stepped out of the WRX all happy and in a world of my own, but with just a few seconds gone, I heard a “come on mate, which Ferrari you having?” with a grin I pointed to the red 355 and said “that one”
“Jump in” the instructor said.
First shock was that it was left hand drive. So this was a first for me, I had never driven changing gears with my right hand before. But who cares, I thought, it can’t be hard, and to be honest it didn’t bother me much. Second problem was, as I approached the door, I had no clue where the door handle was?!? I tried the TVR trick and looked under the wing mirror. No luck. I searched under the side intake vent no luck….
The instructor then said, “If you can’t get in, you can’t drive it”. After the thought of killing him had past my mind, I finally found out how to get in, slipped into the ultra low seat and got comfy.
http://img269.imageshack.us/img269/8224/dale35535vr.th.jpg (http://img269.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dale35535vr.jpg)
The thought of killing him crossing my mind. And yes I know I look like an asshole from spaceballs.
Once in the car he just told me the throttle and brake pedals are really close together so be careful not to push both at the same time because it wont be the brakes that win. With that I started the engine, which was quite nice on its own, and with my left hand went to change gear… Whoops. Yes the gear stick is on my right duh. Onto the track and obviously been on a straight I floored it, the sound and speed was great, and been so low and wide it wasn’t scary or nerve wrecking. I came to the first corner, and the brakes was great, slowed the car down well, and the car took the corner smoothly, it was fun and easy hitting the apex and exit points. By the end of the 1 lap, I had quickly got use to the gear changes and had court up to the STI, which had set off before me at the limited speed S-bend. When it opened up to the straightaway, the 355 easily screamed passed the STI all the way to 8000rpm. That’s something I’ve never done before! I got better each lap. My only complaints was the throttle pedal and clutch was a bit heavy and sticky, I don’t know if that’s just that particular one, or if all 355’s are like that. But that high-pitched tone when in high revs makes up for that.
http://img488.imageshack.us/img488/3644/gettingoutof3555qg.th.jpg (http://img488.imageshack.us/my.php?image=gettingoutof3555qg.jpg)
All good things must come to a end. Getting out was hardL
Well just in the WRX and 355, it was easily one of the greatest days I’ve had. The 355 was crazy fast, no doubt about that, but I was left feeling a little curious about the Subaru. After having a little thinking session, I just had to find out just how fast the STI was compared to the WRX. The WRX was so fast, so I couldn’t leaving knowing it was only £35 to find out how much better the STI was.
http://img425.imageshack.us/img425/6858/dalesti0dj.th.jpg (http://img425.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dalesti0dj.jpg)
Coming out of the pits on to the track I was in second gear. I thought to myself here we go and floored the throttle. After been in the 355 is was slow.. Really slow. But then the turbo kicked and HOT DAMN the fun had started again, I had never been in a turbo before so it was unexpected. I left the pits in 1st gear with the WRX so never got any lag. Now the beautiful thing about the STI is just how easy it is to drive after coming out of the 355, which had a heavy clutch and sticky throttle. Also due to the fact it was my 7th lap I was more aware of corners and could tackle them a lot better because I had got use to them. The braking was so good, grip so high it was just a true pleasure. I did get carried away with one corner due to not braking enough and then having to use excessive steering, which resulted in under steer, but the AWD system just gripped and got me around without any problem.
Now on lap 2 with the STI I had some real fun. Because I was flying and really vibing with the STI I gained one the Ferrari 550 to the point where I had to let off and just follow behind him. I was going to get annoyed thinking I had paid £35 to not go my fastest, and then the AMV8 court up behind me. So the 550 then indicated and the instructor said overtake him, the AMV8 followed, and for some reason I felt annoyed that the AMV8 would overtake me in the same fashion I overtook the STI when I was in the 355. And even though it was made clear in briefing that it is not a race situation on track, you still try to go faster than the car in front so you can overtake them, and you also sense the guys behind want to over take you. But by the time I had got to the limited speed area I had pulled quite abit away from the AMV8, and still feel quite pleased with that. The STI was simply awesome.
