As much as I adore our Lotus trackdays I didn’t need asking twice when I had the very generous invite to share my friends F430 spider at the Ferrari club trackday at Oulton today.
I wasn’t quite sure what to expect from a bunch of Ferrari owners but I have to say that it was every bit as friendly as a lotus day, everyone I spoke to was a complete petrolhead and just loved their cars. The weather was also magnificent, no precipitation in sight.
I was a bit apprehensive about thrashing something five times more valuable than my exige but after about two laps I forgot about that. What an awesome piece of kit these cars are! The paddle shift might be very playstation but I don’t remember ever feeling that kind of sensation through the sofa when flatshifting 480 bhp up Clay Hill.
The only downside to the car is the brakes. In comparison to a Lotus they are pants! The effect of pedalling twice the power and weight of an Exige meant that you had to plan well ahead when throwing the anchors on. Of course there’s a fix for that, a nice ceramic kit costing the same price as a Lotus.
Just when we were really starting to push the car the gremlins pounced. The E Diff started to play up putting it in rain mode and cutting the power at any sign of wheel spin ‘Edith’ as we affectionately called her, continued to annoy us all afternoon. Apparently it’s a common fault with the diff solenoids.
Near the end of the day I came incredibly close to realising a dream of mine. The very nice guy that we sat with at lunch was the owner of a gorgeous 246 GT dino, my absolute favourite classic. He said that in the 12 years he’d owned it he had never heard it being driven in action. He very kindly asked if I would take it out for a couple of laps for him so he could hear it coming past! Unfortunately the organisers didn’t want me to drive it in the same session as the modern supercars and race cars so it never happened, I was gutted. But what an absolute gent for the offer. Maybe it’s best kept as a dream, sometimes meeting your hero can disappoint.
All in all, an amazing day. But I won’t be making the transition from Exige loyalty.
I passed on your regards to John Stone yesterday so maybe you’ll get a go in his Skoda. He said he’d take a look at the Exige next event you two maybe at…Kermit seems soooo recognisable lol hopefully the Storm Trooper will be too.
That’s awesome mate, I had a sit in a 288 GTO a few months ago which I wish I hadn’t of done unless I’d of driven it…still nice anyway but like you love my little bit of exotica
nice write up…what a gent going to let you drive his car round…so near yet so far!!!even ferrari owners cant get enough of that delightfull zorst note…
what taste you have mr fox, my fave ferrari ever is the 288 gto…i remember sitting in one at the nec when it first came out back in the 1980’s aged about 12…its still not really dated to this day…
the strange thing is i can always remember the price for some reason. it was �72k brand new…ive got a pic of me in it somewhere…shame i couldnt persuade my dad to buy me one and bubble wrap it…
Yes, guilty, It was me.
Weather was fantastic, heard there was a Ferrari trackday, so thought I would look at the opposition. . Some nice cars, and the sound of the 458 and the 430 Scuderia was awesome.
Ted
[quote=Ted]Yes, guilty, It was me.
Weather was fantastic, heard there was a Ferrari trackday, so thought I would look at the opposition. . Some nice cars, and the sound of the 458 and the 430 Scuderia was awesome.
Ted[/quote]
Hi Ted, unfortunately we didnt get chance to meet. I agree, the 458’s and 430 Scud were incredible in terms of speed and noise.
The 458 race car passed me going into Island and really buzzed me. I didn’t see him coming, it was a bit of a naughty move from him as I was actually just about to turn in on the racing line. He wasn’t behind when we came down cascades which is why he frightened the c**p out of me! But he made it without any loss of paint so I’ll let him off.
[quote=jonnyfox]I passed on your regards to John Stone yesterday so maybe you’ll get a go in his Skoda. He said he’d take a look at the Exige next event you two maybe at…Kermit seems soooo recognisable lol hopefully the Storm Trooper will be too.
[/quote]
Cheers Jonny, I don’t think the Exige will be worrying him for the podium. I don’t know if you’ve seen his Skoda WRC in action but the acceleration is phenominal, and it doesn’t need to slow down for corners much either
The only problem with Kermit being recognisable was that it was mainly all mouth with not so much trousers. Discretion is the new approach now as the new car has a bit more in the pants department :whistle:
‘Edith’ as we affectionately called her, continued to annoy us all afternoon. Apparently it’s a common fault with the diff solenoids.
. Some nice cars, and the sound of the 458 and the 430 Scuderia was awesome.