Minardi F1 Experience

[Bass Junky]

Well, long story short.

My boss won a ride in a 2 seater F1 through OzJet.

He can't go.

I'm going !!!!!

Tomorrow morning by about 10am, I should be screaming down an airstrip about 1 hour out of Melbourne!

750 hp, 535 kilograms and about 300 kph!!!!!

AWESOME

I'll be sure to take a bunch of photos and post them up.

I'm sure I won't be able to remove the grin off my face for the next two to three years after this.

Truely a once in a lifetime experience.

Anywhoo, just thought I'd share it with all you lot.

a very excited BASS OUT

[ferni]

You cucking funt!

What the hell is your boss doing that is so important he can't make it? once in a lifetime experience.....

[Bass Junky]

This will be me tomorrow!!!!

[ctjet]

post up the pis asap

[paulr33]

love your work

[Roy]

Ferni is wise...you faking carnt!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[R32Big_boy]

Is it just stright line work, or do you actually get to see how well they stop and turn?

By the way

Duck You.

[ferni]

Yeah there better be corners involved!

Take a slab, offer it to the driver if he lets you have a fang

[Jamezilla]

C*nt

[Roy]

Ferni is full of great udeas...sark back somne cans beforehand...that way you will be sure to be sick all over that guy driving...whil ehe is off cursing you and your scotch breath...you can steal the thing and come pick me up for laps of the track.

...your still a carnt

[Mavric]

Go on RUB IT IN!!!

[NateR31]

isnt a ride like that worth $1000s

[Ant97GTR]

Congrats Bass you b@stard....

Somehow I think the drive home in the line is going to feel VERY slow

[Paradizzle]

Yo Bass do you ge to meet Paul Stoddart????

[Bass Junky]

RUB RUB RUB RUB RUB

They estimate the ride at 250 Pounds per kilometer.

Here are some specs......

Minardi F1x2 Technical Specification

Chassis

• Carbonfibre composite chassis with aluminium honeycomb sandwich

• Built to exceed FIA safety specifications

• Designed and manufactured in-house by European Formula Racing

Engine

• Cosworth Racing JD V10 (72 deg)

• 3.0-litre capacity

• Power output in excess of 700 bhp

• Rev limit in excess of 16,000 rpm

• “Fly-by-wire” throttle (no direct link between throttle pedal and engine)

Suspension

• Unequal length upper and lower wishbones front and rear

• Pushrod-operated spring/damper units incorporating hydraulic bell-cranks at the front

• Fully adjustable Koni dampers

• Eibach coil springs

Wheels and Tyres

• BBS magnesium alloy wheels; front 12in x 13in, rear 13.75in x 13in

• Bridgestone Potenza tyres

Brakes

• AP Racing master cylinders and six-piston calipers

• Hitco carbon discs and pads

Gearbox

• Six-speed sequential unit, longitudinally mounted

• Pneumatically actuated shift, operated by steering wheel-mounted “paddles”

• Xtrac gears and differential

Clutch

• AP Racing multi-plate carbon/carbon unit

• Operated by steering wheel-mounted “paddle”

Electronics

• Pi System 5+ data-logging system

• Designed using Pro-Engineer 2000i software (Parametric Technology Corporation)

Dimensions

Weight 545 kg without driver, passenger or fuel

Wheelbase 3370 mm

Length 4870 mm

Height 980 mm

Front track 1800 mm

Rear track 1800 mm

Max speed 200 mph-plus, depending on gearing and circuit

[Bass Junky]

So you want to be a passenger

During the six years since its inception, the F1x2 programme has provided over 2,000 frequently ecstatic passengers with what can only be described as the most “up-close-and-personal” view of Formula One currently available to non-racing drivers (that said, a few racing drivers have also been passengers). High-profile events in some of the world’s most famous cities, including London, Kuala Lumpur, Melbourne, Johannesburg and Budapest, have also ensured a great deal of positive publicity for this unique fleet of two-seater Formula One cars. As a result, one of the questions most often asked of Minardi F1x2 staff is, “How can I get to be a passenger?”

