A blog for everyone about a weekend for everyone

So this weekend I'm straying slightly from the usual F1 stuff because while this weekend was F1-free, it was still a fantastic weekend for racing fans. I have to give my new team a mention here because they really did themselves proud this weekend. After a tough race for the guys in France yesterday, Alexander Rossi scored a great win today and Cesar Ramos had a fantastic drive from p25 to p9, while Oliver Rowland scored his first race win in the FRUK Championship at Rockingham in race 1 with Alex Lynn scoring another win to equal the Championship record of elven wins in a season. 

I wasn't in the south of France or at Rockingham this weekend though, because I was at the Goodwood Revival for Ladies Day and boy did I wish I had bought tickets for the whole weekend! I could never have predicted what a fantastic weekend lay in store for me when my mum and I decided to book tickets just a few months ago. Here's the thing though, it would have been fantastic even if I hadn't watched a single race, but because the racing was so gripping, I didn't get to see half of what I wanted to...there really is something there for everyone, it was just that everything was for me. 

What's it all about then? The Goodwood Revival began in 1998 and in Goodwood's own words 'The Revival is the world’s most popular historic motor race meeting and the only event of its kind to be staged entirely in the nostalgic time capsule of the 1940s, 50s and 60s that relives the glory days of Goodwood Motor Circuit. It is the biggest and best historic motor racing party of the year.' Sounds like a nice, quaint idea - a nice collection of old cars and people who want to dress up for the day, but it's so so much more than that and that's why over 100,000 people flocked to the sell-out event in less than pleasant weather conditions dressed to the nines in authentic 40s, 50s and 60s clothing. You wouldn't believe the effort people go to - my mother looked fabulous in a 50s style suit with fur stole, hat, bright red lipstick and ultra cool sunglasses, while I rocked up in 60s minidress, cream tights, false eyelashes, garish jewellery and cap which was worn once my severely hairsprayed up do finally succumbed to the elements. Others rented authentic uniforms - there were nurses, landgirls, airmen, soldiers, racing drivers, mechanics, entire vintage families and an unbelievable amount of spotless vintage prams with babies in real vintage outfits - the lengths people went to were enormous and really added to the spirit of things. 

I'd say the majority of my friends don't have the faintest interest in motorsport and that's okay...some like horses - I don't. Some are massive football fans - I'm not that bothered, but I can honestly say that I think the majority of my friends would love the Goodwood Revival. It has the oh my god factor. I mean the 'oh my god how amazing - look at that' when you see the old fashioned funfair. At 23 years old I was so excited to see the old fashioned style swingboats because it took me right back to my childhood and the brilliant 'Five Children and it' film. I always longed to go to a funfair like the one featured in 'Five Children and it' and there it was, right in front of me - it was magical. Meanwhile Kenwood got into the wartime spirit of things with a 1940s kitchen showcasing all the budget meals of the period. Even supermarket giant Tesco got into the spirit of things with a 1966 replica store with authentic packaging and products, while car giant Jeep had laid on an American themed diner for its special guests. And that's not all - the Goodwood market alone is enough for a whole day out. There's an amazing array of vintage clothing, handbags, shoes, jewellery and luggage while there are several fur and sheepskin shops along with many outlets selling limited edition paintings, photographs, magazines and lots lots more. Seriously the amount of times I said 'so and so would love this' is ridiculous. The Earls Court Car show had a selection of some of the most beautiful cars in the world and even those who don't actually like motor racing may well appreciate them for their design and intricacy. So, that's plenty to keep you happy without watching a minute of motor racing. 

You should watch it though, even if it's just one twenty-five minute race because you wouldn't believe how hard these guys race these cars that are worth a fortune. It's no coincidence that this weekend doesn't coincide with a F1 race because so many big F1 names were there, lapping up the atmosphere and racing out on track - Martin Brundell, Adrian Newey, Christian Horner, Tony Jardine and Tiff Needell are some of many familiar household names who featured on the entrant or driver lists for the various races over the weekend. The Barry Sheene Memorial trophy was a hard fought battle while the Whitsun trophy was my personal favourite with dramatic racing to the very end. 

If all of that wasn't enough, there are some fantastic airshows featuring Spitfires and other beautiful aircraft. 

The Goodwood Revival is something Britain does very very well and it is expensive, but when so many spend every weekend in shopping centres buying for the sake of buying as that seems like our occupation in the UK, it's entirely worth it. It's an experience that makes you really feel like you're living. I can't wait to go back for the whole weekend next year. 

http://www.goodwood.co.uk/revival/welcome.aspx

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/motoring/goodwood-revival/8733234/Goodwood-Revival-2011-a-trip-back-in-time-to-the-shops.html 

Seb reigns supreme at manic Monza

What a race! Steeped in history and prestige, Monza continues to be one of the most exciting race weekends on the F1 calendar.

Vettel in a league of his own...


