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I am really getting excited about this year's race! Actually, I think I'm even more excited than I was last year! I'm burning a few new music CD's for the 5 hour drive ahead, and I will be leaving for Indy in just another hour or so. A total of 3 digital cameras, divided up between one serious photography guru and myself, will ensure a lot of pictures for your guys each and every day. I'll be able to get online on my laptop, and will upload them to a new photo gallery each day. And, if we have enough space left on the compact flash cards, you just might get some video, too! 
Thursday
Well, I've arrived at my hotel in Indianapolis. Despite CONSTANT rain and a bit of hydroplaining, it was a good drive that went by very fast. Although not as great as the Radisson, where I stayed last year with the Williams team (they were completely sold out of rooms this year), it's still nice and clean. The best part was coming in the room to find free F1 magazines and USGP material all over the place! Practice starts at 11:00 tomorrow morning!
Friday
Friday was probably one of the best days I've ever had in my life. Everything went perfect and I was extremely fortunate all day!
I arrived at the track right before the first practice session started. Remembering my experience from last year, I went to the grandstands closest to the pits to watch as the cars stopped at the time control before accelerating down the pit lane exit. You can get close to the cars here, and the drivers always look over to the crowd. You can also get a good view into the pits, and watch as the teams push the cars into the garages, as well as the team managers and technical directors working at their booths (or whatever the proper name for those little huts along the pit road would be called). It was from this point that I saw Barichello's frightening crash into the wall.
Although not the best vantage point, I was in an excellent position to view the car where it came to a stop and was then picked up by the track workers. I also watched Barichello as he got out and went over to talk with Ross Brawn after the crash. While the practice session was stopped, I went back over to the grandstands from across the pits to watch the teams inside their garages, and watch the drivers get in and out of the cars.
During the intermission between practice sessions, I made my way towards the area set up for the Ferrari Challenge teams where I was able to get very close to the 360 Modena's, as well as an unprotected bright yellow 360 parked across from all of the race cars. I also got a close look at one of the FIA's Mercedes ML500 trucks, as well as someone's personal Mercedes G500 (the coolest SUV!) in one of the infield parking lots.
Although I didn't make it in time for some lunch, I headed over to the outside of turn 7. I knew the drivers would be pushing a bit harder this time and that would be one location where someone was bound to go off. I eased my way through the crowd into an absolutely incredible position only a few feet away from the safety workers and the gap in the wall where the cars and drivers would be removed from the circuit, separated by only a small fence. Sure enough, after only a few minutes, Takuma Sato slides off into the barrier and the track workers started moving. They drove the yellow recovery vehicle out of the opening and picked up the car and started bringing it back! Less than a minute later, a race-ready (unlike the mock-ups on display everywhere) Jordan F1 was dangling a few feet from me - I could have reached out and touched it! The front carbon-fiber suspension was shattered to pieces. Next, Sato came walking by with a track worker. He is EXTREMELY SHORT! Even with his helmet on, he wasn't even taller than my own shoulders!
After Sato was gone, I moved over next to the braking point for turn 7 after the back straight. Just like last year, the chest-pounding downshifts are breathtaking in that location. I then headed over to the inside of the turn to watch the slow corners for the remainder of the session.
Making my way back across the track, past the paddock area, I spotted a small excited crowd around an opening in the fence with a sign reading "Formula One Personnel". I stood in the crowd for about an hour, and I saw Villeneuve's manager, Speed Channel producers and cameramen, and Derek Daly, but no drivers (according to others in the crowd, this was the place where the drivers came out). I got tired of waiting, however, and I made my way over to the team's tents and booths setup in the infield. Mercedes-Benz had all of their AMG models on display, including a magnificent red SL55 AMG, with which they were demonstrating how quickly and easily the hard top came up and then retracted (very cool).
After thorough exploration of the various tents and displays in the infield, I began making my way out. But...something caught my eye in the far corner of the Indy Museum's parking lot...it was a Ferrari F40!!! This was the first time I've ever seen this beautiful classic, and it is a sight to behold. After close inspection, I was dying to hear it roar to life. Almost on cue, here came a man with his wife, both of whom weren't surprised to see such a stunning car - I knew this was the owner! Sure enough, he got in, revved the engine a few times for the few of us who had discovered the car, and drove out (he bottomed out while leaving the parking lot). Awesome!!!
On my way out of the track, just when I thought the day couldn't get any better, I passed the crowd of people that I had left earlier. I planned on hanging around for just a few minutes, and boy am I glad I did! After a few team managers came out, Mark Webber appeared to much more fanfare and excitement than one would have anticipated for one of the slower drivers on one of the slower teams! Nevertheless, it was great to see a driver up close. After this excitement, I decided to hang around a bit longer, and was soon rewarded by Jarno Trulli and Jenson Button! Although there was quite a mad rush of cameras and signature-enthusiasts, I got very close to them! Next, the one and only David Coulthard appeared!!! The rush for David was more dramatic than the others, but I still got a very good look at him as he made his way out into the parking lot and got into a silver Mercedes S500 and drove away.
