Drive a Formula Ford………Its great fun!!!

[Aeron]

A week ago Dad and I went to Oran Park to do the Peter Finlay Formula Ford Drive-Day. Dad and I had the newest car of the fleet, a ’99 Van Diemen with 2000 suspension. Each car is fitted with an adjustable rev limiter. As the day goes on Peter will turn the limiter up to give you more revs and more speed as you get more familiar with the car.
The cars are amazing to drive. They have Ford Zetec engines from the UK. At first we were just doing laps of the main straight. Put the thing in first and nail the throttle and pushes you back in your seat, but you have to grab 2nd early, because the limiter was set quite low at this point. 2nd gear, the same thing. Pushes you back.
Then we were split into 2 groups and the instructors took us for a few laps in a road car…………My road car, just to show racing lines etc…
Then, it was time to be let loose on the track. Everything the car does, it does well. Acceleration, braking, cornering, all fantastic.
Throughout the day the rev limiter is turned up bit by bit, but the Formula Ford that Dad and I had, had a small problem………………..the rev limiter wasn’t working. So I came down the main straight and usually its on the limiter half way down, so we don’t crash, but it never limited. I stayed into it thinking, “nice, Peters turned it up quite a bit……..still no limiter………..still no limiter…………….I’d better brake now”. At speed, you would not believe how much your head moves around, its quite a physical car to drive. Anyway, a few slides out of turn 4 (South circuit) later and our 40 laps are over.
Dad and I had a blast and now dad wants to buy one

The day costs $750 and that includes lunch. It’s a fantastic day for any petrol head and you don’t need to have any previous track experience.

Here are a few photos Peter took on the day…

Me into turn 1


Dad and I in the pits



Here is the web site ----> http://www.finlays.com.au/pages/formulafordcourse.html

[Danny]

I thought the new ones Ran the Duratec 1.6 from the Fiesta.....

Looks like a great day was had. Nice ;)

[photn]

THATS cool. was looking into doing one after i did the Peter Finlays drivers edd course..

its a good course to do and its so fun!!!. the speed is insane as much as the cceleration.

[mik]

thats great i`ll have too save my pennies, looks to enough room in the cock pit for a big fella, is that a fair observation aeron??

[Aeron]

Originally Posted by mik

thats great i`ll have too save my pennies, looks to enough room in the cock pit for a big fella, is that a fair observation aeron??

Yeh, there is more room than you think. Im over 6ft and had room.

[Ghiadude]

Originally Posted by Aeron

Yeh, there is more room than you think. Im over 6ft and had room.

and in that photo you look a bit like Jason Bright

[Aeron]

Originally Posted by tx3dude

and in that photo you look a bit like Jason Bright

Wish I could drive like him.

[SVR73]

Yes, I have done that, back in 1996. What a thrill
The old double de clutch as well.

Did extremely well considering I new nothing about the cars.
However, It would be nice to do a saloon car version of that.