Patrick,
It was book launch vs new baby... Thomas was born on midsummers day which is
going to be great for the parties!! Brit GP was first time off the leach so
all the sweeter.
David
Patrick Young wrote:
> David,
>
> Aha, so now you've been in such exalted company as Arrows' GP hospitality, I
> can understand why you didn't make it to my book launch!
>
> Saw the Red Arrows the other weekend from a friend's back garden which runs
> to the perimeter fence at Biggin Hill - fantastic! Although the Harrier at
> Brands in 1978 was better in my opinion!
>
> Regards,
>
> Patrick
>
> -----Original Message-----
> >Ian,
> >
> >I didn't get to Malvern but I did go to Silverstone on Sunday for the
> >GP. I got home at 9pm to find a message asking if I would like a pair
> >of tickets. After a short chat about the Pope, Catholicism, bears, and
> >woods I had them biked to me for 1am and chose a lucky partner for the
> >day.
> >
> >Turns out these were tickets with hospitality, and easy parking, and we
> >were there by 9.30. It then turned out the tent was just for guests of
> >Arrows GP who were more than happy to show anybody with an interest
> >round their pit garage. Had a chat with Tom Walkinshaw, Prince Malik,
> >Pedro De La Rossa, and the test driver. It shocked me that two hours
> >before the race the cars were in small bits. Just a routine strip down
> >and check over. Engines off, peer in with an endoscope. Gears out.
> >Suspension apart. Others were surprised by the 20ft wide bank of
> >computers.
> >
> >The highlight of the race was the lap when Hill was leading. I was
> >sitting just by the pit exit and we could hear the wall of sound from
> >the crowd come down the start finish straight and round the corner some
> >seconds ahead of and much above the car. We joined the Mexican Wave
> >before sitting back down and listening to the 180mph wall of cheer chase
> >him round.
> >
> >As for Schumacher's problem with the gravel the current cars have a lot
> >of ground clearance. To ensure the cars don't drop down on their
> >springs under aerodynamic load they have a wooden panel which is
> >measured as 10mm thick before the race and must be at least 9mm thick at
> >the end so they can't afford to bottom out. The front wing isn't very
> >strong so there's nothing for the gravel to catch against for the car to
> >start ploughing. Fine in a spin as the sides of the tyres will catch
> >the gravel but not head on. My two-penneth is that a trap ploughed into
> >furrows would let the car bottom, catch, and plough.
> >
> >The big surprise of the day was how much I enjoued the Red Arrows. To
> >think I nearly stayed at my lunch table rather than watch them.
> >Amazing. I won't even try to describe the experiance. NEVER miss a
> >chance to see them.
> >
> >Racing, in all categories, was as dull as ditch water. The GP was saved
> >by being opposite a monster TV and next to a tannoy and even then half
> >the stand left their seats to sunbathe. Most fun to watch was the
> >saftey car sliding the full width of the track and all over the kerbs.
> >Give me VSCC or HSCC or AMOC any day!!
> >
> >David
> >
> >
> >
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