Now that I had confirmation that the big drivers would be coming out here, I was in it for the long run. But, I didn't have to wait very long - a blue BMW 745 series came blasting out of a gate a bit further down and accelerated right by me, so I got a good look at its driver: Ralf Schumacher!
By this time it was pretty much dark, and it was very difficult to see the faces of people leaving the paddock. As I wandered around the gate area waiting for the next bit of excitement, I noticed a man walking quickly and quietly out of the gate, wearing a Williams hat, Williams jacket, and khaki pants. Surely, if this was a driver, he would be accompanied by a small group like all of the others, and I wasn't in much of a hurry to get closer to him. That was, until he looked over at me. It was clearly the man himself, Juan Pablo Montoya. AAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH!!!!!! Unfortunately, a few other fans had already spotted him, and came rushing over and surrounded him. I persisted and followed as the now-small throng around him moved out into the parking lot. Knowing that Montoya didn't like all of this attention and autograph pushing, I kept my mouth shut and moved toward him for a quick "Hello, Juan Pablo!" before he got into a another BMW 745 and sped away.
And then, the highlight of my trip. About 30 minutes after Montoya had departed, one of the few remaining F1 fans cried out "IT'S SCHUMI!" I ran up to the closed gate, and looked through the crack between the top bar and blue-mesh material that covered the chain-linked gate. Sure enough, it was the world champion himself! He moved along on the other side of the fence signing autographs and was literally less than 3 feet away from me! I got a great look at him! I held my hand over the fence in hopes that he would shake it, but his hands were full of things to sign, so I can't blame him that he didn't take up the offer. I was surprised at the respect of his fans as they stood at the gate. The said things like "Good evening, Michael! Please sign for Tifosi!", and were generally calm while still giddy with excitement.
After he had signed everything, the gate was opened and he came walking out into the parking lot. He was very smart about this - by signing everything from behind the fence, there was no crush around him as he tried to walk. I followed close behind him out into the parking lot, accompanied by 3 other Ferrari team members. I kept my mouth shut and didn't bother them, and I don't think they minded me, although I was very curious to see what Michael was driving. And then, there was his ride - a shiny blue Maserati 3200 GT!!! They quickly got in the car, with Michael driving. And then, he turned the key, and the MASERATI WOULDN'T START!!! The lights came on, but it wouldn't even turn over. At this point, I'm just imagining all the things that could happen. I was the only one who had followed him out into the parking lot, and was standing about a car width away from all of this! Michael opened the door and then got out, lifted up the trunk, then shut it firmly, and this time the engine roared to life.
He backed out of the parking space and then escaped from the remaining fans by taking the back way around the outside of the parking lot.
What a day!!!
Saturday
Coming soon...
Sunday
Coming soon...
Thursday
Well, I've arrived at my hotel in Indianapolis. Despite CONSTANT rain and a bit of hydroplaining, it was a good drive that went by very fast. Although not as great as the Radisson, where I stayed last year with the Williams team (they were completely sold out of rooms this year), it's still nice and clean. The best part was coming in the room to find free F1 magazines and USGP material all over the place!
Practice starts at 11:00 tomorrow morning!Friday
Friday was probably one of the best days I've ever had in my life. Everything went perfect and I was extremely fortunate all day!
I arrived at the track right before the first practice session started. Remembering my experience from last year, I went to the grandstands closest to the pits to watch as the cars stopped at the time control before accelerating down the pit lane exit. You can get close to the cars here, and the drivers always look over to the crowd. You can also get a good view into the pits, and watch as the teams push the cars into the garages, as well as the team managers and technical directors working at their booths (or whatever the proper name for those little huts along the pit road would be called). It was from this point that I saw Barichello's frightening crash into the wall.
Although not the best vantage point, I was in an excellent position to view the car where it came to a stop and was then picked up by the track workers. I also watched Barichello as he got out and went over to talk with Ross Brawn after the crash. While the practice session was stopped, I went back over to the grandstands from across the pits to watch the teams inside their garages, and watch the drivers get in and out of the cars.During the intermission between practice sessions, I made my way towards the area set up for the Ferrari Challenge teams where I was able to get very close to the 360 Modena's, as well as an unprotected bright yellow 360 parked across from all of the race cars. I also got a close look at one of the FIA's Mercedes ML500 trucks, as well as someone's personal Mercedes G500 (the coolest SUV!) in one of the infield parking lots.
Although I didn't make it in time for some lunch, I headed over to the outside of turn 7. I knew the drivers would be pushing a bit harder this time and that would be one location where someone was bound to go off. I eased my way through the crowd into an absolutely incredible position only a few feet away from the safety workers and the gap in the wall where the cars and drivers would be removed from the circuit, separated by only a small fence. Sure enough, after only a few minutes, Takuma Sato slides off into the barrier and the track workers started moving. They drove the yellow recovery vehicle out of the opening and picked up the car and started bringing it back! Less than a minute later, a race-ready (unlike the mock-ups on display everywhere) Jordan F1 was dangling a few feet from me - I could have reached out and touched it! The front carbon-fiber suspension was shattered to pieces. Next, Sato came walking by with a track worker. He is EXTREMELY SHORT! Even with his helmet on, he wasn't even taller than my own shoulders!
