For 40 years, from 1971 to 2011, every single Ferrari that went into production was tested by one man: Dario Benuzzi. He spent 40 years driving cars for up to six hours a day at Ferrari’s private test track - driving everything from the V8 Dinos, right up to the 660hp V12 Formula1 cars. His feedback was considered invaluable to Ferrari’s product advancement and, in its own way, Hunt Wheels is looking to emulate this.
Hunt Wheels, the small wheel brand from Sussex, is inviting applications to join its ‘Open Development Program’. Applications are open to anyone who rides road, cyclocross or gravel from any country in the world. Being fast isn’t a factor in the selection process, and those selected will be given a full set of team kit, a Giro Synthe helmet and wheels. All Hunt asks for in return is feedback and ideas.
‘Like Josh Ibbett our Hunt Brand Manager with his gargantuan effort of 2600 miles in under 10 days to win the epic 2015 Transcontinental Race, we all need to push our riding limits, gain exciting new experiences, explore places by bike we thought we wouldn’t and achieve feats that seemed impossible,’ says Tom Marchment, Hunt co-owner.
‘We've always done things a bit differently here at Hunt and OpenDev is an important new stage in our research and development process. OpenDev will allow us to expand our work with riders, discuss and enhance our product ideas and keep moving forwards.’
Applications are open from now until February 15th at huntbikewheels.com and there’s even a film to inspire you. And, if you're really good, you could be the next Benuzzi - albeit with slightly less glamour.