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Tag Archive | "Australian Grand Prix"
WHY I WONT BE AT THIS YEARS AUSTRALIAN GRAND PRIX
Every year since 1996 when the Australian Grand Prix first came to Melbourne, I’ve always looked forward to it as the highlight of the year. The opportunity to watch my favorite sport live in person without exuberant travel expenses is always a good opportunity. To live that “chasing the dream” lifestyle if only for one week of the year. However, 2009 will set another precedent for me as I chose to shun the Australian Grand Prix at Albert Park and Formula 1 as a whole. To my friends that I have made over the years at Albert Park especially wonderful fellow fans and former members of the Super Aguri F1 team who have found employment elsewhere and are traveling to Melbourne, I apologize for not being able to see you at the AGP this year. For those of you who know me well, your first reaction to my statement above would be: “Is it only because Takuma Sato lost his ride?” That is partially correct. Amongst other arguments, for a sport to encourage and changing rules to suit overtaking then deny a competitor who doesn’t need rule changes to be able to overtake on track is well beyond me. However, that is not the entire story. I estimated I’ve spent over AUD$10,000 over the last 13 AGPs I’ve attended, and that is not including the souvenirs that I have purchased. However, I’ve found other than making friends at autograph alley and being given some very special privileges by Takuma Sato and his management as well as my friends at SAF1; my memories of the AGP are almost always of working like a slave for meager student wages to save up to fund my one big splurge each year at the AGP. However, for where the money has gone, I’ve learnt the hard way that trackside F1 fans are still very much being given a raw deal by F1, the FIA, race organizers and certain local businesses.
Continue reading...BRABHAM SNUBBED BY HOME GRAND PRIX
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Next weekend at Sebring in the USA the achivements of Australia's own three times World Champion Sir Jack Brabham will be honoured on the 50th anniversary of his first title win. No such fuss in his home country as Australia's most celebrated racer hasn't even been invited to this year's Australian Grand Prix. According to Ian Tate of the Victorian Historic Racing Register, of which Sir Jack is Patron, as of Monday night Sir Jack had not received any invitation to the event. Brabham is Australia's most famous and successful international racing driver with three World Titles including two in cars of his own manufacture. His legendary status though is celebrated more outside of his home nation than it is in it. At Sebring, Sir Jack's son David, a champion international driver in his own right will drive his Father's winning Cooper Climax to celebrate the 50 year anniversary of his first World Title. One would hope that Sir Jacks snub is an unfortunate oversight on the part of Grand Prix organisers and one which we have no doubt will be fixed very soon.
Continue reading...FORMULA 5000 RETURNS TO THE AGP
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Formula 5000, the category that ran for the Australian Grand Prix from the late 60's throughout the 70's will return to the event with the announcement that Albert Park will host the final round of the MSC New Zealand F5000 Tasman Cup Revival Series. There will be two races for the F5000 Tasman Cup Revival cars with both carrying points for the 2008/09 series which is currently led by veteran New Zealand driver Ken Smith (Lola T430). The long anticipated announcement of the races is reward for many years of hard work by the New Zealand F5000 Association and spokesman David Abbott says that the events confirmation is - quite literally - a dream come true. “Formula 5000 was the premier category across the Tasman for many years and we have several cars running in our series which contested the Australian Grand Prix” said Mr Abbott. “So one of our goals - our ultimate one if you like - was to take them back." Places on the support roster at any Grand Prix are eagerly sought after and Abbott says that the New Zealand Association owes a debt of gratitude to Australian member Bob Harborow for the time and effort he and fellow members of the Victorian Historic Racing Register (VHRR) put into the proposal and process.
Continue reading...WEBBER HOSPITALISED AFTER TASMANIAN BIKE CRASH
Saturday, November 22, 2008
Australian Formula One star Mark Webber has been rushed to a Tasmanian Hospital in a stable condition after being involved in an accident during his annual charity event. Webber was on the bike leg of the annual Mark Webber Challenge when he hit a car on Fortescue Bay Road on the Tasman Peninsula. The Tasmanian Ambulance Service initially said that Webber had multiple fractures of his arms and legs, but a more recent report says that the injuries are to one leg only. He was immediately airlifted to a hospital in the Tasmanian capital city of Hobart. Webber Challenge media manager Nancy Cook says Webber is disappointed his race has been ended by an accident. "Mark's been involved in a minor accident, he's fine," she said. "He's being treated, he's really disappointed that he's not going to be able to continue but he's well and being looked after." The incident could see Webber out of action for at least six weeks, not good considering the major changes to Formula One regulations in 2009.
Continue reading...TAKU FANS FROM MELBOURNE TO MONTREAL
Friday, October 3, 2008
We are not alone. I came in contact with Yusze Tong at Melbourne 2003 and he was a Michael/Ferrari fan and I of course was caked in Jordan yellow, but we both have one thing in common: Takuma Sato fans based in Melbourne, Australia. We decided to make a banner for Taku for Melbourne 2004 and our efforts were seen of course on TS’ official website and a tradition was started where we would make a banner for Taku every year for the AGP. Yusze and I both also ended up posting a message on TS’ official forum whether if any fans are travelling to Melbourne for the race. We had a group of about 10 from Japan join us at Melbourne as well as everybody else we met at the track over the course of the week… a rather formidable little army! There are many that were surprised that Taku had non-Japanese fans and even more so when they discover we’re Melbourne locals. This started another tradition also where we would try to make as many friends as possible and be united as Takuma Sato fans without bounds or barriers such as language and communication difficulties.
Continue reading...MARK WEBBER CAP TO HELP MOTORSPORT VOLUNTEERS
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Once again In Pit Lane in association with our sponsors Picture Framing of Bay Road Sandringham are happy to present this piece of F1 memorabilia to help raise funds for Australia's hard working motorsport volunteers. This time it's the turn of the Victorian Fire & Rescue Squad and our piece is this beautifully presented signed Red Bull Racing Cap by none other than Australia's own F1 driver Mark Webber. Once again you will be responsible for postage and packaging but this cap in it's presentation case would once again make a fabulous talking point on your Office desk, in the foyer behind the bar or yes that dreaded pool room. So get bidding NOW and get hold of this great Mark Webber autographed cap and help out the team the Fireys as well. CHECK OUT THE AUCTION HERE
Continue reading...Sponsored Links
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