In case you missed it, last weekend was the running of the
Ferrari Racing Days at
Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, one of the best tracks stateside. As one whose been on it, I can attest it's a great track and the corkscrew is one of the most challenging turns in motorsports and commands lot's of respect.
This event brings together Ferrari owners and their cars at a great track. The spectacle in itself is awesome, not only due to the quantity of beautiful pure bread Ferrari's, but in particular the older ones that we don't get to see that often any more, are given a chance to stretch their legs and clear their throats.
A surprising offshoot of this weekend's event, is the posting of the video below on YouTube. It is of Ferrari F1 Clienti Driver/owner
Bud Moeller driving on Saturday the 2003 F1, formerly driven by Rubens Barichello. As you watch the video, pay close attention to the G-force meter, the second from the left, as it moves from positive (under acceleration) to negative (under braking). 3 G's is a tremendous amount, so just imagine more than a dozen times a lap being subjected to 3 G's or more, positive or negative.
A popular anecdote on the turns 8 and 8A, the infamous corkscrew, is that often drivers (like my brother Gege) pick out a tree across from the start of turn 8 as the point to turn into the corner (left), due to the drop in elevation as well as its blind crest and apex on the uphill approach. This is done purely on the driver's "feeling" and requires much self confidence, or he/she might not line up correctly for the immediate right turn that follows.
Thanks for reading and two thumbs up to Bud Boeller and Vision Wells for sharing this video.
UPDATE:
Later that day, Ferrari test driver Marc Gene jumped into the Ferrari and set out to onto the track, resulting in a new track record. The video below is of his record setting lap.
Thanks for reading.
Source: Jalopnik
Video: Vision Wells - On Track Video Productions
