The McLaren F1 Owner's Club

[Peloton25]

Originally Posted by F1GTRUeno

Can't believe #009 and #018 made it over but that's just bloody cool that they did.

This! Both owners rate as quite cool in my book. #018's owner was the only one to keep up with Simon and I on our blast up the Autostrada. In fact I think I recall him telling Simon something along the lines of 'As fast as you can go, and then go faster.' Simon spent the entire trip headed north constantly on the paddle for the flashers motioning people who were paying attention out of our way. You will see this in the videos I shot which will take me a bit to clean up. It was quite a determined effort on his part.

It's a damn good time to be a fan of the F1.

Boy was it ever! I am so pleased that essentially after the last cars were loaded on a transporter we were given the freedom to share.

Originally Posted by carbuilder2002

Seeing chassis 001 and the 2 XP's has to be very special.

Absolutely! I wasn't down near the parking area when #001 came in but when I came back a couple of the photographers who were showed me which cars I had missed. When I saw the license plate and the mirrors I knew exactly what car it was and I nearly jumped for joy!

Originally Posted by Sami Aaltonen

I think Erik; after you go back to home; you will not sleep couple of months after this journey.

Probably - and I will have a few more stories to share also. One thing is MASSIVELY COOL, you just wait.

Thanks for the images, absolutely superb stuff. Really superb.!

You and everyone else are quite welcome. There were two things running in the back of my mind during the entire event. The first, and most prominent, was don't do anything to screw this up because you want to be sure to be invited back for the next one. The second thing was just how many enthusiasts were missing out on such an incredible experience and so my desire was to document as much of it as possible for the rest of the world to see and enjoy. I even encouraged the other photographers, sometimes with strong language to snap away because even our time with the cars was not limitless and you can not wind back this clock.

And I think now we can finally ask you this question:
Was and Is; McLaren F1 that kind of car what you have imagined all your life? This week every possible has come true of your dreams.
Was and is it what you have allways expected?

Last year at Pebble Beach I was informed of the plans for this event by Paul at McLaren on the Friday evening. Then Sunday I finally met up with Simon and we had a quick chat and a drink upstairs at Pebble Beach before heading down into the scrum of people surrounding the Best of Show winner. During our chat Simon told me "You get your butt to Europe next summer and I will give you a proper ride in a McLaren F1!". Well two days ago he made good on that statement in a way I don't even believe he could have imagined at the time. A banzai run up the Autostrada followed by very technical high speed driving on some very challenging roads amidst incredibly beautiful scenery the whole way along. I am of course very grateful of the ride I was given in 068 back in 2005, but it pales quite considerably in comparison to what I was able to experience here.

As for the feelings - yes, exactly what I expected of the car. We were using it exactly as Gordon originally intended from the start and again it performed flawlessly. The sounds are still fresh in my brain and will remain there forever. The feeling was actually quite comfortable the whole way through the trip - we'd left at around 9am in the morning and with scheduled and unscheduled breaks on the route with the other cars, we did not return to the hotel that night until about 5:30 pm. To spend an entire day of my life in the passenger seat of an F1 and experience very nearly all that it has to offer is indeed the dream come true. I could not and would not ask for anything more and yet there was more the following day as well including one incredible moment afforded to me by a very generous and extremely passionate owner that quite literally truly took my breath away. If you are reading this sir - THANK YOU!!!

Originally Posted by WaZzZuPpP

Best. Thread. Ever.

...and we are only scratching the surface to this point. Wait for the images from our newest member "quiqui" - aka: Vincent Martin with the website www.cm-arte.com as he is in my opinion the greatest unpublished photographer in the world and he was along for the event the full four days.

As a F1 "virgin" its incredible seeing just photos of such a gathering. It makes me incredibly envy too (j/k). Being on such an event must be a dream for every F1 fan, so I'm happy for the guys who experienced it

Thanks - I hope that very soon you get your chance. Two photographers who joined us on the last day near the hotel had never seen even a single F1 prior to #18R at Villa d'Este this past Sunday and then by the end of the day yesterday they had seen all 20 cars that were here in Italy. How massively cool is that? I will allow Sparco_bro to tell his own story when he is ready though.

Erik, is that you in the beginning of 'part 1' with 062?

I don't have time this morning to watch the videos, but was incredibly fortunate to spend my afternoon yesterday in #062. That part of the trip is a story that will need to wait for later - something very special occurred to make that possible for both me and the driver.

Ciao for now everyone - I must get ready to invade Ferrari and Pagani. I think I will leave the 'McLaren F1' hat from #036's owner in my suitcase today, right?

>8^)
ER

[Peloton25]

Me giving it my best effort in a shot by one of the real "photographers". Thank you to my new friend Simone for the photo!



Here's the view I was getting at the time:



>8^)
ER

[Peloton25]

Check these out from TT on SupercarFrance.



>8^)
ER

[Sparco_bro]

Originally Posted by Peloton25

Thanks - I hope that very soon you get your chance. Two photographers who joined us on the last day near the hotel had never seen even a single F1 prior to #18R at Villa d'Este this past Sunday and then by the end of the day yesterday they had seen all 20 cars that were here in Italy. How massively cool is that? I will allow Sparco_bro to tell his own story when he is ready though.