http://img487.imageshack.us/img487/895/dalegettingoutsti6xa.th.jpg (http://img487.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dalegettingoutsti6xa.jpg)
That really was the end, I had a great time. The instructor said I was a very smooth driver, and got quicker each lap. Obviously the Ferrari 355 was the quickest and sounded the best. But due to the fact the STI was easier to drive, and was right hand drive I used a higher percentage of the STI capabilities than the 355’s, but Im not saying I was faster in the STI. Its hard to explain. These are the scanned photos that the track photographer took of me.
http://img488.imageshack.us/img488/2057/dalein3554kz.th.jpg (http://img488.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dalein3554kz.jpg) http://img489.imageshack.us/img489/6176/daleinwrx1yb.th.jpg (http://img489.imageshack.us/my.php?image=daleinwrx1yb.jpg) http://img311.imageshack.us/img311/4140/daleinsti7rq.th.jpg (http://img311.imageshack.us/my.php?image=daleinsti7rq.jpg)
I still have a video to show, and Ill post up a few picture of all the cars there. Writing all this took ages so im off for a break, Ill then come back with a video and some good pictures.
VIDEO UP
http://homepage.ntlworld.com/daggernite/daggernite355.wmv
Right Click save as^[/b]
Video info:
Its ashame but my auntie and nan who recorded the ferrari part did'nt do a very good job at all. I took the best footage out that they was and stuck it in one video. I got recorded everylap I did in the Ferrari and STI. Because of the only view they could get, the shot starts from the S-bend with the red and blue cones, this was speed limited, hence not very fast. This then leads onto the straight which is nice because of the sounds some cars make, AMV8, DB9, Jag XK :P
Theseare the most intresting timecodes:
00:32- The AMV8 flying up the straight which sounded awesome, I believe clarkson when he says it can be heard from far away, maybe not two miles though :|
4:16- This is the only visable part of me against the AMV8 (read the above if you dont know what I mean). If you watch the whole video you will notice me and the AMV8 actually enter this corner faster than anyother drivers I saw on the video camra.
Well hope you like it guys :D
Pictures added
All but afew of these pictures was taken by my mates uncle who happens to be a professional photographer. I think there top notch pics, so hope everyone likes them.
DB9
http://img66.imageshack.us/img66/2360/astonmartindb90mo.th.jpg (http://img66.imageshack.us/my.php?image=astonmartindb90mo.jpg)http://img66.imageshack.us/img66/1467/db9side0ja.th.jpg (http://img66.imageshack.us/my.php?image=db9side0ja.jpg)http://img76.imageshack.us/img76/7039/db9flyby6mo.th.jpg (http://img76.imageshack.us/my.php?image=db9flyby6mo.jpg)http://img230.imageshack.us/img230/7829/db9flyby24fk.th.jpg (http://img230.imageshack.us/my.php?image=db9flyby24fk.jpg)
911
http://img93.imageshack.us/img93/3777/9115yv.th.jpg (http://img93.imageshack.us/my.php?image=9115yv.jpg)http://img93.imageshack.us/img93/1890/91126lz.th.jpg (http://img93.imageshack.us/my.php?image=91126lz.jpg)http://img93.imageshack.us/img93/7640/911flyby2wm.th.jpg (http://img93.imageshack.us/my.php?image=911flyby2wm.jpg)http://img66.imageshack.us/img66/1621/911front4lu.th.jpg (http://img66.imageshack.us/my.php?image=911front4lu.jpg)
Ferrari 355 :good:
http://img65.imageshack.us/img65/1956/355side6jk.th.jpg (http://img65.imageshack.us/my.php?image=355side6jk.jpg)http://img67.imageshack.us/img67/4842/355side28zm.th.jpg (http://img67.imageshack.us/my.php?image=355side28zm.jpg)http://img486.imageshack.us/img486/6055/highrear0vt.th.jpg (http://img486.imageshack.us/my.php?image=highrear0vt.jpg)http://img65.imageshack.us/img65/8576/highrear4nt.th.jpg (http://img65.imageshack.us/my.php?image=highrear4nt.jpg)http://img183.imageshack.us/img183/5176/355flyby0dc.th.jpg (http://img183.imageshack.us/my.php?image=355flyby0dc.jpg)
WRX STI
http://img76.imageshack.us/img76/7243/sti2mp.th.jpg (http://img76.imageshack.us/my.php?image=sti2mp.jpg)http://img70.imageshack.us/img70/8692/stiside2ic.th.jpg (http://img70.imageshack.us/my.php?image=stiside2ic.jpg)http://img487.imageshack.us/img487/2773/wrxstiside0ug.th.jpg (http://img487.imageshack.us/my.php?image=wrxstiside0ug.jpg)http://img64.imageshack.us/img64/6149/stiflyby9sm.th.jpg (http://img64.imageshack.us/my.php?image=stiflyby9sm.jpg)
WRX
http://img66.imageshack.us/img66/2144/wrxside4qh.th.jpg (http://img66.imageshack.us/my.php?image=wrxside4qh.jpg)http://img69.imageshack.us/img69/41/wrxflyby5zv.th.jpg (http://img69.imageshack.us/my.php?image=wrxflyby5zv.jpg)
I got to drive the Ferrari thanks to my auntie who bought me a experience gift from www.buyagift.com. This package included a safety briefing which included the usual stuff. i.e what the red, yellow flags mean etc. A 3 lap passenger ride in a hot hatch, then after that you get to take control of the hot hatch before been let loose in the ferrari. The ferrari's on offer was the 355 or the 550.
