If you have any measurable high-octane stuff coursing through your veins, you’d have likely fantasised about sitting in an F1 car, hitting apex after apex all the while making some sound you imagine resembles a V10 F1 engine. We have. On several occasions.
Back to the point, though, and I’ve recently realised that dream, in a way, on Zebra Square Gallery’s life-sized Ferrari F1 simulator. Yes, complete with the undignified shuffle to get into and out of the cockpit.
The gallery runs the simulator with the F1 2020 videogame software as part of its Father’s Day activation where you or the dad in your life can get to experience the immense satisfaction of precision downforce cornering. And naturally, there’s a prize to be won.
The idea is simple: Rather than a conventional raffle, you pay a participation fee and instead of leaving your odds to fate, you battle for stopwatch supremacy on the virtual Autodromo Nazionale Monza. The prize? A chance to suit up and strap into the Ferrari 360 Challenge belonging to the Pablo Clark and NGK racing team and, no, not as a passenger.
If you’re fast enough, you will get to test your mettle around the real-life Zwartkops circuit. It includes hot laps with the professional guidance of a fully-fledged racing driver who will dish out guidance on your lines, braking points and taming the beast under acceleration. See now why you first have to prove your prowess on a sim?
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The Ferrari 360 Challenge track-oriented model was built to compete in Ferrari’s one-make racing series called the Ferrari Challenge. Less than 300 were made and marketed by Ferrari as a pure race car, it required clients to enter their 360 Challenge into the Ferrari Challenge race series as a condition of sale. In terms of performance, the 360 Challenge will scream to 100 km/h in a matter of 3.9 secs. The uprated racing brake system, meanwhile, will render any occupant not strapped in a fly on the windscreen thanks to its immense ability to hinder forward velocity. Don’t say we didn’t warn you…
If, however, racing is not really your speed, the 360 Challenge is on display at the Hyde Park Corner centre in Johannesburg with another rare classic wearing the distinguished Ferrari 550 Maranello badge. The 1997 model with its 5.5-litre naturally-aspirated Ferrari V12 front-positioned engine was one of the most important grand tourers of its time and is now one of the most sought-after ‘retro’ Ferraris in the world.
Go on dads, prove your speed or gawk at the cars on display. We can’t think of a better way to spend Father’s Day.
When, where, how?
When: 18 & 19 June, 2022 from 10:00 to 16:00
Where: Hyde Park Corner, Johannesburg
How: Enter the competition, race, and win.