After Sato was gone, I moved over next to the braking point for turn 7 after the back straight. Just like last year, the chest-pounding downshifts are breathtaking in that location.
I then headed over to the inside of the turn to watch the slow corners for the remainder of the session.Making my way back across the track, past the paddock area, I spotted a small excited crowd around an opening in the fence with a sign reading "Formula One Personnel". I stood in the crowd for about an hour, and I saw Villeneuve's manager, Speed Channel producers and cameramen, and Derek Daly, but no drivers (according to others in the crowd, this was the place where the drivers came out). I got tired of waiting, however, and I made my way over to the team's tents and booths setup in the infield. Mercedes-Benz had all of their AMG models on display, including a magnificent red SL55 AMG, with which they were demonstrating how quickly and easily the hard top came up and then retracted (very cool).
After thorough exploration of the various tents and displays in the infield, I began making my way out. But...something caught my eye in the far corner of the Indy Museum's parking lot...it was a Ferrari F40!!! This was the first time I've ever seen this beautiful classic, and it is a sight to behold. After close inspection, I was dying to hear it roar to life. Almost on cue, here came a man with his wife, both of whom weren't surprised to see such a stunning car - I knew this was the owner! Sure enough, he got in, revved the engine a few times for the few of us who had discovered the car, and drove out (he bottomed out while leaving the parking lot). Awesome!!!
On my way out of the track, just when I thought the day couldn't get any better, I passed the crowd of people that I had left earlier. I planned on hanging around for just a few minutes, and boy am I glad I did! After a few team managers came out, Mark Webber appeared to much more fanfare and excitement than one would have anticipated for one of the slower drivers on one of the slower teams! Nevertheless, it was great to see a driver up close. After this excitement, I decided to hang around a bit longer, and was soon rewarded by Jarno Trulli and Jenson Button! Although there was quite a mad rush of cameras and signature-enthusiasts, I got very close to them! Next, the one and only David Coulthard appeared!!! The rush for David was more dramatic than the others, but I still got a very good look at him as he made his way out into the parking lot and got into a silver Mercedes S500 and drove away.
Now that I had confirmation that the big drivers would be coming out here, I was in it for the long run. But, I didn't have to wait very long - a blue BMW 745 series came blasting out of a gate a bit further down and accelerated right by me, so I got a good look at its driver: Ralf Schumacher!
By this time it was pretty much dark, and it was very difficult to see the faces of people leaving the paddock. As I wandered around the gate area waiting for the next bit of excitement, I noticed a man walking quickly and quietly out of the gate, wearing a Williams hat, Williams jacket, and khaki pants. Surely, if this was a driver, he would be accompanied by a small group like all of the others, and I wasn't in much of a hurry to get closer to him. That was, until he looked over at me. It was clearly the man himself, Juan Pablo Montoya. AAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH!!!!!! Unfortunately, a few other fans had already spotted him, and came rushing over and surrounded him. I persisted and followed as the now-small throng around him moved out into the parking lot. Knowing that Montoya didn't like all of this attention and autograph pushing, I kept my mouth shut and moved toward him for a quick "Hello, Juan Pablo!" before he got into a another BMW 745 and sped away.
And then, the highlight of my trip. About 30 minutes after Montoya had departed, one of the few remaining F1 fans cried out "IT'S SCHUMI!" I ran up to the closed gate, and looked through the crack between the top bar and blue-mesh material that covered the chain-linked gate. Sure enough, it was the world champion himself! He moved along on the other side of the fence signing autographs and was literally less than 3 feet away from me! I got a great look at him! I held my hand over the fence in hopes that he would shake it, but his hands were full of things to sign, so I can't blame him that he didn't take up the offer. I was surprised at the respect of his fans as they stood at the gate. The said things like "Good evening, Michael! Please sign for Tifosi!", and were generally calm while still giddy with excitement.
After he had signed everything, the gate was opened and he came walking out into the parking lot. He was very smart about this - by signing everything from behind the fence, there was no crush around him as he tried to walk. I followed close behind him out into the parking lot, accompanied by 3 other Ferrari team members. I kept my mouth shut and didn't bother them, and I don't think they minded me, although I was very curious to see what Michael was driving. And then, there was his ride - a shiny blue Maserati 3200 GT!!! They quickly got in the car, with Michael driving. And then, he turned the key, and the MASERATI WOULDN'T START!!! The lights came on, but it wouldn't even turn over. At this point, I'm just imagining all the things that could happen. I was the only one who had followed him out into the parking lot, and was standing about a car width away from all of this! Michael opened the door and then got out, lifted up the trunk, then shut it firmly, and this time the engine roared to life.
He backed out of the parking space and then escaped from the remaining fans by taking the back way around the outside of the parking lot.What a day!!!
Saturday
Coming soon...
Sunday
Coming soon...
apparently the level of attraction to the race is way down, because of the fact both championships are already locked, and the fact Ferrari pretty much controls how the race will end even before it's started...
I saw that...I only did lol because he was wasn't hurt though 
:gcar::ferrari:
