Australian Formula One Grand Prix 2008

[Albert Park]

Hi Racefans,

a few years ago I used to initiate a thread here on the progress of the Aust F1GP as added atmosphere to the upcoming GP Season. As you can see I'm back, however this time I've added pictures to the Australian GP countdown.

Simply click on the thumbnails to enlarge. I'll be updating photos as construction continues at the Melbourne circuit. Please feel free to add any Aust GP News or your Melbourne '08 photos to this thread also.

Enjoy,

AP

http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t179/MWK_photos/Grand%20Prix/3%20feb/th_LookingfromT14overlaketoT11.jpg (http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t179/MWK_photos/Grand%20Prix/3%20feb/LookingfromT14overlaketoT11.jpg)
2 Feb 08 - Looking north over Albert Park Lake to Turn 11

http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t179/MWK_photos/Grand%20Prix/3%20feb/th_Mathildasfirstdayafterschool31Jan20.jpg (http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t179/MWK_photos/Grand%20Prix/3%20feb/Mathildasfirstdayafterschool31Jan20.jpg)
2 Feb 08 - Looking north toward turn 12

http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t179/MWK_photos/Grand%20Prix/3%20feb/th_Turn14-3rdFeb08.jpg (http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t179/MWK_photos/Grand%20Prix/3%20feb/Turn14-3rdFeb08.jpg)
2 Feb 08 - Approaching Turn 14

http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t179/MWK_photos/Grand%20Prix/3%20feb/th_ApproachingT15.jpg (http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t179/MWK_photos/Grand%20Prix/3%20feb/ApproachingT15.jpg)
2 Feb 08 - Approaching Turn 15

http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t179/MWK_photos/Grand%20Prix/3%20feb/th_PitEntry.jpg (http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t179/MWK_photos/Grand%20Prix/3%20feb/PitEntry.jpg)
2 Feb 08 - Pit Entry

[Albert Park]

http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t179/MWK_photos/Grand%20Prix/3%20feb/th_OntoMainStraight.jpg (http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t179/MWK_photos/Grand%20Prix/3%20feb/OntoMainStraight.jpg)
2 Feb 08 - Onto Main Straight

http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t179/MWK_photos/Grand%20Prix/3%20feb/th_PitComplex.jpg (http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t179/MWK_photos/Grand%20Prix/3%20feb/PitComplex.jpg)
2 Feb 08 - Pit Complex

http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t179/MWK_photos/Grand%20Prix/3%20feb/th_FuturevenueFuturevenueforBeerFoodMa.jpg (http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t179/MWK_photos/Grand%20Prix/3%20feb/FuturevenueFuturevenueforBeerFoodMa.jpg)
2 Feb 08 - Just past Pit Exit. Future site of Food & Refreshments complex.

http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t179/MWK_photos/Grand%20Prix/3%20feb/th_Turn1.jpg (http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t179/MWK_photos/Grand%20Prix/3%20feb/Turn1.jpg)
2 Feb 08 - Turn 1

[Speedworx]

It looks really weird without the walls and grandstands and stuff.

[Albert Park]

http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t179/MWK_photos/Grand%20Prix/3%20feb/th_ApproachingTurn3.jpg (http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t179/MWK_photos/Grand%20Prix/3%20feb/ApproachingTurn3.jpg)
2 Feb 08 - Approaching Turn 3

http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t179/MWK_photos/Grand%20Prix/3%20feb/th_OutofT3intoT4.jpg (http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t179/MWK_photos/Grand%20Prix/3%20feb/OutofT3intoT4.jpg)
2 Feb 08 - Looking toward Turn 4 (On past the parked cars).

http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t179/MWK_photos/Grand%20Prix/3%20feb/th_Turn5.jpg (http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t179/MWK_photos/Grand%20Prix/3%20feb/Turn5.jpg)
2 Feb 08 - Turn 5

http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t179/MWK_photos/Grand%20Prix/3%20feb/th_Lookingtowardturn6.jpg (http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t179/MWK_photos/Grand%20Prix/3%20feb/Lookingtowardturn6.jpg)
2 Feb 08 - Out of Turn 5 toward Turn 6

39 Days to Go.......

[Speedworx]

They should race with the traffic islands approaching turn 3. Would make it more fun :)

[maxu05]

I would like to see them race with all the traffic still on the road. Make sure you look both ways before crossing the road kiddies ;) :laugh:

[ShiftingGears]

I would like to see them race with all the traffic still on the road. Make sure you look both ways before crossing the road kiddies ;) :laugh:

I think the old Spa circuit on public roads would be a little more hairy if there was traffic ;)

http://theracingline.net/racingcircuits/racingcircuits/Belgium/Spa-Francorchamps%201957.gif

[Valve Bounce]

The place is being converted into Guantanamo and I can't understand why anyone thinks it's great viewing. Large swathes have been fenced off from the grass lawns where Benny, my Long Haired Chihuahua used to run happily.
The contractors moved in some 3 weeks ago already, and that means the park will not return to normal again till end of April earliest - some three and a half months, maybe more.

