Think you could be the next F1 ace? Well, then its time to get to Auto Africa and prove yourself, under the guidance of Toyota F1’s Ricardo Zonta, in a full-size racing simulator.
Think you could be the next F1 ace? Well, then its time to get to Auto Africa and prove yourself, under the guidance of Toyota F1’s Ricardo Zonta, in a full-size racing simulator.
Toyota South Africa will give couch racers the chance to test their skills at the Auto Africa Show, starting next week. A Panasonic F1 simulator will be set up in Hall 7 on a section of tarred track to give participants a taste of the adrenaline the sport has to offer.
The simulator goes beyond the Playstation experience by sporting such features as a force feedback steering system, paddle gear levers and a removable F1-style steering wheel boasting rev lights and embedded control buttons. The accurately-proportioned car features a monocoque fibreglass bodyshell and sits on BBS rims shod with Bridgestone rubber. Just like the real Toyota F1 cars, the rear suspension, wings and barge boards are adorned with carbon fibre. An adjustable pedal base for the brakes and accelerator will ensure that participants won’t require the flexibility of an Olympic gymnast to climb aboard and “set the track alight”.
A 42-inch plasma screen provides a view of the track and the 23 other cars the driver will be competing against. A realistic sound system will fill the ears with all the screeching tyres and 2,4-litre V8 howls the participants could hope for.
Toyota Motorsport Germany will also be importing a full-time host along with a number of ambassadors from the Toyota brand to oversee the running of what will, no doubt, be a huge attraction at the Show. There will also be a Scalextric Interlagos track to warm up with before climbing aboard the simulator (if the idea of whiling away your time in the queue does not agree with you).
The invitation-only opening day on October 26 and the first public opening day on October 28 will see Toyota F1’s Ricardo Zonta spending some time at the simulator. Auto Africa will, most likely, be Zonta’s last public engagement for Toyota before his move to Renault. Toyota F1 team founder and rally legend, Ove Andersson will also be at the Show.