Ferrari Classics at the Bahrain F1 GP
Apr 11, 2008 | 12:49 AM
#62
Teamspeed Pro
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 2,235
From: LI, NY
Mohammed, it was sensational. The track is obviously F1 world class, the Sakhir circuit. The car ran strong and I pushed it hard...or so I thought until Paolo Garella took the wheel with me as a passenger.
Paolo Garella was an engineer with Goodyear when they developed the tires for the F40...he was also one of their best test drivers and logged many miles on the F40. He is now in charge of special projects at Pininfarina and just such a nice guy.
He took out the F40 and man, we went balls out...the car sang and he drove it at 8/9 10ths the whole way...my face hurt from smiling at the end of 5 laps ! We had to be checkered flagged in for the end of session !
The car ran cool, tires held up beautifully (although we obviously heated the rubber
), and when he got out, he looked at me and said in a strong Italian accent..."I have driven a lot of F40's, you have a very strong car..." I was like a proud dad :rofl::rofl::rofl:
Wonderful !
Paolo Garella was an engineer with Goodyear when they developed the tires for the F40...he was also one of their best test drivers and logged many miles on the F40. He is now in charge of special projects at Pininfarina and just such a nice guy.
He took out the F40 and man, we went balls out...the car sang and he drove it at 8/9 10ths the whole way...my face hurt from smiling at the end of 5 laps ! We had to be checkered flagged in for the end of session !
The car ran cool, tires held up beautifully (although we obviously heated the rubber
), and when he got out, he looked at me and said in a strong Italian accent..."I have driven a lot of F40's, you have a very strong car..." I was like a proud dad :rofl::rofl::rofl:Wonderful !
:rofl: that is too cool.Jas I wish I could have experienced something like that, the purity/heritage of the Ferrari's car's and the great people as you mention, I mean what else can one ask for? Amazing.
Glad you had a great trip and safe as well, thanks for sharing.
EDIT: Just realized you drove Jim's P4/5 and the Enzo, what awesome people to allow that. Jim I met in person, and he is such a nice guy!
Last edited by iLLGT2; Apr 11, 2008 at 12:55 AM.
Apr 11, 2008 | 10:02 AM
#64
Teamspeed Pro
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,128
From: Long Island, NY
Jas, fantastic pictures and even better writeup. I really got a feel for what it was like to be there and experience the cars and people present at this event. I'd love to visit there..hopefully sooner than later.
Apr 11, 2008 | 02:01 PM
#65
Thread Starter
| Board Certified Car Fanatic
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 2,825
Some more pics gang....
On the way to the track....
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Arriving there !
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As you pull into the drive that goes into the track, on your left is this....the Ruf Factory in Bahrain ! I had the opportunity to meet Alois and Estonia Ruf again for the first time in 4 years...a prince and princess completely ! They brought an RT12 to the track sessions on Mon and Tues...more about that later !!!
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On the way to the track....
.
.
.
Arriving there !
.
.
As you pull into the drive that goes into the track, on your left is this....the Ruf Factory in Bahrain ! I had the opportunity to meet Alois and Estonia Ruf again for the first time in 4 years...a prince and princess completely ! They brought an RT12 to the track sessions on Mon and Tues...more about that later !!!
.
Last edited by RufMD; Apr 11, 2008 at 02:27 PM.
Apr 11, 2008 | 02:06 PM
#66
Thread Starter
| Board Certified Car Fanatic
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 2,825
Some pics of Sakhir....a world class venue that was completed in 14 months ! Unreal...but when you meet the Bahraini people up close and personal, you realize why....nothing is impossible for these eternally optimistic people....just wonderful !
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Our view from atop the Sakhir Tower....
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Our view from atop the Sakhir Tower....
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