I can clearly remember the last time I sat in a racing car. Actually, I can’t remember exactly when, 1984 I think, but it was a Phantom P75, it was at Doune, it was raining, and I won my class. The trophy lies rotting on a shelf along with a few others that I collected in my brief and not particularly auspicious motor racing career.
This was my Phantom, with me inside it:
I had previously competed in road cars that I drove to the track, but this thing was different. Formula 3 qualifying tyres gave it monster grip and massive braking, and it took me a while to find the limits of adhesion round the corners. The overall sensation was of noise, vibration and loads of power. Having won my last event, I sold it and moved to work in Holland, and my bum never sat in a racing car again, until today.
Dean is a windsurfer who also happens to race cars. I have taken his photos at Bira before, so he gave me some payback today by inviting me to take a trip around the track in his car.
It’s a Toyota, running in the production saloon class, so it is limited in power, but with a stripped out body shell and racing tyres, it is a pukka racing machine. A helmet was found for me that was too small, so it served more as a cap than a helmet. Never mind, I was strapped into the tightly fitting passenger seat and felt very secure. Off we went for what I thought would be a couple of laps but turned out to be more than ten (I lost count).
What a rush! Dean was sliding the car nicely through the corners as the car bounced and rattled its way around the circuit. I had the GF1 with me and attempted some video, but my arms were being thrown around so much it was a bit blurry (see video below, which doesn’t quite cover the entire lap due to Flickr loading restrictions). Best bit was the chicane where Dean threw the car over the rumble strips; I had forgotten just how physical a racing car can be.
When we were finished I was dripping with sweat (no aircon in racing cars), and wishing it was 1984 again. A great experience. Many thanks to Dean, who will be in action at Bira next weekend.