In The Pursuit Of Speed - Abu Dhabi And Beyond

Back in May I was given the amazing opportunity to visit the home of Ferrari and experience its technical partnership with Shell first hand.

As part of the Shell V-Power Network of Champions we were given the luxury of driving 458 Italias around the Fiorano test track in Maranello and we dined at the famous Montana restaurant. That weekend not only opened my eyes to a partnership ingrained in the very fabric of motorsport, it unearthed something I had always craved; the thrill of speed.

I’ve always enjoyed driving fast, so you can imagine my delight when Shell offered to take me and the champions to the Yas Marina circuit in Abu Dhabi to conclude the year.

It would be a time for reflection, to think about the Shell-Ferrari partnership and how we’ve seen it from birthplace to racetrack. More enticing though would be the opportunity to experience speed on a whole new level.

The weekend’s activities began with a go-karting session at the heart of the Yas Marina circuit. I’ve been go-karting a number of times and every time I always manage to lose myself, as I try to replicate the heroics of drivers burned into my memory.

As we approached the Kartzone, all I wanted to do was smash the 51 second lap record. After being informed that our karts would be Biz Kart-EVO IIs, powered by a Honda GX 390 engine with a top speed of 70km/h, and given the fact that I look half decent in a race suit, I had all the confidence I needed.

However, confidence is one thing, ability is another. My tepid time of 57 seconds hardly made the earth shake, but my straight-line speed was the silver-lining of a very grey cloud.

After the session all thoughts of lap times had gone. I had tasted moderate speed, but all I wanted to do was go quicker, and what better way to do that would be to test the Yas Marina circuit first hand.

Heading to the garage, I would be given the chance to feed my craving in a Yas Supersport SST. We would be given half a dozen hot laps under the stewardship of our Belgian driver. Flying out of the pits, the 1340cc, 4-cylinder two-seater racer quickly got up to speed.

Zooming around the Marina circuit I was experiencing racing like never before. Finally I thought, my thirst for speed could be quenched.

The Supersport SST was a fabulous machine. Clearly designed with the circuit in mind, it slalomed through the corners and coped well under braking. Slowing down from around 120mph to 70mph, the g-force squeezed me down into the moulded seat as we kissed the apex before accelerating hard under the bridge of the Yas Hotel.

However, the thrill of the Supersport SST served only as a taster for the next activity. If I thought the g-forces exerted in the racer were anything to go by, my expectations would be exceeded by those felt in the Yas SuperComp 3-seater Dragster.

This phenomenal machine, with its 8-cylinder, 9.4 litre engine, boasts 1,050 brake-horse power, and can demolish the quarter-mile Yas drag strip in a mind-boggling six seconds.

Sat in a purpose built passenger cockpit, I was going to be driven by Rod Fuller, a mercenary of speed nicknamed 'Hot Rod'.

Upon the lights of the drag strip turning green, he floored it, the rear tyres stretching and growing under the centrifugal force being built as the wheels tried to gain traction. And with that we were gone. A quarter of a mile covered in a little over six seconds.

The speed was insane, blending everything around me into a blur which felt more akin to entering hyperspace, rather than travelling though the desert sunshine. The g-force slammed you into your seat, with an immense weight compressing your chest. It was an incredible feeling but the best was still to come.

If my day had been nothing more than an exercise in thrill seeking, then I would certainly feast on the final activity.

The last stop was a trip to Ferrari World and a date with Formula Rosso, dubbed the quickest roller-coaster in the world. This titan reached 4.8-g, as the 25,000bhp ride flung you into oblivion.

If this didn't quench my thirst for speed, nothing would. After being strapped into my seat, I was handed goggles to 'protect my eyes'. This was serious. The apprehension built up. Slowly rolling backwards, I knew this was it. And with that I was away. The pressure exerted on my small frame was immense as I soared through the Abu Dhabi skyline.

Ninety seconds later it was over. Just like that. And once the feeling of disorientation faded, with it my desire for speed evaporated in the desert heat.

I hate to be cliched, but this was truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Knowing that I had reached the peak of speed is a great feeling, and one that won't leave me for a while.