Riding a bicycle there in the next three months will become increasingly unpleasant.

[ShiftingGears]

The place is being converted into Guantanamo and I can't understand why anyone thinks it's great viewing.

Yep. One thing that no track has (from the drivers onboard) is pleasing aesthetics.

[Valve Bounce]

Yep. One thing that no track has (from the drivers onboard) is pleasing aesthetics.

Sounds like the Volvo philosophy:"you can't see the styling from inside the car"

[AJP]

Valve...

I know how much you love to hate the Australian Grand Prix...

no matter how much money it loses or how much grief it puts on locals...

Its great to have a home Grand Prix.

[ArrowsFA1]

Great to see the return of AP's race build-up :up: Recent seasons haven't been the same without it :s mokin:

[Albert Park]

Hi ya Arrows, it's great to see some 'ol faces still here :)

I'll post some more updated 'construction' pictures here later today.

[Valve Bounce]

Hi ya Arrows, it's great to see some 'ol faces still here :)

I'll post some more updated 'construction' pictures here later today.

Yeah!! Gitmo is all encompassing. And we are still 5 bloody weeks from the race. :(

[Valentino Rossi Boy]

I can't wait for the F1 season to begin it's one of the best motorsports in the world

[Dave B]

A welcome return for this thread :up:

Not only is it informative, it makes the season feel that little bit closer :D

[Ari]

The place is being converted into Guantanamo and I can't understand why anyone thinks it's great viewing. Large swathes have been fenced off from the grass lawns where Benny, my Long Haired Chihuahua used to run happily.
The contractors moved in some 3 weeks ago already, and that means the park will not return to normal again till end of April earliest - some three and a half months, maybe more.

Riding a bicycle there in the next three months will become increasingly unpleasant.

Remember back before the GP was at Albert Park Lake?

I do! We used to have a BBQ there with the car club every year. We got a letter saying we couldn't use the venue though because the smell was not suitable.

It was a mess... an absolute mess! When the GP moved in the park was instantly upgraded to the picturesque paradise it is now. It's stunning. I drive through it often on the way home just for the view and to have a look around.

And Valve... it's not taken out of play for 3 and a half months as you had it. It's about 2 months. They have been slowly puting things up and yesterday was the first day of restricted traffic through the park. That said, traffic during peak hour will still travel through.

It's about 2 months the park is taken out of play due to the GP. But, with that said I believe it's a small price to pay. 2 months out of 12 and the other 10 months the Grand Prix corporation and the government ensure the park is a paradise for all to enjoy.

As I said, don't forget what the park 'used' to look like before it was the venue of the worlds premier motorsports event.

[pino]

A welcome return for this thread :up:

Not only is it informative, it makes the season feel that little bit closer :D

And a welcome back to the creator of this thread too :up:

[Albert Park]

Hi Pino, Dave, Arrows et al,

sorry guys but I've got to bail out of here. I just got told that I'll be leaving tomorrow to work in Sydney for the next 12+ months. I'll be coming back to Melbourne for the week of the GP, but I won't be able to submit any more photos or progress stories as I have done in the past. Sorry.

Let's hope some other local Melbournians can submit some photos here and keep the thread alive. I'll drop in here for a look after I get settled in at Sydney.

PS: The debate whether the Aust F1GP should be at Albert Park or not has been raging for years. As an F1 enthusiast I absolutely love the Albert Park circuit, however I'm not a local. I live some 16kms east of the track therefore I'm not exposed to the 'disruptions' around that area during the set up of and during the GP.

But there's no denying the excitement, the glamour, the carnivale atmosphere, and the plain 'ol fun that me and my group enjoy each year there. And I'll readily admit that I'm selfish about it. Yes I want my Formula One, and I want it in my City, and the Aussies do a damn good job of organising it too. It's a full on program of on-track and off-track events, activities, and races at a GREAT location for the entire 4 days. I do feel somewhat for the locals,...but as I said,....I'm selfish.

All the Best,

AP

[Ari]

I'll try and add a few updates to this thread when I can. I live in Southbank which is only a stones throw from Albert Park.

The difficulty is that they've now closed the circuit and it's only available during peak-hour traffic which, obviously, I'd wanna be as far away as possible from! :)

[speeddurango]

Thank you, this should be a great thread to keep an eye on.

