I'm going to test drive a Van Diemen FF02 race car at the Mount-Tremblant race track


here are some quick specs:

- HP: ~ 170 Brake
- 0-60: 4.5s
- latt. accell.: ~2.0G

it should be an interesting experiance, I will give feedback when I get back.

Here is what it looks like for those who have no idea:

http://www.ianbaasracing.com/images/mid_ohio.jpg

 

 

where and why was this thread moved?

 

You lucky bastard! You'll have so much fun you won't be able to sleep for a week afterwards. I drove a Van Diemen FF2000 about seven years ago. I've just begun sleeping through the night again.

 

nice, was it a sequential 5 speed?


I cant wait to drive a car that shifts like a speed bike, must be something!

 

No such luck for me. Straight cut gears, though, and best of all aerodynamic downforce via front and rear wings. That's really the dog's bullocks, winged downforce. awesome invention. I actually spun whilst in a chicane, and got pelted by marbles (little pieces of tire) across my visor and helmet. What a treat.

 

Well, after 4 hours of driving this thing... here are my impressions:


If I had to find one word to describe it: Brutal.

it's pretty much the most uncomfortable seating you can think of. The shifter is about 3 inches long and total movement from gear to gear is about 1 inch. It had a MOMO steering wheel with computer for tack, temp, oil, laps and time.

The thing stick to the road like you would not beleive. The wonderful downforce provided by the huge wings is just incredible in long sweeping curvs.

Acceleration is, once again, brutal. Very notchy but defenetly in your face.

At the end of the day when I was getting more comfortable with it, I tried to break it loose to see if I could bring it back and it handled alot better then I thaught. It does not snap out the rear like i was expecting, well, it will drift until your rear-end is about 2-3 feet out, and then SNAP! your are 45 degrees sideways with the throttle wide open. this was probably the most satisfying moment of the day.:smile:

Anyways, I feel bad saying this, but when I got back into my MCS after that experiance, it felt like a 1984 cadillac deville. Everything is all soft and slow. the shift throws felt like I was driving a school bus!

oh well!

I recommend this to any car lovers, but beware of the after-effects.

 

wow, I was expecting alot more feedback from my last post...

 

Sounds like you had some fun. Your description of driving your MINI afterwards sounds just like mine after I got to drive around in the karts at our local kart/bike track. No suspension and a solid rear axle made the MINI feel like a boat .

 

So BritKom,

Sleep like a baby last night? or have the performance nightmares begun?

must have more downforce, must have more downforce ..... muhahahahahaha!

I love Formula Fords!

 

how did you come across the opportunity to drive that thing? I want to try it!

 

It was a birthday present from my girlfriend.


http://www.jimrussell.com/

 

Arrrrrr and a fine wench she be for a gift like that. :smile: