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LE MANS: THE GREATEST RACE

12. June 2009

It's all happening, the countdown has begun for the greatest spectacle in International motorsport, forget F1, ignore the Indy 500, don't even consider the Bathurst 1000, the greatest race in all motorsport is without a shadow of a doubt Le Mans. For the first time since 1984 Australian television audiences will have the chance to see the race live, well some of it anyway. TEN's new ONE HD sports channel will bring Aussie viewers the race live from 10.30 p.m. Saturday night with live coverage going through until 2.00AM when the network crosses to NASCAR Qualifying. The coverage continues from 6.30AM till 10.00AM with the final few hours also covered live from 8.30PM till 11.10PM when coverage of the MotoGP begins. For most Australians Le Mans is an abstract concept, not since the early eighties has there been any real mainstream media coverage of the greatest race. Even that proud purveyor of obscure sports everywhere cable TV confined their coverage to a scant hour of highlights often weeks after the race. Of course we on In Pit Lane tried our best to keep the spirit of Le Mans alive. In 2004 I attended my first Le Mans, it was everything I had expected and way, way more. The efficiency and friendliness of the ACO officials is a long way from the indifference and arrogance of the average Aussie racetrack. As I've said on the show before, it was easier to get into Le Mans and do our job than it is to get through the tunnel at Phillip Island for a round of the Victorian State Series. The media centre is remarkable, every table with its own monitor, a lockable cage for your laptop and a steady stream of information all delivered with a smile from a crew who are not only professional but knowledgeable and quite rightly proud of their event. It makes a big difference from some media centres at a typical V8 Supercar event when any request for information on a support event is met with a mixture of confusion and utter contempt. The track itself is suburb, sadly not all of it is accessible to the average spectator but there's plenty of good places to view from. The esses down from the famous Dunlop bridge is a favourite, especially on Saturday night when you can stand on the hill and watch the cars on one side and them flip around to the bands at the annual rock concert. Of course any trip to France must include food and wine and Le Mans is no disappointment there either.

STORM CLOUDS OVER SINGAPORE

22. September 2008

Drivers may be nervous, teams may be unsure but race fans will be thrilled at the long term weather forecast for Singapore and next Sunday night’s Grand Prix. According to the website Weather Underground the long term forecast will see a 90% chance of rain along with thunderstorms for next Sunday night. Several drivers have expressed [...]

MY SECRET IDENTITY EXPOSED

18. September 2008

My friends, and though I've known you for only a short time I'd like to consider you as my friends. I have a secret. Something that I have told no one else and that you must solemnly promise never to reveal to anyone, even under threat of torture. I have Superhuman powers. Yes, it's true. How I developed this astonishing and awesome power I have no idea, but none the less I have it and it's an incredible burden that I now choose to share with you.

DRAG RACING MAKING PLENTY OF NOISE

12. September 2008

While circuit racing continues to struggle (and yes I am including the V8 supercars in that statement) the sport of Drag Racing is going gang busters. Despite having no presence in either Victoria or South Australia Drag Racing is attracting big crowds, good TV ratings and heaps of corporate support. Almost everyday another release lands on the In Pit Lane desk heralding another new major sponsor or team. This week it was iconic US Motorcycle brand Harley-Davidson.

YES LEWIS F1 IS BORING, AND I LOVE IT!

4. September 2008

Lewis Hamilton thinks Formula One is boring, in fact if you listen to almost anybody on any of the myriad Internet forums or letters to the editors pages of our major motorsport magazines he's not alone. Lewis told the European TV network Eurosport “Look at the last race in Valencia - there was no overtaking at all - so it can be a bit dull. I definitely support the move to try and make F1 more exciting.“ he said. And so say all of us. But at what cost ?

THE “BEAUTIFUL” FORMULA ?

22. August 2008

The passion of European and South American fans for the sport of Soccer is no secret, just take a look at the often over the top celebrations and sadly even outbreaks of tribal violence that mark the avid Soccer fan and you can see just how rabid they can become. So the question is can the tribal passions for your favourite “football” club be transferred to the world of motorsport.