Magny Cours : Magnifique...

Published on 01 June 2001 by Verstappen Info Page

..to capture the experience in a single word. The majority of the VIP team had a two day experience to the OrangeArrows test at Magny Cours and they enjoyed every minute of it. The VIP team members Edgar, Marc, Dennis, Richard, Eric, Ruud and John, accompanied by two prize winners Peter and Ruben have seen the F1 circus up close. This experience will be engraved into their memories for the rest of their lives thanks to the efforts of Huub Rothengatter and Raymond Vermeulen and the hospitality of Jos Verstappen.

The VIP team personally blocks the view into the Arrows pitbox. Left to right: Edgar, Marc, John, Dennis, Eric, Ruud and Richard.

Wednesday morning they left from Eindhoven at 10am, arriving at Magny Cours late in the afternoon. The test was over but plenty of time to see the circuit and the pitlane. The mechanics of the various teams had plenty to do and this gave the VIP team the opportunity to take some photographs. Only the Ferrari team acted a bit nervous, they will try anything to prevent people to have a look into their pitbox. Michael Schumacher walked back and forth from the box to the pitwall to discuss things. VIP team member took his chance and walked up to the German World Champion and shook his hand.
That evening the VIP team met Jos in the Arrows motorhome and afterwards Jos stayed with the VIP team for a chat. Huub arranged dinner at the local Italian, while enjoying carpachio, spaghetti, pizza and other Italian food the VIP team had a great evening talking with Jos and Huub. Jos felt comfortable and had a good time. He was relaxed and stood open for all, even hard, questions from the VIP team.
Jos told them about the importance of aerodynamics and especially the bottom (diffuser) of a F1 car: "Jaguar found something that made them gain a lot of time. Tomorrow (Thursday) we will test aerodynamic part throughout the day. We will do measurement at high speed and after a few laps I come in again. Then we change some things and go out for more measurements. That's what makes us learn."

Plenty of chat during dinner.

After this first VIP evening Jos and Huub went to bed early. The VIP team searched for a pub, but no luck. The chance that the complete VIP team will drive in F1 is probably greater than finding a pub near Magny Cours.
Next morning everyone was reasonably fresh at the circuit. Raymond Vermeulen arrived with some guest by plane. What a day; walking up and down the pitline, see, hear and feel everything and last but not least taking photographs.
Jos’s A22 had curved tubes on the airbox which looked like periscopes. Beside this measuring equipment the new 'brake ducts' were special. OrangeArrows is working on the cooling of the brakes -just like Ferrari- and behind the discs you gan see big black drums. According to Jos this influences the airstream very positively. Each time when the A22 returned from a short run several parts were covered to avoid people seeing them. You could clearly see from the nose of the car that the team is developing the front of the A22. On the front wing end plates a few little wings and flaps were taped and the angle of the nose cone could be adjusted by using just one screw.

The Arrows team working hard during the test. Photo: Richard Roodenburg

The VIP team had their lunch in the Arrows motorhome. Driving over the circuit in an MPV, taking photographs from 2 meters from the track, taking even more photographs. At the end of the day Raymond handed everyone a Jos Verstappen Cap which was signed by Jos. Three VIP team members took Jos, Huub, Raymond and some of the guests to a nearby airport and then the VIP team drove back to The Netherlands. What an experience, when are we going again?
A photographic report will follow shortly on this site.

We would like to thank Huub, Jos and Raymond for a fantastic 2 days.