Want to Drive an F1 Car? Formula GP Experience Offers a Real Rac

As a fan of Formula 1 racing, I'm always seeking ways to get more of a real sense of what it's like to drive and race a Formula 1 car. While there are more than a few options to experience a ride in a NASCAR race car, opportunities to experience a Formula 1 ride are much harder to find. If you want to experience the real thrill of Formula 1 racing, at race speeds, in a real Formula 1 car, the Formula GP Experience is a touring program that provides Formula 1 rides in a real F1 car, modified to seat three, driven by a professional driver. The Williams FW31 car in a testing session. Wikimedia Commons The experience starts with a welcome and briefing, followed by a karting session to acclimate drivers to the speeds and g-forces they will experience. Karts reach speeds of up to 40 mph. Next, the real fun begins. Drivers get a full racing suit, helmet and gloves and are fitted into the F1 cars. The cars are real Formula 1 cars, modified to add two passenger seats on either side of the driver. The cars used raced in the 2003 and 2004 F1 seasons. The Formula GP Experience cars have Judd V10 racing engines, producing over 750 HP and can go from 0 to 60 mph in 1.8 seconds, with a top speed exceeding 200 mph. The power is delivered to the wheels through a semi-automatic transmission with steering wheel-mounted controls. These are real F1 cars, driven by real race drivers, on a real race track, offering an unmatched race experience. There really is no other way to experience the sense of Formula 1 racing first-hand. The day ends with a podium ceremony, where all participants get a trophy. Pirelli starting grid hostesses are on hand for photos and the entire experience is available to re-live through in-car video and photography. The cost, when booked in advance, online, is $999. The session lasts for 3-4 laps and the whole experience takes about five hours. The Formula GP Experience is offered at a series of racetracks and private motor clubs across Normth America, starting in New York at the Monticello Motor Club on May 31, 2012. From New York, they go to Quebec, Illinois, California, Texas, California, Arizona and Nevada. The owners of the program know racing, they also own the Conquest Racing team, which competes in the IRL race league. I think the program is a great way for F1 fans to get more of a sense of racing dynamics and I'm sure it would give me a new appreciation for the skill required to drive in Formula 1. A lifetime auto racing fan, Freddy Sherman collects vintage muscle cars and attends races and rally events in the U.S. and around the world. You can follow him on twitter - @thefredsherman.