620 replies to this topic

[Simon Arron]

I accept that this won't appeal to anybody who considers the Cooper T43 a touch too contemporary - David McKinney, you have been warned.

I spotted the following while idling around southern Australia earlier today, as you do...


Felipe was desperate to stick 100 euros on the Toyota drivers, at 33/1, but Italian cameramen were already forming a disorderly queue at the bookies.


Timo was in a good mood, despite forgetting to pack his hairbrush.


"Wardrobe armchair refrigerator schnapps lampshade armadillo banana catapult" - man in red hat says something unintelligible.




You wait ages for one Sébastien, then 337 turn up at once: Messrs Bourdais and Buemi.


Jenson Button assesses McLaren's race prospects in Australia...


...and then contemplates his own.

[john winfield]

Good stuff Simon - nice shots.
I can't be the only one on here looking forward to the race - hope the row over the diffusers doesn't invalidate the weekend's results. Have the cars been out yet? Do the Brawns look nippy? Do Renault have their bon Kers?

[Ian Smith - Diz]

Simon
Please keep me informed as to the happenings in the Formula Ford Support races. I'm assuming there will be some proper racing going on over there.

[MCS]

Originally posted by Simon Arron

"Wardrobe armchair refrigerator schnapps lampshade armadillo banana catapult" - man in red hat says something unintelligible.

Now you're talking my language - that's more like it!

Who are on earth are all those other people?

(A couple of them look distinctly unwell...)

[Stephen W]

Originally posted by Simon Arron

There are more spots on Bourdais than on a leopard! Has he never heard of Clearasil?

:

[RTH]

Simon,
See if you can get a shot of the big pile of front wings that will collect at the first corner !;)

[sterling49]

I see that Lewis is conspicuos by his absence................as Mrs Sterling reliably informs me, he was doing photo calls at Bluewater today, I wonder if he will make practice in time?

Great photos Simon, I bet works a drag eh?

[Andrew Kitson]

Originally posted by sterling49
I see that Lewis is conspicuos by his absence................as Mrs Sterling reliably informs me, he was doing photo calls at Bluewater today, I wonder if he will make practice in time?

Those airliners are getting faster Sterl, he was playing cricket in Melbourne today too along with Heikki...do Finns play cricket?

Anyway...when we get up in the morning the news will all be about Virgin sponsoring Brawn. Branson is said to be on a plane right now to be there to announce it. So they say.

[sterling49]

Really? Not just more publicity for Mr B?

I do not know about the Finns, but Pedro never mastered the game

[Hieronymus]

Looking at the pics of Button, it reminds of what we need in F1...drivers with real beard! Big sideburns are fashionable again, it seems, so I wonder who'll be the first of the current image boys that will give us a Emerson-look. Trulli? Or is he not racing anymore??

[2Bob]

Please keep me informed as to the happenings in the Formula Ford Support races. I'm assuming there will be some proper racing going on over there.

Ian, you can see the times for FF (and other support races) here:

http://www.natsoft.c...29/03/2009.APGP

[Phil Rainford]

Mr Arron just in case you are missing the UK......it is due to snow on Saturday in NW England



PAR

[Simon Arron]

Originally posted by Ian Smith - Diz
Simon
Please keep me informed as to the happenings in the Formula Ford Support races. I'm assuming there will be some proper racing going on over there.

The first qualifying session was red-flagged about 15 times (I think) due to people hitting things. I wandered off to do a spot of wildlife photography while everything was being cleared up (common myna pictured, below)...


...and was consequently in the wrong place when the Formula 5000 cars (all 31 of them) came out to qualify. I'll try to capture some pix during the first race on Saturday morning.

In case you haven't tried the aforementioned FF link, Nick Percat (Mygale) is on pole for race one, from Chaz Mostert (Spectrum). Can't see any distant relations of Nick Hammerton, Austin Kinsella or the Ecclestons, though.

[Lee Nicolle]

Looking at qualifying results. Kenny Smith is not on pole! Eric Bana is 24th in the GT race [maybe he needs his GT]and Marcus Marshall has qualified 15th instead of his usual back row in Supercars!

[David McKinney]

Originally posted by 2Bob

Ian, you can see the times for FF (and other support races) here:
http://www.natsoft.c...29/03/2009.APGP

Thanks 2B- the F5000 race is shaping up well

[ghinzani]

Is the Australian F3 there? The boy Foster from my village is doing well in that.

[Simon Arron]

No Australian F3 this year: support programme covers F5000, Formula Ford, Aussie Racing Cars (the local counterpart to the UK's Legends series), V8 Supercars, MINI Challenge and Australian GTs.

[Ian Smith - Diz]

Originally posted by 2Bob


Ian, you can see the times for FF (and other support races) here:

http://www.natsoft.c...29/03/2009.APGP

Brilliant. Thanks 2Bob

[Simon Arron]

Melbourne, Friday morning...


