Realising a V8 Supercar Dream

Friday, 20 August 2010 08:20

To quote a movie “You know in some movies how they have a dream sequence only they don't tell you it's a dream?

This is so not a dream.” I had one of those moments when I was told to suit up for a V8 Supercar hot lap while out at Queensland Raceway working as a photographer for Valvoline at the Garry Rogers Motorsport ride day. Doing a hot lap in one of the V8 beasts of Australian motorsport has been a dream of mine for some time and the time had finally come. It’s an experience that’s hard to put into words, which is why I took a video camera along, though even video cannot fully communicate all the facets of the ride or the insight it gives you into the job of a V8 Supercar driver.

The GRM ride car is a three seater and after suiting up I climbed through the roll cage into the back seat (a spot reserved for those of us who aren’t too tall) and sat in a seat that was surprisingly comfortable. All morning I had waited as passengers were strapped in so I could take photographs yet when it came to me this process seemed to take only seconds.

The car didn’t have an inbuilt camera, but wanting video footage to share with you I took my video camera in and set it to record. So unprepared was I for the acceleration, movement and braking though that by turn one the hand held camera was no longer recording and by turn two I had knocked the switch to off. However the team kindly let me settle in for another ride and that time I captured the whole stint, which is included below.

The shakiness of the video is not due to unsteady hands, it’s a result of the sheer amount of movement in the car. I was expecting to be amazed by the acceleration and braking, but the way the V8 Supercar moved around on track was a real surprise. Not only that but it also seemingly felt every bump in the road (I understand why drivers complain about them now!). Another aspect that surprised me was the heat in the car, which was a little stifling and gave me an appreciation as to why drivers have occasionally had to be hospitalised after some of the longer, warmer races.

What can I say after such an experience? Well my dream may have been realised (thanks to GRM and Valvoline), but I haven’t completely crossed it off my to do list as I’d love the opportunity to go again. If you are interested in doing a V8 Supercar hot lap there’s nothing to stop you going either, with these rides not just reserved for sponsors and media. Many of the teams, including Team Vodafone and Stone Brothers Racing, offer hot laps as part of premium team membership packages, and in the case of the Holden Racing Team fans are able to purchase hot laps in their ride car directly. Chelsea Woods Girlracer magazine

Worth checking - Motorsport news - F1 news - Chelsea Woods

Comments (1)

|2010-08-20 09:43:49 John Kennett - Great Work if you can get it !

Hi Chelsea,
Great story,but what about that ute? Keep up the good work. More ride along days would be good so that we get more footage to look at & more stories to read.

Thanks John.
- 0
- 0
Reply | Quote

|2010-08-22 01:20:02 Chelsea - Even better than it sounds!

Hi John!

I'm glad you liked the story. The ute is pretty powerful isn't it?! It was just as popular as the V8 Supercar ride car.

I'll definitely continue to take up any opportunities that come my way in regards to ride days so I can share the stories and videos with you!

Thanks
Chelsea
- 1
- 0
Reply | Quote