As a fan, 2007 was a watershed year for my ongoing F1 education. Here are a few things I learned:
1. You can indeed get into the F1 paddock. It just takes one drink too many and a load of cash (or plastic) when the charity auction hammer drops. Hey Honda, please get back to me and explain exactly what happened to my “Christian Klein Guided Tour.”
2. It is possible for an unknown internet writer to talk his way into getting press credentials. It wasn’t Formula 1 but it was historic grand prix racing in all its glory. I stood trackside (no fences) as some of the prettiest cars racing has ever seen raced past on the legendary Mosport track. Some of the best shots are in a back issue of my BrakeTest newsletter.
3. Networking pays off. My newsletter fell into the hands of a local author who needed a photographer for the Toronto Grand Prix. “Race photos? Katherine Legge? Three days? Sure, I’m your man!” Not a single usable photo for her book but a hell of an education for me!
4. Racing can cost more than money. While on honeymoon in Scotland, I made a personal pilgrimage to the grave of Jim Clark, one of the most gifted race drivers ever to grace F1. Standing there in the cemetery reminded me of the price that has sometimes been paid in this sport. In an age of carbonfiber safety cells and emasculated tracks, its easy to forget how dangerous it was and is.
5. Its easy to overextend. While all of the above was going on, I was putting together a monthly newsletter on racing, preparing for a September wedding and honeymoon, working a full time job and buying a house (10 days before said wedding). It took its toll and the end result was that BrakeTest.net will be wrapped up shortly. It was a good run but too time consuming.
My desire to write will hopefully be contained by this blog while some larger projects gel in the background. I’m looking forward to the more interactive environment the blog provides and hope to hear from old friends from BrakeTest and new F1 fans alike.
Happy New Year
Rob Huntley
1 Comment
January 5, 2008 at 6:35 pm
Hi Rob,
Sorry to hear about BrakeTest, I always had a look at every issue since we were featured
But I’ll be checking back here for updates. Liked the above post, optimistic but with a touch of remembrance for the New Year.
Here’s to a great 2008!