Melbourne Grand Prix 2009

We didn't think we could let our year go past without attending the Melbourne Grand Prix. As a one-time serious Formula One fan, I was always desperate to go to one and the experience did not disappoint.

And it was CHEAP to go - unlike the European Grands Prix, it cost about £90 to admit all of us for race day. We were almost sabotaged in our attemps to enter by a Melbourne train driver who dropped us (and about 30 others) at a station which was closed for the day as he had (wait for it) gone straight past the Gate 2 stop he was meant to stop at. Now, most of the stations are out of service on Grand Prix day, so he had a pretty straightforward gig - city centre, Gate 1, Gate 2.... and repeat in reverse.... but still he managed to cock it up, so we had to walk a bit (after actually having to climb out of the closed, gated, locked station...) but once we got there we loved the venue and the buzz.

There was so much going on - all kinds of classic cars on display, food and drink tents, lots of boozing and schmoozing. There was also plenty of flesh on display - Nick said he had to take a picture of this girl as she was wearing a chequered flag. Do I , as they say, look like I came up the Clyde on a banana boat?



We parked ourselves on the corner at turn three and tried to find a big enough space for all of us and Graham, Leanne and the boys - no mean feat as the banking was already heaving and the race was still FIVE hours away!




Fortunately, there was plenty of pre-race entertainment - three other types of car race - each louder than the one before. We had earphones for everyone - Phoebe tolerated hers for about 30 seconds, so I resorted to putting a hairband round her head.

We had army helicopters flying right overhead, followed by an aerial display team who were awesome. on about their third pass, one peeled of the back and did a twisty, corkscrew move. 'That one is just showing off' said James. Nick and I nearly choked on our beer - Umm, James, showing off is kind of de rigueur for a stunt pilot...



There was also the new Qantas Airbus A380 - otherwise known as the 'really big plane' and a military jet which moved so fast I didn't get any pictures - but the noise reminded me of Dunbar...





And at last it was time for the racing - I can't describe how loud a field of Formula One cars is, or how fast they move, but it was great to witness. It was the first race of the season, and the first race for Brawn Racing who subsequently took the first and second spots. I've been a big fan of Ross Brawn since his days at Benetton and Ferarri and I think he was directly responsible for much of their success through being a better strategist than anyone else in Formula one - even when he didn't have the best cars.


The green and white car in these pictures - the one with no sponsorship - is Jensen Button streets ahead of the field...

I have to be honest and say that the view of an F1 race is far better on the TV, but you don't go for the view! It was a gorgeous, hot day, a great atmosphere and the setting in Albert Park is stunning. The kids did remarkably well - considering how confined by the crowds we were, and the usual Shortt tactic of 'just keep feeding them' worked as well as ever. And they seemed not remotely bothered by the noise - in fact, Phoebe slept through about an hour of it.