Taupo tourists kit up
for some speed thrills
They look like Formula One cars, they sound like Formula One cars, and they offer seat of your pants excitement that only motorsport can offer. Now, thanks to a fast growing New Zealand company, tourists, car enthusiasts and special groups can have a go at driving a genuine racecar around a high-speed racetrack.
The company that bought Formula One style racing to New Zealand racetracks is now offering a once in a lifetime motorsport experience at an internationally spec’d race track in Taupo.
Formula Challenge racing is already well known to New Zealanders, thanks to regular screened racing on television’s programme, Shell Helix Motorsport, and for giving new and experienced drivers the opportunity to speed around a professional-level racetrack from its Taupo driving school
This year, following a $13 million upgrade of the facility, the company relocated its headquarters to the heart of the Taupo Raceway. Here it will offer tourist café merchandise and souvenir facilities overlooking the track, twelve genuine Formula Challenge race cars, professional drivers, and 4 V8 racecars.
Customers can book to drive a car either online, selected travel agencies, or local tourist offices. The participant partakes in a safety briefing and tuition, then gets kitted up in safety gear (driving suit and helmet) before getting behind the wheel. A session is usually between six and ten laps per driver(depends on which circuit), and as most people don’t get to drive a racecar in their lifetime, this is a completely unique experience. For those that want the ultimate experience you can drive both cars.
So how fast is fast? The cars go from 0-100 in 3.8 seconds, and will reach up to 140km/hour on the back straight.
“It may seem fast but it’s a completely different environment and the cars, which are the same as those which are professionally raced in New Zealand, are geared down for first time drivers,” says Formula Challenge Marketing Director, Charles Dawson. “Each driver goes at their own pace - there is no requirement to go fast or slow.” Dawson compares the experience to jumping out of an aeroplane. “It’s an adventure sport,” he enthuses. “It’s popular with both men and women, for anybody over 14 years of age.”
Formula Challenge is located at the Taupo Raceway, ten minutes from Taupo township, on the corner of Centennial Drive and Broadlands Road.
For more information please contact Charles Dawson charles@fcr.co.nz or 0274 520763
Technical specifications
With 150 bhp and grip from wings and slicks, the driving exhilaration is sensational. Formula Challenge cars incorporate all the technology of a modern racing car, with F1 style paddle gear change, full data logger acquisition dash equipment and are built to conform to all MotorSport New Zealand safety requirements.
Performance:
• Power: 150 BHP
• Top Speed: 230 km/h
• 0-100: 3.8 seconds
• 100-0: 1.8 seconds
• Cornering Force: 1.98G max
• Max RPM: Approx 12,500
Engine:
• Suzuki GSXR 1100cc
Transmission:
• Steering wheel F1 style paddle shift sequential 5 speed gearbox
Body:
• FORMULA CHALLENGE 4 piece body kit
Chassis:
• Computer aided design Steel Space Frame Chassis Adjustable front and rear wings
Suspension:
• Unequal length wishbones mounted front and rear
• Push-rod activation of spring and damper units through bell cranks
• Anti-dive and anti-squat geometry
• Adjustable roll bars front and rear
• Trackspax adjustable shocks front and rear
Cockpit & Safety:
• 3 inch six point harness
• Cockpit adjustable brake bias
• Moulded Indi Seat
Instrumentation:
• PI System 2 Dash (upgrades available)
• Data Logger
Brakes:
• FORMULA CHALLENGE disc brake system
Tyres:
• Toyo 8" front tyres
• Silverstone 10" rear groove slick tyres
Wheels:
• Arrow wheel rims
Batteries:
• Exide
Dimensions:
• Length: 3900 cms
• Front Track: 1560 cms
• Rear Track 1500 cms