Formula Ford Course

Australia's Leading Professional Motor Sport Training
FORMULA FORD TEST DRIVES

Australia's most experienced approved Race Driver trainer and Formula Ford Drive-Day operator, Peter Finlay offers:

A unique opportunity to drive state-of-the-art single seat Formula Ford Van Diemen Zetec cars.
40 laps around the magnificent new Marulan Driver Training Centre track. The track is hired exclusively.

Ideal gift for race-car enthusiast, male or female.

Late-model cars available. Only the racing cars are on the track.

Use of safety helmets, suits, gloves and boots.

Drivers must be familiar with the use of a conventional manual transmission and have habitually driven such vehicles. A licence is not required but drivers must be over 17 years

Only the racing cars are on the track

Professionally-catered lunch and refreshments.

Professional-quality high-resolution digital photographs provided which may also be downloaded FREE from our website (photographs)

FREE brochures available

Gift Certificates may be purchased for same-day despatch mail service.

Company groups/team-building days are our speciality.

Call Peter or Gaye Finlay on 02 9873 1773 to discuss enrolment for yourself, relatives or friends.

See for yourself what could be

your real life experience on the track

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Formula Ford Course
Here is your chance to experience the thrills of driving a single-seat Formula Ford racing car,.

We recently upgraded our fleet to 1998/2000 model Van Diemens powered by 1800cc Ford Zetec engines. They are the most modern cars available in a racing school in Australia and have plenty of room in their cockpits for the larger-framed driver—up to 120kg and 192cm. The cars feature inboard suspension designs similar to Formula One. All the cars are easy to drive and use the four speed Hewland LD 200 racing gearbox. The Ford Zetec class is the senior category in the UK. The engines feature DOHC, electronic ignition and fuel injection.

Safety is foremost at our school and the cars are fitted with quick-release 6 point harnesses and removable Momo Formula One steering wheels. Our cars are shod with racing tyres and maintained to professional standards.

Drivers at our school often use the Formula Ford experience to try out such a car before making a decision to buy their own, some drive the cars to keep their skills sharp while the majority are there to just enjoy a very special once-in-a-lifetime experience. A photograph of you in your car is provided as a memory of the day.

The Formula Ford test day begins with a session on learning how to operate the controls of the single-seat racing car—the lay-back driving position, the stubby, right hand 4 speed gearshift and the non-synchromesh down-changing technique known as 'heel/toe'.

After a short familiarisation session to check out the track layout, it’s on to the circuit for the first 10 laps of the training circuit to enjoy the sensations of driving an open-wheel racing car for the first time, all the while under the watchful eyes of Peter Finlay and his instructors.

A second session follows where you will develop the feel of the car and the flowing sequence of corners on this brilliant track.

We then break for a professionally prepared lunch in the MDTC restaurant. This gives you a great chance to compare your experience with fellow students.

For the next group of 10 laps, the speed of the cars is increased and the cars begin to show their real character. Experience lots of power out of the corners and higher top speeds on the straight.

For your fourth and final sequence, the revs are lifted to the highest level permitted and you can concentrate on achieving a set of consistent laps at the pace you set for yourself.

Detailed instruction is given by Peter Finlay and his team of Racing Driver tutors, all of whom are dedicated to making certain that you understand the techniques involved. Everyone is coached on the techniques of steering and 'heel/toe' downshifting.

The day is an excellent opportunity to discover the fun of motor racing. You will be involved with the tending of the cars and lap-keeping. It is an opportunity to meet others who share your interest. Our corporate days provide a great "team building" environment. Many of today’s top racing stars began their careers with our test days and Racing Drivers’ Courses.

Of course you will be required to sign a waiver and vehicle indemnity agreement on the day.

The engine is just behind you and this allows you to co-ordinate the gear changes in the racing gearbox with ease. The sensations of seeing the front wheels respond to your slightest command and the car following precisely is an experience never to be forgotten.

You will have plenty of time to familiarise yourself with the cars before you take to the racing circuit. You do not have to hold a racing licence from the Confederation of Australian Motor Sport to drive our Formula Fords.

Formula Ford Course Fee $750 (including GST) for the full day course of 40 laps.
Peter Finlay's Formula Ford school cars