When the mechanics make repairs to the car who gets the take a joy ride? Do they just wait for the driver the next day or something? Do the mechanics ever get a drive?

If you're talking aobut a race weekend, I think they just wait for the car's regular driver to take it out in the next practice session. In testing, they wait for the test driver, who's probably in the garage, waiting for the car. I doubt mechanics or technicians are allowed in the cars, anymore. Heck, I doubt many of them even fit in the cars, anymore! most of the drivers are extremely fit and very narrow.

GreyWolf74 - 12 September 2008 11:18 PM

If you're talking aobut a race weekend, I think they just wait for the car's regular driver to take it out in the next practice session. In testing, they wait for the test driver, who's probably in the garage, waiting for the car. I doubt mechanics or technicians are allowed in the cars, anymore. Heck, I doubt many of them even fit in the cars, anymore! most of the drivers are extremely fit and very narrow.

And if any of the mechanics ever wrecked one, they would spend the rest of their natural lives working for free to pay it off!!!
Doubt very much any of them get the chance to drive.

speedsense - 13 September 2008 09:21 AM

GreyWolf74 - 12 September 2008 11:18 PM

If you're talking aobut a race weekend, I think they just wait for the car's regular driver to take it out in the next practice session. In testing, they wait for the test driver, who's probably in the garage, waiting for the car. I doubt mechanics or technicians are allowed in the cars, anymore. Heck, I doubt many of them even fit in the cars, anymore! most of the drivers are extremely fit and very narrow.

And if any of the mechanics ever wrecked one, they would spend the rest of their natural lives working for free to pay it off!!!
Doubt very much any of them get the chance to drive.

...Or maybe they're reminded of the manner of Benito Mussolini's demise and told, "This could be YOU!" if they even dare ask. (wink)

GreyWolf74 - 13 September 2008 09:58 AM

speedsense - 13 September 2008 09:21 AM

GreyWolf74 - 12 September 2008 11:18 PM

If you're talking aobut a race weekend, I think they just wait for the car's regular driver to take it out in the next practice session. In testing, they wait for the test driver, who's probably in the garage, waiting for the car. I doubt mechanics or technicians are allowed in the cars, anymore. Heck, I doubt many of them even fit in the cars, anymore! most of the drivers are extremely fit and very narrow.

And if any of the mechanics ever wrecked one, they would spend the rest of their natural lives working for free to pay it off!!!
Doubt very much any of them get the chance to drive.

...Or maybe they're reminded of the manner of Benito Mussolini's demise and told, "This could be YOU!" if they even dare ask. (wink)

Hey guys...I actually saw the chief engineer or mechanic of an F1 team get a chance at Goodwood a few (or 5?) years ago. I'm trying to remember...I think it was a BMW Williams? I need to find my video tape again.

Anyway he made a great launch, shifted into second and immediately went sideways and straight into the hay! Luckily, he wasn't injured and they all had a laugh and busted his chops! Poor guy...pretty embarrasing with everyone watching.


P.S.: Something for the title of this thread. The car in Ferris Bueller's Day Off was actually a Corvette with a Ferrari body kit. I think they had a few of them made for the movie. The only thing Ferrari was some of the overdubbed sound effects. :( But NO WAY would they crash a 250 GT California!!!

No knock on the mechanics but most of them wouldn't fit.

Around 1973 I attended a symposium hosted by Bob Liebeck, a Douglas aerodynamicist. Mt. Liebeck was associated with Dan Gurney's 1971 Indy 500 Gurney Eagle effort when the "Gurney Flap", also known as the Wicker Bill, became famous. Liebeck studied this rather non-intuitive device and later wrote a paper about the effectiveness of the Gurney Flap.

Liebeck said, although I can't find information to substantiate the claim, that after the race Gurney allowed him to make a couple of laps in the Eagle, and he promptly wrecked the car. He said he felt terrible about it, but they remained friends and professional associates.

Travis1972 -

Hey guys...I actually saw the chief engineer or mechanic of an F1 team get a chance at Goodwood a few (or 5?) years ago. I'm trying to remember...I think it was a BMW Williams? I need to find my video tape again.

Anyway he made a great launch, shifted into second and immediately went sideways and straight into the hay! Luckily, he wasn't injured and they all had a laugh and busted his chops! Poor guy...pretty embarrasing with everyone watching.

That "Mechanic" was Mike Gascoyne.....Current Force India Technical Director. Back then he was the Tech Director at Jordan F1.

And to answer the first question....No mechanics NEVER drive F1 cars.....unless you count sitting in it and steering while the other mechanics push and make engine noises.....

Travis1972 - 15 September 2008 07:26 PM

GreyWolf74 - 13 September 2008 09:58 AM

speedsense - 13 September 2008 09:21 AM

GreyWolf74 - 12 September 2008 11:18 PM

If you're talking aobut a race weekend, I think they just wait for the car's regular driver to take it out in the next practice session. In testing, they wait for the test driver, who's probably in the garage, waiting for the car. I doubt mechanics or technicians are allowed in the cars, anymore. Heck, I doubt many of them even fit in the cars, anymore! most of the drivers are extremely fit and very narrow.

And if any of the mechanics ever wrecked one, they would spend the rest of their natural lives working for free to pay it off!!!
Doubt very much any of them get the chance to drive.

...Or maybe they're reminded of the manner of Benito Mussolini's demise and told, "This could be YOU!" if they even dare ask. (wink)

Hey guys...I actually saw the chief engineer or mechanic of an F1 team get a chance at Goodwood a few (or 5?) years ago. I'm trying to remember...I think it was a BMW Williams? I need to find my video tape again.

Anyway he made a great launch, shifted into second and immediately went sideways and straight into the hay! Luckily, he wasn't injured and they all had a laugh and busted his chops! Poor guy...pretty embarrasing with everyone watching.

P.S.: Something for the title of this thread. The car in Ferris Bueller's Day Off was actually a Corvette with a Ferrari body kit. I think they had a few of them made for the movie. The only thing Ferrari was some of the overdubbed sound effects. :( But NO WAY would they crash a 250 GT California!!!

I used that thread title more as a reference to the part where the valet is driving the car with the start wars theme.

The only place I know of that allows their mechanics to drive the cars is the Skip Barber Racing School. If you work there for longer than 3 months you get to do a 3 day school for free. Every once and a while during a school, the instructors may allow the mechanics to go out and play. Having worked there for slightly less than 3 months, I never got my 3 day, but I did get to do a few lapping sessions. The rule about accidents is if you break it, you fix it. In some cases there is a payment involved.

ClutchMaster - 19 September 2008 02:33 PM

The only place I know of that allows their mechanics to drive the cars is the Skip Barber Racing School. If you work there for longer than 3 months you get to do a 3 day school for free. Every once and a while during a school, the instructors may allow the mechanics to go out and play. Having worked there for slightly less than 3 months, I never got my 3 day, but I did get to do a few lapping sessions. The rule about accidents is if you break it, you fix it. In some cases there is a payment involved.

Can I ask what you did there and your opinions on the school?