I had never bought a ticket to an event where there are warnings on the ticket jacket and the ticket itself telling you that there is a risk of serious injury and/or death by just WATCHING the sport.
In full sporting fashion, many spectators were wearing their favorite team and/or country flags:
I arrived at the track in time to watch the formula 3 cars race. It was a nice preview of the big race, and I could get still photos of the cars on the track.
Next was the Carrera Cup, which featured Porche 911 GT3s which have a top speed of over 300km/h and a 6 cylinder, 400 horsepower engine.
Then there was a lighthearted celebrity race using BMWs. The most exciting part of the race was the footy player who raced like he played footy. If another car was in his way, he just started pushing them out of the way with his car. I wasn't really familiar with the celebrities, other than a couple of radio personalities I've listened too, but all 4 Wiggles were racing as well (they lost).
The V8 super cars had their turn next. This was a pretty neat race, but the cars were starting to get too fast for my still picture skills so I have no shots of that*.
There were many display cars about with many facts and figures about the F1 racers (top speed of approx 340 km/h, can get from 0 to 200 km/h in 5 seconds, etc.). The most common phrase I overheard from the blokes mesmerized by the cars was "That's a powerful machine".
Powerful, and LOUD! I had no idea what 340 km/h looked or sounded like before, but the answer is fast and loud. The only thing louder than the cars that day was the F/A 18 hornet flyover. I was impressed that the plane was so fast that you didn't hear it until about 3 seconds after it passed overhead.
Since I had a general admission ticket, I wasn't in a grandstand or anything. I didn't have great views of the track or witness any crashes, but there were some crashes, and an especially firey finale.
I tried to take some pictures of the cars as they raced past, this one is my favorite:
The 57 lap race went much faster than I thought it would, even with all the breaks for cleaning debris from the track.
When the race started, there was an announcement saying that people couldn't go onto the track until the race was done and the drivers did their victory lap and such.
"People get on the track?" I thought to myself, "That seems wierd, what's the point?"
I didn't think people would actually get on the track, but sure enough, when the race was done, the track was flooded with spectators.
You bet your sweet ass I jumped the fence and joined the crowd!
Some searched the gravel for car debris, but most were headed to the start/finish/pit area (which was totally cut off from us poor general admission folks during the race).
The start/finish line, and pole position were quite crowded, with people crowding around for a picture on the 1 or on the line. A group of blokes took a picture of themselves sitting on lawnchairs on the start/finish line.
Do you remember that arcade game called Pole Position? It had a little theme song, and whenever I think about my visit to the Grand Prix track it gets stuck in my head. Pole Position!
This is the end of the Summer/Autum sporting EXTRAVAGANZA that has taken place in Melbourne this year. First the Australian Open, then the Commonwealth Games, and finally the Grand Prix. I feel lucky to be around for all this great stuff!
*I took some movies on my camera, and am currently investigating how to get them posted here.
1 comment:
It must have been awesome to be at the F-1 Grand Prix. It is (or used to be) sort of a big deal in Argentina. I remember watching F-1 races on Sundays with my dad when I was a kid. It is a lot more exciting than it sounds. You got some great shots too. Did you get to meet any of the drivers? Hopefully they drinked beer after the race, and not before.
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