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Sunday. 1.30am. It started as a magical mystery tour. My wife had given me instructions to get to the service station and open the envelope that she had given me. She said this was my birthday present and to be honest I quite enjoyed the suspense and mystery of it all.
Well, I soon found out where I was headed.
“Silverstone. Yes!” the cry could be heard from the other side of the vast car park area.
I paid for the car park and waited around in the cold for the coach to appear. It did, about 2am, and I got in for the long journey up to the famous race course that I’d been wanting to go to for ages. It’s difficult to explain just how uncomfortable a 5 hour journey in a small coach really is, even if you do stop at an overpriced service station on the way, but I can assure you that my legs were pretty much lacking in movement when we finally arrived in the misty grounds of the Silverstone field at 7am. Still, it was well worth the ride and the endless Jethro videos that were forced upon me during the journey to actually stand in the famous Silverstone grounds at long last.
By the time I got to the main gate it was around 7.30am and the sun was already beating down hard. Hundreds of people wondered around, looking at the stalls set up by the various constructors. I went over to them all and had a look at the kind of memorabilia that was being sold, hats, shirts and even flags shuffled for attention on the shelves and punters (I mean supporters) were already queuing to buy the stuff. I thought it best to go and find a seat in the standing area, as the crowds were already building and the spaces were filling up faster now. I eventually managed to navigate through the crowd and picked a space just big enough for me to squeeze in. Unfortunately, the standing area is so called because there are no seats. I found, to my pleasure, that people usually bring their own deckchairs or blankets, so off I trudged to the Williams stand to buy a rather expensive (but nice) blanket so that my backside wouldn’t suffer any more discomfort.
The entertainment started with an excellent stunt show, where motorbikes and a few cars did their best to get as near to other vehicles as humanly possible without actually touching them. After this, a Porsche race and an exciting formula 3 championship race took place, all while the sun continued to beat down on my now rather hot head. A nice surprise was Michael Schumacher driving the first Ferrari to win a grand prix around the circuit, while the commentator made a few jokes about the speed and handling.
It seemed like ages until the main race started and people were still rushing around trying to get a seat, or going off to buy yet more hats and t-shirts to impress their friends back home, but the cars were soon warmed up and ready to go. A great start meant that everyone got away well, although there were some accidents on the first corner. Unfortunately, I couldn’t see these first hand as it was around the corner from where I stood. Shumey came around first, and surprisingly quickly too. It seemed so much slower on TV that I was expecting to wait ages for the first car to appear! Hakkinen followed, but disaster struck for Coulthard, who, after being hit in his rear suspension earlier, lost it completely and spun out, retiring on the first lap. Hakkinen soon passed the red Ferrari and was in the lead, but the surprise was in Montoya in the Williams, who blistered past Barrichello and soon caught, and passed, Schumacher too. Speaking of blisters, by the time they reached the 5th lap my head felt as if it had gained a few. This was the point I wished I’d bought a cap too, but F1 live doesn’t have the same adverts as ITV (thank goodness!) and there was certainly too much action going on to lose out on any of it.
With Coulthard out, most people were cheering either Hakkinen, Shumacher or the fast and furious Montoya. One person, obviously not a Ferrari fan, was booing every time Shumey came around the corner. It’s not really F1 style to be doing that, but there you go. Unfortunately, Montoya seemed unhappy with the car after his first pitstop and Barrichello soon caught and passed him to take third place. By this time, of course, I was going a bit deaf, not only because of the cars but also the loud horns that several (mostly Ferrari) fans had decided to buy and let off every time that their favorite driver came passed. Now I know why people bring ear plugs to the races!
Well, as you may know by now, Hakkinen kept his place at the front and got a well deserved win for the British grand prix. Schmacher was happy, of course, as he increased his own lead over Coulthard, and it was nice to see Barrichello up there too. The rest of my day was spent fighting through the crowds to buy a Ferrari cap for my wife and then having to endure the long trip home, happy with the memories of my amazing F1 day at the races.
Well, I soon found out where I was headed.
“Silverstone. Yes!” the cry could be heard from the other side of the vast car park area.
I paid for the car park and waited around in the cold for the coach to appear. It did, about 2am, and I got in for the long journey up to the famous race course that I’d been wanting to go to for ages. It’s difficult to explain just how uncomfortable a 5 hour journey in a small coach really is, even if you do stop at an overpriced service station on the way, but I can assure you that my legs were pretty much lacking in movement when we finally arrived in the misty grounds of the Silverstone field at 7am. Still, it was well worth the ride and the endless Jethro videos that were forced upon me during the journey to actually stand in the famous Silverstone grounds at long last.
By the time I got to the main gate it was around 7.30am and the sun was already beating down hard. Hundreds of people wondered around, looking at the stalls set up by the various constructors. I went over to them all and had a look at the kind of memorabilia that was being sold, hats, shirts and even flags shuffled for attention on the shelves and punters (I mean supporters) were already queuing to buy the stuff. I thought it best to go and find a seat in the standing area, as the crowds were already building and the spaces were filling up faster now. I eventually managed to navigate through the crowd and picked a space just big enough for me to squeeze in. Unfortunately, the standing area is so called because there are no seats. I found, to my pleasure, that people usually bring their own deckchairs or blankets, so off I trudged to the Williams stand to buy a rather expensive (but nice) blanket so that my backside wouldn’t suffer any more discomfort.
The entertainment started with an excellent stunt show, where motorbikes and a few cars did their best to get as near to other vehicles as humanly possible without actually touching them. After this, a Porsche race and an exciting formula 3 championship race took place, all while the sun continued to beat down on my now rather hot head. A nice surprise was Michael Schumacher driving the first Ferrari to win a grand prix around the circuit, while the commentator made a few jokes about the speed and handling.
It seemed like ages until the main race started and people were still rushing around trying to get a seat, or going off to buy yet more hats and t-shirts to impress their friends back home, but the cars were soon warmed up and ready to go. A great start meant that everyone got away well, although there were some accidents on the first corner. Unfortunately, I couldn’t see these first hand as it was around the corner from where I stood. Shumey came around first, and surprisingly quickly too. It seemed so much slower on TV that I was expecting to wait ages for the first car to appear! Hakkinen followed, but disaster struck for Coulthard, who, after being hit in his rear suspension earlier, lost it completely and spun out, retiring on the first lap. Hakkinen soon passed the red Ferrari and was in the lead, but the surprise was in Montoya in the Williams, who blistered past Barrichello and soon caught, and passed, Schumacher too. Speaking of blisters, by the time they reached the 5th lap my head felt as if it had gained a few. This was the point I wished I’d bought a cap too, but F1 live doesn’t have the same adverts as ITV (thank goodness!) and there was certainly too much action going on to lose out on any of it.
With Coulthard out, most people were cheering either Hakkinen, Shumacher or the fast and furious Montoya. One person, obviously not a Ferrari fan, was booing every time Shumey came around the corner. It’s not really F1 style to be doing that, but there you go. Unfortunately, Montoya seemed unhappy with the car after his first pitstop and Barrichello soon caught and passed him to take third place. By this time, of course, I was going a bit deaf, not only because of the cars but also the loud horns that several (mostly Ferrari) fans had decided to buy and let off every time that their favorite driver came passed. Now I know why people bring ear plugs to the races!
Well, as you may know by now, Hakkinen kept his place at the front and got a well deserved win for the British grand prix. Schmacher was happy, of course, as he increased his own lead over Coulthard, and it was nice to see Barrichello up there too. The rest of my day was spent fighting through the crowds to buy a Ferrari cap for my wife and then having to endure the long trip home, happy with the memories of my amazing F1 day at the races.
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I heard the track mods won't be ready until the 2003 Grand Prix.
I can't wait 'til they change the track for next year, it's going to be amazing!
Hopefully the banked corner will allow more over taking at the end of the straight.
Hopefully the banked corner will allow more over taking at the end of the straight.
I don't really like cars and F1 but it seems as if you enjoyed your day so well done :)
Oh yeah try going on a 32 hour bus journey with 75% morons from your school :D
Oh yeah try going on a 32 hour bus journey with 75% morons from your school :D
That is Luffield/Woodcote corners. It is the best area of the circuit although Stowe isn't bad. I always go to Luffield section.
I've been 6 out of the last 9 years and I enjoyed every one except last years. We were queueing since 4 in the morning and we didn't get in the circuit until just before 1 in the afternoon. But I have enjoyed the racing of each one that I have been to.
I've been 6 out of the last 9 years and I enjoyed every one except last years. We were queueing since 4 in the morning and we didn't get in the circuit until just before 1 in the afternoon. But I have enjoyed the racing of each one that I have been to.
Grandprix wrote:
> I've been before, including that really bad one last year. Where
> were you standing pb?
Right next to where the Minardi lost its wheel! It was on the stand before the pitlane (in) so we were near enough to the big screen to see the rest of the race and also opposite where Couthard came off.
> I've been before, including that really bad one last year. Where
> were you standing pb?
Right next to where the Minardi lost its wheel! It was on the stand before the pitlane (in) so we were near enough to the big screen to see the rest of the race and also opposite where Couthard came off.
Ahh, the British Grand Prix, brings back memories when I used to go with a mate and his Dad for free. Its a good event but apart from the races we spent most of the time laughing at the people who spent lots and lots of cash to be there on raceday.
Personally I prefer World Superbikes but I will never forget one British grand prix, not because of the racing but because I won a scalextric thing on that lorry that used to follow round all the major racing events holding competitions. :D
Personally I prefer World Superbikes but I will never forget one British grand prix, not because of the racing but because I won a scalextric thing on that lorry that used to follow round all the major racing events holding competitions. :D
I've been before, including that really bad one last year. Where were you standing pb?
All I can say is, it's well worth trying to get there, but either buy a deckchair and take it with you, or pay for the more expensive grandstand seats instead.
I really wish I'd bought a hat now, my face is still lobster colour and it hurts every time I brush my hair. I really didn't know how much that sun was beating down until it was too late.
And they said it was going to rain too....!
I really wish I'd bought a hat now, my face is still lobster colour and it hurts every time I brush my hair. I really didn't know how much that sun was beating down until it was too late.
And they said it was going to rain too....!
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