- 15 May 2003 18:21
#11300
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As some know, I got a “drive a pair of Ferrari’s” experience for my 21st birthday last year. Well, today was the day I actually did the experience. On arrival, there were three Ferraris waiting to greet us.
They are, in order of closest to furthest away: 355, 348, 308. The 308 was a backup in case anyone spooned the 355 or 348 into a hedge.
After a briefing, everybody was split into groups and sent to do an activity.
The activities consisted of: driving a “reverse steer” Astra (a car with the steering rack backwards – left goes right and right goes left… very confusing, but fun), a speed test in an Astra (with the steering rack the right way round this time…), a speed test in a Dax Rush kit car (Lotus 7 inspired), a ride in a rally car with a professional driver, and of course, the Ferrari’s.
Well, my group got to drive the 355 first off. An awesome car: rear mount V8 pushing 375bhp, with double H six speed gearbox, capable of 182mph.
Me, in 355… they disconnected the speedo (although I never looked at it – you listen to the rev’s to time the gear changes), but we apparently hit 140mph. By the time I got back to the loading area the brakes were stinking.
The second activity was driving the 348. Again, rear mount V8, but as its older it “only” pushes 300bhp.
Interestingly, although Ferrari make damn fine cars, their gearboxes a junk. Never have I had to fight so hard to get a car into gear. Also, the 348 and 308 uses a six point, 5 gear, box, which locates reverse directly up from first. And yes, it is possible to go from first into reverse whilst travelling forward (this is considered a no-no as it drops parts of the gearbox all over the track).
We then moved onto the reverse-steer Astra and speed test Astra. Next was the Dax Rush.
This car uses a 2-litre Ford Pinto engine (90-100bhp) and weighs about the same as a fart. A welded rear diff means the two wheels move at the same speed making it extremely easy to spin. In other words, fun.
Lastly, it was the ride in rally car. Really, if you think you can drive, get in a car with a rally driver. You know nothing.
This is a Pugeot 306 rally spec (it is actually entered into a rally on the 8th June).
However, this is not all. For an additional £25, I got to drive the Ferrari 308 (rear mount, 275bhp) as well. This is the Ferrari Tom Selleck (sp?) had in Magnum PI. I wish I’d worn my Hawaiian shirt now.
All in all, a really great day.
My personal preference for the Ferrari’s: 355 (very comfortable, smoothest gearshift, most power), then 308 (cool ‘cause of the of the Magnum PI connection and a nice drive considering no power steering), then 348 (gears and steering weren’t there for me).
Still. Any Ferrari would be nice.
They are, in order of closest to furthest away: 355, 348, 308. The 308 was a backup in case anyone spooned the 355 or 348 into a hedge.
After a briefing, everybody was split into groups and sent to do an activity.
The activities consisted of: driving a “reverse steer” Astra (a car with the steering rack backwards – left goes right and right goes left… very confusing, but fun), a speed test in an Astra (with the steering rack the right way round this time…), a speed test in a Dax Rush kit car (Lotus 7 inspired), a ride in a rally car with a professional driver, and of course, the Ferrari’s.
Well, my group got to drive the 355 first off. An awesome car: rear mount V8 pushing 375bhp, with double H six speed gearbox, capable of 182mph.
Me, in 355… they disconnected the speedo (although I never looked at it – you listen to the rev’s to time the gear changes), but we apparently hit 140mph. By the time I got back to the loading area the brakes were stinking.
The second activity was driving the 348. Again, rear mount V8, but as its older it “only” pushes 300bhp.
Interestingly, although Ferrari make damn fine cars, their gearboxes a junk. Never have I had to fight so hard to get a car into gear. Also, the 348 and 308 uses a six point, 5 gear, box, which locates reverse directly up from first. And yes, it is possible to go from first into reverse whilst travelling forward (this is considered a no-no as it drops parts of the gearbox all over the track).
We then moved onto the reverse-steer Astra and speed test Astra. Next was the Dax Rush.
This car uses a 2-litre Ford Pinto engine (90-100bhp) and weighs about the same as a fart. A welded rear diff means the two wheels move at the same speed making it extremely easy to spin. In other words, fun.
Lastly, it was the ride in rally car. Really, if you think you can drive, get in a car with a rally driver. You know nothing.
This is a Pugeot 306 rally spec (it is actually entered into a rally on the 8th June).
However, this is not all. For an additional £25, I got to drive the Ferrari 308 (rear mount, 275bhp) as well. This is the Ferrari Tom Selleck (sp?) had in Magnum PI. I wish I’d worn my Hawaiian shirt now.
All in all, a really great day.
My personal preference for the Ferrari’s: 355 (very comfortable, smoothest gearshift, most power), then 308 (cool ‘cause of the of the Magnum PI connection and a nice drive considering no power steering), then 348 (gears and steering weren’t there for me).
Still. Any Ferrari would be nice.
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I want one of these....it looks much cooler.....and yes that is a guy sticking his head out.....:
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