Hi

 

Just got to the hotel and will be getting my first view of Yas Marina tomorrow.

 

Feeling chilled-out and philosophical so:-

 

The musings of a F1 fan abroad

 

Question.

 

What is reality?

 

I believe I am sitting in my hotel room 20 km from Yas Marina sipping a cool drink and typing this.

 

Others believe I am sitting in front of a computer in a sad bed-site some ware in the UK, fantasising about a life I wish I had.

 

Terry Pratchett would have us believe we are living on a flat disc, floating in space. being held up by four elephants standing on the back of the giant turtle, ‘The Great A’Tuin’.

 

And Douglas Adams says we are on a small planet at the unfashionable end of the spiral arm of the galaxy.

 

Who is correct,    who knows     and lets face it who really cares,       by the end of Sunday yet another year of F1 will be over, and we start the 19 week wait for our next “fix”

 

19 weeks, when the memory of:-

 

the smell of burnt rubber,

trailing hoses and pit lane fires

“whatever” gate,

the FIA’s unusual interpretation of their own rules

which driver was robbed of what?

is JB a worthy champion?

and not forgetting all the promo girls in their short skirts.

 

Will all slowly fade (well probably not the memory of the girls in short skirts)

 

Fortunately with the help of Sky+ and a DVD recorder, my son has a copy of all the races.

 

So in the dark days after Christmas, a group of race fans, clutching bottles of brown liquid will converge on a place known only to them, at a time known only to them, to again watch the modern day gladiators compete, while drinking the brown liquid in a sacred ritual to appease the gods of F1 and ask them to give us exciting races next year, with a little less off-track and a little more on-track action.

 

End of musings and here’s to a good race to finish on.

 

Regards

 

Racer111

 

PS  Don’t fret, I will be back to normal tomorrow and will probably be post things that some will find a little more contentious.

No offence racer but it might be a good idea to check what's in that "brown liquid"....

Hi Racer.  What a brilliant post, I loved it!!!  I saw a film 'The Colour of Magic' with the Terry Pratchett world, The Great A'Tuin, it was great!  And The Hitchiker's Guide, superb!  Aaaahhhh...   it takes me all back.

Also loved "the FIA’s unusual interpretation of their own rules" a telling phrase.  And the group of fans in the dark post Xmas days, meeting to drink brown liquid, a mysterious ceremony of appeasement to the gods LOL.

Well done with the musings, Racer, a great post.

pedekay:

Hi Racer.  What a brilliant post, I loved it!!!  I saw a film 'The Colour of Magic' with the Terry Pratchett world, The Great A'Tuin, it was great!  And The Hitchiker's Guide, superb!  Aaaahhhh...   it takes me all back.

Also loved "the FIA’s unusual interpretation of their own rules" a telling phrase.  And the group of fans in the dark post Xmas days, meeting to drink brown liquid, a mysterious ceremony of appeasement to the gods LOL.

Well done with the musings, Racer, a great post.

If you liked the film then the books will blow your mind.

champalonso:

No offence racer but it might be a good idea to check what's in that "brown liquid"....

Why ? Do you think that whatever is in that brown liquid could be causing these hallucinations and wild imaginations ?

 

the_hump:

champalonso:

No offence racer but it might be a good idea to check what's in that "brown liquid"....

Why ? Do you think that whatever is in that brown liquid could be causing these hallucinations and wild imaginations ?

 

yeah its got to be because the fia would never re write rules or change race results just to suit themselves lmao ( for the people who dont realise this is meant to be sarcastic, it is lol)

racer 111:

Hi

 

Just got to the hotel and will be getting my first view of Yas Marina tomorrow.

 

Feeling chilled-out and philosophical so:-

 

The musings of a F1 fan abroad

 

Question.

 

What is reality?

 

I believe I am sitting in my hotel room 20 km from Yas Marina sipping a cool drink and typing this.

 

Others believe I am sitting in front of a computer in a sad bed-site some ware in the UK, fantasising about a life I wish I had.

 

Terry Pratchett would have us believe we are living on a flat disc, floating in space. being held up by four elephants standing on the back of the giant turtle, ‘The Great A’Tuin’.

 

And Douglas Adams says we are on a small planet at the unfashionable end of the spiral arm of the galaxy.

