First F1000 Drive - Snetterton Testing 2023

My first test drive of an F1000 car, and my first time at the Snetterton circuit. Other cars on track included GB4, GB3 cars and Formula Ford 1600s.

3:10 - track time finally starts
5:36 - poor editing but particularly proud of that correction
6:09 - turn 2 strikes again, another correction and letting others pass
7:46 - nearly bottled the overtake but got it done.
12:36 - decent lap
14:20 - good save/correction
15:41 - some of my better laps
19:50 - something breaks (aside from my heart)

The F1000 is insane. It only weights 410 kg, with a 1,000cc sportsbike engine sending 170 bhp through the rear wheels revving at 14,000 rpm which means 0-60 in 3 seconds reaching a top speed of 150 mph.

Fortunately you have a 6-point belt into a fitted seat to fight the G force around corners and acceleration. I was shocked at how much the wind was pushing against my helmet and how fast corners come at you.

6 speed sequential shifting by just lifting off the throttle was nice and easy. Downshifting with the clutch took some getting used to, I took the advice "easy on the engine braking" too cautiously and stayed on the clutch rather than coming off as I shifted down the gears. I had trouble with the clutch, stalling it multiple times when I pulled away, as it's a bike clutch which is basically on or off.

The circuit was great fun, being my first time in both the car and circuit I took this first 20 minutes pretty cautiously, focusing on keeping it on the track. The brake had no movement, again it was either on or off, which needed confidence and trust that pushing it hard wouldn't lock up and it would stop.

Focus areas for improvement for the next session were:
1 - brake later and harder into slow speed corners with more confidence.
2 - faster through high speed corners Hamilton, Williams and Bomb Hole which I took slowly with a lift in 3rd gear.

Unfortunately the fun came to an early end, when some metal in the drive shaft broke in the first lap of my second session. Which meant I only managed around 20 minutes seat time. Being towed off track was an experience, although I did feel guilty seeing the red flag bring other drivers to a stop.

Thanks to Team Sellars Racing for the drive, excited for the next.

Next up... Donnington Park GP testing.