- 13 Aug 09, 17:46#142825
Yes Ladies and Gentlemen, the forum has been vacant of a proper Pirate for a couple of days. No constant crap posts, or randomness from yours truely.
Maybe you all missed it. Maybe you didn't. Either way I have returned and I have a story to tell.
Over the course of the last two days I've been on a bit of a trip with a fellow forum member (GarethStr) and everyone's favourite rodent, Wolin.
Unlike in my previous adventures, where I walked to these places, we decided to take an automobile. Fitting of the trip really, seeing as it was all centre around the car and... you get it...
So we left pollution-free Scotland and headed into the English Lake District. Minutes passed as we admired what the Lakes had to offered, ever wondering however how it isn't all it is cracked up to be.
Anyways after much discussion and miles traveled, we stopped off at the Lancaster Services for some lunch. What a rip off. I hate Moto!
Oh look i'm flying over a road:
These services are really showing their age.
After lunch we discussed the day ahead:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ny4b6LBFhG8
Followed by some map reading:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A_wgDX0cl6U
Then we set out on the open road: (Pity this wasn't filmed with some bagpipe music on as we traveled)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tAHb6TqCf_Q
After a few hours we arrived at our first destination. Donington Park. Sadly there didn't appear to be any work on what so ever, and we got stopped before we went to park asking what we were up to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Y2xEJOe1TA
Once we got into the museum, we did the usual - took pictures and looked at the cars.
Scotty and Mclaren Fan have posted tons of pictures already so I won't show you all of mine.
Kers hater's first car:
Stewart GP, I miss thee:
Niki Lauda's love child:
BRM Engine at work:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_2JBVZq0-lg
Even so, there were a few Motorsport celebrities viewing the museum at the same time as us.
These included Juan Pablo Montoya:
We also got into a conversation with Eddie Jordan, who just so happened to be there and in a talkative mood:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eom-klWYfLE
We also found out where Eddie Irvine has been hiding for all of these years:
I also paid tribute to everybody's favourite Male Model:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A2i69-SJnAI
Anyways after our little jaunt around the museum we all decided to have a go of the simulator. I was surprised at how much of a strain that it puts on your neck and shoulders. (BTW I was alot faster than Wolin or Gareth)
Just look at the concentration:
Here are some videos of Wolin being briefed on the simulator and having a wee go:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yRYh4Yaq1L8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xEYZFOU8i-E
Later that night we finally arrived in Bicester. It was at their service station that Wolin became obsessed with the smash and grab machine. He spent a good £10 on it, trying to win a Nintendo DS. *Shakes head*
The funny thing about the Smash and Grab was the music that it played when you put the money in. Anyone want to guess what it was?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EHIFMkmhDY0
The Next Day
On to Wednesday. After another expensive breakfast, Wolin played the Smash and Grab some more and then we headed to this outlet village on the outskirts of the town. Jez we felt so poor, the stores were far too upper class for us Scots. Give me basic clothes any day
Wolin being gay with the camera:
So onto the most important part of the trip. The Renault F1 factory between Enstone and The Bartons.
Our tour commenced inside Renault's new CFD building. The building was dug into the ground and then covered by dirt, to try and let it blend it with the surrounding countryside.
The building was of course dedicated to the late great Dino Tost.
Outside the CFD centre:
Inside the CFD lobby:
Gareth waits on the tour:
The Renault F1 Toilet :
I hate waiting around:
The R27 with some modified 08 pieces, sits in the lobby.
A little out of date now
I got to play about with the 09 steering wheel:
After a short introductionary speech we were ushered into the brand new lecture theatre inside the factory. There we got a lecture from Renault's Account Manager, the brilliant Luca Mazzocco.
Renault Demo driver, Adam Khan, was onboard to help Luca explain telemetry. More on him later:
Once the lecture had finished and we had watched a promo-video for the CFD centre (featuring Bob Bell), we took a walk outside and into the paddock at Enstone. Contrary to what was reported earlier this week, by the Spanish reporters, the Renault trucks remain in Enstone ready to go. I saw the two race cars, they were sitting in an enclosed area at the shop floor. The team also confirmed all of this when I asked about it.
