Magic Formula for sporting day out

12:21pm Thursday 13th September 2007

A FORMULA 1 fan won a competition to go behind the scenes at the AT&T Williams base and try out a pit stop challenge.

Harry Rhodes, 65, a former employee of British Steel, spent the day talking to some of the top engineers working for Williams and also got a taste of the action.

The Kidderminster resident said: "It was absolutely brilliant. The experience was unbelievable. I learned so much and the people there could not have been more friendly."

Mr Rhodes has been a fan of Formula 1 for more than 35 years and loves everything about the sport, from the engineering side to the racing itself.

The highlight of his day was taking part in a pit stop challenge. He participated alongside engineers from AirAsia, who were on a fact-finding trip.

Mr Rhodes was on the winning team, with a time of 6.6 seconds, only three seconds slower than the professionals.

He said: "It was something else. Now when I watch a pit stop on television I can say, I did that.' It was wonderful."

Mr Rhodes has never been to a race but was able to get an insight into what is involved by trying out a Formula 1 simulator. He clocked 1 minute, 37 seconds on his lap time.

He said: "I was quite pleased with myself. I have never played on a Playstation or anything like that and this was my first experience of driving a really fast car."

He added: "I would love to have a go in a real Formula 1 car but that's just a dream. Now, though, I have come really close."

Mr Rhodes's hero is Damon Hill. He has an autographed print of the driver from when he won the 1996 championship for Williams.

He believes the more experienced Fernando Alonso will win this year's World Championship, despite the talent of rookie Lewis Hamilton, the current leader.

Mr Rhodes had entered a Daily Express competition and won by answering questions on the Williams team. The day was set up for AirAsia engineers to learn about Formula 1 technology.

Amiral Manaf, an AirAsia engineer, said: "It was great to be joined by such a big fan of Formula 1 as Harry. I hope he enjoyed the day."