WHOA!! Formula 1 2005 USGP Pitlane Pictar's

[m3f_salty]

That has to be a world record of being photographed with everybody who is anybody in F1 in a 1 or two day period. Curious how you got such access? Well done. Alonso looks like a Ragger!!

[m3f_Isis M]

wow, nice!

[m3f_pMak26]

Dude, how did you get access to everyone and can you hook it up for Austin 2012? I'll be there.

[m3f_Shaun55F]

Badass. Does Kimi ever smile? lol Thanks for sharing.



Can't wait for Austin 2012!

[m3f_M3n00b]

Badass. Does Kimi ever smile? lol Thanks for sharing.


Can't wait for Austin 2012!

he always has the "WTF just happened?" look.

[m3f_Rider]

Maybe someday F1 will come back to the US. Either way, this past season was pretty crazy! Good work Red Bull and especially Sebastian. Great season finale! I always wonder why more Americans aren't into it...especially coming off thrilling finishes like this one.

[m3f_JPoland]

Wait...2005...weren't there only like 6 cars on the grid at the race due to Michelin's FAILure? I bet you felt ripped off.

I was at that race too. All cars were on the grid but after the parade lap most just went into the garages.

Since they knew they weren't going to run some of the drivers were just blasting around the corners on the parade and screwing around.



I still stayed and watched the Ferraris just obliterate the other 2(?) teams which weren't good teams anyway.

[m3f_Aavi]

That has to be a world record of being photographed with everybody who is anybody in F1 in a 1 or two day period. Curious how you got such access? Well done. Alonso looks like a Ragger!!

Dude, how did you get access to everyone and can you hook it up for Austin 2012? I'll be there.

Ok this is kind of a long one:


I had a friend at college who used to go to school with Karun Chandock (HRT driver this season). Both are childhood/family friends, Karun's dad IIRC is or was the former President of Federation of Motor Sports Clubs of India (FMSCI) and one of the leading figure's to help bring F1 in India.


Hence, he shares a great rapport and support from Bernie Ecclestone. My friend in college (who I am still in touch with and over the years we have become great buddies) is also into cars and racing. So when I came to know that he went to school with Karun Chandock, I mentioned it to him as a joke that may be you should try to see if we could get pitlane passes for the USGP @ Indy.


Well the seed was planted, talks started, Karun Chandock requested it to his dad who got in touch with Bernie Ecclestone, Bernie Ecclestone granted us the passes dated 10 June 2005 via his Event Management Department, Formula One Management Ltd.


And then Karun emailed us the instructions:

bottlers,


passes sorted. follow instructions as per the attached fax. they are

super strict about the times so for god's sake try not to be your

usual late self !!


take a print out of the fax along with your drivers licence and

collect it from the given address. yenjoyyy !!!!


k.

and that was it. Since then I've tried getting pitlane passes for Monaco GP, but apparently FOM became a bit strict with issuing passes. My friend infact was invited a year or two ago @ the Monaco GP by Vijay Mallya and for a private party on his yatch during the same Mocago GP weekend, he was too busy and did not go. But he did mention it to me.


but that is it

[m3f_Shaun55F]

Haha. That is awesome. Receiving an email from Chandhok is a great conversation piece.

[m3f_Potenza]

Nice pictures, brings back memories.



I was there all weekend. Sunday sure sucked, at least I got free tickets to the race the following year.



I always enjoyed practice/qualifying walking around and just soaking in the whole F1 race weekend experience more than the actual F1 race.



The Porsche Supercup races were awesome though. Those guys duke it out.



Can't wait for Autsin 2012. *crosses fingers*

[m3f_JPoland]

Nice pictures, brings back memories.



I was there all weekend. Sunday sure sucked, at least I got free tickets to the race the following year.



I always enjoyed practice/qualifying walking around and just soaking in the whole F1 race weekend experience more than the actual F1 race.



The Porsche Supercup races were awesome though. Those guys duke it out.



Can't wait for Autsin 2012. *crosses fingers*

Yea wasn't the option money back or free tickets for the next year? I also took the free tickets.



I have found the opening races before the F1 race to always have been enjoyable.

[m3f_Potenza]

Yea wasn't the option money back or free tickets for the next year? I also took the free tickets.



I have found the opening races before the F1 race to always have been enjoyable.

Yea, Michelin wrote a check to anyone that filled out the refund claim for face value of the ticket. I bought my tickets on eBay that year for $15 below face value so ended up making $30 on the deal. I bought stand H tickets for the following year, best seats in the house.



It sucks the event left. There nothing like hearing those engines in person. The TV does them no justice. I'll never forget the first time I heard a V10 screaming down the IMS strait at 20,000 rpm standing allong the fence 10' away. It was a bone chilling scream that brought tears to my eyes.



All I can say is, this Austin thing better happen!

[m3f_Lowflight]

Boy, that was a crappy weekend. Had fun up until the night before the race. Wife and I stayed in same hotel with the majority of the Michelin people...they gave us the heads up the night before that we were screwed. 10 hour drive home was the longest of my life.







Wife's face said it all...