38 replies to this topic

[Daemon]

Hey people,

Just wondering how many of you are going down to Albert Park next week? What are your plans for the race and what r u doing in Melbourne.

Sorry about the privacy intrusion here, but i've never been to Melbourne before, let alone a GP, so i was hoping for any advice or things to look out for.


Daemon

[Sal]

I'll be there!! This year I've opted for a general admission ticket. (The last three years I've had a grandstand seat). I'll be at the track part of friday and all day sat and sunday.

You'll love Melbourne - I find the people so friendly and helpful and the city has a great atmosphere at Grand Prix time. Where are you staying? It's really easy to get around - the tram system is great.

If you're looking for GP merchandise heaps of places have it but for a good range the f1 shop in Elizabeth St is tops. There's also lots at the track.

I'm staying fairly close to the Casino so will probably spend a bit of time there and also check out the motorshow. Haven't done too much other planning yet - just play it by ear when I get there.

Have a great time!

[dije]

Unfortunately I won't get there this year as planed. I've been there in 98 and it was just awesome.

There are many events between the F1 stuff, like stunt shows, air shows and other races too. In the evening (I think on saturday and sunday) there is a party behind the Fangio Grandstand which is great and sometimes even some driver get there. In 98 it was Damon Hill who played with his guitar on the stage.

If you like betting you should go to the casino next to the race track and check for the odds - but I guess you will loose if not going for Ferrari ;-))

I guess you will have a lot of fun there, lucky guy ;-))

Cheers,
DiJe

[Ray Bell]

Sorry, not me, but Barry Lake probably will. If someone pays his way....

[Witt]

I'll be there! All four days! I can't f**cking wait, can ya tell?

I've got some assesed tests on the Friday (which end at about 10), so it'll be a mad dash to Albert Park to make it for first practice at 11. From where my school is, it usually takes about 1 hour to get there, so i'm cuttin it real fine. I don't know how i'm going to concentrate in this test when i know i'm less than 2 hours away from hearing that beautiful sound of an F1 car!
I guess it's only worth 5% of my overall mark, and it could ultimately decide my future for me, but, you can't let that crap stand in the way of what's important.

I'll be in the Prost Stand wearing my Finland Hat and Mclaren t-shirt. See y'all there!

[Agi]

I'll be there.

I've got seats in the Jones stand. My friend wants to spend all 4 days (all day long???) at the track but I'm hoping that won't be the case! I've never been to a GP either, so I don't know if we'll be sitting a lot, walking a lot or whatever....probably half and half. Have to wait and see.

Apart from the GP, I plan to shop, eat, walk, visit friends and sight-see!!!


[This message has been edited by Agi (edited 02-28-2000).]

[doohanOK]

Couple of other notes:
Thursday about 10am, there should be an F1 driver at the Motorsport show. Check if Jaguar, Ford, Ferrari, Honda, or Peugeot, etc, are doing any sort of autograph signing. In 1998, i got Rubinho's and Magnussen's autographs.

On Thursday at the track the drivers have their portraits at about 1pm or 2pm I believe.

As for the Damon Hill playing, that was in reference to Hey Hey Its Saturday (a tv show that just finished after a 29-year run), and he played "Pretty Woman"; There are a few hospitality places behind the Fangio.

I'm sitting in Section R of the Fangio, and can't wait for the sound of those V10 selecting 1,2,3,4th gears out of the pitlane!

regards,
doohanOK.

[Nomad]

I'll be there!!!
Getting on a big ship to Melbourne on the 4th.
I think my grandstand ticket is the most valuable thing I own.

[Mobile_Chicane]

I will be in the schumacher stand.haha

[Nomad]

Schumacher stand for me. I think they named it after Ralf, to encourage him to reach that far round the track. I am on the most left so I'm not sure how good the view is going to be.

[Daemon]

Excellent. Senna stand for myself...only 12 more day to go, 12 more days to go...oops getting carried away. Anyone noticed how the last few weeks have seemed to take a whole season...

[Mat]

This year will be my 3rd Melbourne GP. I've got a 4-day ticket in the Brabham stand (first corner). I usually walk around on Thursday and Friday and spend nearly all of Sunday in my seat. On Saturday i do a bit of everything. I would stay away from the F1 shop on Elizabeth St, Prices are way too steep if you ask me. I usually get most of my merchandise either at the track or just outside the track (on Clarendon St. i think it is?) For Motor Racing books check out the Technical Book Shop on Swanston St. Great selction of stuff there!! Uh, i think thats it. We should meet up at the Elephant and Wheelbarrow or some other pub locally during the weekend.