Unfettered by sponsorship... for now, at least.


Mark Webber - eyebrows even higher than a Brawn's rear diffuser.


"At least we didn't have to worry about tiresome politics back in the day. Actually, on second thoughts..."

[Andrew Kitson]

Originally posted by David McKinney

Thanks 2B- the F5000 race is shaping up well

Yep, situation normal, I notice Judy Lyons was 1min 6secs per lap slower than her son Mick (P1) in practice. At least she stays out of the way.

[Tim Murray]

I know that Judy Lyons does try very hard to keep out of the way, but I do feel that she is an unnecessary safety hazard. I also wonder what pleasure she gets driving round so slowly.

Originally posted by Simon Arron
Melbourne, Friday morning...


"At least we didn't have to worry about tiresome politics back in the day. Actually, on second thoughts..."

Is that really Jacques Laffite?

[ghinzani]

Originally posted by Tim Murray


Is that really Jacques Laffite? [/B]

I thought it was Emmo? But now you say...

[Tim Murray]

My first thought was Emmo, but Simon has titled his photo jlnp1 ...

[AAA-Eagle]

Originally posted by Tim Murray
Is that really Jacques Laffite?

Yes, that's him...
Simon, your photographs with these smooth blurred backgrounds are just brilliant! What camera have you been using?

[Giraffe]

Originally posted by Tim Murray
I know that Judy Lyons does try very hard to keep out of the way, but I do feel that she is an unnecessary safety hazard. I also wonder what pleasure she gets driving round so slowly.

Is that really Jacques Laffite?

By giraffe138

I took this pic of the cockpit of Judy's Eagle last season; now if she spent less time cuddling her teddybear as she went round, she might just find a bit oe extra speed......!

[Giraffe]

Originally posted by Giraffe



By giraffe138

I took this pic of the cockpit of Judy's Eagle last season; now if she spent less time cuddling her teddybear as she went round, she might just find a bit oe extra speed......!

By giraffe138

But frankly, I can't blame Judy; I'd be quite happy to take my teddybear out for an afternoon cruise in this........


By giraffe138

[Stephen W]

Originally posted by Hieronymus
I wonder who'll be the first of the current image boys that will give us a Emerson-look. Trulli? Or is he not racing anymore??

FYI Trulli hasn't been racing for several seasons, mind you he is pretty nifty in practice!

[Mallory Dan]

Originally posted by Andrew Kitson

Yep, situation normal, I notice Judy Lyons was 1min 6secs per lap slower than her son Mick (P1) in practice. At least she stays out of the way.

Whats "P1", Andrew, one of those awful Ford pickups perchance??

[Simon Arron]

Originally posted by AAA-Eagle
Simon, what camera have you been using?

Pentax K200D with Tamron 18-250 lens.

Yes, that is Jacques Laffite.

No, Dan, the P1 is not a Ford pick-up - that was the P100.

From this afternoon's session, meanwhile...


BMW is running a split strategy. Nick Heidfeld (pictured) is using KERS, Robert Kubica isn't.


Adrian Sutil, meanwhile, is using only KERBS. Nothing new there.


Timo Glock - made a hash of Albert Park one year ago but looks a decent each-way bet this time.


A few minutes after this was taken, Sebastian Vettel made a concerted effort to match team-mate Mark Webber. He failed.. and spun in the process.


Rubens Barrichello underlines that Brawn and brain are not mutually exclusive.

[SEdward]

That is indeed Jacques Lafitte. He is the "expert consultant" for French TV channel TF1. Having said that, even today, he has not lost his high-life, bad boy side, which is probably why I like listening to him.

Edward

[Mallory Dan]

Blimey aren't they pig-ugly! First time I've seen a pic of an '09 Eff 1 car, I shan't be getting up early to watch...

[Phil Rainford]

Originally posted by Simon Arron
I accept that this won't appeal to anybody who considers the Cooper T43 a touch too contemporary - David McKinney, you have been warned.

I spotted the following while idling around southern Australia earlier today, as you do...



...and then contemplates his own.

If Virgin do enter into a sponsorship arrangement with Brawn GP this corporate gear could become a collector's item......

PAR

[Kingsleyrob]

Great to have your pics Simon thanks. Good to have a TNFer over there with his finger on the button so to speak.

Those of us wishing to watch live over here are of course saddled with losing an hour of an already meagre sleep ration on Sunday morning. Got to be there though, just to hear "The Chain" again. You are so unlucky that you won't be able to witness the BBC coverage first hand. Rest assured, I am sure we will fill you in on your next visit to the Northern Metrosphere.;)

Rob

[Paul Hurdsfield]

Yep fantastic to have 'our' own on the spot reporter, many thanks Simon keep it up...err you know what I mean.

