The SVP Champs in Abu Dhabi - Day of Performance

As the winner of the competition here at the Racing Blog and because of the unfortunate Don Dahlmann was prevented due to illness on the trip to participate, now my trip report that I've split in arrival / departure on my own blog and what the readers of the Racing blog probably more interested , the "Day of Performance", here at Don.
After we (can about how to get the first day here reading) were freely available, it was Sunday so far. The day started early, with the early breakfast offered me a nice opportunity to talk extensively with Chris Tan. Even the controversial E10 with us was a topic that does not come with me still in the tank. But at least my elderly crate (a Honda Prelude year 1997) will continue to not do without his "vitamin waters" in the form of Shell V-Power. One has to let the people at Shell are so confident in their products that they can easily convince others as well. If they were not already.

After the bus ride to the Yas Marina Circuit , we were divided into four groups, because four events were planned and in small groups simply made ​​more sense. So on a rotating basis.

The first stop was a little playful demonstration of how to produce quality fuel, led by chief chemist John Lambert. Equipped with a chef's hat and apron, and the task of mixing a cocktail of the ingredients provided, Lambert said, meanwhile, that the production of a fuel that consists of 200 individual parts, how to mix a good cocktail. The right ingredients in the right quantity - et voila. Actively to clean and protect.

Safety note (at Shell is way down on security very great value!): Hold the lid when dancing. Since I am a little lax safety precautions like me, I distributed the prototype of my entertainment fuel generously in the depot, but the second attempt I managed to umbrellas. By the way, as usual in Abu Dhabi, a very sunny day which promised to be warm.

The next stop: Drag Car Racing. Even the sight of the unit was impressive: under the hood slim, according to the driver Rod Fuller 1200 hp, with a Three Seater almost 400 hp per man

Of course, we were provided with suitable clothing. Racing suit, mask and helmet. Verschnallt like Christmas packages, arms still strapped separately, "American bondage," as it was called Rod. By the way, just a few weeks ago a new record had been set. "You do not look nervous," he said to me. With the idea that I would press equal to 4 G in the seats, that was a theatrical masterpiece. But see for yourself:

If I had to describe this indescribable feeling, I would say it's as if sharing your entire body 7 liters of blood within 2 seconds to billions of individual particles, and just as quickly put together again and feel of each individual. Madness. With the acceleration of nachgemessenen 5.02 sec. to 220 km / h on a straight line but I can live very well, sometimes I like to use the opportunity to try what the C4 Corvette with 286 hp year 1989 may on good highway. But this incredible drag car. That was just the other networkers, at least the faces were on category "Something completely different!" Close.

Accustomed to speed, standing next to the transfer to Racing School on the program. SST in a Two Seater with 1,250 cc, backed by a Suzuki Hayabusa engine, Philip brought me to the racetrack. "Are you easily scared?" - "Try me."

According to Philips statement he has "only" about 70-80% of its "normal" performance on the racetrack gebracht.Ich had every confidence he has to where I am even more of a passenger otherwise sailor and prefer to give gas, but Philip the Professionalism really aired. Not a second even a bit of a queasy feeling.

Would also be very annoying when a tourist was hurt. Safety note. But for a normal car drivers are up to 280 km / h and above all the generous curves and quite sufficient to convey an impression. Would like to have solved a ticket, but the tight schedule already saw the departure of go-kart track before.

I've never done before and they're covered in the appropriate racing suits and helmet (now it was then already noon, and there is no shade on the Yas Marina Circuit at this time, if you wear a black suit and a helmet the only way) - was very surprised at how poisonous, but are also incredibly difficult to move the little things. Spoils of power steering, which was a special experience. My lap times were significantly lower than those of the other, but it was huge fun. Even after Tuesday, I signaled my shoulder muscles. But see for yourself:

The subsequent lunch on the site was an attractive buffet, drinks were mainly due to the outdoor temperature quite well. The Q & A session then denied Shell's Chief Scientist Mobility, Dr. Wolfgang Warnecke. Very interesting, if someone so passionate about his work and it speaks of content, especially lay people like me can explain such a way that I understand it. A small impression in the intro here:

The last stop of the day was the Ferrari World Abu Dhabi. On 250,000 square meters of land of theme parks, there was not only cars to see, but also very much made to the sections "thrill, Kids, Family" DIY. Driving simulators, racing simulators, rides, restaurants, exhibitions ...
Has made a lot of fun to me at Scuderia Challenge simulator that not only simulated a race, but it was in motion and equipped so that the nine people on the other places to race against each other drove, the track was outside the auditorium.

After a few seconds, I have forgotten-I was Alain Prost-that it was just a simulator and put this race very seriously. Euphoria of a 5th Place even for me was the opportunity to immediately dranzuhängen another round. This "ride" was reserved as the most blatant roller coaster in the world for 20-30 minutes exclusively for our group.

Well, the roller coaster. Formula Rossa. The car shoots so with about as much as the G drag car out of the building, and then ramp up steeply and then just ... coaster.

During an intro mentioned by the park manager Andy Keeling such that it is a superior ride, however, should, if you heart or other problems at the start is. Since I did not want to risk that I shoot my rechtscoronarer stent through the skull, then I have avoided it with a heavy heart. But now I wonder whether it was the right decision, because the 4 G in drag car also were not a problem. Well, a mind game. Once you get doubts, then you can prefer it. So I then observed the network colleagues, especially as they came back again. One or the other but very impressed, it will leave a few even in this unique experiment, a few would like to run again or are there also.

Unfortunately, time passes always the fastest, if you look great amusement, the bus was already waiting for transfer to the hotel, a million-dollar shower after that day and then ... the rest of the trip report, please here read from the dotted line.

PS: the wonderful videos you owe me, of course not, but the relentless two-man team with a video camera and still camera that has accompanied the entire trip. But the photos are of me ;)

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As the winner of the competition here on the blog and racing because the unfortunate Don Dahlmann was prevented due to illness, to attend the trip, then my trip report that I've split in arrival / departure ...