I feel sorry for you Witt! I've got two exams, one in about 30mins (should be studying, i know!) and another on Monday so i'm not too badly effected. And i'll be taking Thursday and Friday off at Uni. No way am i gonna miss the best week of the year!

mat

[Witt]

yeah mat guess what? I just found out i've got another assesed task on the thursday morning. Argghhhh! How the hell am i gonna concentrate?!! Brabham stand is where i want to sit next year, be sure to let us know what you thought of it.

Nomad, i'm on the far right of the Prost stand. i sat there last year and the view was alright. You could see the cars in 15 and 16 and half way down the straight. As for the Schumacher stand, you might be able to see more of 15, but you won't see much of the straight. The corners are the best by far! And you'll at least get to see the cars accelerate out of 16 onto the straight. Spec****intacular!!

For all the first timers, i'll back up Mat in saying that it is highly recommended you go on the thursday and friday to just take a look around. The crowds are low those days and on Sat & Sun there will be far too many people there to be arsed walking around. It is a huge place, and you need as much time as possible. You may only get about 3 hours sleep every nite after you go out, but remember it's Labour Day on Monday, and you can sleep it all off!

PS Is anyone else doing the front-straight walk on Sat morning?

[Witt]

I just saw the SAP's on the news. Does anyone know which part of the park they camp out at? I'm gonna go tell them what i think of their stupid campaign.

They think they are doing Melbournians a favour. The Selfish bastards don't even realise it's a public park, and that most of the Melbournian public want the GP in their park.

Save the Grand Prix! Relocate the Protestors!

[baddog]

Me and my girlfriend debs are in the scumacher stand, first GP for either of us *huge grin*. We leave auckland for melbourne tomorrow.

Shaun

[doohanOK]

I'm going to morning walk on Saturday. Infact, I'm that bloody jumping out my chair right now that I've decided to be at the track at 7am each of the four days. You've gotta enjoy it while you can, the circus is only here for a few days....

Apparently, F1 Racing mag is contributing to the festivities at the Elephant & Wheelbarrow; it is an English pub after all!

Another thing to note, to walk from turn 1/2 to turn 3 can take a long time, maybe 15 mins. Even getting from the Fangio to the turn 15/16 complex takes the same amount of time.

F1 merchandise is always expensive, especially at the F1 Shop in Elizabeth St, in the City.

regards,
doohanOK.

[Alfisti]

I can't go dammit

My friends are forced to work and i have someone paying me a visit that weekend ;) ...... plus i need to save the pennies 'cause the Alfa is starting to soak some funds.

I've been twice and it is a blast. If your looking for female company then the "F1 Racing" mag party is the way to go... it's like a smorgasboard.....

I like Lygon Street as well as the Swanston st drag. Go to St Kilda and buy a Pizza from "Topolino's"... amazing.

Also, prepare yourself for a sound that will remain one of the great experiences of your life.

[Daemon]

Mat, good idea. How does that sound people, shall we all meet for a drink at some time over the weekend....

[Ricardo F1]

Female company? Head off to the Mens Gallery . . .

[Ray Bell]

Nomad - you didn't report back on your look at Longford. We're all keen to know what you found in the Nostalgia Forum...

[crashtest]

i'm so jealous....

won't be there this year coz i'm not in the country... but was there last year and in 98 and it was the best 4 days of my life so far. for once i didn't complain about waking up at 6.30am to get to the gates before they opened, walking long distances, sitting in the hot hot sun.. among other things.

general admission is great though. find a spot you like and get there early on saturday and sunday, especially sunday coz its a madhouse. i chose the hill at turn 9/10 i think. trust me, go really early. we stood during the whole race. and that was although we got there at 7.30am!

but enjoy yourselves... all of you... i'll be missing melbourne come march 12th..

go jv!!

[BAR up]

Yeah, I'll be there. Like every year I am sitting in the Fangio stand. Section K. Went skating around the track yesterday, I am right in front of Hakkinen's pit, 2 thirds of the way up with 6 of my best mates. Lovin' that. Great views of the pit action, and the girlie action on race day. 3 superscreens to choose from. I noticed Irvs helmet design on his pit is the old one, but maybe that will change by Thursday. Will be there all day every day, as always. Then off to Two Tribes dance party that night with 14,000 party people.
Hope you all have as much fun as i will...only 8 more sleeps!!

