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Day 3:
The sun hasnt risen and I have basically jumped out of bed and gone to get ready. The Brawn GP tshirt is on, my JB cap is in my bag and I'm heading off the Albert Park Circuit for the first race weekend of the F1 season! Excited? UNDERSTATEMENT!
My race weekend was kicked off with a Pit Lane walk. There are advantages to being rather organised and sorting things in advance. Getting my ticket so early meant I got GP Advantage membership and therefore access to a few bonus extras/behind the scenes glimpses. It took waiting in a que for about half an hour once actually through the gates, but once I finally stepped foot on the tarmac and saw the team badges above the garages, it really hit me how awesome this experience was going to be. I took a glimpse past the crowd that had gathered at the top end of the pit lane, looking in at the home boys garage and taking snaps. My priority was further down. I head towards the McLaren garage and stopped infront of Jenson's car, well bits of his car. The g]uys in the garage were already working on put the car back together and getting it ready for first practice the next day. I just stood and took it in until a very kind person agreed to take my picture for me infront of the garage. After 5-10mins or so watching the mechanics doing their thing, its fascinating, I strolled along the rest of the F1 garages and then on to the V8 section of what is quite a long pit lane. The Redbull Australia guys were doing checks on one of their cars. Its quite amusing watching such a powerful piece if kit being pulled around on what look like stabiliser wheels for a bike. I was also lucky enough to see one of the V8 teams doing a practice tyre change. If only garages at home changed tyres that quickly, it'd save people time and a bit of money and they get loads of customers through because of the quick service.
It was a lot to take in. I don't think I could actually quite believe where I was and that I was doing it on my own. I know, travelling around a country on your own is probably something that'd set you up in good sted for doing anything else solo, but I think i was more apprehensive doing this than sight seeing and scuba diving on my own. There was no need to be as I soon found out. After walking down the rest of the pit lane and looking through to the circuit on the other side we were given breakfast and first dibs on spots in the autograph lines. I wandered into the McLaren line ready to complete my mission of meeting and acquiring a photo with Mr Button ready to show Baby Jenson when I returned to the UK. I think I must have been half asleep still while doing this as I looked up at the schedule for the day at the autograph stage and realised I had 4 hours of sitting inbetween metal fencing under a rather warm sun. After debating with myself whether I should go away and come back, I overheard a conversation between 2 previous F1 goers who enlightened me to the fact that if you weren't in between the railings you weren't likely to get a signature. I settle down for my 4 hour stint.
The wait started off slowly, but picked up with talks with V8 drivers, team members and Aus GP organisers. Then the first few teams came through and I got to see some well known and new faces. I got/ chatting to a few people in the line and we were all keeping each other occupied as the hours ticked by. The guy behind me in the cue agreed to take the Button photo for me and as we stood to start filing towards the stage I got that familiar butterfly sensation in my stomach. Unfortunately we were processed very quickly past the drivers so I didnt really get to have a chat with him, but we had a quick exchange, I got the photo and the autographer. A very happy Lizi indeed. now for the racing.
My first day at Albert Park was spent in the Brabham Stand which was between the first and second corners. I settle down in my seat,m ready to watch the various practices, exhibition races and speed tests that happened during the day. It was a good way to ease into the weekend and I was very much looking forward to day two, although not to the sun that was predicted, having forgotted my suncream, I had already acquired tshirt tan /burn lines. A quick journey back on the tram and it was early to bed.
Day 4:
The first glimpse at the new F1 cars and a chance to finally hear how they sounded was on today's agenda. First things first though. A wander round St Kilda. I got up before the sun again and after getting ready and grabbing a quick bit of breakfast I set off for the St Kilda tram. It was a nice way to see a little bit of Melbourne on the way and when I got off the tram i had a 10/15min stroll down to the shore front. The sun was low in the sky and the only people around were the early morning runners and riders. It was lovely to walk down the beach front, taking in the views and easing myself into the day. I had been tipped of about a street that had a whole load of cake so I headed towards it. With a good half hour to spare before I needed to leave St Kilda, I decided to stop for a large coffee, kick started to system into action. I ended up having a very good coffe at St Kilda's best coffee shop. It was also one of the top 30 in Melbourne, which is something as the city prides itself on its coffee culture. I hightly recommend stopping by 95 Espresso if you're around that way. Lush coffee and a nice little cafe/bar to boot.
I ended up walking to the circuit and still managed to get there early. After getting through the gates I headed towards my home for the day. Today was Fangio! The main straight. Very exciting. I set myself up and moved probably twice throughout the day. I had made the decision that I was going to see as much fast car action as possible while I was there. One guy came up to me part way through and commented that I must really love my racing to have hardly moved all day. That made me smile, I felt accepted as a true fan rather than just there to try and experience the glamour of F1 and have a few days drinking. It was great to hear the new cars and see who was looking good for race weekend. Lewis Hamilton stop on track at the beginning of the session which, not being a fan of the guy, made me giggle. They're very different to listen too. Theyve not got that raw energy that I was used to hearing and I definately didn't need my earplugs, but it was still very cool.
Being able to compare the sound was really interesting, as well as seeing truely how fast these cars were. Throughout the 4 days they did a speed comparison between a road car, a Redbull Australia V8 racing car and the 2011 Redbull F1 car. They are stupdily fast and the sound was incredible. I think the bit that gets your ears is the pop of the V8 engine. I had experienced it during the V8 practice and qually and noticed it while watching David Coulthard (that was very exciting) drive the Redbull F1. My bright blue ear plugs were a regular accessorie while watching the V8's. The day drew to a close and I headed back to the YHA with another long but exciting day to look forward to.
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