Garth Tander prepares to take to the skies with Squadron leader Jason Easthope
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6:05 AM Thu 4 October, 2012
Source: BigPond Sport
V8 SUPERCARS drivers Garth Tander and Shane van
Gisbergen have had a once in a lifetime opportunity and joined the
select few civilians to fly in a simulated dog fight with the Royal
Australian Air Force (RAAF) leading into this weekend’s Supercheap Auto
Bathurst 1000.
Tander and van Gisbergen experienced extreme
g-forces in an F/A18 with two of Australia’s leading pilots, Squadron
Leader Jason ‘Easty’ Easthope and Flight Lieutenant Jason ‘Crossy’ Cross
at the Williamtown (30km north of Newcastle) RAAF base.
After six
hours including safety and mission briefings the pair flew vertical
from 500 to 35,000 feet, breaking the sound barrier and experiencing up
to 7.5 g-force.
Tander, a two-time Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000
Champion, said the lateral 2 g-force that he was used to in his V8
Supercar, was nothing compared to the world’s premier fighter jet.
“After we broke the sound barrier we went vertical,” says Tander, current holder of the Peter Brock Trophy.
“We
went from 500 feet vertical to 35,000 feet, and you could see where the
edge of the light blue sky became dark blue and it felt like we were
going into outer space.
“I lost consciousness three times for a few seconds but came out of it and saw Shane flying alongside of us.
“This
is essentially a racetrack in the sky, the lateral g-forces are
comparative, but the vertical g-forces are completely out of this world.
“It
was by far one of the most amazing experiences - it was a fantastic
opportunity and I can now appreciate how fit the pilots need to be.”
Ahead
of this weekend’s Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000, the drivers were
surprised by the similarities between V8 Supercars and an F/A18 both in
terms of strategy and the impact on the body.
“I can’t believe
these guys do it every day. The impact on your body is unbelievable. At
one point my vision was going,” says van Gisbergen.
“We
were warned about the impact the g-force has on your body and I really
felt it. I have no idea how these guys do it in battle and maintain
intense concentration.
“What we do, as hard as it is, is a walk in the park compared to what I just experienced.”
Tander and van Gisbergen even had the opportunity to ‘fly’ the $45 million aircraft.
“I
managed to get the aircraft to do a few spins, but I was conscious that
at $45 million dollars, it was no test drive,” says van Gisbergen.
Like
a V8 Supercar team, getting an aircraft off the ground requires an
integral team effort. It takes engineers, mechanics, ground crew, flight
control and more for a safe and successful exercise.
“Ultimately
these guys (pilots) are flying for preparation in combat and we’re
driving for the most elite trophy in Australian motorsport, but you
can’t give the personnel who defend our country a trophy, they deserve
much more,” he said.
The RAAF will be showcasing their world
class fighter jets during the Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000, with a
flyover on Saturday and Sunday as part of the pre-race entertainment.