[Hoffy]

Sniff. This little Adelaidian is very sad. Havn't been to a gp since 95 and I really miss it. Damn you morgage, damn you. If I put 20cents away every week, how long will it take me to save to go?

[Nomad]

So are we meeting up at a pub??? Please make it simple as I don't know my way around Melbourne too well. And no 'dodgy' mens' bars cos I won't go ;(

Ray : goingto Longford tomorrow, took time to organise due to public transport being shocking.

[gerry nassar]

Ill be in general admission on Sunday and possibly in the Clark stand on Friday if my cousin gives me his tickets. If i get an extra ticket, im willing to give it away if my friends cant make it Friday.

[Admiral]

I'll be there. My first GP! Can't wait! I'm going with 3 other friends and we are going to be in the Fangio stand. I think for Thursday - Saturday we'll take a walk round the track and observe practice from some good corners, and take a few pictures. Do you have to get to the track really early for Friday practice to get a good spot?
Can't f***ing wait!!!!
Where are the good places to hang out for Thursday - Sunday night?

[Mat]

So did we decide on a place to meet up??

How about Elephant and Wheelbarrow on friday night?

any other suggestions?

Hey, does anyone know if pacman is still around?!?! You coming this pac!

Mat

[Nomad]

Elephant and Wheelbarrow sounds good. Just one tiny problem. How do we recognise each other?
(I am Not going round with huge sign on my back saying Nomad ;) )

[Mat]

ok, I'm willing to make a fool of myself. I'll be at Elephant and Wheelbarrow on Friday night from about 9:30pm. I'll have 'Atlas F1' stickers on my shoulders. And anywhere else i can put them. Oh, and a drink in one hand ofcourse!!

If anyone wants to change the place, time, date, whatever, post on here.


See ya's all there!!!

Go Jacques!
Mat

P.S. now im off to bed. I gotta be up in about 5 hours for Thursday's action!!

[Daemon]

Mat - I'll see you there. 9:30. Hope some others make a showing. I'll be wearing a Jordan Gp hat. Not much to go by but it's all I got.

Anyone else??

[Sal]

Yeah I'll try to make it! I'll wear my dark green Irvine cap.

[pacman]

Damn.Damn.Damn...
I can't make it this year,, i'm broke...
What with the house , the wife and the kid.... Damn...
I was hoping Atlas would pay for me, seeing as all the hard work i put in but noone offered...
Ohh well, next year maybe i should just ask...
Hey Bira its not too late, How about flying me out to Monaco????.hehe.
Pacman.

[Nomad]

Nomad's in with a Canadian 1999 GP T-shirt, On the back it has a picture of a steering wheel with French writing!
See you there

[pacman]

Ok i've pulled out all the stops, overclocked the gredit card to the max. I have to work saturday night so i will be travelling up at 5am sunday morning..
I'm going general admission, Brocky's hill,(again) turn 11.
I will take my blue Banner saying (PACMAN Atlas F1) so look out for me....
I will go to the Elephant and Wheelbarrow after the race but can't stay long as i have to drive back sunday night.....
Hope to see some of you there for a swift British pint........

Pacman....

[BAR up]

Bad timing for me, I'll be at the Ferrari Maranello ball at that time, drinkin' wine and hob-nobbing with the rich and famous. How about a Saturday night drink?

[pacman]

Thanks Bar up, that makes me feel a whole lot better,,, you lucky thing....
Reminds me of christmas, I was working in a local restaurant for some extra cash....
Its quite a posh restaurant and i was serving some wine to a lady at one of the tables, she said to her friend "i wonder what all the poor people are doing"?.
I replied "serving you".
Anyway have fun at the Ferrari ball but don't forget to think about us poor people occasionally.
Pacman.
PS. if you put the Smoked Salmon in your pockets it makes for a tasty snack when you get home.....

[Mat]

Ok guys, i'll see you there. friday about 9:30 at Elephant & Wheelbarrow. I'll be wearing black pants and a gray ****. With Marlboro and Fiat logo's on the front. ferrari on the shoulder, and Atlas f1 on the other shoulder.

Mat

Go Jacques!!

[Daemon]

Ok Mat see u there at 9.30. Don't know exactly what I'll be wearing apart from a Jordan hat, but you can't miss that bright yellow.

BTW MAt, you'll be wearing a grey what???

I think some editing may be in order by yourself

[Nomad]

So it IS happening? Got a new Williams hat, might be wearing it.