Best F1 race/weekend you have ever been to

[MCLS]

Seeing as it's the British Grand Prix next weekend it's appropriate for me to write this thread really, because while I haven't been to many races (I am only 16 after all) but the British Grand Prix 3 years ago definetely left a mark. Bronze tickets at Copse Terrace for the weekend but the ticket allowed free access to the entire circuit on the Friday, something I took advantage of as most of Friday I was up at the 'stadium' section at the end of the lap and down the main straight, for the Saturday I moved down to the terraces on a sunny Saturday (apart from a short shower between Q1 and Q2). However it is Sunday that will remain memorable for a number of reasons, the downpour on Sunday morning when it was pretty much raining sideways, during the GP2 race and Supercup races I literally had to have an umbrella above AND in front to keep out the rain and wind. And then came the race, The place nearly erupted when Hamilton made up 2 places at the start into turn 1 and then taking Heikki soon after, the strategy in the terrace was when to use the UDS (Umbrella Deployment System) as heavy showers came and went (like Massa on the track really). But the track was like a party on the last lap and it was if Hamilton had won the championship when he crossed the finish line to win. All in all it was a fantastic weekend, including staying after the race watching the classic race while all the stuff dried out and listening to the Wimbledon final on the radio as it took 4 hours to get out of the car park.

So it would be great to hear other experiences of other great (or even famous) races/weekends that you've attended

 

[ExtremeNinja]

Never been. Trying to plan a trip to Interlagos this year. Was going to go to Silverstone but have a wedding to attend instead.

 

[Incubus]

Le Mans 1990. Because it was the first motoring event I ever went to and because on top of the racing I was blown away by the fantastic Le Mans atmosphere. I think I was the same age as you are now.

 

[teabagyokel]

I think the great thing about that weekend, MCLS, was the rain just delayed Wimbledon enough to watch it too, so watching on my seat at home we had a great British GP and the best sporting match-up I have ever seen in any sport.

 

[FB]

Went to a day's club racing at Brands **** years ago which ended with a 10 lap truck race - absolutely BRILLIANT! If you have never seen truck racing then get along to one soon. Also, the FIA Top Fuel dragsters at Santa Pod - SUPERB!

 

[Hamberg]

I've been to the last 2 British GP's, the first one was just amazing because it was my first race but they feel like the best holiday ever. I know people say it's expensive but I honestly think the money is worth as it's a full 3 day sporting event with entertainment the entire way through. The support races, especially GP2 are well worth watching - really good.

 

[MCLS]

Aye, watching Senna march through the sodden track to win the GP2 race was special, shades of Donnington 93 there.

 

[Slyboogy]

I went to Spa last year, got a Gold ticket at Eau Rouge, only grand prix I went to. The speed the cars go through that corner is immense! You can even feel the grandstand rumbling a bit as if it's an earthquake, I was cheering on Kubica as I didn't support anyone so I thought he was the underdog....

What annoyed me though was, the King of Spa, the driver who I supported left the sport when I decided to go to Spa

 

[MCLS]

Belgium 2007, A definition of Kimi at Spa, was there for that

 

[Slyboogy]

No need to rub it in

 

[RevMaxPower]

For the sheer spectacle WRC is better than F1. The car control and speed on narrow tracks in rough conditions is unbelievable to behold at close quarters. And it's usually free of charge...

 

[sportsman]

Thats a difficult question.I suppose my first live F1 GP has to be my best weekend.That was the 1955 British GP at Aintree with Moss and Fangio in the Mercedes W196.Other races that stick in my memory are 1970 Monaco with Jochen Rindt hunting down Jack Brabham.So many races that apart from some that are unforgettable for the wrong reasons 1978 Monza being one of them. I worked for Arrows during the 1979/81 seasons so during that time I went to all the European races so there are simply to many to remember in detail

 

[siffert_fan]

OMG, sportsman, you have to be even older than I am!! I didn't think that was possible.

My two best weekends were from the 60s:

Monza in 1967, seeing Clark at his absolute best (which is REALLY saying something).
Brands Hatch in 1968, the epic battle between Siffert and Amon.

 

[KekeTheKing]

during that time I went to all the European races

So you were at Zolder 81 sportsman?

 

[sportsman]

So you were at Zolder 81 sportsman?

Sad to say I was.A complete and total fiasco.I was sure that Dave Luccet (sp) had either been killed or cut in half.
That race should have been restarted at least one hour later after the shambles at the start.
The cars should have been sent back to the pits, they were all overheating and the race restarted later.

 

[sportsman]

OMG, sportsman, you have to be even older than I am!! I didn't think that was possible.

My two best weekends were from the 60s:

Monza in 1967, seeing Clark at his absolute best (which is REALLY saying something).
Brands Hatch in 1968, the epic battle between Siffert and Amon.

I saw the 1968 race.A battle royal of the titans.Incidently I was born in 1945.I don't want to do the math.

 

[KekeTheKing]

Sad to say I was.

Wow, I'm sorry to bring that up in the "Best Race Weekend" thread, but I find it remarkable that we've got somebody here at CTA that was at the scene of that debacle. Thanks for sharing your memories.

On a better note, you must have been at San Marino two weeks earlier when Patrese finished 2nd right?

 

[Jen]

Wow, I'm sorry to bring that up in the "Best Race Weekend" thread, but I find it remarkable that we've got somebody here at CTA that was at the scene of that debacle. Thanks for sharing your memories.

On a better note, you must have been at San Marino two weeks earlier when Patrese finished 2nd right?

Indeed, thanks Sportsman, such a wealth of knowledge and experience.

 

[sportsman]

Wow, I'm sorry to bring that up in the "Best Race Weekend" thread, but I find it remarkable that we've got somebody here at CTA that was at the scene of that debacle. Thanks for sharing your memories.

On a better note, you must have been at San Marino two weeks earlier when Patrese finished 2nd right?

Indeed I was.That was a wet dry wet dry race and at one point Patrese looked as though he might win.I my memory serves that was the race Toleman turned up.

Indeed, thanks Sportsman, such a wealth of knowledge and experience.

How about old age.

 

[Jen]

Old age is good - I'm behind you by 5 years but my knowledge is infinitesimal in comparison. Good on you and thanks for telling us how it was.