I was invited by Shell to find out more about their new Shell V-Power formula and spend the afternoon driving Ferraris around Kiama in the South Coast of NSW.
Don’t mind if I do!
Alex from Shell setting fire to burnt engine valves.
Our starting point was the Kiama Sebel where we first sat in on an informative overview of the new Shell V-Power formula being released on the 1st of November. An interesting fact that I didn’t know is that the fuel in an F1 Ferrari has to be made up of 99% of the properties of their V-Power Pump fuel, that’s the fuel we can all get from our local Shell station!
Gwyn from Gripshiftslide, Matyi from Downshift and Ash from SAU.
After our introduction to Shell V-Power we met up with the morning crowd as they returned from their drive day in the Ferraris. To my surprise most of the morning group were mates of ours including Matyas from DownShift, Gwyn from Grip Shift Slide, Luke from FullBoost and Ash from Skyline AU.
Before we were to jump in the Ferraris, it was off to lunch at the Seabreeze restaurant at the Sebel.
The food was amazing and I enjoyed catching up with the boys and listening to Alex from Shell geeking out about V-Power, he’s really into it, which we loved.
One last stop before sliding behind the wheel; Drivers briefing: Gave me a real sense that I was about to jump behind the wheel of some pretty serious machines. Finally we we shown over the cars, a F430, Ferrari California and an amazing 458 Italia F1.
Hello ladies.
Top down of-course.
Like a kid in a toy store!
Hanging out with the locals.
We were off, heading into the hills. After a short stint in the passenger seat it was my turn to steer the F430. With an amazing noise belting out of the V8 sitting just inches from my head it was surprising how much it felt like a mega buck tuner street car, plenty of raw power and commotion!
After a short stop it was onwards through the hill in the California.
The California is a very different car to the F430, more refined overall with smoother power delivery and super quick gear changes. A real Grand tourer.
Me in the 458.
With stops at the seaside and Saddle Back Mountain for photos and a fitting Sanpallegrino Chinotto, it was time to tame the 458 Italia on the run back to Kiama.
We were restricted to leaving the 458 in sport mode (the safest setting) due to insurance guidelines. That said, I wasn’t expecting the explosion of performance or orchestral affair that I was conducting and with every control required being on the steering wheel, it was surprisingly easy to keep in hand. This is truly an amazing car and I can see why we weren’t allowed to play with the ‘Stupid Fast’ buttons.
V-Power!
Although the hours must have melted away, it wasn’t long before we were rolling back into the Kiama Sebel. Brilliant weather, amazing lunch with friends and big ups to Shell and the guys from Prancing Horse Racing, who have got to be nervous with a bunch of relative noobs driving their wonderful machines!
Find out more about Shell V-Power visit: http://www.shell.com.au/products-services/on-the-road/fuels/v-power/about.html
Also; Shell are giving away 50 x $100 vouchers on twitter starting Monday the 4th of November until Sunday 8 December. Simply tweet a picture that represents “The car that you LoVe”, including the hashtag #ShellVPower and @Shell_Australia to enter.