Anyways, on the shop floor we met the Renault demonstration crew who had set out a number of displays and tasks for us to take part in. Central to this was the pitstop.
Here the team first explain how to change the tyres:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qr2po3DInp8
Now here's "Team Wolin" attempting to do the same:
Wolin, Gareth and some randomer race against the clock:
Wolin failed:
I simulate the steering wheel start proceedure:
Luca parading around:
The exhaust was relatively light:
... the suspension not so much:
Wheel:
Gareth and I discuss rear end diffusers:
I think Ferrari should have hired me last year:
Me having a discussion with a Renault official, very nice guy.
I had an interesting chat with this guy and a few others from Renault about their latest situation. They said that they haven't confirmed Grosjean, obviously due to the appeal. They said that the entire factory were awaiting the outcome and were still not sure how it might go. It appears that the FOTA holiday is also a lot of nonsense. The Enstone factory was still working to near capacity. It wasn't really saving the team any money at all.
After we had some fun in the shop-floor, we headed back up to the heritage centre. On the way I got talking to Adam Kahn. The guy is truely very nice, I had a great conversation with him about feeling of a each car, differences in set ups. The difference from grooved to slick tyres, what his plans were for the future etc etc. The guy seems a very hard worker, he says he'll be staying with Renault and trying to work his way up. He also made some interesting points about Grosjean. Those being that the Swiss-Frenchman hasn't had anywhere near the millage which he has. Interesting. He really will be dropped into the deep end!
He was also impressed with me it seemed. He commented that I appeared to "know my stuff". We chatted for quite a while at the heritage centre as well.
Here we talk about the B195:
And well we also have a "photo taken"
The centre also featured a pretty awesome display of previous Renault race cars, a simulator and a reactions tester.
Alonso Alonso!
RE40:
RE30B:
A selection of Trophies:
B195:
Renault's successful Le Mans winner:
So a fantastic couple of days all round. Not even some old couple who kept overtaking me on the way home in their Ka could spoil it. I have more pictures, and vids. This is only a small selection. enjoy!
Maybe you all missed it. Maybe you didn't. Either way I have returned and I have a story to tell.
Over the course of the last two days I've been on a bit of a trip with a fellow forum member (GarethStr) and everyone's favourite rodent, Wolin.
Unlike in my previous adventures, where I walked to these places, we decided to take an automobile. Fitting of the trip really, seeing as it was all centre around the car and... you get it...
So we left pollution-free Scotland and headed into the English Lake District. Minutes passed as we admired what the Lakes had to offered, ever wondering however how it isn't all it is cracked up to be.
Anyways after much discussion and miles traveled, we stopped off at the Lancaster Services for some lunch. What a rip off. I hate Moto!
Oh look i'm flying over a road:
These services are really showing their age.
After lunch we discussed the day ahead:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ny4b6LBFhG8
Followed by some map reading:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A_wgDX0cl6U
Then we set out on the open road: (Pity this wasn't filmed with some bagpipe music on as we traveled)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tAHb6TqCf_Q
After a few hours we arrived at our first destination. Donington Park. Sadly there didn't appear to be any work on what so ever, and we got stopped before we went to park asking what we were up to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Y2xEJOe1TA
Once we got into the museum, we did the usual - took pictures and looked at the cars.
Scotty and Mclaren Fan have posted tons of pictures already so I won't show you all of mine.
Kers hater's first car:
Stewart GP, I miss thee:
Niki Lauda's love child:
BRM Engine at work:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_2JBVZq0-lg
Even so, there were a few Motorsport celebrities viewing the museum at the same time as us.