[ozrevhead]

Its so close now - cant wait!

I am so upset that we might loose it all because Melboune dont want to have a night race - FFS is only once a year, not all the bleeding time!!!!

And they dare call Adelaide a backwater!

[Ranger]

Seems Bernie's still concerned about his viewers more than the event. stating that "we won't be going Australia much longer".

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/65566

Bernie Ecclestone:

"At the moment, it is ridiculous that people are asked not to sleep in order to see it live. That can't carry on."

I wonder if he's heard of a 2-hour tape delay. Would that be too ridiculous a solution?

Or change Round 1 with Malaysia, who actually want a night-race. But Bernie isn't warming to the idea of a Malaysian night race... funny about that.

:mad:

In other news, the teams have touched down in Melbourne! :D

[ShiftingGears]

I wonder if he's heard of putting more events in Europe if he wants European viewers to see races at a reasonable time of day. Can't have it both ways.

How many more Asian viewers will get to see an F1 broadcast at a sensible time than European viewers? I wonder if he's actually thought of that.

[Mach24]

We (Australian motorsport) are better off without Bernie!

Bring on 2010, can it come faster...... Please.

[RS]

I came on here specifically to post about Bernie's comments re: an Australian night race. Can't believe how pig headed he's being about this, there are F1 fans who live outside Europe you know!

I'm actually in Europe (UK) and enjoy the change of getting up early to watch the race, especially when it's the first one on the calendar. Those who want to see it live will make the effort, but it's always re-run later in the day anyway so it's not like anyone will miss it.

I don't get the whole night race thing anyway, from what I've heard Singapore will look virtually like day time anyway because the lights will be so strong. Won't be a night race until the fit headlights to the cars lol.

[SGWilko]

I came on here specifically to post about Bernie's comments re: an Australian night race. Can't believe how pig headed he's being about this, there are F1 fans who live outside Europe you know!

I'm actually in Europe (UK) and enjoy the change of getting up early to watch the race, especially when it's the first one on the calendar. Those who want to see it live will make the effort, but it's always re-run later in the day anyway so it's not like anyone will miss it.

I don't get the whole night race thing anyway, from what I've heard Singapore will look virtually like day time anyway because the lights will be so strong. Won't be a night race until the fit headlights to the cars lol.

:up: Does BCE think of us all with complete contempt. So, it's OK for Australians to have to watch European races in the middle of the night, but not vice versa. I guess (alegedly) having to stand on a step ladder to have sex with the missus in the shower is finally getting to the old boy. ;)

[Tazio]

:up: Does BCE think of us all with complete contempt. So, it's OK for Australians to have to watch European races in the middle of the night, but not vice versa. I guess (alegedly) having to stand on a step ladder to have sex with the missus in the shower is finally getting to the old boy. ;)

I get up at 4 to 5am on Sun day for every F1 race in Europe, and consider it
an event well worth losing a little snooze time for. Bernies is only doing this because he knows how tough the Kiwi, and Ausie fans are. He's only catering to the European viewers, because like him, they are "Girly Men" :D

[Valve Bounce]

:up: I guess (alegedly) having to stand on a step ladder to have sex with the missus in the shower is finally getting to the old boy. ;)

Don't kid yourself - he ain't up to that either.

[maxu05]

I think Bernie is acting out his bucket list :D

[Nurburgring]

Hey imagine what the Grand Prix would be like if it took place in Sydney. I mean I'd always prefer anything to do with Melbourne over Sydney but honestly Albert Park is old and its losing spectators and profit I reckon its time it moved up north to Sydney and we gave it a crack there for a year or two and if we don't like it goes back to Melbourne?

[Ari]

Its so close now - cant wait!

I am so upset that we might loose it all because Melboune dont want to have a night race - FFS is only once a year, not all the bleeding time!!!!

And they dare call Adelaide a backwater!

Melbourne's a street circuit in a built-up residential area. There's no way Albert Park could accommodate a night race. In addition, there's no way Melbourne would go and setup infrastructure at an entirely new track and add lights just to appease Bernie.

You might wanna rethink all of the elements of this argument. When you do, post them in the appropriate thread.

[ArrowsFA1]

sorry guys but I've got to bail out of here. I just got told that I'll be leaving tomorrow to work in Sydney for the next 12+ months. I'll be coming back to Melbourne for the week of the GP, but I won't be able to submit any more photos or progress stories as I have done in the past. Sorry.
Didn't you tell your friends in Sydney you have to post GP photos here? :eek: For goodness sake, it's simply not good enough :p : :cool: