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2010-05-11
Klaas Voget in BMW racing event
Just after my return from Maui I was invited to join a press event of the formula BMW racing series in Valencia. Those cars are quite similar to formula 1 cars, just a little smaller. A bit tired I got into the plane the day after my arrival with a 12hr jetlag and not too much sleep. But once I saw the cars waiting in the pitlane of the Valencia race track, i was 100% awake.
First day everyone got their car, seat, suit and shoes, second day was a full day of learning and training with some worldclass racing instructors and the Nr.1 newcomer of the tour. After some shifting lessons and theory courses the instructors opened the track for free practice sessions. It was amazing! The excelleration is unbelievable, from zero to 100km/h in 3.4 seconds, going with 200km/h towards the next turn. It felt a bit unreal, like being part of a computer game, bit more dangerous tho... It’s quite hard work to drive these cars, there is no power steering or break support, and you need to be 100% concentrated all the time. Also shifting gears is not just pushing a button, there is a manual shift, a clutch, and a special technique to not block the wheels in the turns and spin.
Three participants of the group span into the gravel, but nothing serious happened... The drive to the german island of Rügen the next morning for the Big Days contest felt a bit like slowmotion!
Here some of the shots (I’m Nr. 10)...
All the best,
Klaas Voget G-4
www.klaasvoget.com
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