http://img486.imageshack.us/img486/9033/ferrari3555mh.th.jpg (http://img486.imageshack.us/my.php?image=ferrari3555mh.jpg)
The racetrack was prestwold hall racetrack, an old airfield, very similar to the Topgear track actually. It consists of 1 long straight, then a medium straight, a technical corner 2 fast corners, and then a tight S-bend which was rather annoyingly limited to 30-50 miles since health and safety told them off, for it been too close to trees.
Since I had never heard of this place I was expecting a low-class kind of affair. Similar to the one I had seen before at 3-sisters racetrack, which was a really thin go-kart type track, with lesser quality cars, which sound in not to good nick. But at prestwold just entering through the gates made me realise this place takes its self serious. Just endless amounts of Hugh tarmac area with a rally school to my left. I continued down the road to where I was meant to go, which was the track area. I was surprise when I saw the cars on offer and the length and width of the track.
This is what I saw
http://img57.imageshack.us/img57/7316/4some8zd.th.jpg (http://img57.imageshack.us/my.php?image=4some8zd.jpg)
The hothatches at 3sisters were MG ZR’s. In comparison the hothatches here at prestwold was Focus RS’s and the latest WRX!
The passenger drives was fun with the instructor, it wasn’t fast, he was just trying to get me and 3 others familiar to the track and show us the fastest way around certain bends, and how to use the pits and so on. Nothing was said that any true enthusiast doesn’t know. The only complaint was that I was shoved in the back of the WRX with two lanky bulky guys, and with the helmet on I was practically cramped and unable to move, I just tried to take in at much as I could of what the instructor was saying.
Then after all said and done, we all get back out and without delay I was the first called out to drive my 3-familiarisation laps in the new WRX. Now considering I’m a Japanese car lover, and the WRX and STI are right at the top of the list for my favourite cars, I instantly became excited, and ready to drive as good as I could.
With this been the first time in a credible sporty car, I was so anxious to see just how well, and how better it would be compared to my everyday Vauxhall Astra. Quite obviously, the answer is a lot better. Acceleration was punchy and instant, and brakes were excellent too, the turn in and exit speeds was far quicker, better handling, and the car obviously was in a different league to mine. And this was obviously apparent with just tackling the long straight and first corner. But every lap it proved its self even more.
Where my Astra would of just under steered and rolled oh so terribly. The WRX just gripped and got on with it. Thankfully it lived up to what I expected it to be, and that’s a machine which is kick-ass.
http://img64.imageshack.us/img64/1773/wrxdale3hd.th.jpg (http://img64.imageshack.us/my.php?image=wrxdale3hd.jpg)
Me having fun J
I stepped out of the WRX all happy and in a world of my own, but with just a few seconds gone, I heard a “come on mate, which Ferrari you having?” with a grin I pointed to the red 355 and said “that one”
“Jump in” the instructor said.
First shock was that it was left hand drive. So this was a first for me, I had never driven changing gears with my right hand before. But who cares, I thought, it can’t be hard, and to be honest it didn’t bother me much. Second problem was, as I approached the door, I had no clue where the door handle was?!? I tried the TVR trick and looked under the wing mirror. No luck. I searched under the side intake vent no luck….
