THE DAVID COULTHARD MUSEUM
Race day at the diner, European GP
Well, well, well….what an absolutely fantastic day that was. Not only was it a brilliant race which saw DC scoring (see race review) but an incredibly good laugh was had by all. Since he actually didn’t manage to finish the race we held our very own impromptu press conference for Kimi Raikonen. He…well…erm…obviously consoled himself with a few pies after the race. This was then followed by one of the slickest pit-stops I’ve ever seen. Forget McLaren and Ferrari the ‘Twynosi’ have mop lollipops and guttering fuel hoses. It was a grand day and a good way to celebrate another four points for DC.
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Well by one ‘o’ clock it appeared to be just like any other race day party. All the breakfasts had been served up and all the dishes were washed (just about) and the baying mob settled down to watch the European Grand Prix. Little did we expect what was to follow. Monsoon conditions meant the opening laps of the race were filled with motoring mayhem. And of course there was a massive cheer as Jenson Button slid out of the race followed by countryman Hamilton, Sutil, Rosberg and Speed. There was cries of ‘OOOH’ and ‘AAAH’ as Liuzzi followed them narrowly missing the safety car and then giving the tractor a gentle nudge. A wave of jollity hit the room as we realised DC had made it up to fifth.
Once the break arrived we regrouped and I studied the live timing screens to understand what the hell was going on. Once the race restarted the biggest cheer of the afternoon was brought on by the brilliant move by DC up the inside of Webber to take third place. Even though this didn’t last very long for a while the diner was alight by the chance of a podium. Throughout the many incidents during the race the diners got more and more excited as displayed by many cheers and jeers. And quite a lot of laughs as many off us watched the new Mercedes commercial for the first time.
After the race once the scones and tea had been served everyone was treated to a special visit from none another Kimi ‘Iain’ Raikkonen. Since he retired from the race we decided to let Kimi have his own press conference. Complete with microphone (that was played with numerous time) drink jug and Bridgestone cap we were treated to perhaps the funniest F1 Press Conference I have ever seen an I’m sure no matter what the result is at Budapest we many be seeing more of Kimi and perhaps even Heikki at the next press conference. Though nobody was quite sure at what point Kimi had become a member of the ‘Twynosi’…..
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And speaking of the Twynosi they kicked into action as a fleet of Lotus Elises pilled past the museum. Whilst we were al standing round waiting for the magnificent cars to go past we were all in our glorious Twynosi shirts and it seemed to me we all looked like a makeshift pit-crew. I then ran into the museum and grabbed the free standing Goodyear wet that’s on display, and so like one of the mechanics was standing there holding the wheel waiting for the cars. When the first one came through we eventually got the car to come to a standstill and get it onto the wet tyres. Meanwhile, in the diner Iain had taken one of his Spanish student, Xabi into the diner and using a mop and two paper plates went about constructing a make shift lollipop. After I managed to get some piping to use as a fuel pump when the last car came through we were ready. Unfortunately when exiting the pit’s the final Elise in a Hamilton-Silverstone move I had my foot run over but thankfully I was ok.
It really was a fantastic day thoroughly enjoyed by all who were there. I urge all of you if you have a weekend off to get in touch with Wendy and come and join us wacky lot on any of the remaining European races and then many more in 2008. And by the way the crazier the better…