First Drive Of The Formula Holden

[Michele]

Well today was my first drive of the Formula Holden... and WOW, what a car to drive, I've never driven anything like it before and I loved it. I had wonderful support and mentors with me and I was nervous about this first drive, but I needn't have, it felt fabulous to drive. As most of you are aware, it was raining on and off today and I only had slicks, but didn't stop me from having a whole lot of fun.

I think my best time was 1:11.7 but know I can improve this as I was taking it pretty easy today.

[TiTAN]

Also much better on your ears than some of the formula fords that were out there

[BNR32t]

Good to see you getting out there,

glad it went well.

Skid pad *cough*

[sl33py]

Awesome!

[eMsta]

that looks soo awesome! been in the skyline ont he track and it felt quite low to the ground - but that holden would have been like ur just sitting on the road itself!

[R3sp3ct]

That looks so awesome, good on you!!

[Michele]

that looks soo awesome! been in the skyline ont he track and it felt quite low to the ground - but that holden would have been like ur just sitting on the road itself!

I'm about 40mm from the ground and it feels great. You lay in it rather than sit which is a bit weird at first but you don't think about it once your on the track. I was expecting it to be much rougher, but it was surprisingly smooth. I was also warned about strengthening my neck muscles for the G forces, but didn't notice it yesterday at all... this morning is another matter... I now have very sore muscles in my neck. Sounds like I have to research how to strengthen these muscles.

I'll be counting the sleeps for the next track day.

[Bullet32]

Great stuff Michele, looks like an awesome experience... Are you going to race it competitively or just at club level?

By the way if your neck is stiff you should go to revolution race gear and get yourself a helmet brace - they sit on your shoulders and hold the helmet as still as possible, it will help a lot with your neck pain.

P.S. When I get my CAMS license can I have a drive?

[datto260Z]

Damn, I knew i forgot something, good to hear ya had fun. Looks even better on the track.

[Frink]

Great stuff Michele, looks like an awesome experience... Are you going to race it competitively or just at club level?

By the way if your neck is stiff you should go to revolution race gear and get yourself a helmet brace - they sit on your shoulders and hold the helmet as still as possible, it will help a lot with your neck pain.

P.S. When I get my CAMS license can I have a drive?

ah, you mean a HANS (Head And Neck Support) device? they are only for when you crash, not for when your driving. they dont hold your head up right and still, they have straps attached to your helmet and the brace stop your head from being thrown forward and breaking your neck when you have a heavy impact with the wall or another car or something. See Here...

oh and Ditto on the drive bit michele

[CeJay]

looks like you had fun

[TiTAN]

Fun is an understatement. She wouldnt stop going on about it all afternoon.

[Michele]

Fun is an understatement. She wouldnt stop going on about it all afternoon.

There isn't an emoticon here with a grin big enough to show you how much fun it was.

I'm putting a new clutch in tomorrow and should have it ready by the hillclimb on Sunday. I'm planning on taking it easy cos I don't know what the new clutch will be like and how the clearance will go, and am still getting used to the car and gears. But hopefully it will be running on Sunday if anyone wants to take a look at it on the track.

[a20089]

So how did you get the car on and off the truck?

[Michele]

So how did you get the car on and off the truck?

Just used the car ramps in the driveway here and ran the truck up the mounds at Wakie and drove it straight on and off.

[Michele]

Well my second drive will be today at the hillclimb... fingers crossed she isn't too low and her turning radius will get me around some of those corners.

If anyone wants to come out and spectate, its free entry. If you do, come say hi. Its on the left on Sutton Road, just before the Skidpan, you'll see the signs.

[BNR32t]

Good luck, i plan to be at the next hill climb in my GTR

Just at teh end of running the motor in now.

[datto260Z]

Was great to see it out there, well done on the 48 second, though im sure you will be faster next time. Good to see the other guys out, ie Reece, Jeno etc

[Bluprint]

*ahem*

[Michele]

*cough cough*

I only did that once

I was a goood goil after that, kept off the ripple strip just fine the little girl turned in much quicker than I thought she would.