A1 GP in Gauteng!

The weekend of the 22nd Feburary, 2009. The A1 GP comes to Gauteng. To my surprise, the A1 GP is actually powered by Ferrari... Yes, I didn't know that! To be honest, I've never been much of a fan for A1. For a F1 fanatic like me (although not been following the races for a long while), A1 has always seemed like F1 taken a handful of chill pills... not quite as fast and exciting. But, I was delighted to be proven wrong... or was it perhaps intoxication?!

The day started off with a bit of hype and disappointment. Disappointed because I had to leave my car at the Leeuwkop Prison parking... I prayed very hard that escapees do not find my car fast enough as their escape vehicle! Hype because we got guest passes to the pits and media parking! Hehehe... I know people who know people!

And then we were disappointed further more as to the level of readiness of the track. The race took place in Kyalami (duh! where else can they have it?!), driving up to the track was rather a mission having to pass several checking point by the organising committee, as well as the cops who justed wanted to have a closer look at your nice car... and perhaps a coke?? Once at the track... more confusion followed, parking areas were not clearly maked and signs were confusing... but let's not dwell more on that... SA still has a long way to go if they want F1 to come to Kyalami or Welkom (but then again who in their right mind want to drive to the middle of no-where to watch a race?!)

We got lost going from our parking to the stands. But good thing that came out of it is the B-E-A-U-T-I-F-U-L Ferraris we saw on display... Oh, how I wish I could be driving in one of those! By the time we finally got to our seats (after a long while, since it was really hard to drag ourselves away from the Ferraris...), we were just in time for the sprint race! Yeah, go!!! go!!! go!!! What? You ask who won the race? Who cares! The point was, the cars sounded amazing, and it's even more amazing to see them in action. Plus we were slightly intoxicated after a few beers while sitting in blazing hot weather (not a good idea!)

After the race we decided to grab some lunch... and then the unexpected happened. The people I know, got a call from the people he knows... long story short we were taking a stroll down the pit lane, hanging out in the SA garage (minus the car?!)... and then the even more unexpected happened: "Do you want to go onto the starting grid?" Hell, YES!!!!!!!! Next thing, we found ourselves taking a walk down the starting line-up as one of the "rich and famous" in all their nice outfits (except dear Ashlin who didn't have proper shoes on!). It is here that the cameras went crazy again. And far more importantly for the guys to take a few photos up close and personal with the parade ladies (well, with legs like those I think it's hard for them to say NO!). But not forgetting to snap a few shots of the cars and the drivers.

It was ear-drums blowing to be standing right next to the starting line (behind the fence of course), watching all 23 cars blazing pass by you kind of gives you an unexplained adrenaline and euphoria. Next stop Formula 1!!!

P.S. Thanks guys for a great Sunday... Ashlin, Ruben and Darrin.

Jule