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After arriving inside the Royal Albert Hall at 3 pm from the torrential
rains in London, I met Chris Adamson (the production manager). He
was quite busy and directed me to sit at the side of the stage while
he went about his panic suppression. http://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/0,,35-82181,00.html.
The show run-through was under way, and its 2 hosts Tony Jardine
and Carol Vorderman were trading guffaws like Tommy Cooper and Benny
Hill. Let me just say that Ms.Carol is looking FABULOUS/MARVELLOUS...a
far cry from the shape she once was.
I sat there for the best part of the hour before realising that
Chris was in WAY TO DEEP to even think about my need for credentials...so
backstage I went...tripping over every cord and Mic lead on the
way not to mention every London based roadie who works for the crew
service company called Stage Miracles...most all of them who know
me said....'thought you'd be here'...
The Promoters office was full of people wanting passes...I just
stood in line and before anyone had questioned me or my motives
the pass was around my neck!!! (ain't like this in the racing world)...I
went for lunch and returned just before the event opened up to the
public. There in the foyer of the RAH was an MP4/13 dressed as a
new Mclaren , I contemplated trying to sit in it but realised that
if i were to get stuck ( and that's what happened the last time
I tried to slide my long frame inside an F1 car). It would look
rather silly as the punters filed in, so I just stuck my head into
the cockpit and played with the steering wheel till my brain said
hey...'take the wheel off' and I did. With a quick pull back on
the retaining ring and a little 'clink' was heard, so there I was
Steering wheel in hand ....Aren't I cool?!?!?.... NO I AM NOT,....couldn't
get the wheel
back on you see.!!! So...I left it hanging on the steering column....
I figured I had better leave the scene of the crime. So off I went
backstage, and upon walking through the corridor I see Paul Stewart
looking very fit and chipper. He plays a mean lead guitar and is
a staple in the Damon Hill band, one of tonight's musical guests.
Then I saw Nigel and Roseanne Mansell and Eddie Irvine sitting in
the "VIP"room. Nigel looked a bit lost for what to do
or where to go, when he poked his head outside the door and asked
no one in particular..."Where's This Press Conference Then".
Most of the young production assistants hired for the day had no
idea who or what they were dealing with. So I told Roseanne that
the press room was upstairs, and then said to Nigel..."you
provided me and many of my friends countless hours of nail biting
entertainment...Thank you". He smiled broadly and shook my
hand with his trademark grip...(ouch!!) and signalled to Eddie to
go upstairs....Eddie was ignoring his standard knockout beauty in
toe and spent his time with his little silver Nokia pasted to his
ear while he slinked down the corridor...funny thing is...No one,
myself included, could receive ANY cell signal backstage under that
cement bunker at Albert Hall....hmmm.
Most of the other F1 celebs were in the boxes that encircle the
RAH and not backstage...A well planed Idea this, because it was
pandemonium....Although Murray Walker was glad handing anyone (stagehands
included) as he seems to love being feted. As I walked out to the
audience to see what I could of the show, I met Damon Hill going
back to his dressing room.
Just a quick hand shake and a smile and I said ..'I hope you enjoy
that Gibson tonight'. It seems that he is way more into playing
guitar than entertaining the memories of those days past. He looked
well though, and seemed quite happy.
The show started with Carol and Tony doing the comedy and all that.
Carol wore what seemed to be a used tire, very poor choice. It didn't
fit....Scotty Duig the chief Lighting tech said, she should have
gone to Quick Fit Tyre Fitters!!!!!
The celebs all came out to receive awards called Bernie's which
were shaped like Oscars but with shaggy grey hair.. Bernie too made
an appearance on stage and was quick with the quips as always. The
crowd had a good response to him and he seemed to enjoy that. http://www.autosport.com/img/store/130201-011810A.jpg
As the evening wore on, the only detractor was the fact that with
testing in full swing no other driver other than the Swerve were
able to attend...perhaps next time the event will be scheduled with
this in mind. Just before the interval an INCREDIBLE 2000 video
compilation of clips from the digital broadcast were shown with
very dramatic music....the crowd was spellbound... as was I..At
the end...massive applause!!
Just before I lost track of what was going on..(free drink you
see)...Dr. Sid Watkins, for whom the event was held, paid tribute
to Bernie in a sweet and touching speech which received an ovation.
I hope to be a guest for the next GPP.....and as no one knew I
broke the Mclaren's steering wheel clip this is a possibility.
http://www.autosport.com/article3.cfm?id=12959&ref=home&series=5
http://uk.sports.yahoo.com/010213/80/b147r.html
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