The day before the event I quickly read a note that they recommend narrow riding shoes for formula driving… oops, that’s going to be a problem for me. I’ll be happy for every millimetre saved with my size 46 foot. I took care of the purchase quickly, buying the only one they had in my size, and hit the road. The fun started right at the border when the Austrian customs officer approached me with a common question: “Wo fahren sie…” I answer him briefly: “Red Bull Ring”. Through the respirator on my face, he answers: “Oooo, so you can push the gas…” “No, not on the highway… just on the track,” I quickly try to salvage the situation. “No, not on the track. Here and now…” his answer took me by surprise. “Yesss Sir,” and I already had my first peel out at a border crossing.

It’s a pity that I didn’t leave Bratislava till after dark today. The way through Kalte Kuchl, Mariazell and Wildalpen always puts me in a better mood. I’m already regretting driving this way on the highway. Our accommodation is a short walk from the circuit so that we can be full of energy in the morning before a busy day.

From the morning onwards we will have an amazing programme, which is the dream of every young boy who has been waiting for years to get his first driving licence. To warm up, we’ll be riding in a stylish KTM X-Bow. An oversized “go-kart” with 330 horsepower and only 800 kg of weight. The weather turned out great so all that was left was to head for the track. Group events have one big advantage for enthusiasts like me. We take the corners behind the “safety car” for the first few laps to show us the ideal way to take each one. I feel I’m the one with the least experience in today’s group. The civilian cars in which the individual participants arrived give some indication of today’s line-up. 3X Porsche 911 GT3, Lotus Exige S and my not very circuit-set production Corvette Z06. I don’t mean to disparage my car with this, but the Z06 is more of a strong sports GT than a track special from my perspective, I enjoy it more when driving on wide alpine circuits.

Once the accompanying vehicle has left the track, we have the whole circuit to ourselves. The atmosphere behind the wheel of the KTM is unreal. The fact that my head is all out and the entire windscreen is missing except for a small diffuser at the front makes the feeling of speed on the track even more adrenaline-pumping. There’s very little room to move at my 192 cm height, and it takes me a while to reconcile my own movements and shifting gears. Fortunately, my feet have plenty of room to jump between the gas, brake and clutch. During the ride I repeat over and over again the theory from the short morning lecture… hard brake before the corner, just downshift to third for most of the corners and as soon as I straighten the wheels, full throttle to the floor… nice theory, now just need to get it into my head as a routine. Fortunately, the Red Bull Ring is one of the shorter circuits and the few corners it has can be learned very quickly. So, I’m gradually pushing my limits further and testing my skills. On the exit of the corners, I dare to press the gas pedal all the way to the floor. Before most corners, my X-Bow is approaching 200 km/h and this is where my survival instinct starts to kick in. Just before a corner, I slam on the brakes and shift quickly from 6 to 3. The KTM brakes so fast that I slow down a good chunk before the ideal approach. With each pass, I push my courage to brake ever closer to the corner. The track is empty and I have enough time and space to concentrate on my own driving. The corner exits are a big part of today’s experience. It’s nice to feel the G-force and the support that the X-Bow sits with on the track. The way it holds the track with precision is giving me more and more courage. I’m getting faster with each lap.

My lust for speed and the smile on my face is frozen a few laps before the end by one of the more experienced riders of our group. I watch in the mirror as he approaches me in front of the chicane. On the straightaway under full throttle the distance doesn’t change, but how he managed to pass me on the brakes into the corner, I still don’t understand, even now as I write this memoir. While I was braking and downshifting from 6 to 3, he was still on the throttle and applied the brake only at the time when I was already in a “cruising” pace looking for the ideal track to go through the corner. This causes my adrenaline to rise and I accelerate even more. No, I don’t have any desire to keep up this frantic pace with him. With an average consumption of over 35 litres, I certainly wasn’t going slow today in the KTM. I just convinced myself that the limits of the special are much further away than I thought. I’m already taking the next corners at a sharper pace and enjoying the G-force with full brakes and brisk cornering… and that’s where it came in.

I start the second to last lap and in the second corner I violate what I have learned over the last hour. A little inattention, poor steering wheel/throttle coordination and I’m getting the clock. I’m surprised to find myself in the middle of an unclear corner. Adrenaline is replaced by panic. It just flashed through my head that I have a beautiful look into the eyes of anyone who chooses the ideal track for a corner. I didn’t want to experience this feeling today. Fortunately, I see the track commissioner waving a yellow flag before the corner. A KTM from our group slowly passes me. I quickly realize that my panic is unnecessary and everything is under control on the track even in this situation. I calmly start my X-Bow and in a few seconds we respectfully continue. While driving as a circuit amateur, I ponder what an advantage these closed-circuit rides are. The intimate set-up offers not only high riding comfort, but also a great sense of safety compared to open rides for the public.

