Ever since he was a child, David Frisina has been a huge fan of motorsports.

He had his first mini-bike at the age of 10, and several dirt bikes later, he fell in love with the Go-Karts.

Naturally, he then went on to become a huge fan of the Formula One race. The speed, the sound and the adrenaline rush, not to mention the exhilaration that goes on in the race was thrilling, and like millions of Formula One fans, he dreams of being part of the whole experience. 

“I have never really been in a financial situation to pursue a racing career but loved the feeling of speed and pushing the car to its limits. The feeling of the car or kart sliding underneath me and controlling that slide is awesome!”

Though millions may wish to experience the feeling of driving on an actual Formula One track, only a select few are able to live that dream.

But then fate decided to smile on Frisina when he happened to sit next to the Sepang International Circuit chief executive officer, Datuk Razlan Razali while on a flight to Australia.

They started chatting and that was when Frisina  learned about the Sepang International Circuit driving experience.

“I immediately mentioned this to my wife once we landed as she knows only too well how much of a fan of F1 and motorsports that I am. In fact I envy Razlan and the work he is doing and in how close he is to Motorsports on a day to day basis.

“I dropped a small hint and Razlan’s email address to my wife and said what a great birthday present this would be,” said Frisina, who had celebrated his 49th birthday on September 29.

On November 8, his dream came true.

Accompanied by his wife, Sian and their two children, James and Lachlan, Frisina strapped on his safety helmet and went on a drive with Dilantha Malagamuwa, top Sri Lankan driver from Dilango Racing.

The driving experience started with the track familiarization lap with Dilantha behind the wheel and Frisina sitting beside him.

Dilantha briefed Frisina on the gears to engage at the corners and pointed out to him the areas where Frisina could go full throttle, without overshooting the track.

At the end of the familiarization lap, Frisina took over the wheel with Dilantha sitting beside him and drove for three laps around the track.

“I thought the experience was great. To actually be able to drive around the Sepang International Circuit where earlier this year I watched the F1 teams take to the track was an incredible feeling.

“My favourite part would have to be ‘me’ being in total control behind the wheel and the only person in the car. It was an absolute awesome feeling to feel the car sliding around the long sweeping left hander. I loved every minute of it!  The worst part was the end of the four laps.

“To use racing lines and the whole track and legally speed and hear the tyres screaming for grip was exhilarating! I learned from the talent of local hero Dilantha Malagamuwa as he took me for my warm-up lap and clearly demonstrated the best racing line and gear selection for each corner and then let me loose.”

Even his children, four-year old James and two-year old Lachlan had enjoyed the trip to the circuit.

“James said all the way home, “Faster, Daddy Faster!”. Oh! If only! Even two-year old Lachlan was sitting in his car seat pretending to drive. They loved sitting in the race car while cameras clicked away.”

Frisina also cherished the opportunity to experience the behind the scenes of the F1 race and make the same walk the F1 drivers do when they come out on to that number one podium spot after the race.

“I would personally have loved to have gone a little quicker but this was a great first outing for me. Dilantha has offered me a quicker car next time which will make things different and even more exciting. His words of encouragement will stay with me as will the memory.”

“I would love to see you go one step further and let people like me who never get the chance to really feel the part; to be able to wear the racing suit, gloves and having your laps timed and everything, basically, to totally get caught up in the whole racing scene. It was short but so sweet and I will be back.

“Many thanks everyone and I look forward to my next experience whatever and whenever that may be.

Hopefully soon!  Thank you for being so great with my family and making us all feel so very welcome. And many many thanks to my lovely wife Sian, for a great birthday present and Christmas is so very close and guess what’s on my list!” he said.

The Sepang International Circuit Driving Experience

Arrive and Drive in a Mazda Miata

• 1 lap drive with an instructor in the car explaining basic techniques
• 4 laps on your own around the Full Track of Sepang International Circuit
• Helmet and Balaclava (ski mask)
• Tyres
• Fuel