2008 ING Australian Grand Prix (plus V8 Supercars)

[isszy]

Each year I am lucky enough to get a free groundpass to the Grand Prix here in Melbourne. A work colleague is a track marshall and gives me a free ticket.

This year it has been HOT !! 38C (100F) for each day. I like going on the Saturday as more happens – 2 F1 sessions including qualifying, a V8 supercar race a celebrity race (this year was sportspeople in Fiat Abarth 500s), plus another 4 support classes.

Sadly, there are probably only 2 more Australian GP's to go. Bernie Ecclestone wants a night GP in Australia to make it a more friendly time for the European audiences. The cost is prohibitive and so it will go somewhere else in 2011.

Here are some photos.
First, the F1s






V8 Supercars

[isszy]

Mark Webber's car after losing it's brakes


These were the celebrity cars – Fiat 500 Abarths – pretty hot units ! Crusty Demon Robbie Maddison won both races.

The celebs this year were all sportsmen & women so the racing was very competitive






What happens when an Olympic rower gets behind the wheel…

[isszy]

Part of the FA-18 display


One of my customer's toys


Some of the static displays

[isszy]

The supercar drivers did the parade lap in either Mustangs or Corvettes



Some utes to fuel the anti-ute lobby …






The 48/215 Brocky drove at Woodward just before his death

[DuraMax Hammer]

Great looking pics. Love the Jack Daniels and the last Holden. I enjoy watching F1 (which I think I am in the very small minority here in the states), the technoligy is incredible. I always wanted to get down to Indy to see the US Grand Prix, but it is gone now. Hopefully they will try to work something out with having it at Indy because its only about a 5 hour drive for me. Maybe they will have it at a Watkins Glen so they would be close to New York City, but that is a 10+ hour drive for me.

[isszy]

Sebastian Bordais Was running 4th until 2 laps from the finish in his first GP when his motor blew. Mind you he is the oldest rookie for some time. Only 6 cars of 22 finished the race partly due to the heat, partly due to the elimination of traction control this season.

[DuraMax Hammer]

Originally Posted by isszy

Sebastian Bordais Was running 4th until 2 laps from the finish in his first GP when his motor blew. Mind you he is the oldest rookie for some time. Only 6 cars of 22 finished the race partly due to the heat, partly due to the elimination of traction control this season.

One of the things I didn't like about F1 and was happy when I heard it was gone for the season. I think you will see more of drivers talent this year then in past years. I think having traction control on the cars really saved some guys more times then not.

[isszy]

Guess you were right Duramax - no one else is interested ...