In most cases, because of the level of cost involved, Minardi F1x2 events are corporately funded. That is, a company contracts with the Team to stage a two-seater programme at a specific venue – usually a racing circuit – and provide a specified number of F1x2 rides for its guests. The passengers in such cases are often valued clients, supplier representatives or employees receiving a unique reward for their hard work. The Minardi F1x2 programme is a “broad church”, however, with government ministers, captains of industry, pop stars, sporting heroes, successful bidders in high-dollar charity auctions and competition winners all having ridden in the cars at one time or another.

We don’t like the term “elitist”, however, so usually once a year, the Minardi F1x2 Team stages an “open” event in order to fulfil its smaller corporate, as well as non-corporate commitments. In the past, these have taken place at circuits such as Donington Park, Rockingham Motor Speedway, Misano Adriatico and Vallelunga, and it is on such occasions that individual passenger rides can be accommodated.

Be aware, though, that an F1x2 ride comes with a significant pricetag attached, height and weight restrictions apply, and each passenger must have a mandatory medical check. More detailed information can be found in other sections of this website – in particular, under the “FAQs” heading – but if you are unable to find the answer to a question you may have, or should you want to go as far as booking a passenger ride, then please contact us via

[Bass Junky]

Frequently Asked Questions

Q What is an F1x2 car?

A In the case of a Minardi F1x2 car, it is a purpose-built chassis, based on a current-specification F1 car, and re-designed by an experienced team of engineers to incorporate a passenger compartment optimised for safety, comfort and viewing. The F1x2 car is powered by a 700bhp-plus European V10 racing engine, as used by the Minardi F1 Team in 2001, and features the same type of chassis construction, suspension, brakes and tyres as the cars that will be competing in the 2006 Formula One World Championship

Q How much does it cost to have a passenger ride?

A This falls into the “how-long-is-a-piece-of-string” category. The cost of an individual F1x2 ride is based on the total distance covered, the nominal running charge for the car currently being set at £250 per km. This figure covers such items as engine mileage, fuel consumed and tyre wear. Typically, an F1x2 passenger ride would consist of three laps (an “out” lap, a “flying” lap and an “in” lap), and if that were taken at, for example, the Donington Grand Prix circuit, which measures 4.023 km, the cost would work out at £3,017.25 (4.023 km x 3 laps x £250 per km). Clearly, the length of the circuit chosen and the number of passenger laps specified determines the final cost of the ride. The majority of the programmes undertaken by the Minardi F1x2 Team are corporately funded events, however, in which case, a number of other costs must be factored into the overall pricing structure, including team personnel, transportation, accommodation, catering, circuit hire, medical and safety cover. In short, each Minardi F1x2 programme has to be individually costed, taking into account the specific requirements of the client.

Q Where do the cars run?

A They can run anywhere a Formula One car is able to – and a few places besides! In the six years the Minardi F1x2 programme has been operating, the cars have carried passengers on Grand Prix circuits (Silverstone, Sepang, the A1 Ring, Hungaroring, Albert Park, Estoril), as well as a variety of other well-known race tracks (Donington, Rockingham, Vallelunga, Misano, Mugello, Beijing Goldenport, Kyalami, Valencia, Zandvoort). In addition, they have brought the sights and sounds of Formula One to the inhabitants of some of the world’s best-known cities, including London, Kuala Lumpur, Melbourne, Johannesburg (Sandton) and Budapest. Add in the annual Bologna Motor Show, plus airport-based events in Australia, Switzerland and the UK, and it’s clear the Minardi F1x2 cars, and the personnel who run them, are highly adaptable.

Q How fast do the cars go?