 

Who is correct,    who knows     and lets face it who really cares,       by the end of Sunday yet another year of F1 will be over, and we start the 19 week wait for our next “fix”

 

19 weeks, when the memory of:-

 

the smell of burnt rubber,

trailing hoses and pit lane fires

“whatever” gate,

the FIA’s unusual interpretation of their own rules

which driver was robbed of what?

is JB a worthy champion?

and not forgetting all the promo girls in their short skirts.

 

Will all slowly fade (well probably not the memory of the girls in short skirts)

 

Fortunately with the help of Sky+ and a DVD recorder, my son has a copy of all the races.

 

So in the dark days after Christmas, a group of race fans, clutching bottles of brown liquid will converge on a place known only to them, at a time known only to them, to again watch the modern day gladiators compete, while drinking the brown liquid in a sacred ritual to appease the gods of F1 and ask them to give us exciting races next year, with a little less off-track and a little more on-track action.

 

End of musings and here’s to a good race to finish on.

 

Regards

 

Racer111

 

PS  Don’t fret, I will be back to normal tomorrow and will probably be post things that some will find a little more contentious.

   racer,  I don't really care where in the world you are although I would love it to be Abu Dhabi, I would love to be there too, I looked at the prices and frightened my pension book to death...your posts have been great thro'; the season,  keep 'em coming, even in the dark months of winter, I for one, would love to read them

the_hump:

champalonso:

No offence racer but it might be a good idea to check what's in that "brown liquid"....

Why ? Do you think that whatever is in that brown liquid could be causing these hallucinations and wild imaginations ?

 

Well very possibly, but whether you believe racer's posts or not they aren't usually as spaced out as this one, so that's what made me wonder about the brown liquid, can't be too careful.  I have to admit though, I know nothing at all about sci fi books and films so maybe that's why I found his post a bit odd, whereas Pratchett and Adams fans would know exactly what he's talking about I guess.

Hi

 

OK sensible head back on today and back to reality (no I will not start that again)

 

We have been at the track for a couple of hours now and there is defiantly a strange sensation here at the moment, a “last day at school” feeling which is normal for the last race of the season, but there is also a “first day at a new school” feeling with a completely new pace to explore, every time you turn a corner, you meet some one else looking around and telling you “you gotta see that they have done with the media rooms etc.” (MB and JL should be very happy with their new “home”)

 

This Yas Marina Circuit is fantastic, it not only has the best team facilities I have seen, it has the best viewing facilities for the fans I have ever seen, I do not think there is a bad seat in the place.

 

It is one thing to see artist’s impressions and video simulations, but to see it in the flesh is awesome.

I know the circuit has been covered by articles on this site and others, but I wrote most of the following to send to friends who are not so “into” F1 as most forum members, so if the following is “old hat” please ignore.

 

Every work area here has aircon and most have a chill cabinet, kept fully stocked with bottles of water and soft drinks, by an army of circuit staff, who also keep the place spotless.

 

One track maintenance guy was even complaining that when the cars go round the track they leave tyre marks on his nice clean painted kerbs. (I would not be surprised to see him out there between the practice and quali sessions, cleaning them.)

 

As well as the track, they have a Kart track, Off-road track,  Drag racing facilities and a Driving School. (Apparently a few weeks ago, MB & DC used two of the school cars do a feature on the circuit to be shown this weekend.)

 

They have also really gone to town to give the fans a great experience, as I have said the views are superb and the seats are a vast improvement on the normal, plastic tray bolted to scaffolding poles.

 

The Main Grandstand they say has seats for around 7000 spectators and you get a great view down into the pit lane.

 

The Grandstand at the tight turn at the end of the long straight has a run off area that goes under it, talk about being close to the action.

They also have the same type of set-up around other parts of the track; it gives it a very “Monaco” type feel for the drivers.

 

The one thing you can see from all over the circuit is the Sun Tower, it is nearly 200 ft high and is solar powered, it is for super VIP’s, and it gives you a superb view of the whole circuit and the marina.

 

But the one thing that really sets it apart from the others is the pit lane exit.

As the reports have said, it is an ‘S’ bend, up hill tunnel under the buildings and is outside the pit lane speed limit area, and I am afraid I am going to use that word “awesome” again, but it gives you goose bumps just walking through it.

It should really sort the men from the boys, if you get it wrong in there, it will go very wrong.