The instructor then said, “If you can’t get in, you can’t drive it”. After the thought of killing him had past my mind, I finally found out how to get in, slipped into the ultra low seat and got comfy.
http://img269.imageshack.us/img269/8224/dale35535vr.th.jpg (http://img269.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dale35535vr.jpg)
The thought of killing him crossing my mind. And yes I know I look like an asshole from spaceballs.
Once in the car he just told me the throttle and brake pedals are really close together so be careful not to push both at the same time because it wont be the brakes that win. With that I started the engine, which was quite nice on its own, and with my left hand went to change gear… Whoops. Yes the gear stick is on my right duh. Onto the track and obviously been on a straight I floored it, the sound and speed was great, and been so low and wide it wasn’t scary or nerve wrecking. I came to the first corner, and the brakes was great, slowed the car down well, and the car took the corner smoothly, it was fun and easy hitting the apex and exit points. By the end of the 1 lap, I had quickly got use to the gear changes and had court up to the STI, which had set off before me at the limited speed S-bend. When it opened up to the straightaway, the 355 easily screamed passed the STI all the way to 8000rpm. That’s something I’ve never done before! I got better each lap. My only complaints was the throttle pedal and clutch was a bit heavy and sticky, I don’t know if that’s just that particular one, or if all 355’s are like that. But that high-pitched tone when in high revs makes up for that.
http://img488.imageshack.us/img488/3644/gettingoutof3555qg.th.jpg (http://img488.imageshack.us/my.php?image=gettingoutof3555qg.jpg)
All good things must come to a end. Getting out was hardL
Well just in the WRX and 355, it was easily one of the greatest days I’ve had. The 355 was crazy fast, no doubt about that, but I was left feeling a little curious about the Subaru. After having a little thinking session, I just had to find out just how fast the STI was compared to the WRX. The WRX was so fast, so I couldn’t leaving knowing it was only £35 to find out how much better the STI was.
http://img425.imageshack.us/img425/6858/dalesti0dj.th.jpg (http://img425.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dalesti0dj.jpg)
Coming out of the pits on to the track I was in second gear. I thought to myself here we go and floored the throttle. After been in the 355 is was slow.. Really slow. But then the turbo kicked and HOT DAMN the fun had started again, I had never been in a turbo before so it was unexpected. I left the pits in 1st gear with the WRX so never got any lag. Now the beautiful thing about the STI is just how easy it is to drive after coming out of the 355, which had a heavy clutch and sticky throttle. Also due to the fact it was my 7th lap I was more aware of corners and could tackle them a lot better because I had got use to them. The braking was so good, grip so high it was just a true pleasure. I did get carried away with one corner due to not braking enough and then having to use excessive steering, which resulted in under steer, but the AWD system just gripped and got me around without any problem.
Now on lap 2 with the STI I had some real fun. Because I was flying and really vibing with the STI I gained one the Ferrari 550 to the point where I had to let off and just follow behind him. I was going to get annoyed thinking I had paid £35 to not go my fastest, and then the AMV8 court up behind me. So the 550 then indicated and the instructor said overtake him, the AMV8 followed, and for some reason I felt annoyed that the AMV8 would overtake me in the same fashion I overtook the STI when I was in the 355. And even though it was made clear in briefing that it is not a race situation on track, you still try to go faster than the car in front so you can overtake them, and you also sense the guys behind want to over take you. But by the time I had got to the limited speed area I had pulled quite abit away from the AMV8, and still feel quite pleased with that. The STI was simply awesome.
http://img487.imageshack.us/img487/895/dalegettingoutsti6xa.th.jpg (http://img487.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dalegettingoutsti6xa.jpg)
That really was the end, I had a great time. The instructor said I was a very smooth driver, and got quicker each lap. Obviously the Ferrari 355 was the quickest and sounded the best. But due to the fact the STI was easier to drive, and was right hand drive I used a higher percentage of the STI capabilities than the 355’s, but Im not saying I was faster in the STI. Its hard to explain. These are the scanned photos that the track photographer took of me.
http://img488.imageshack.us/img488/2057/dalein3554kz.th.jpg (http://img488.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dalein3554kz.jpg) http://img489.imageshack.us/img489/6176/daleinwrx1yb.th.jpg (http://img489.imageshack.us/my.php?image=daleinwrx1yb.jpg) http://img311.imageshack.us/img311/4140/daleinsti7rq.th.jpg (http://img311.imageshack.us/my.php?image=daleinsti7rq.jpg)
I still have a video to show, and Ill post up a few picture of all the cars there. Writing all this took ages so im off for a break, Ill then come back with a video and some good pictures.
