My first grand prix - Melbourne 2009

[noccer]

Hey everyone,

Well the wait is nearly over. 13 years after I caught the bug, I am finally able to afford to go to a grand prix. I am from Dublin in Ireland, but have moved to Melbourne last year so this is my big chance. Its so strange seeing the park come to life these past few months. I go swimming 3 times a week at T3 so have kept a very close eye on how a park turns into a race track. very exciting!

I have been reading previous posts on Albert Park and I see that T16, T3, & T6 all seem popular places to view. I was thinking of trying out Clarke Chicane, I've a feeling it may be a good spot to overtake this year. anybody experienced the race there on the golf course hill?

Can anyone offer me any advice on where best to view the race on a general admin ticket? I will be attending all 4 days of the action so will probably view from all angles at some stage.

More importantly, I would really like to get a driver autograph (Kubica in particular, my gut says this is his year!), when and where would be best to try catch them? I will be lapping the park all day tomorrow on my bike in hope of seeing a famous face or two. Perhaps a feeble idea but sure least I will be on the track only 2 days before it closes to the public, so it will feel as complete as its gonna get for the public to experience.

Heres to a fantastic year of racing, cheers...

[Burton]

I can't offer you any help, but I'll say: Have fun!
_________________
"One minute you're defending the whole galaxy, and, suddenly, you find yourself sucking down Darjeeling with... Marie Antoinette and her little sister."

[Kismet]

Hi noccer, welcome to Australia Quite a few of our Australian Pitpass forumers attend the Melbourne GP, sadly, I'm not amongst them (still ). I have no doubt you will receive a response from them in short order ...

[swaction]

Hey Matey - I've been a couple times and used to live a stones throw away from the track. My personal fav is turns 9 & 10. There is a big screen there, tons of grass for standing (race) or sitting (every other session).

You get fantastic views up the track and there is always plenty of action under braking for the right \ left onto the back straight.

Also worth a mention is "Brockie's Hill" which is at the other end of the same straght, turns 11 & 12. Lots of GA on both sides of the track and a great off-camber view on the inside as the cars come off the throttle and sweep into the fast chichane.

If you get a chance, walk the track - there are some good shaded GA grandstands between turns 14 & 15 and you get a good view of the pit entry and any drivers unlucky enough to outbrake themselves at the end of the lap.

Most of all - Enjoy yourself!

[chris.blades85]

[Speed Freak]

I went GA last year and found outside of turn 9 the best as it gave a good view into the braking area and accelarting out onto the backstraight. Better take a heap water, Seats, Sunscreen, Hats, Sunny's etc. For race day get your place early and don't move otherwise you won't get your place back. Oh I hope its not 39 degrees this year

Most of all enjoy, Wish I could be there with ya!

[noccer]

Thanks everyone for your advice, think i will enjoy these tips a lot, cheers! I will check out all mentioned places and see where I will choose for the race.

The town is really getting into the swing of the Grand prix today. i was on federation square for 4 hours today. They had a minardi 2-seater, the Toyota TF107, the McLaren MP4-22 and a few others on display. They also had a fully functional BMW F1.08 on display. Every so often they turned it on and revved the engine. What an amazing experience, i was perched at the rear of it for the final blast in my face! It even overheated & caught fire in the end.

I was also lucky enough to see Mark Webber, Eddie Jordan and I got Cristian Kliens' & Timo Glocks' autographs! To top it all I won Gold Pass tickets to The Who concert after the race. Wish the F1 was here every week!

Due to posting rules, I'm not allowed to post up any of my hundreds of photos from the track preparation last Sunday and todays event. But providing its ok with Pitpass, I would be happy to PM a link to my Google Picasa album for anyone interested in seeing whats going on in Melbourne this week.

I hope everyone enjoys the race as much as I will from wherever you watch it. And a thanks to Pitpass for all the knowledge and passion that has grown into me over the years!