Reporting on the British Grand Prix

[Bob Bull]

I know that many people (not necessarily members of this forum) envy my role as an International Motorsport Reporter, and wish they too could live the glamorous lifestyle amongst the world's greatest drivers, constantly having one's opinion sought on crucial matters of the moment. Well it is not all champagne and glory, there is a lot of hard work involved. Personally I always arrive at 6.0am in order to avoid the general public who can be a nuisance.
It is now that the real business begins and my first priority before seeking out important people to interview is to tour the various team units to find out who is providing hospitality to the media and what is on offer. Friday evening involved an arduous hour or so sampling the sausage and mash with Honda and also trying the fish and chips. Ex Ferrari World Champion Jody Schechter had supplied the organic pork and leek bangers fom his farm and also copious quantities of organic home brewed ale. Naturally I stuck to orange juice. Breakfast and lunch on Saturday were compliments of Ferrari and so welcoming were they I went back on Sunday for more of the same. I ascertained that Honda were offering full English on Sunday morning, but as it was raining I went to Ferrari, which was a lot closer, however, many of my colleagues were very grateful for the tip and rushed off down the far end of the paddock. This left more room at Ferrari.
With promise of playing out an interview with the lovely Nardia Petrossi of Kangaroo TV, I was accorded the use of a very natty gadget. This is a hand held TV that takes the feed from the normal TV and also allows you to view lap times, sector times, race order and also replay of the last 30 seconds of action to see the spins again. Team radio to drivers is also available and one can select any driver and get the on-board camera's shots. Very useful and I even saw some people multi-tasking in the gents toilet in order not miss anything. In my spare time I managed to do a number of reports into Three Counties Radio and also provided material for BBC Northampton. The race was not much to my liking with my least favourite driver taking a dominant win and my own 'Top Man' spin five times and finish two laps down in last place,Felipe! What were you doing?
Luca Colsanjani, Ferrari's press officer could or would not cast any light on the matter and interested parties should tune into 3CR to hear his views.
You may also hear Damon Hill's take on the Donington business and ten minutes on the subject of Bridgestone tyres amongst other items. Unfortunately with the frantic activity that follows the main race I was unable to see the 'proper race' and was unable to pester the likes of Dion K, so some good news for my usual victims.

Next up is the Classic.

Note to Mark Shears, don't bother applying for the job of 'Sausage Chef' at Honda - please!!.

BB

[Jim Mountain]

Bob

If you need someone to come and hold your mic next year, give me a shout !

[Bob Bull]

Jim,
That suggestion is not as silly as you may think.

Might see you,

Bob

[Chris Acklam]

Great that you managed to see a bit of the racing every now and then between all the free food, Bob. Is that your second (third?) job - Fast Food Reporter for the Leicester Gazette?

The Kangaroo TV gadgets have been getting good reports from other venues - I think they were at Le Mans 24H too. Interesting (though I am not sure that we need to know about your multi-tasking in the Gents loos, thank you very much).

[Bob Bull]

Chris,
Not guilty, I need both hands.
Oh! The burden I have to carry.
The real culprit was an Autosport reporter with a bunch.
You will be glad to hear that I took time over my refreshments - no 'fast food' for me!
All of the teams issue regular bulletins on their progress complete with handy quotes from drivers and team managers, therefore the busy journo does not have to go chasing around for such items, however, the radio reporter has to obtain one-to-one access with his prey and that ain't easy, because TV get's priority at all times and we lesser mortals hang around for crumbs (back to food again). Personally I cannot be bothered to join a mighty scrum of people trying to get to talk to Hamilton etc. because I know that they will stick to the PR line at all times, and you will get exactly the same content as the last ten people. I prefer to find the people with time to talk and tell you something you want to hear. My colleague Ian rushed up to tell me 'I got Lewis', 'I got a few words with Bernie'. Nice to put on your CV but completely useless in terms of informing the listener. That's why I prefer Club Meetings the Morgan drivers are so much easier to get at.
One of my 'local' drivers is Danny Watts from Thornborough in Bucks. and he finished second in the rain soaked Porsche Carrera Cup race after starting 12th on the grid, and I was pleased to catch him with his wreath and champagne fresh from the podium. Now, hopefully, his friends and family will hear him on the local radio and hear first hand about his race. This is why I do the job, talking to real people and maybe helping their career along is very satisfying and worth more to me than 10 secs with a foreign superstar.

You see? I'm just an old softy at heart. Roll on the BDC.

[peter rafter]

shouldnt this all be in the new silly section?

[Bob Bull]

Peter,
You are unkind.

Bob

[peter rafter]

bob
apologies for the fat finger
i was of course referring to the postings on donnington

[Jim Mountain]

Chris,
Not guilty, I need both hands.
Oh! The burden I have to carry.

that offer was for the mic only !!!!!

[Phil Egginton]

No Pete's correct... this should be in the 'Stop rubbing us lowly ones noses in it, Silly Section'.....

[Bob Bull]

Phil,
I apologise for being smug and cocky, honestly I am in reality, very low down the pecking order and not the least bit important. All a bit Walter Mitty if truth be told.

Silly Bob

[Mark Shears]

Bob,

Sampled some of Jody Sheckters organic beer at the big HSCC Brands SuperPrix meeting the weekend before the British GP -very good it was too! but it didn't help my lap times!

The sausages were an improvement though at our Saturday night Barbeque - ask John Clarke and Jonny his son who will vouch for me! That sausage chef job at Honda still beckons!

Cheers

Mark

PS Young Jonny is driving in the 'Little Big Mans' event at Classic Le Mans this weekend.Bon Chance to him and his father and drivers of the Series 1 and of course to all the Plus 4 drivers this weekend.

[Bob Bull]

Good news indeed on the sausage front, Mark, should you require a reference re. your culinary skills, when approaching Honda, I'm sure the Clarke family will oblige.
Talking of Jonny, it may interest you to learn that he to has joined the long list of interviewees on BBC Three Counties Radio!! It may never happen again though as he was less than flattering about Dad's driving. Out of the mouths of ............!

Still I had better not drop too many names lest I am accused of boasting.

See you at the Classic - should I bring sausages?

[Richard Smith]

I hope you will be at the Club Sprint at Curborough Bob! We are ALL approachable there!

[Bob Bull]

Andy,
I have heard that the Curborough Sprint will be held at Silverstone from 2010 to replace the GP, lost to Sunny Donny. It will be held on a spanking brand new section at the bottom of the site with lashings of hospitality and the organisers are trying to whip up a lot of enthusiasm. Only the Max will be eligible for this event as it is the only one able to take the punishment. What Bum thought that one up I wonder?
I shall be representing the News of the World and will definitely be taking pictures for publishing on the usual site.

Is LCFC famous for anything?

On another subject, ain't it a shame that the day our hero Lewis has the greatest drive in the history of motor racing, two blokes get all the attention for banging a ball back and fore across a little net. There ain't no justice.

Bob the Reporter.