These included Juan Pablo Montoya:
We also got into a conversation with Eddie Jordan, who just so happened to be there and in a talkative mood:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eom-klWYfLE
We also found out where Eddie Irvine has been hiding for all of these years:
I also paid tribute to everybody's favourite Male Model:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A2i69-SJnAI
Anyways after our little jaunt around the museum we all decided to have a go of the simulator. I was surprised at how much of a strain that it puts on your neck and shoulders. (BTW I was alot faster than Wolin or Gareth)
Just look at the concentration:
Here are some videos of Wolin being briefed on the simulator and having a wee go:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yRYh4Yaq1L8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xEYZFOU8i-E
Later that night we finally arrived in Bicester. It was at their service station that Wolin became obsessed with the smash and grab machine. He spent a good £10 on it, trying to win a Nintendo DS. *Shakes head*
The funny thing about the Smash and Grab was the music that it played when you put the money in. Anyone want to guess what it was?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EHIFMkmhDY0
The Next Day
On to Wednesday. After another expensive breakfast, Wolin played the Smash and Grab some more and then we headed to this outlet village on the outskirts of the town. Jez we felt so poor, the stores were far too upper class for us Scots. Give me basic clothes any day
Wolin being gay with the camera:
So onto the most important part of the trip. The Renault F1 factory between Enstone and The Bartons.
Our tour commenced inside Renault's new CFD building. The building was dug into the ground and then covered by dirt, to try and let it blend it with the surrounding countryside.
The building was of course dedicated to the late great Dino Tost.
Outside the CFD centre:
Inside the CFD lobby:
Gareth waits on the tour:
The Renault F1 Toilet
:I hate waiting around:
The R27 with some modified 08 pieces, sits in the lobby.
A little out of date now
I got to play about with the 09 steering wheel:
After a short introductionary speech we were ushered into the brand new lecture theatre inside the factory. There we got a lecture from Renault's Account Manager, the brilliant Luca Mazzocco.
Renault Demo driver, Adam Khan, was onboard to help Luca explain telemetry. More on him later:
Once the lecture had finished and we had watched a promo-video for the CFD centre (featuring Bob Bell), we took a walk outside and into the paddock at Enstone. Contrary to what was reported earlier this week, by the Spanish reporters, the Renault trucks remain in Enstone ready to go. I saw the two race cars, they were sitting in an enclosed area at the shop floor. The team also confirmed all of this when I asked about it.
Anyways, on the shop floor we met the Renault demonstration crew who had set out a number of displays and tasks for us to take part in. Central to this was the pitstop.
Here the team first explain how to change the tyres:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qr2po3DInp8
Now here's "Team Wolin" attempting to do the same:
Wolin, Gareth and some randomer race against the clock:
Wolin failed:
I simulate the steering wheel start proceedure:
Luca parading around:
The exhaust was relatively light:
... the suspension not so much:
Wheel:
Gareth and I discuss rear end diffusers:
I think Ferrari should have hired me last year:
Me having a discussion with a Renault official, very nice guy.
I had an interesting chat with this guy and a few others from Renault about their latest situation. They said that they haven't confirmed Grosjean, obviously due to the appeal. They said that the entire factory were awaiting the outcome and were still not sure how it might go. It appears that the FOTA holiday is also a lot of nonsense. The Enstone factory was still working to near capacity. It wasn't really saving the team any money at all.
After we had some fun in the shop-floor, we headed back up to the heritage centre. On the way I got talking to Adam Kahn. The guy is truely very nice, I had a great conversation with him about feeling of a each car, differences in set ups. The difference from grooved to slick tyres, what his plans were for the future etc etc. The guy seems a very hard worker, he says he'll be staying with Renault and trying to work his way up. He also made some interesting points about Grosjean. Those being that the Swiss-Frenchman hasn't had anywhere near the millage which he has. Interesting. He really will be dropped into the deep end!
He was also impressed with me it seemed. He commented that I appeared to "know my stuff". We chatted for quite a while at the heritage centre as well.
Here we talk about the B195:
And well we also have a "photo taken"
The centre also featured a pretty awesome display of previous Renault race cars, a simulator and a reactions tester.
Alonso Alonso!
RE40:
RE30B:
A selection of Trophies:
B195:
Renault's successful Le Mans winner:
So a fantastic couple of days all round. Not even some old couple who kept overtaking me on the way home in their Ka could spoil it. I have more pictures, and vids. This is only a small selection. enjoy!
Forumula One: The World's Greatest Sport
Lucky you 2
