Melbourne F1 Grand Prix

Maybe not a real Ferrari!

Tuesday, 13^th March

So here we were back in Melbourne. By the time we had cleared quarantine and collected our gas bottle it was 8am - peak hour. We taped our directions to the caravan park to our wind shields and off we went. Melbourne drivers although a little impatient are polite and they will let you in when you indicate. It was a very pleasant and entertaining ride even though it did take an hour to cover only 10km. We were staying in Melbourne for the week of festivities surrounding the F1 GP. The caravan park was large and clean with an excellent camp kitchen not far from our camp site. We paid our dues and settled in for the hustle and bustle that is city entertainment.

 

Chinatown Melbourne

Wednesday, 14^th March

It is more difficult than you think to organise a bike service at short notice. Most places spoke of a three week waiting period. Luckily we had posted a message on the Ulysses website forum asking for recommendations. We had one reply - "go to Charlie, he will fix you up without taking an arm and a leg in the process." Charlie is Chinese and works nearly exclusively on Triumphs. Bikers come from far and wide for a little of his magic. When Steve phoned, Charlie said he was very busy but would fit us in if we could leave the bikes for a few days. So that's what we did, we took the bikes to Charlie. When he saw my bike he played with the throttle and said "this no good, your hand goes numb right?" "yes" I said to which he replied "I fix for you no charge!" Then he pulled at the clutch, "no good," then the back brake. "This bike never set up for you, I will fix, when you come back, like new bike." So we left our bikes and Charlie to his own devices. Too scared to say "no" and secretly afraid that we might not like the outcome!

The rest of the day we spent in Melbourne, enjoying a banquet lunch in China Town and taking in the city sites. Melbourne certainly has a lot of character, we loved it.

 

Arriving at Albert Park

Thursday, 15^th March

Our first day at the F1 track. The F1 circus lasts four days. It starts on Thursday and ends on Sunday. Unfortunately it took nearly two hours to get to the track. Partly because we were travelling in peak hour, and partly because the journey comprised of a good walk and then two tram rides. We just settled in for the duration - what else can you do? Once we excepted that it was out of our control it was quite relaxing and interesting to watch inner Melbourne go gently by.

When its only day one of a four day event it's important to pace yourself. It's all about being there and not exhausting yourself in the process. Thursday is a day of support races, the F1 cars do not take to the track. Fortunately our seat was in the shade until noon. After that it was impossible to sit there when the sun came out from behind the clouds, it must have been 45oC in the stand. Despite the heat, we wandered around "side show alley" and the pits of the supporting classes. The atmosphere was fantastic.

Friday, 16^th March

We just made it to the track in time for the first F1 practice! Today we were in the Fangio stand, nicely situated opposite the pit area where there is always something going on. Luckily Melbourne cooled down and presented us with nearly 100% cloud cover. The temperature in the stand was quite comfortable. We spent a very pleasant day in and around our allocated seat. We always take a packed lunch - no "track tucker" for us. We went back to basecamp early enough to enjoy a home cooked meal. Eating out is great but not all the time.

 

Ferrari fanatics

Saturday, 17th March

Saturday is qualifying day. With the absence of the 9 to 5'ers it was a much quicker journey to the track.

Qualifying is a very exciting process of elimination. The F1 cars take to the track in three sessions of fifteen minutes each. After session one only the fastest 15 drivers continue. After session two only the fastest 10 go to session three. This is how the grid positions are decided. The process is probably more exciting than the race itself.

Before qualifying started, in the hope of improving the odds, we both placed a quinella bet for the race result. Steve went for Massa and Fisichella and I went for Alonso and Button. I can tell you now, we both bombed big time!

For dinner we treated ourselves to another banquet in China Town - this is the life!

 

Track side, after the GP

Sunday, 18^th March

Race day. Quite frankly I find the race itself a bit of an anti-climax. When the F1 cars take up their places on the grid the event seems all but over. The race itself seems to pay merely lip service to the three days before. Don't get me wrong, it's still good to be there for the race, but it isn't the reason for going. Fortunately it was another mild day and we sat happily in the Brabham Stand, on the first corner, hoping for our share of the action.

When the race was over we stayed awhile, watching the press conference on the big screen. The punters in the corporate stand behind us seemed oblivious to what was going on - most of them are not real fans. Then we went down onto the track to be with the real fans, all 76,000 of them it seemed! We clicked a few more photos through the fence at the scrutineering yard and then headed home. For dinner an old Italian guy made us a pizza with his bare hands - ever likely it tasted so good. We had done a Melbourne F1 GP. Would we do it again - you bet ya!

 

Those were the day

Monday, 19^th March

Our last day in Melbourne and time to get our bikes back. We spent the morning in town. Still caught up in the hype, Steve bought a Mark Webber cap. It was on sale for $35! I got a Williams denim jacket for only $20 - now that was a bargain. For lunch we had to have one last Souvlaki (kebab). Such delicious flavours and made with real meat - they don't make them like that in the west.

Charlie had our bikes ready and waiting for us. He concluded "when you riding across Nullarbor you will be saying, thank you Charlie, bike like new and no more wanker grip!" He was right, we will never forget Charlie.

Post race party