 

Sorry Silverstone and Donnington, you are not in the same league, I know they have spent a fortune on this circuit, but unfortunately this is the competition you are up against.

 

If I had to pick one fact to nail to you collective doors, regarding looking after the fans, it would be this:

 

They might like you, have spent a lot of money on very classy and expensive VIP facilities, but the average punter at the track is never more than a few yards from a fully functioning, well equipped toilet block, all with their own attendant to keep it clean and tidy.

 

Even with the projected 50,000 fans coming this weekend, I would bet that on Sunday evening, you would not have to gingerly open the cubical door to check what you would have to walk through to bet to the bog.

 

 

Ok, I will put my high horse away and get back to some more pit lane gossip.

 

 

Everyone is being very tight lipped about next year, but I know a number of engineers and other pit crew have offers to joint some of the new teams, so it will not just be the drivers moving around in the closed season.

 

It makes sense, if you can pick up a couple of key men from experience teams, it will reduce your learning curve considerably.

 

I also understand that a number of the people Brawn had to let go at the start of the year are now working for some of the new teams.

 

 

 

On a different topic, JT’s election has not been received with much enthusiasm.

 

The first comment I herd when I got here was;

 

 “What is the difference between MM and JT?”

 

“About 2ft”

 

People obviously do not expect much change in the FIA.

 

 

 

It also looks like the only way the old BMW team is going to get in next year, is if some one pulls out, most the people I have spoken to are against a 14^th team, it is not just Williams.

 

One of the problems is that some tracks are struggling to fit the current 13 teams in their existing facilities as it is.

 

 

There is a little light sand on the track, but the guys at the driving school recon it clears quite quickly and is only a problem on the outside of the corners, a little like Bahrain.

 

Apparently they have a couple of monster mobile vacuum cleaners if it gets to bad.

 

 

O` well back to work (or back to my sad bed-sit, if you believe in that version of reality)

 

Talk to you later

 

Regards

 

Racer111

 

PS  To all who get upset if any of my postings contain any information that can be found else ware, my apologies, but I would end up being a real PSB if I trailed through the internet for hours, to see what was posted or not before I wrote anything.

 

PPS  If you liked the TV film “The colour of magic”, look out for “The Hogfather”, made a couple of years earlier(2006), also staring David Jason. (You will not look at “Death” in the same light again)

LOL I know you say that far superior than Donnington or Silverstone, but, it has NO history of motor-racing, THAT is what makes the British GP so special. Also the mud, the rain and the atmosphere. Is Abu Dhabi going to get that atmosphere? I don't think so. Ps love Colour of Magic too!

f.eric:

pedekay:

Hi Racer.  What a brilliant post, I loved it!!!  I saw a film 'The Colour of Magic' with the Terry Pratchett world, The Great A'Tuin, it was great!  And The Hitchiker's Guide, superb!  Aaaahhhh...   it takes me all back.

Also loved "the FIA’s unusual interpretation of their own rules" a telling phrase.  And the group of fans in the dark post Xmas days, meeting to drink brown liquid, a mysterious ceremony of appeasement to the gods LOL.

Well done with the musings, Racer, a great post.

If you liked the film then the books will blow your mind.

Yes, and the film "The Hogfather" which Racer also mentions, good stuff.

But when it comes to fantasy books, f.eric, what I really love is Robin Hobb  -  the "Assassin", the "Liveship Trader" and the "Golden Fool" trilogies.  Then the "Soldier Son" trilogy, almost as good.  There is also a new series of two books, starting with "Dragon Keeper", looking forward to that.  In my opinion, she is the best fantasy writer since Tolkien.

excellent report racer111, you bring us closer to the action yet again. ignore the skeptics and keep it coming. and those who have never been to a better race facility than silverstone. i used to think silverstone was fantastic until i went to monaco. there is nothing better than the feeling of satisfaction at a race. i felt cheated by silverston after attending monaco. what a rip off! no amount of history can make up for a good well imformed race.

pedekay:

Yes, and the film "The Hogfather" which Racer also mentions, good stuff.

But when it comes to fantasy books, f.eric, what I really love is Robin Hobb  -  the "Assassin", the "Liveship Trader" and the "Golden Fool" trilogies.  Then the "Soldier Son" trilogy, almost as good.  There is also a new series of two books, starting with "Dragon Keeper", looking forward to that.  In my opinion, she is the best fantasy writer since Tolkien.

