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!".

The Beast said:

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!".

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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

:sucks: without piccys
:wave:

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

bludvl_x19 said:

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.

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

luvduvs said:

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

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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.

bludvl_x19 said:

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

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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.


:slayer::slayer::slayer::slayer::slayer::slayer::slayer::slayer::slayer::slayer: :slayer::slayer::slayer::slayer::slayer::slayer::slayer::slayer::slayer::slayer:


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?

luvduvs said:

Nice photos!

Did you get close to any of the celebs?

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

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

Great photo's!

Luke Darcy (AFL Player) was the one who had the crash. He was punted off into the tyre wall by one of other drivers.

Troy.

TroyO said:

Great photo's!

Luke Darcy (AFL Player) was the one who had the crash. He was punted off into the tyre wall by one of other drivers.

Troy.

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Yeah, it was Luke Darcy. He is so tall (197cm) that he couldn't get out of the passengers door while the car was upside down, so they had to roll it over with him still strapped into the seat.

Michael

Brilliant pics! Followed with an exciting start to the F1 season.

bludvl_x19 said:

Straughnie

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Who?

bludvl_x19 said:

Nathan Buckley

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Who?

bludvl_x19 said:

Steph Gilmore

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Who?

TroyO said:

Luke Darcy (AFL Player)

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Who?

Straughnie is a parody character of an AFL superstar, really just Peter Hellier in a mullet wig.

Nathan Buckley: See above Nah, an AFL Legend.

Steph Gilmore: recently won the world surfing championship, 19yrs old, hot as all hell, thus my comments earlier.

Luke Darcy: See Buckley.

Because Victoria is an AFL state, a lot of AFL players are chosen. But Ben Tune and Robbie Kearns flew the flag for the REAL Football. There were also a rower, a tennis player (Phillipousis, can't drive for s%&t, despite the awesome cars he has owned) I think a basketballer, and a couple of other sports stars.


Michael