After a nice lunch overlooking the finish line, the main event of the program awaits us. Driving with a real formula around the circuit. The Formula 4 may only have just over 200 horsepower, but with a weight of around 300 kg, it should surprise all of us used to powerful cars with over 500 horsepower. The monopost concept is similar to the F1, but with less power and less demand on downforce and overall handling. I’m a little nervous about my height, even though I have the formula for the XL size ready. What follows is a battle between my height, my shoulders and the tight space in the formula. Helpful mechanics try to get my oversized body safely into the cockpit. They gradually remove all fillings and protective covers around the slider. I slide under the steering wheel and stretch my legs out to the pedals in a lying position. Great, my size 46 can comfortably hop between pedals here too. Just need to get my broad shoulders under the protective rim. I can feel the small hard parts of the interior digging into my body. I have nowhere to go. The seat belts hold me firmly on the laminate floor and there is no room for any other movement around my legs. Just hold the steering wheel and use your feet to apply the brake and gas. I am sweating in the heat all over my body and waiting for the cars of my partners for today to be ready. The wait seems endless. How do the racers endure it? It’s like time just stopped.

In a few minutes, we’ll be off on our next adventure of the day. For most of us, a great childhood dream is coming true. I mean what guy hasn’t ever wanted to get behind the wheel of a formula car and race around a track?

As soon as we take off, I forget about the heat and my sore butt. I gaze out on the world before me and enjoy the view of the other formula cars around me. We have the theory of cornering and braking from the KTM, so it’s just a quick grasping of the controls of this fun toy and I’m starting to fully enjoy this exceptional ride as well. The leap compared to the KTM is incredible. The automatic transmission shifts quickly and I enjoy every downshift. I’ve never experienced such G-force behind the wheel before. Braking hard, it was like my breath stopped. The pressure I feel in my chest when braking continues even when going through fast corners. I breathe deeply and try to control my adrenaline, my emotions, but also my own fear and courage to push my limits. I have no rivals on the track today. My rival is myself, my skill on the track and my courage to trust in the technique that I now have the opportunity to try. I don’t need to chase anyone or prove anything to anyone. We gradually drift apart on the empty track anyway, and each of us enjoys our own adventure ride. After an hour of riding, we descend into the pit. I’ll never forget this day. A few days ago, I was supposed to circle around Bratislava at work instead of the circuit. I certainly don’t regret my quick decision to switch the programme. It may not be the cheapest form of entertainment, but no one can take those experiences away from us. Just yesterday I was hesitating whether the trip would be worth it. But when I add to that the top-notch organization from Ricard & Bonette and the always helpful mechanics, I realize that today’s program is not just about the cars that we just pull out of the garage for a few laps on the track.

As a special treat to top everything off with, we enjoyed a taxi drive in a Porsche GT2 RS Clubsport with a professional driver. It is immediately apparent to me how slowly I was riding on this track all day. At the end of the day, I also tested my Z06 on the circuit. I took advantage of a free passenger seat and the willingness of instructor Martin from Ricard & Bonette to teach me how to drive my own car. I am not ashamed to admit that I still have considerable reserves on the circuits. I admire his courage in directing me to keep the throttle on the floor for so long before the corner. He trusted me and my car more than I trusted myself. I gradually push the braking to just before the corner and accelerate more and more on the exits. It’s amazing to get to know the behaviour of your own car on a track like this. After a few laps, the stock brakes started to overheat and I had to stop my circling… I paid for my own mistake. I had the car checked at the garage yesterday before driving, but I underestimated the quality of the brake fluid.

On the way home on the motorway, I stop at a rest area just outside Semmering. Originally, I hadn’t planned to write an article about it, as it was my private activity outside the Autogrip.sk editorial office, but the emotions I’m experiencing right now forced me to stop. I feel like writing down my own memories for myself on my phone while they are fresh in my mind.

It’s deep into the night and the rest of the attendees must be enjoying a fine wine after a delicious dinner by now. With a satisfied feeling I start the car and dreamily set off to confront the daily duties of everyday life…