Speed thrills on a Taupo power trip

Charles Dawson gives Chris Eagles some final tips before she takes the Formula One replica car for a spin. Photo / Jim Eagles

When the powerful engine roared to life and, with the help of a push, the sleek red racing car moved slowly through the pit lane and accelerated on to the track, I felt suddenly nervous.

It had seemed like a good idea when I arranged for my wife, Chris, to drive the replica Formula One car on the Taupo racetrack instead of doing it myself. "She's a better driver than I am and much more aggressive," I justified to myself truthfully. "Besides, it'll make a better story."

It had also seemed a good idea to opt for the greater excitement of the racing car, rather than the Ford and Holden V8s that are also on offer.

But because of that Chris was now out on a racetrack in a car that, even with its power reduced for safety reasons, was capable of doing 160km/h and quite tricky to drive, so I couldn't help worrying.

Sure, she had been given an hour of training in how to drive a racing car by Formula Challenge owners Charles Dawson and Craig Greenwood, and she was firmly strapped in and wearing a protective helmet, suit, boots and gloves.

"The idea," Charles had explained, "is to give people the experience of being a race car driver but to make it straightforward and very safe."

Their operation is all of that but, still, I knew from the pictures on their wall of shame that people do sometimes crash, the test drive around the circuit with Charles had shown it was very windy with lots of sharp corners ... and that was my wife out there.

Feeling more nervous by the minute, I grabbed my camera and ran to the roof of the racetrack building where I could see what was happening out on the track.

Meanwhile, this is what Chris was experiencing:

I'm just inches above the ground with a screaming engine behind my head and a tiny steering wheel grasped so tightly my fingers are turning white inside the gloves. But hey, I'm doing it, I'm actually driving a Formula Challenge car on to the Taupo Motor Racing Circuit and trying like crazy to remember all the instructions I've received so I won't make a complete twit of myself.

The track looms up, I'm out of the pit lane and approaching the first corner. No use looking for a gear lever, in this car you press a button on the steering wheel to change gear ... then accelerate.

That powerful monster of an engine roars in my ears and the car leaps forward ... it's scary and exhilarating. The next bend appears, go close, swing out ...

I try to recall the advice of instructor Charles during the briefing session and video. Unfortunately, even as I walked hesitantly across the pit lane to the car, his words were starting to fade. Instead, all I could think was how beautiful the car looked: a red and white sleek cat just waiting for me to take it out on to the track and show its paces.

I was dressed in a flattering blue suit with matching shoes - well, I might as well look the part - and Charles helped me down into the seat, adding some padding to make me more comfortable and fitted on the helmet.

It was like lying on a beach lounger, my feet stretched out to the pedals, except that instead of holding a mai tai my hands were locked on to the wheel. They gave me a push to get the engine started, I nervously touched the accelerator, and was off.

Another corner looms - it's incredible how quickly they come up - then a short straight and another corner. I hit the brakes. Not so easy, as the pedal has to go the floor to change down, but you don't need the clutch to change up.

My concentration is acute. I don't want to spin out, prang the car, as some do on their first outing. I have something to prove as Jim thinks I'm a more aggressive driver than he is - and I am!

The home straight's ahead and I'm pushing this baby as much as I dare. During nine laps I manage a top speed of 107km/h and it feels marvellous. But there are more laps ahead.

When Craig finally waved the chequered flag to call me in, I was already tiring. I hadn't done too much on the last two laps, but hey, I'd gone way out of my comfort zone and survived.

Afterwards, the data revealed that my fastest lap was 2m 22.92s. The record for that particular track, at that stage, was 1m 20.61s. Next time I reckon I could give that a nudge - in my dreams.

If I'm honest, I was scared witless when I realised I really was going to drive the Formula Challenge car but I'm no quitter. And now it's over ... it was fantastic.

CHECKLIST

* Formula Challenge operates from the Taupo Motorsport Park. Call 0800 FC HOTLAP for more information.

Where to stay: Try Beachtree Motel in Rifle Range Rd.

Where to eat: The Plateau in Tuwharetoa St, in the centre of Taupo, does great food with an imaginative flair. Call (07) 377 2425.

Further information: To get information on the wider Taupo region, see laketauponz.com.

Chris Eagles' drive in the Formula Challenge was fuelled by Destination Taupo.