| RHR Kyalami Report |
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A TASTE OF F1 Ryan Hunter-Reay was on-track last weekend at Kyalami, the home of the last South African Formula One Grand Prix. The race weekend featured the first ever Grand Prix Masters event where the likes of Nigel Mansell, Emerson Fittipaldi and Riccardo Patrese went head-to-head to compete for glory. Headlining alongside the Grand Prix Masters was a double-header two-seater Formula One Grand Prix; driven by the “Grand Prix Youngsters”, including, Ryan, Gianni Morbidelli, Johnny Herbert, Zsolt Baumgartner and Patrick Friesacher. The aim of the F1x2 programme is to bring F1 closer to the fans and a street demo in Sandton, Johannesburg, certainly brought the scream of F1 V10 engines close to the local residents! After that all the action was centred on Kyalami and, after a busy few days of passenger rides, it was time for the races. Grid positions were decided by drawing lots and Ryan lined up sixth on the grid for race one. The rules of the F1x2 races are that all drivers must make one pit-stop; to make sure there is lots of on-track overtaking and increase the spectacle for the crowd. During the first race one of the drivers, David Saelens, failed to make a pit-stop and finished in second place as a result. After finishing seventh in his first run in an F1 car, Ryan, and two of the other drivers, realised the advantage that could be gained by ‘forgetting’ to stop. The luck of the draw went Ryan’s way for race two and he started from second position. The American led the race from start-to-finish but, after taking the chequered flag, he was penalised by the team for cheekily missing his pit-stop! He certainly showed that there was a lot he could do with an F1 car, albeit one with very little elbow room (the passengers legs run either side of the driver allowing little room for manouver!). The races thrilled the crowd and Ryan gave his passengers a thrill they will never forget. “That was awesome!” said Ryan at the end of the day. “If that is what a two-seater is like then I can’t wait to try the one-seater F1 cars! The acceleration is unbelievable! I’ve had a lot of fun this week; I’ve learnt a lot and I’ve been able to help raise money for some very worthwhile charities. I think we kept the crowd happy today and personally I’m delighted to have been able to take part in such a great event. I met some of the British press who were a lot of fun, the Minardi guys welcomed me with open arms, and I have to say that all this has made me all the more determined to get to F1!” ENDS |
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