Not that I knew any of those books, but the titles seem to give us an idea what attracted you to this forum

Hi

 

Just a few quick notes during the lunch break.

 

 

As you have probably herd JT and AS are still having a real “spat”, JT is really throwing his toys out of the pram.

 

AS has not made a lot of friends this year with some of his actions, but most people seem to think it was more JT’s fault than AS’s and JT’s attitude has more to do with him seeing his carrier with Toyota going down the pan.

 

Some one said he was going to put a teddy in JT’s car, for him to throw out, but I have not herd if he did, I can’t see JT seeing the funny side of that.

 

 

 

There is a buzz here regarding who is going were, with Williams saying they will make an announcement on Monday, people are hopping it will be like a pack of cards, when one goes the rest will follow.

 

I have been told by a 100% reliable person that after NR’s announcement, he is defiantly going to Big Mc.

 

Unfortunately I have been told by another 100% reliable person that he is defiantly going to Brawn.

 

So take you pick.

 

 

 

Most drivers seem happy with the track, although it needs a lot more rubber to give the grip that was expected, but it is improving.

 

The sand does not appear to be a real problem, but whether it will be a factor when the racing line is giving full grip and a driver goes off line we will have to wait and see.

 

As you can imagine all at Brawn, Red Bull and Big Mc are walking around with big smiles after P1.

 

Big Mc in particular are saying this circuit is almost a perfect match for their KERS map.

 

Red Bull are looking for more speed in the final sector, but are not to unhappy at the moment.

 

Got to go, getting to be very ambidextrous, eating with one hand and typing with the other.

 

Talk to you later.

 

Racer111

 

PS  It is quite surprising the number of people involved with racing who are into SF (both fiction & fantasy) I think it is a tech thing.

racer 111:

Hi

 

OK sensible head back on today and back to reality (no I will not start that again)

Do I need to spell out the irony in that statement?

 

We have been at the track for a couple of hours now and there is defiantly a strange sensation here at the moment, a “last day at school” feeling which is normal for the last race of the season, but there is also a “first day at a new school” feeling with a completely new pace to explore, every time you turn a corner, you meet some one else looking around and telling you “you gotta see that they have done with the media rooms etc.” (MB and JL should be very happy with their new “home”)

Provide evidence of these assumptions? Are you really claiming to know those involved?

 

This Yas Marina Circuit is fantastic, it not only has the best team facilities I have seen, it has the best viewing facilities for the fans I have ever seen, I do not think there is a bad seat in the place.

Indeed it looks brilliant; there are some great pictures on the website.

 

It is one thing to see artist’s impressions and video simulations, but to see it in the flesh is awesome. 

How would you know?

I know the circuit has been covered by articles on this site and others, but I wrote most of the following to send to friends who are not so “into” F1 as most forum members, so if the following is “old hat” please ignore.

Oh I’m looking forward to more insight from our “man in the know”.

 

Every work area here has aircon and most have a chill cabinet, kept fully stocked with bottles of water and soft drinks, by an army of circuit staff, who also keep the place spotless.

Oh Wow, could I eat my dinner off the floor perhaps?

One track maintenance guy was even complaining that when the cars go round the track they leave tyre marks on his nice clean painted kerbs. (I would not be surprised to see him out there between the practice and quali sessions, cleaning them.)

Did he speak good English, or are you fluent in Arabic ?

 

As well as the track, they have a Kart track, Off-road track,  Drag racing facilities and a Driving School. (Apparently a few weeks ago, MB & DC used two of the school cars do a feature on the circuit to be shown this weekend.)

Yes all this was covered by the BBC recently, did you see it by chance?

 

They have also really gone to town to give the fans a great experience, as I have said the views are superb and the seats are a vast improvement on the normal, plastic tray bolted to scaffolding poles.

So, you managed to take in all the viewing areas around the circuit considering you have only been there 2 hours???

 

The Main Grandstand they say has seats for around 7000 spectators and you get a great view down into the pit lane.

Yup, it’s on the Abu Dhabi Web Site.

 

The Grandstand at the tight turn at the end of the long straight has a run off area that goes under it, talk about being close to the action.

