25 replies to this topic

[gerry nassar]

Fro the first time my girlfriend and I are planning to get seats for the OZ GP. Can anyone tell me what you see from particular stands:

Prost stand?
Senna stand?
Schumacher Stand?
The main straight stand?

What is the best? What should i look out for etc?

Thanks

[Warnie]

We sat in the Prost stand this year. You can see turn 15, 16, the entrance to pit lane and right down the main straight if you are at the right end of the stand.
I can't really compare to the other stands as I haven't sat in the but Prost was pretty good. Great view of the cars from behind as they open up after exiting the corner and the sound of them changing down as they come into turn 15 is awesome.
Check out the Melbourne GP website, they should have a map showing the stands.
http://www.grandprix.../cars/index.asp

[gerry nassar]

Thanks warnie!

Damn the Prost Stand is now sold out!!! aghh!!!

[Witt]

I've sat in Prost, Fangio and Senna over the past 5 or so races. Prost is the best value for money seat on the course, however as you know it's sold out. I too missed out on seat there for next year, so i'm going for the Schumacher stand, which is right next to it. Probably won't see as much, but you still get a good view of the cars at work in the corners.

Fangio stand is very exciting to sit in, if it's your first time in a grandstand. You get to see pit action, plus all the race starts. I sat there twice, but by the second year i was getting bored. I find it's much more entertaining to watch the cars go through the corners.

I highly recommend not to sit in the Senna stand, unless you can get a seat right at the turn 16 end, which unfortunately would be likely sold out by now. I sat in section F or something last year (opposite the pit entry chicane), and i couldn't see much because of all the darn fences and other assorted visual obsticals in your face in the senna stand.

And lastly, if you can afford it, Jones or Brabham stand would be the go. I've never sat there, but i can already tell you they are the best seats in the house. I guess the price tells you that too.

[Berner]

We have sat in Brabham stands for last 2 years: better concessions & toilets, two giant screens, no sun until 1:30 or 2pm, AND - most importantly - great braking/passing zone. As this is our annual holiday trip to warm climes from frigid Canada, we can justify the price of admission. Plus the Oz buck is even worse than ours! Oh yes, don't forget to buy via the GP Advantage and get your free hat and access to their pub tent.

[gerry nassar]

Witt - Thanks. I'll either sit in the Fangio or Schumacher stand. Just a few questions:

Are there any big screens clearly visible at the Schumacher stand?

I presume this is the stand where you see the cars coming into the 2nd last turn (the slow left hander) and accelerating out towards the last turn or the pit lane. am i correct?

Can you still appreciate the cars going by the straight in the Fangio stand or is it too quick/blurry etc. Which part of Fangio Stand would be best?

Thanks

[Witt]

Yep, Schumacher stand is on the inside of turn 15 (second to last corner). It's a fairly heavy breaking zone, so you see lots of tire smoke and cars on the grass. There is a huge big screen that caters for both Prost and Schumacher stands, as they are right next to each other. I'll remind you that I haven't actually sat in the Schumacher stand before, but an educated guess tells me you won't have a problem with the screen. I had a terrible view of the screen in Senna stand last year, another reason i won't ever sit in that stand again (unless someone gives me a free ticket ).

As for the sitting in the fangio stand, you still have plenty of time to appreciate the cars. They are not blurry at all (they hardly look like they are going 300kmh!). If you sit up high, you can (just) see the cars coming out of the last corner, and you can watch them accellerate down the straight. Listening to 22 F1 cars scream past you in a successive line at the end of lap one is a fantastic experience that if you don't do next year, you must do one day.

Hope that helps ya!

[gerry nassar]

Ive sat every year in General Admission and im sure im missing out on most of the spectacle (except 99 when i stood on a bin which gave me a fantastic view - they put plastic over them the next year though so we couldnt stand on them!!;) )

I drove around Albert Park last night and the Schumacher stand should be quite good! It will either be Schumacher or Fangio!! May see you there!

Thanks! Much appreciated!

[AussieF1]

Originally posted by Witt
I haven't actually sat in the Schumacher stand before, but an educated guess tells me you won't have a problem with the screen.

I have sat there for every GP in Melbourne - no probs at all with the screen.

[gerry nassar]

AussieF1 - so you'd recommend the Schumacher stand! So what on track action do you get to see?