VIDEO UP
http://homepage.ntlworld.com/daggernite/daggernite355.wmv
Right Click save as^[/b]
Video info:
Its ashame but my auntie and nan who recorded the ferrari part did'nt do a very good job at all. I took the best footage out that they was and stuck it in one video. I got recorded everylap I did in the Ferrari and STI. Because of the only view they could get, the shot starts from the S-bend with the red and blue cones, this was speed limited, hence not very fast. This then leads onto the straight which is nice because of the sounds some cars make, AMV8, DB9, Jag XK :P
Theseare the most intresting timecodes:
00:32- The AMV8 flying up the straight which sounded awesome, I believe clarkson when he says it can be heard from far away, maybe not two miles though :|
4:16- This is the only visable part of me against the AMV8 (read the above if you dont know what I mean). If you watch the whole video you will notice me and the AMV8 actually enter this corner faster than anyother drivers I saw on the video camra.
Well hope you like it guys :D
Pictures added
All but afew of these pictures was taken by my mates uncle who happens to be a professional photographer. I think there top notch pics, so hope everyone likes them.
DB9
http://img66.imageshack.us/img66/2360/astonmartindb90mo.th.jpg (http://img66.imageshack.us/my.php?image=astonmartindb90mo.jpg)http://img66.imageshack.us/img66/1467/db9side0ja.th.jpg (http://img66.imageshack.us/my.php?image=db9side0ja.jpg)http://img76.imageshack.us/img76/7039/db9flyby6mo.th.jpg (http://img76.imageshack.us/my.php?image=db9flyby6mo.jpg)http://img230.imageshack.us/img230/7829/db9flyby24fk.th.jpg (http://img230.imageshack.us/my.php?image=db9flyby24fk.jpg)
911
http://img93.imageshack.us/img93/3777/9115yv.th.jpg (http://img93.imageshack.us/my.php?image=9115yv.jpg)http://img93.imageshack.us/img93/1890/91126lz.th.jpg (http://img93.imageshack.us/my.php?image=91126lz.jpg)http://img93.imageshack.us/img93/7640/911flyby2wm.th.jpg (http://img93.imageshack.us/my.php?image=911flyby2wm.jpg)http://img66.imageshack.us/img66/1621/911front4lu.th.jpg (http://img66.imageshack.us/my.php?image=911front4lu.jpg)
Ferrari 355 :good:
http://img65.imageshack.us/img65/1956/355side6jk.th.jpg (http://img65.imageshack.us/my.php?image=355side6jk.jpg)http://img67.imageshack.us/img67/4842/355side28zm.th.jpg (http://img67.imageshack.us/my.php?image=355side28zm.jpg)http://img486.imageshack.us/img486/6055/highrear0vt.th.jpg (http://img486.imageshack.us/my.php?image=highrear0vt.jpg)http://img65.imageshack.us/img65/8576/highrear4nt.th.jpg (http://img65.imageshack.us/my.php?image=highrear4nt.jpg)http://img183.imageshack.us/img183/5176/355flyby0dc.th.jpg (http://img183.imageshack.us/my.php?image=355flyby0dc.jpg)
WRX STI
http://img76.imageshack.us/img76/7243/sti2mp.th.jpg (http://img76.imageshack.us/my.php?image=sti2mp.jpg)http://img70.imageshack.us/img70/8692/stiside2ic.th.jpg (http://img70.imageshack.us/my.php?image=stiside2ic.jpg)http://img487.imageshack.us/img487/2773/wrxstiside0ug.th.jpg (http://img487.imageshack.us/my.php?image=wrxstiside0ug.jpg)http://img64.imageshack.us/img64/6149/stiflyby9sm.th.jpg (http://img64.imageshack.us/my.php?image=stiflyby9sm.jpg)
WRX
http://img66.imageshack.us/img66/2144/wrxside4qh.th.jpg (http://img66.imageshack.us/my.php?image=wrxside4qh.jpg)http://img69.imageshack.us/img69/41/wrxflyby5zv.th.jpg (http://img69.imageshack.us/my.php?image=wrxflyby5zv.jpg)