I'm sure I'm not the first and I wont be the last, but I cant wait to see Jensen in a Virgin, it's gonna be a caption writers free for all

[Ian Smith - Diz]

Originally posted by Paul Hurdsfield
but I cant wait to see Jensen in a Virgin, it's gonna be a caption writers free for all

You mean stuff like "Virgin sticks it on pole"

BTW I'm old enough to remember Cliff Richard before he was a virgin.
I know it is OT, but it needed saying.

[John Brundage]

Simon Arron-- I would really love to see pics of the F5000 support races!!!!

[Simon Arron]

Sitôt dit, sitôt fait...


Tony Floreani (Elfin MR5) leads Steve Ross (Lola T142) and the partly visible Aaron Burson (Talon MR1A). I was planning to post more of these on the Oulton Park Gold Cup 2009 thread, as a taster...

[John Brundage]

THANKS !!!!

[Simon Arron]

Some more morsels to tempt Mallory Dan (or perhaps not)...


Nico Rosberg - fastest in the first three sessions, but fifth on the grid.


Fernando Alonso - livery rather brighter than the R29's prospects.


Felipa Massa - second quickest in Class B, for cars with single-deck diffusers.


Jenson Button - maiden pole for Virgin-backed rookie team.

[Slurp1955]

Great shots Simon - the Beeb coverage was a good effort this morning. Not a hard job to improve on the ITV turgefest I know. I must admit to slight schadenfreude too, watching McLaren getting it stuffed up 'em!

JohnP

[Andrew Kitson]

Originally posted by Mallory Dan
Blimey aren't they pig-ugly! First time I've seen a pic of an '09 Eff 1 car, I shan't be getting up early to watch...

How's life in that cave you're living in Dan?

[Simon Arron]

Originally posted by John Brundage
THANKS !!!!

John

I have now posted a few more F5000 shots here... http://forums.autosp...threadid=106936

[Phil Rainford]

Originally posted by Mallory Dan
Blimey aren't they pig-ugly! First time I've seen a pic of an '09 Eff 1 car, I shan't be getting up early to watch...

Dan I would give it a go .......

Anyway the BBC coverage starts at 6.00am and you will just be getting back in after your normal Saturday night out ;)


PAR

[RTH]

Originally posted by Simon Arron

Looks like it's got an Armco front bumper.

All those wings F&R look just awful why don't they just ban wings altogether.

[Andrew Kitson]

Originally posted by RTH


Looks like it's got an Armco front bumper.

All those wings F&R look just awful why don't they just ban wings altogether.

They do look odd...but as always, we will get used to them. Take a look at a 1990s F1 car, pre '98..they look weird now, so wide! We also had to put up with ugly ungainly wings high up on stalks in 1968, but here at TNF we think they're wonderful.
We tend to forget...as pointed out by Max Mosley..anyone under 40 does not remember a Grand Prix car without wings and I'd bet the majority of the viewers, (TV or at the track) fall into this age band.

[Paul Hurdsfield]

Originally posted by Ian Smith - Diz

You mean stuff like "Virgin sticks it on pole"

BTW I'm old enough to remember Cliff Richard before he was a virgin.
I know it is OT, but it needed saying.

Oooh Una Stubbs ;)

[fines]

Originally posted by Mallory Dan
Blimey aren't they pig-ugly! First time I've seen a pic of an '09 Eff 1 car, I shan't be getting up early to watch...

Same here! At least they still look different to each other, but that'll change soon...

[Chris Bloom]

Some excellent pics Simon.

I must say I was impressed with Barichellos performance this morning. Great to see a guy only a year younger than myself having a career rejuvination.

[Phil Rainford]

Originally posted by Simon Arron
Sitôt dit, sitôt fait...


Tony Floreani (Elfin MR5) leads Steve Ross (Lola T142) and the partly visible Aaron Burson (Talon MR1A). I was planning to post more of these on the Oulton Park Gold Cup 2009 thread, as a taster...

Looking at the results it seems the front row failed to make it round the first lap.......hope that is not an omen for the Grand Prix

PAR

[Phil Rainford]

Originally posted by Kingsleyrob
Great to have your pics Simon thanks. Good to have a TNFer over there with his finger on the button so to speak.

Those of us wishing to watch live over here are of course saddled with losing an hour of an already meagre sleep ration on Sunday morning. Got to be there though, just to hear "The Chain" again. You are so unlucky that you won't be able to witness the BBC coverage first hand. Rest assured, I am sure we will fill you in on your next visit to the Northern Metrosphere.;)

Rob

Indeed. Also good to see the Diary is back......

http://www.telegraph...diary-2009.html

....any excuse not to do your History homework ;)

PAR