Seb has been practically unstoppable this year and his 112 point lead in the Championship means that his status as double World Champion is now inevitable. A load of wheelspin off the start for Seb, combined with an excellent and bold start from Fernando Alonso saw Vettel lose position at the start but it was clear for all to see that this would be short-lived. The decisions Sebastian and Red Bull had taken regarding gear shifting meant that Seb's car was perfectly set up for race conditions and while Fernando certainly made it difficult for Vettel to pass, forcing him onto the grass, he easily regained his lead. From then onwards, Seb controlled his race and despite a late charge from Button, the win was never in doubt. This is very much a race for 2nd in the Championship now...and a very close race at that.

Button beats Hamilton again...


Button impressed again today - he drove a great race, taking risks where needed. He lost positions at the start but as Michael Schumacher held Hamilton, Jenson quickly found himself hot on their heels. Initially biding his time and hanging back, Jenson clearly had a very fast car and was frustrated to be held up behind Hamilton and Schumacher. There were times when the trio were so close that it was hard to watch, but as Hamilton made a mistake, Button capitalised and managed to take Michael quite easily - surprising given how long Lewis had spent (and continued to spend) behind him. As the final pit stops were nearly upon us, Button was gaining quickly on Alonson who was evidently lacking grip and, knowing how much the Ferraris struggle on the hard tyres, it was almost a dead cert that Button would pass Alonso for second. After a tough start 2nd was definitely the very best result Button could have hoped for today.

Alonso does the Tifosi proud... 


Another excellent start from Alonso delighted the Italian crowd and while they may have been disappointed to see him fade in the later stages of the race, 3rd was certainly an achievement for Ferrari today. Indeed, one or two more laps and it may have been Hamilton on the bottom step of the podium instead of Alonso. Ferrari's lacklustre season will really be hurting the passionate Tifosi, but they have a new hero in Fernando Alonso and while he was unable to repeat last year's race win, he maximised the car's performance today and the early loss of Mark Webber actually sees Alonso moved to 2nd in the Drivers' Championship.

A glimpse of the Schumacher of old...


How fantastic to see Michael Schumacher back in the thick of it?! A superb start and some excellent defensive driving meant that Schumacher was right up in the action...Yes some of his moves were slightly questionable but I don't think it was clear cut enough to penalise him as the second movement was arguably a return to the racing line...A podium was never really on the cards for Mercedes today but Michael provided some really exciting on-track action.


Great racing across the field...


Jaime Alguersuari, Sebastian Buemi, Paul diResta and Bruno Senna were also hugely exciting today with Bruno Senna arguably showing the Renault team that they were correct to give him a contract for the rest of the season.

A belated Belgian Grand Prix Blog..

So Spa was a long time ago now and my blog has been more and more delayed as I was without internet in Palma and I’m still  having internet issues at my new place in Daventry so this weekend has been my first opportunity to upload my Spa blog.. 

Seb returns to the top step…

Despite having the most commanding lead that he had had all year, Vettel hadn’t won a race since Valencia…until Spa. He looked in trouble in the early stages as he quite literally raced through his tyres, but his so-called ‘free’ pit stop meant that he barely lost out in the end. His out and out speed saw him return to the front and while Mark closed in on Seb in the final few laps, it never really looked in doubt. Seb’s supreme talent and the odd bit of luck along the way means this really is his year…far more so than last year when you think he didn't lead the Championship last year until the final round. 

Alonso fades away after a promising start

Fernando Alonso was frighteningly quick in the early stages of the Grand Prix, setting fastest lap after fastest lap and as Vettel was wearing his tyres out, Lewis and Fernando looked like they may be the two main contenders for the race win. It was the racy Fernando of old, an Alonso who we haven’t seen all that much of this season as he simply hasn’t had the confidence in the car but after a stunning start, Fernando looked like he could do some damage at Spa. However, it soon became clear that Spa – like most of the other races this season – was to be a tale of tyres. While blisteringly quick on the soft tyres, and initially fast on the hard tyres, Button’s poor qualifying meant that he had an extra set of softs and by the closing stages, Fernando was a sitting duck as Jenson cruised past him. It was an impossible situation for him as – by that point – he would have lost positions whether he pitted for new tyres or not… We’ve seen such promising starts from Ferrari but they’re consistently struggling with the Pirellis and they’ll need to find something special to give the Tifosi something to celebrate in Monza but there’s no ruling 

them out. 

Another tough day at the office for Lewis while Jenson collects more points…

Well Lewis was understandably despondent after another DNF and in the run-up to Monza he’s been quoted as saying that 2011 has been his worst season in F1 to date. The team obviously thought Lewis was in with a strong chance of victory at Spa but when speaking to the Spanish press (I watched the race in Palma remember!) Lewis was actually even more down on his luck than he had been to the BBC. It doesn’t really matter who was at fault, but it was a shame to lose Lewis so early in the race, particularly as his teammate who had such a disappointment in qualifying showed such strong pace at the end of the race.

An impressive drive from Schumacher…20 years on!

I for one was gutted that Michael was forced to start from 24^th on Sunday. However you feel about Schumacher, whether you think he’s a flawed character or a pure genius, he’s had a sensational F1 career and it can’t be easy for him to be so off the pace after years of utter domination and starting 24^th certainly wasn’t the best way to celebrate 20 years since his F1 debut. Michael scoring a well deserved 5^th place and importantly beating teammate Nico Rosberg was probably the best result he could have hoped for and well deserved.