As Erik says, I never saw a F1 prior to Villa d'Este... now I can claim about 20. And it's one of the best car in the world. Anyway, this space here is all for Erik, he deserved to be there and he has the best stories to tell!

Originally Posted by Peloton25

Ciao for now everyone - I must get ready to invade Ferrari and Pagani. I think I will leave the 'McLaren F1' hat from #036's owner in my suitcase today, right?

Go on man, go spread the McLaren F1 word among those Ferraristi!

[V1NCENZO]

Originally Posted by Peloton25

Here's a photo shared just now by Phil (cabrio92) on the MCLF1.com Facebook page.

Do you recall the name of this place or what city it is in? Is it a hotel?

It looks vaguely familiar as I may have attended a Ducati press intro there a few years ago.

[Peloton25]

We can share the name of the event location in about 24 hours after all hotel guests have departed.

>8^)
Erik

[dbsf1]

[EDIT:] WAIT WAIT WAIT. Is this the owner driving? http://www.imagebam.com/image/3128ac193289012
It has clearly changed hands then!?? Erik - help please?[/EDIT]

[The owner I met also drove in the local Porsche Carrera Cup series, so he knows how to drive! Cool guy for sure.]

[Predje]

WOW!!! Still such a massively cool car!

http://www.swisscarsightings.com/mclarenf120th.html

http://www.gtspirit.com/2012/06/01/m...rsary-meeting/


Edit: As I just posted this, I noticed just one thread below this was all ready being covered. Quite nicely too, I must say... Fantastic work Peloton25, as always!
Edit 2: Thanks Admin for moving my thread/comment to the correct thread; this one!!!

[Sami Aaltonen]

ERIK:

OK, Thanks for your comments! Very nice, Very very nice.!
So pleased that you've got the change to go there. Atleast ONE TIME in the world: luck really kicks the right man on the right time and a big way.!

So we all others here are not tried to waiting what's next. So no stress about your photos and all stories what you have collected from Italy. We defenitely have time to wait them.! I'm sure they are something worth to wait.!

[Le Man]

I have said this before and I will say it again, if anybody on this forum deserves special treatment and just reward for their enormous effort and postings on this forum over the years is you Erik, without you this forum would not be what it is, not sure you realize this, but friendships have been cemented by this common meeting place and has taken people to new places and ventures beyond the McLaren F1 .

Remember I told you once to "jump on a plane" well I,m really glad you did this time. I am really pleased for you that you were invited to experience such a surreal event by Ray and his daughter, from what I have read so far, some of the owners must have thought it was surreal as well. just like living a dream.

The one thing above anything else for me is that all the owners were using their F1,s as intended "to be driven" on some of the best roads Europe can offer, finally for now, did you get offered, or have the pleasure in experiencing the ultimate gift? having a drive in an F1.

Looking forward to reading your full write up (book ) with great anticipation.

[nicklm79]

Originally Posted by Le Man

I have said this before and I will say it again, if anybody on this forum deserves special treatment and just reward for their enormous effort and postings on this forum over the years is you Erik, without you this forum would not be what it is, not sure you realize this, but friendships have been cemented by this common meeting place and has taken people to new places and ventures beyond the McLaren F1 .

Remember I told you once to "jump on a plane" well I,m really glad you did this time. I am really pleased for you that you were invited to experience such a surreal event by Ray and his daughter, from what I have read so far, some of the owners must have thought it was surreal as well. just like living a dream.

The one thing above anything else for me is that all the owners were using their F1,s as intended "to be driven" on some of the best roads Europe can offer, finally for now, did you get offered, or have the pleasure in experiencing the ultimate gift? having a drive in an F1.

Looking forward to reading your full write up (book ) with great anticipation.

I agree with you

[Sami Aaltonen]

What a images! Oh man.... I just wonder, this was the very first club meeting... When is next and what kind of.... If this was something totally different than at least I expected.

And I agree with Le Man 110%.
I think we all can agree.!


ERIK:
One question, is #05R road legal today?

[mactotas]

Really, Amazing. very very thanks for this pictures and videos, are incredible the opportunity, that Peloton 25 (Erick) have to participate in this event.
I hope many many pictures and more videos when you are in home. I like to see pictures of the XP3, and the GTR orange that see in the global pictures.
Thanks a lot Erick. and congratulations.

[HansGruber]

This whole meet is just a parade of epic awesomeness!

Did the people crowding the cars and taking pictures while you guys were driving around and loading the cars on the ferry know the significance of these vehicles? Because like Jay Leno said those who know know, but many aren't aware of the F1.

I find this photo to be particularly stunning. Their paint just glimmers and looks like liquid.

<-- Click

[V1NCENZO]

Originally Posted by Peloton25

We can share the name of the event location in about 24 hours after all hotel guests have departed.

>8^)
Erik

Of course! Will look forward to the update when the coast is clear. Have fun at Pagani and Ferrari!!!