A The maximum speed of a Minardi F1x2 car, as with any high-performance vehicle, is dependent on the gearing chosen. Suffice to say, however, that speeds in excess of 300 km/h are achievable, combined with a performance envelope (acceleration, braking and cornering capabilities) similar to that of a current F1 car.

Q How many two-seaters are there?

A The Minardi F1x2 Team currently operates a fleet of eight cars.

Q How much did the F1x2 cars cost to build?

A It is difficult to be precise about the build cost of the F1x2 cars, as it is necessary to include the labour element involved in the design and build programme, over and above the cost of the huge number of components required, and then divide the total between the eight chassis that have been built to date. Perhaps the best answer is that each car is insured for £250,000.

Q As a passenger, do you really feel like you’re in a Formula One car?

A Absolutely! The combination of a two-seater car built to F1 manufacturing and safety standards, fitted with current F1-type suspension, brakes and tyres, plus a 700bhp-plus V10 engine, and driven by a top-flight driver, provides passengers with the closest experience possible to being in a Formula One car.

Q How much can you see around the driver’s headrest in front of you?

A Plenty. It’s a fallacy, possibly created and then perpetuated by individuals who have not been F1x2 passengers, that the driver’s headrest spoils the view. Consider that, although the passenger is strapped firmly into the car, it is still possible to move your head through 180 deg, which means the triangular-shaped headrest occupies only a relatively small proportion of your available sweep of vision. Additionally, the car is frequently in a state of yaw (turning), at which time the passenger is unlikely to be wanting to look straight ahead anyway, and when the car is travelling in a straight line, the headrest provides protection from the blast of air hitting the car as it travels forward at speeds of over 180 mph. The structure also provides a useful bracing point when the driver hits the carbon-carbon brakes, which can generate up to 4g of stopping power.

Q Are there any restrictions on the size of a passenger?

A Space is limited in the passenger compartment and, as a result, there are nominal limits of 1.8 m (6ft) in height, 88 kg (14 stone) in weight and a maximum girth (including upper arms) of 139.7cm (55 in). There is also a minimum height restriction of 1.58 m (5 ft 2 in). Minardi F1x2 personnel will, however, consider potential passengers whose height or weight exceeds these figures on a case-by-case basis. As long as the safety of the driver or passenger is not compromised, team members will make every effort to accommodate passengers.

Q Are there any medical restrictions when it comes to being a passenger?

A Each Minardi F1x2 passenger is checked by a qualified doctor before being allowed on track, and those over 45 years of age are subject to additional checks, including a full-stress ECG. Disabled participants are not excluded, but there are relevant safety restrictions in place regarding critical issues, such as exiting the car. Again, all such requests will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.

Q Can I be a passenger if I’m claustrophobic?

A It’s probably not a good idea, as by the time you are strapped tightly into the passenger compartment, wearing your full-face helmet and balaclava, and then the cockpit impact collar is dropped into place over you and secured, it’s a pretty tight fit. As such, it is possibly not the best of environments for those who find it difficult to cope with confined spaces.

Q Is there a minimum age for being an F1x2 passenger?

A Passengers must be over 16, and any participants between 16 and 18 years of age require parental consent in addition to the normal medical clearance required for all Minardi F1x2 passengers.

Q Do I need to bring a helmet or any special clothing?

A No. All necessary racewear, including fire-resistant overalls, underwear, boots, gloves and helmet, will be provided to passengers. Any additional personal items, such as towels, etc should be brought to the venue by the participant.

[INASNT]

Bastard!!

There are few F1 drives doing laps of sandown tomorow also.

[ferni]

Still can't belive this.

Bass gets a ride in an F1.

Leewang wins 26k.

Whats next?

[Bec]

Still can't belive this.

Bass gets a ride in an F1.

Leewang wins 26k.

Whats next?

Bec wins $21million, Bec wins $21million.

It could happen................ I bought a Tattslotto ticket.

By the way - awesome stuff Petey. Hope you have a great time.