They also have the same type of set-up around other parts of the track; it gives it a very “Monaco” type feel for the drivers.

My word you have been busy on the website, can you quote it word for word or are you still cutting and pasting?

 

The one thing you can see from all over the circuit is the Sun Tower, it is nearly 200 ft high and is solar powered, it is for super VIP’s, and it gives you a superb view of the whole circuit and the marina.

Mmm getting board now, tell me something I haven’t already read.

 

But the one thing that really sets it apart from the others is the pit lane exit.

As the reports have said, it is an ‘S’ bend, up hill tunnel under the buildings and is outside the pit lane speed limit area, and I am afraid I am going to use that word “awesome” again, but it gives you goose bumps just walking through it.

It should really sort the men from the boys, if you get it wrong in there, it will go very wrong.

Blimey do you do any work or are you just continually walking round and round the circuit?

 

Sorry Silverstone and Donnington, you are not in the same league, I know they have spent a fortune on this circuit, but unfortunately this is the competition you are up against.

No please don’t patronise  DVLL and The BRDC. It is you who are NOT in THEIR league.

 

If I had to pick one fact to nail to you collective doors, regarding looking after the fans, it would be this:

Rightfully they wouldn't give you the time of day, but this should be worth a laugh.

 

They might like you, have spent a lot of money on very classy and expensive VIP facilities, but the average punter at the track is never more than a few yards from a fully functioning, well equipped toilet block, all with their own attendant to keep it clean and tidy.

Ah so that’s where Simon Gillett and Damon Hill have been going wrong, it’s the public conveniences.!!!!! If I were them I would hire you as a senior advisor to ensure we keep a GP in the UK.

 

Even with the projected 50,000 fans coming this weekend, I would bet that on Sunday evening, you would not have to gingerly open the cubical door to check what you would have to walk through to bet to the bog.

I look forward to hearing all about that on Sunday then racer

 

 

Ok, I will put my high horse away and get back to some more pit lane gossip.

At last!!!! Bring us closer Racer, Bring us Closer purleeeeeees.

 

 

Everyone is being very tight lipped about next year, but I know a number of engineers and other pit crew have offers to joint some of the new teams, so it will not just be the drivers moving around in the closed season.

Yep I read that CV’s are flying all over the place. Surely they would divulge just a little bit more to you though? I hear that Lotus have pinched a Senior member of the Ferrari Team.

 

It makes sense, if you can pick up a couple of key men from experience teams, it will reduce your learning curve considerably.

Really, do you think a new Team would benefit from experienced F1 personnel or should they just do an open day at the job centre?

 

I also understand that a number of the people Brawn had to let go at the start of the year are now working for some of the new teams.

That would only make sense.

 

 

 

On a different topic, JT’s election has not been received with much enthusiasm.

 

 

It was predicted months ago that if JT wins MM will rule By Proxy.

The first comment I herd when I got here was;

 

 “What is the difference between MM and JT?”

 

“About 2ft”

Oh deary me.

 

People obviously do not expect much change in the FIA.

 

It also looks like the only way the old BMW team is going to get in next year, is if some one pulls out, most the people I have spoken to are against a 14^th team, it is not just Williams.

So you managed to speak with the Williams with your lack of accreditation and work round the circuit. How do you get time?

One of the problems is that some tracks are struggling to fit the current 13 teams in their existing facilities as it is.

 

 

Good lord.

 

There is a little light sand on the track, but the guys at the driving school recon it clears quite quickly and is only a problem on the outside of the corners, a little like Bahrain.

That’s cuz its in the desert mate.

 

Apparently they have a couple of monster mobile vacuum cleaners if it gets to bad.

Yep they too have been on the TV, it’s standard in the Asia tracks.

 

O` well back to work (or back to my sad bed-sit, if you believe in that version of reality)

Work???? How do you fit it all in to the day.

Talk to you later

Cant wait

Regards

 

Racer111

 

PS  To all who get upset if any of my postings contain any information that can be found else ware, my apologies, but I would end up being a real PSB if I trailed through the internet for hours, to see what was posted or not before I wrote anything.

 

PPS  If you liked the TV film “The colour of magic”, look out for “The Hogfather”, made a couple of years earlier(2006), also staring David Jason. (You will not look at “Death” in the same light again)

That really was an awful one racer, even for you.

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