(G) 500's at the AGP

I was just doing a quick trawl through the forum, and I couldn't find any threads on this topic. So I decided to start my own.

The Fiat (new) 500 is going to make its international motorsport debut (me thinks) at the Australian Grand Prix, with it being the car of choice for the celebrity challenge. All the cars have been ordered by customers, with the race mods o a rollcage and decals on the outside being removed before delivery to the customer.

Now, I am lucky enough to be going to the GP, as a marshall, so I will endevour to take many happy snaps of the cars as they are fanged around Albert Park, proving to the general public just how cool they are.

Cheers,

Michael

Cool. You'll need to get some of the pics uploaded to the forum for everyone to see. Also wear something recognisable. So those of us watching on TV can pick you out and scream at the telly " I know him!".

Ok, I'll be the one in white overalls with a blue hat on.
Atm I'm at Turn 9, but it might change in the next couple of days.

Michael

I said it might change, it has. I'm now a Flagmarshall, I just don't know where,

Also, there is a driver training for the celebs on Wendesday at Sandown. Guess where I'm headed? There will probably be more photo oppourtunities on Wednesday, but either way, there will be plent coming for the forum.

Cheers,


Michael

Well I have plenty of pics from Wednesday, plus a little bonus (it was for me) that you will see when I post the pics; at the moment I don't have enough spare time, maybe Monday or Tuesday.

I do have one bit of news from Thursday's practice at Sandown, one of the celebrities managed to execute a 5th to 2nd gearshift, causing the pistons to introduce themselves to the valves He jumped in one of the spare cars, and they replaced the engine on Friday in around 2/3 hours, and he went back out in his car for the qualy session.

Pictures to come,


Michael

Keep us update, thanks for the news

without piccys


Gill

If you want to see some of the videos goto www.grandprix.com.au and select fans -> videos. From there you should see listed the various celebrity challenge videos.


Regards,
Simon

So they're thrashed before delivered to unsuspecting new customers?

Could be. The dealer I spoke was expecting a couple of the cars, though it was not 100% that they would be sold and they could be put on display in the showroom.

Troy.

I would imagine the noise was quite something before it remembered it wasn't a motorbike and that 11K rpm was a poor plan.

Is the 500 race gonna be watchable on tv or t'internet anywhere??

Well, after a long delay, and at much expense to the management , I have now got the photos uploaded. I'll post a few chouce ones, for the others you can visit my photobucket.










These few are of the Lucky Bastard (A technical term used by an Aussie car mag) who won the drive in the Challenge.






Eventual winner Robbie Maddison (of the Crusty Demons) won both the races from pole to flag.


Now, in a previous post I said there was a bonus, well, I got to Sandown to see this doing laps. Once again, more on my Photobucket.


:s layer: :s layer:


There was a rollover on Sunday, but i couldn't get my camera out fast enough to take a photo or two. The car looked like a write-off, so I guess there is one customer who is getting a phonecall from Fiat today to explain why there will be a delay in delivery of their car. I'll try to find some photos on the internet and post them for you guys.

I hope the wait was worth it!!

Michael

Nice photos!

Did you get close to any of the celebs?

I got close to a couple, Straughnie, Nathan Buckley, Steph Gilmore ( ) but is was more in a casual situation, and as such didn't get any photos of them

It was a good weekend though, 35+ temperatures from Thursday to Sunday, and then only 7 cars actually finishing the AGP. I tell you, the worst bit was seeing Webber limp past my point with the broken axle on the first lap. We all thought he'd go on the 2nd or 3rd.

Michael