Since the introduction of the 5PM AGP start, our crew hasn't bothered to go Sundays. We prefer the air-conditioned comfort of the lounge room in front of the big plasma, with the bar fridg not too far away (just like our Bathurst V8 1000 Sundays).
In the past you had to purchase a 4-day grandstand package, and even whilst we were still doing that, we noticed the reduction & decline in available grandstands over recent years. And 4 days of festivities at Albert Park Lake proved to be absolutely sapping & exhausting despite the enthusiasm.
The novelty was also wearing off with the average punter. A few weeks ago our popular Lord Mayor of Melbourne was even saying let the event go elsewhere. All the negative heads were jumping on the band-wagon.
But the last week or so it's like a giant switch has been thrown. Even the Lord Mayor has thrown his support fully behind the event ... just proves he is a politician I guess!
It must be the Webber factor ... Mark gets to drive a Red Bull Racer along an inner-city tollway over the Bolte Bridge (@100kph!) next Saturday morning!
Grandstand packages now include daily tickets in some cases, plus additional stands and sections are being added as we speak.
Our old Piquet Stand from T14 has been ressurrected & relocated to T3 --- sounds like great spot --- why they have never had a stand there astounds me, even though the web-site portrays it totally incorrectly.
I have a strong chance of scoring a freebie grandstand pass, so I'm hanging off buying any ticket right now. At worst I'll be General Admission Fri & Sat.
Stay tuned ... KN
http://www.grandprix.com.au/
We'll be looking for you Knac! For sure, Mark has to be having a positive spin on the event. He drove his butt off last year, has a couple of VERY scary moments, and ended up with a very respectable showing! How could Australia not support him? And if they don't? Well I know of a couple of Canucks who are holding up the flag for him - with our without the Aussies.
ReplyDeleteI've scored!!!
ReplyDeleteSaturday I'm in the Jones Stand @ T1!!!!!
Over the years I've watched Melbourne GP meetings from a variety of grandstands, corporate boxes, general admission ares, and the roof of an office building. Always with a beer in hand - a bit like like Danni's definition of a Nascar beer-fest I guess!
But this is the creme-de-la-creme! And it's a freebie!!!
Was hanging out for this, otherwise serious contemplation was being given to the last-minute additional grandstand @ T3 (amazed it's taken 15 years for the promoters to consider a stand at such a hot spot for action!!! Eg Martin Brundell - Jordan).
But the T3 option meant a 4-day commitment ... something to be avoided if you ask Mrs KN who has collected human wreckage from our local railway station too often in the past :)
So Friday will be General Admission cruising around finding mates in their traditional viewing spots; support race Thursday will be shunned; and RaceDay will be home sinking stubbies safely with stalwarts.
Mark Webber had his drive over the tollway Bolte Bridge on Saturday --- won a lot of points by staying for hours signing autographs.
But have you caught Jenson Button @ Bathurst with V8 Team Vodaphone superstar Craig Lowndes??? Google "Button Bathurst" for plenty of leads but here's a taste http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NJvGCwTnX6c&
You are the luckiest devil alive! Wear really bright clothing and wave continuously - we'll find you on our tv screen! :)
ReplyDeleteBright clothing is not a problem; waving continuously IS a problem! Might slop my beer over all those around me :)
ReplyDeleteOur Aussie Rules football season kicks off tonight. The 2010 F1 World Champion has expressed a desire to see a match. He will be the guest of my team Carlton! The Bluebaggers should win tonight --- hope it's not an omen for Sunday!
Try onehd.com.au for streaming
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