Formula One teams are some of the most secretive organisations in existence - MI5 is positively open house by comparison. So when an opportunity arose to take a conducted tour of the Renault F1 factory, it took all of a millisecond to decide and I was on my way!
The factory is sited at Enstone in darkest Oxfordshire - in a surprisingly rural location for an industrial site. The area is sensitive to development, which necessitated the Team building its new wind tunnel and aerodynamic complex underground.
Accompanied by my old mate, Alan (Snarf), who I had arranged to meet at the venue, we were directed towards this new building, signed in and joined the favoured few gathered within the auditorium, where the centre of attention was an FI development car.
Off to the left were the technicians' design offices, to the right a conference room and small cinema and at the rear, palatial ablutions (which, after a long journey, I was extremely pleased to see!).
Adam Khan, Renault's new F1 test and development driver, introduced himself and gave a very eloquent explanation of the car before us and his duties within the organisation. Adam is a very personable young man and looks set to go far in his chosen career. A future F1 winner? Quite possibly, so don't forget you heard it here first.
We were then treated to a 20 minute film and presentation by PR explaining the ethos of Renault, its history, current achievements and future ambitions. We were privileged because, of course, this cinema, not open to the public, is normally only accessible to VIP guests and potential sponsors of the Team.
From here, a short walk between the buildings took us past an impressive row of race transporters and onto the race car preparation bay. Here we were treated to a short explanation of what goes on there, then a demonstration by the F1 tyre changing team. Later some of us were given the opportunity to try our hand at this (although not quite so smoothly).
It was fascinating being right in the heart of where all the action takes place and to think of all the dramas that would undoubtedly have taken place there. There was plenty of time to look around and handle some of the sub assemblies and components that the Team has thoughtful placed on display around the workshop.
From here, we were invited back across the courtyard and hurriedly hustled past some fairly purposeful looking racing Meganes being worked on in another building across the courtyard (and which everyone seemed to be keeping pretty schtum about) on into the restaurant for refreshments and goodbyes. Then off to the nearest pub for a drop more refreshment! You've got to do these things in the right spirit!
A wonderful opportunity and an enjoyable and thoroughly worthwhile trip. One I can certainly recommend if ever you get the opportunity to go. [
]
Regards,
Clive
Here we go.
The factory is sited at Enstone in darkest Oxfordshire - in a surprisingly rural location for an industrial site. The area is sensitive to development, which necessitated the Team building its new wind tunnel and aerodynamic complex underground.
Not too impressive - until you get inside that is!
Accompanied by my old mate, Alan (Snarf), who I had arranged to meet at the venue, we were directed towards this new building, signed in and joined the favoured few gathered within the auditorium, where the centre of attention was an FI development car.
Off to the left were the technicians' design offices, to the right a conference room and small cinema and at the rear, palatial ablutions (which, after a long journey, I was extremely pleased to see!).
The inner sanctum.
Adam Khan, Renault's new F1 test and development driver, introduced himself and gave a very eloquent explanation of the car before us and his duties within the organisation. Adam is a very personable young man and looks set to go far in his chosen career. A future F1 winner? Quite possibly, so don't forget you heard it here first.
We were then treated to a 20 minute film and presentation by PR explaining the ethos of Renault, its history, current achievements and future ambitions. We were privileged because, of course, this cinema, not open to the public, is normally only accessible to VIP guests and potential sponsors of the Team.
The F1 Team uses a number of these at races
.From here, a short walk between the buildings took us past an impressive row of race transporters and onto the race car preparation bay. Here we were treated to a short explanation of what goes on there, then a demonstration by the F1 tyre changing team. Later some of us were given the opportunity to try our hand at this (although not quite so smoothly).
It all happens in here.
It was fascinating being right in the heart of where all the action takes place and to think of all the dramas that would undoubtedly have taken place there. There was plenty of time to look around and handle some of the sub assemblies and components that the Team has thoughtful placed on display around the workshop.
From here, we were invited back across the courtyard and hurriedly hustled past some fairly purposeful looking racing Meganes being worked on in another building across the courtyard (and which everyone seemed to be keeping pretty schtum about) on into the restaurant for refreshments and goodbyes. Then off to the nearest pub for a drop more refreshment! You've got to do these things in the right spirit!
My old mucker, Colin. He remembers the original launch of this model!
A wonderful opportunity and an enjoyable and thoroughly worthwhile trip. One I can certainly recommend if ever you get the opportunity to go. [
]Regards,
Clive
