Well, long story short, this last year as I lived in Germany I was able to make some connections on the BAR-Honda Formula 1 race team. After hanging out in the garage post-race after Hockenhiem, Monza, and Spa, I was invited to stop by the factory if I was ever up in England. I took a week vacation and drove up to the UK from Germany back in October. I stopped by the factory in Brackley, England and got to see all around the race shop and see where everything was engineered, built, fabricated, machined, etc, etc. I didn't get any pics inside the shops, because, as you know, what goes on is kept fairly secret, but I did get a few from the grounds and of 2 old V10's and a test car from last year that were in the main reception area.

I just realized I never posted my pics from the Monza and Spa paddock. I'll get those up too if you're interested.

A new wind tunnel is on the way !


here's the building in progress


Here's the main building of the many "where it all happens". The main office where all the designers and engineers work, including Geoff Willis' office is here. Pretty much all the metal parts (except the engine) are machined here. The autoclave that cooks all the composite parts is here. If you go through the garage door directly behind that first truck it puts you at the begining of the corridor to where all the race and test cars are prepped. Many of the doors that take you into the rooms where things like hydraulic systems are prepped or wire harnesses are made are off if this corridor.


Hey, nice Civic Type R! Reception is that-a-way ---->!


At the reception desk my dad and I each had one of these made up for us... a personalized visitors pass! a souvenir like that is just too cool.


Since I couldn't get pics "inside" here are some pics of a test car and 2 V10's they had for your browsing pleasure in the reception area.

A few different views of one V10:








Me by the car and a few more of the car. I was told it was a test car from last year and it looks like last years' 006 but the newer sposorship things lilke Showa and ENEOS threw me off.












pics of the RA004E V10...
















While I was in the country I also toured the Lotus factory and got to see where every road going Lotus has ever been built. Because of many various reason no photography is allowed on the grounds of the factory (one of the reason being that much of Lotus' business comes from doing engineering work for others, so they dont want spy shot getting out of things that you might happen to see while on the grounds there)

The only cars that are currently built there is the Elise and Exige and its very cool to see these cars still assembled by hand. Here's some quick pics from that

dont miss this little sign on your way to the factory or you'll drive right by it!


the entrance and one of the 2 major buildings there at the factory


theres a dealership about 5 miles away from the factory where my dad and I went and "tried on" the Elises and Exiges. Once you're in, its not bad at all space wise. these are a few of the cars that were there.








Modified by pythonScott at 3:25 AM 12/4/2005

 

I hate you, you lucky bastard.

So did you see Taku cleaning the bathrooms?

 

are they hiring?

 

Lucky dog!

Did you go to Caterham ? its awesome!

 

Thats awesome! What did you do to schedule an appointment?

 

Hey i live in Near Brackley, England how can i ask for a tour hehehehe....

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by 94accordsedan &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I hate you, you lucky bastard.

So did you see Taku cleaning the bathrooms? </TD></TR></TABLE>

x2 on both accounts! How awesome would that be to visit BAR headquarters?! Lucky dog - good for you!

 

wow nice pics!

 

great pics....

 

Looks like a good time...is this H1 legal?

&lt;--Wonders if this would fit in CRX.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by pythonScott &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
A few different views of one V10:







</TD></TR></TABLE>

 

that is the coolest thing I have ever seen

too bad I don't live anywhere near there

 

I think that's the concept car based on the 2003 car since the airbox doesn't have that mandated extension.

 

The Honda F1 concept car looks so badass in black. I wish they'd run it like that outside of testing and in a couple of races during the season.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by 94accordsedan &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I hate you, you lucky bastard.

So did you see Taku cleaning the bathrooms? </TD></TR></TABLE>
dont worry, your not the first haterz, ha ha.

nope. no sign of Sato, but the toilet I used was already clean so maybe he was pulling custodian duty at another building on the grounds.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by migs &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Thats awesome! What did you do to schedule an appointment?</TD></TR></TABLE>
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by moyosi &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Hey i live in Near Brackley, England how can i ask for a tour hehehehe....</TD></TR></TABLE>

Well, thing is, I live in Germany was able to meet some of the people on the race team back in July at the race in Hockenheim. So I didn't just show up and ask for a tour. The guys I know from the race team set up the visit for me when I let them know I was in England visiting.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Outrun &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I think that's the concept car based on the 2003 car since the airbox doesn't have that mandated extension.</TD></TR></TABLE>
Do you have an example of the change? I agree that its definately an older car. The rear bodywork isn't as tight and sculpeted like the last 2 years in addition to other clues. I know they used Koni dampers for 006 so I didn't think they'd put Showa stickers on there. As well, I don't remember seeing ENEOS and Ray Ban come on as sponsors until after the 005.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by niterida &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">that is the coolest thing I have ever seen
</TD></TR></TABLE>
if you like that, you'll like the photos from the races I attended. I'll have to get those put up...

 

2003 BAR005. Note the relatively higher nose (006 and 007 had a Ferrari-style droopy nose) and the lack of the enlarged "airbox spine" that was mandated from 2004 onwards.


Here's 006. The nose is droopy, and the airbox has a "spine/fin" that extends the airbox when viewed from profile.

 

ahh, yes. I wasn't sure if you meant something different about the leading edge of the inlet or if it was the spine of the engine cover, which is what I ususally read or hear it called.
The nose also is a dead give away now that I've got the visual.

good stuff

 

I want an 18.5k redline

Nice pics !

 

Very nice pictures... thanks for sharing.

Will

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Willard &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Very nice pictures... thanks for sharing. </TD></TR></TABLE>

... ditto!

 

wow ! what a great vacation.

thanks for posting the pics.

I wouldn't mind seeing the pics from Spa and Monza.

 

I love those pictures. Thanks for posting.

How about those injectors and their position!!! Need extra fuel anyone.

 

Neat pics Scott. Thanks for sharing.

I'd love to hear more about your trip(s) when (if) you return to AZ.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Honda.F1 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">wow ! what a great vacation.

thanks for posting the pics.

I wouldn't mind seeing the pics from Spa and Monza.
</TD></TR></TABLE>
sounds good, I'll get those put up soon. I have a few from Hockenhiem too.


<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by BlueTeg &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Neat pics Scott. Thanks for sharing.

I'd love to hear more about your trip(s) when (if) you return to AZ. </TD></TR></TABLE>

I'm more than happy to share. I almost feel obligated. I'm a huge fan of this stuff and sometimes it seems unobtainable or unreal to imagine more contact than maybe attending a race and watching others on TV. I'm here to tell you that when you get past all the hype and get to deal with people who work on the teams, they are great everyday people like the rest of us.

 

nice pics of the sexy motor