Abu Dhabi: Here's what they don't tell you about travelling at max 230km/h down a 1,173-metre straight: the aerodynamics, at least in an open cockpit Le Mans styled Yas Super Sport SST Radical, attempt to prise the helmet from your head the faster you go.
There's nothing quite as disconcerting as having your neck elongate the more pedal you put to the metal and no bigger Catch-22 than substituting speed to keep your head on your shoulders.
Strap your helmet tight, they say. Choose a snug size smaller for your headgear, it's advised. But in doing so you're only reducing the risk of losing your helmet, not necessarily the sensation of losing your entire head; such is the increased down force of this four cylinder, 1.3 litre, 210 horse powered behemoth, which clocks 0-62mph in 3.8 seconds.
That tiny chestnut of information aside, a drive experience (Dh1,200, with you driving) or hotlap (Dh440, where the instructor takes to the wheel) at Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi — home of November 11-13 2011 Formula One Etihad Airways Grand Prix — is well worthy of the hype.
Anti-clockwise direction
Although the track set aside for such head-spinning exhilaration is just half of the 5.55km on which Germany's Sebastian Vettel will be looking to secure his third consecutive victory next week [since the circuit's 2009 inception] it's quite enough to whet the appetite of even the most aggressive of petrol heads.
One of the few venues to run in an anti-clockwise direction, Yas Marina's street circuit, with its distinctive aqua and purple colour code, exudes the Arabian answer to Monaco, as intended by renowned circuit architect Hermann Tilke. The best — and at times arguably worst — place to take in the aesthetics of one of the F1 series' greatest and latest additions is from the twists and turns of the track itself spread over 161.9 hectares of the man-made Yas Island.
Starting from the racing school pits you'll enter one of the sport's most testing chicane and hairpin combinations.
Then embark on the longest straight in Formula One before turning an acute tight left, left, right sequence of twists, straightening toward the all-seeing Shams Tower before speeding through the slightly less stomach-churning left, right undulation which brings you back gently down past the racing school for an ego-boosting fly-past.
In around 20 minutes of drive-time we managed 10 or so laps before the chequered flag signalled a premature end to all the fun. But, gathered by the extreme loss of fluids and wobbly knees, this is more than enough.
Unfortunately you miss speeding beneath the iconic over-arching Yas Marina Hotel tunnel for safety reasons as the track there is so narrow. But your segment of learner circuit does take in the actual start/finish line young Vettel is so fond of. Safety briefings and disclaimer signings aside, the moment you take to the tarmac your mind goes dangerously blank of advice and forewarnings.
But highlight this section and you'll probably be just fine: the [manual] gearshift is like that of a motorbike's turned vertical.
Tap back to go down the gears and forward to go up the notes.
Overconfidence
The instructor, who shares joint clutch and brake pedals to override you in your most selfish moments of overconfidence, will give a series of hand-signals you're most likely to make absolutely no sense of despite the eye-glazingly comprehensive pre-drive run-through.
All manner of water-bottle weight distribution demonstrations are thrown your way. If your car had a window, most of this detail would go out of it come playtime.
Start and, most importantly, stop should be high on your agenda though, as even with dual control, when flying down a straight, the assurance of your wingman isn't quite enough to stop a profound sense of heart in mouth dread as the wind and g-force picks up and the racing line grows ever wobblier toward that wall. Steering and braking is sensitive by the way.
Also be warned, you will be given a debriefing, or a standing down from your instructor, so go in with the attitude of pride protection and better still damage limitation, as the post-drive analysis is far more personal and scarring on the psyche than the cheerier prelude chat.
Fact box
You can also attempt the F1 linear two-seater passenger experience for Dh11,500. Or the Formula Yas 3000 single-seat self drive at Dh1,200. A three-seater Dragster passenger experience costs Dh440 while to learn costs Dh1,500 and to drive personally sets you back Dh600. You can take your own car around the track at Dh650, or take a guided tour at Dh120, otherwise there are self-drive drift nights costing Dh600. Private tuition in the radicals costs Dh1,500, while an Aston Martin GT4 drive experience costs Dh1,500. Call 800 YAS (927) or +971 (0) 2 446 0384 or visit www.yasmarinacircuit.ae for more information.