[AussieF1]

Originally posted by gerry nassar
AussieF1 - so you'd recommend the Schumacher stand! So what on track action do you get to see?

Depends where in the stand you are...

but , if you can get over toward the right-hand side (ie the side closest to the slow right-hander) you can see three corners - the slow one, plus the one before it (where the celeb drivers crash each year) plus the entry to the start/finish straight.

[gerry nassar]

Thanks.

[flyboy]

I ditto the recommendation on Brabham. Great view, large screen tv , good access to stand, food, etc. And of course Melbourne is the greatest!

[gerry nassar]

Originally posted by flyboy
I ditto the recommendation on Brabham. Great view, large screen tv , good access to stand, food, etc. And of course Melbourne is the greatest!

You making a trip next year to watch the GP here? Good to see that the overseas visitors are enjoying themselves when they come to the Melbourne GP!

[flyboy]

Can't make it this year mate, we hope to go in 2003. I was up for it but my wife wanted some dining room furniture. : IMHO, the people in Melbourne (and Australia in general) are the friendliest I have encountered. and great race fans...

[gerry nassar]

Anyone know if all grandstands are fully booked or not?

Looks like we may be in the General Admission area again this year. Restricted Funds! Should still be fun though!

[Bex37]

I've sat in Brabham (AUD$549), Prost (AUD$369), Schumacher (AUD$339), general admission (AUD$155 for 4 days, AUD$90 for Sunday) and Senna (AUD$369) and I would rate them in that order.

If you can get a seat at the very left hand end of the Brabham stand (looking as if you were sitting in the seat) you can see down the straight as well as the first chicane and the cars start into the braking area just as they reach you. I think its worth the extra money if you've got it.

Prost is not as good as Brabham although, value for money wise, its as good as Brabham. Schumacher is good but not as good as Prost although it is AUD$30 cheaper. Senna is pretty crap and its the same price as Prost; I'd prefer general admission as you don't get a good view of anything except the cars in front of you.

[AussieF1]

Originally posted by gerry nassar
Anyone know if all grandstands are fully booked or not?

Pretty close to it I think....

[AD]

What's the general admission area like? What parts of the track does it take in? What's the view like? Thanks

[gerry nassar]

AD, General Admission is generally all around the track but predominantly around the second half of the track away from the main straight. The best areas are after the Clarke Chicane, opposite the marina and at the flowing back straight between turns 9 and 12. There are viewing hills and mounds that allow you to see more of the track. However, it is best to sit/stand close to one of the big screens to see the full racing action.

[AD]

Thanks gerry

A friend is interested in going, and asked me to look about tickets. Thanks again

[gerry nassar]

Try the official site for all info - www.grandprix.com.au

BTW - Id say 40% of the crowd in General Admission are Irish or Brittish backpackers so as im sure your friend will enjoy GA.

[black magic]

the senna stand has been getting a bum rap. if you get the very right hand end you will see last 2 corners including the cars accelerating into the main straight which is one of the few callenging corners at the circuit plus giant screen opposit. need to get into section A though.

guess if you get into remainder of stand then fairly average particularly the further from the last corner you get.

[Witt]

Originally posted by black magic
guess if you get into remainder of stand then fairly average particularly the further from the last corner you get.

Couldn't have said it better!

[TailHappy]

Man I cant believe no-one has mentioned the Clarke stand. Is it just me who thinks as the cheapest stand it offers the best value for money? I've been in the stand 3 years now and love it!

This stand may not get to see the cars at full pace but you do get to see them for a long time screaming towards you and then braking fairly hard. And you get to see the drivers up close man-handling thier cars through the chicane and accelerate away down the back straight.

I figure friday (and maybe first part of saturday) is when you can wander around and get your buzz from seeing the cars go flat out (and it only takes 2 minutes to walk from the stand to the middle of the back straight). But for great action on race day at the cheapest price you'll find the Clarke stand is terriffic. My advice for this stand would be section A or B (C is just past the corner) and whilst everyone (for some reason) scrambles to buy up the back tickets..... I always sit front row.... best view in the house.

Cheers
TailHappy

[gerry nassar]

Tail Happy - The only time ive been in a stand was at the Clarke Stand - I agree - great value - I loved It!!!!!