As narrated by Mr. Gautam Singhania himself - his driving experience shared.
A lot of people have been asking me what has been the experience of driving the 458 Challenge car. Having driven a whole variety of racing cars over my life, at the onset I would like to say, the 458 Challenge is one of the most outstanding track cars that I have ever driven.
The 458 Challenge is the conversion of the 458 Italia, into a pure track car. This car is made by Ferrari factory and production happens typically once a year in the month of April. These cars are generally made to order and done in one lot.
Apart from the car being lighter, by about a 160 pounds, it is truly purpose built track car. It has a roll cage, racing seats, harness system, harness safety belts, intercom for driver passenger communication, and a completely different dash set up. Apart from all the engine parameters and RPM gauge that is on the dash board, it also has a full telemetry system. Once you have installed the beacon on the start finish line, as you go past it lap after lap, it indicates to you, your lap time, in real time. If the track is so set up, you can also get the split times at intermediate 1 and intermediate 2. This tremendously helps the driver, as he can know immediately, as to what he has done wrong or right in the previous lap, and then correct upon the same.
I had the privilege of testing this car at Buddh International Circuit which is a fantastic circuit to drive on. Having done 185 laps, and consumed two sets of tyres and one set of brakes, apart from 600 litres of fuel, I can only say it was one of the most exhilarating experiences of my life. As far as the handling of the car is concerned, it’s pretty much as though the car is on rails. What is the most amazing aspect is the carbon ceramics that gives you phenomenal braking. On the back straight, you are running up to 260 kms an hour, and into the right hander, you only start braking once the curbstone starts. Effectively you are getting down from about 260 kms an hour to 80 kms an hour in less than 100 meters. This is absolute phenomenal braking.
On the back straight, because of the aero kit, I think I am sacrificing about 30 km an hour in top end speed, this is because the aero is acting aggressively and giving a tremendous amount of downfall. However, I more than make up for that through all the corners as that extra down force gives me much higher cornering speed.
One of the areas where you feel tremendous down force is on the parabolic. And the subsequent corners after, where you can pretty much keep your foot back down.
All in all I can say that the 458 Challenge has been an incredible experience, and living up to its legend is going to be tough for Ferrari. But knowing Ferrari, I am sure they will come out with something which is truly more incredible. I can only wait and watch, and look forward to the same.
If any of u have questions, please tweet me at singhaniagautam, and I will be happy to answer. A lot of people have been asking me what has been the experience of driving the 458 Challenge car. Having driven a whole variety of racing cars over my life, at the onset I would like to say, the 458 Challenge is one of the most outstanding track cars that I have ever driven.
The 458 Challenge is the conversion of the 458 Italia, into a pure track car. This car is made by Ferrari factory and production happens typically once a year in the month of April. These cars are generally made to order and done in one lot.
Apart from the car being lighter, by about a 160 pounds, it is truly purpose built track car. It has a roll cage, racing seats, harness system, harness safety belts, intercom for driver passenger communication, and a completely different dash set up. Apart from all the engine parameters and RPM gauge that is on the dash board, it also has a full telemetry system. Once you have installed the beacon on the start finish line, as you go past it lap after lap, it indicates to you, your lap time, in real time. If the track is so set up, you can also get the split times at intermediate 1 and intermediate 2. This tremendously helps the driver, as he can know immediately, as to what he has done wrong or right in the previous lap, and then correct upon the same.
I had the privilege of testing this car at Buddh International Circuit which is a fantastic circuit to drive on. Having done 185 laps, and consumed two sets of tyres and one set of brakes, apart from 600 litres of fuel, I can only say it was one of the most exhilarating experiences of my life. As far as the handling of the car is concerned, it’s pretty much as though the car is on rails. What is the most amazing aspect is the carbon ceramics that gives you phenomenal braking. On the back straight, you are running up to 260 kms an hour, and into the right hander, you only start braking once the curbstone starts. Effectively you are getting down from about 260 kms an hour to 80 kms an hour in less than 100 meters. This is absolute phenomenal braking.
On the back straight, because of the aero kit, I think I am sacrificing about 30 km an hour in top end speed, this is because the aero is acting aggressively and giving a tremendous amount of downfall. However, I more than make up for that through all the corners as that extra down force gives me much higher cornering speed.
One of the areas where you feel tremendous down force is on the parabolic. And the subsequent corners after, where you can pretty much keep your foot back down.
All in all I can say that the 458 Challenge has been an incredible experience, and living up to its legend is going to be tough for Ferrari. But knowing Ferrari, I am sure they will come out with something which is truly more incredible. I can only wait and watch, and look forward to the same.
If any of u have questions, please tweet me at singhaniagautam, and I will be happy to answer.
