on air diary...
FAREWELL SILVERSTONE
posted by Lee McKenzie on 16/06/2009
Silverstone will be a weekend of high emotion; excitement for everyone, ecstasy for one driver, disappointment for 19 others and sadness from the fans at the thought of the last Grand Prix at the track. Add into mix the constant concern over the British weather and it makes for one hell of a tiring week!
Silverstone is where most people of my generation started watching Formula One, although I actually started my F1 spectating career at Magny Cours and despite several trips to the French Grand Prix it wasn’t until 1995 that I made it to the home of British motorsport.
This weekend, teams, drivers, friends and fans all seem to be making a big effort to mark the end of an era. Over the last few years the track has been berated for poor infrastructure, roads, parking, even weather! Personally I think it should be remembered for great days and victories courtesy of Nigel Mansell, Damon Hill and my old and not so old friends John Watson and David Coulthard.
This week is always a pretty hectic one for me. As well as the normal 4 days filming with the BBC, there are plenty of events on too. Saturday is the big one though and I am presenting the Silverstone Ball at Stowe in front of thousands of people and also a big celebrity line up. As well as music from some big names, I am hosting the Miss TW Steel final with models from all over the world battling it out for the title.
On the Sunday night after the race there is the traditional Silverstone concert which is always a hoot and then it is down to London for a final celebration at one of the drivers traditional post-Silverstone parties. Monday is officially a day off!
As I sit in my garden writing this in the sunshine I am praying that in 48 hours, the sun will still be shining and I won’t be getting tractored in and out of a muddy field!
If you are still not convinced what we will lose by not having Silverstone on the calendar then take a look at this. It is Murray’s Great Grand Prix moments -
http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/andrewbenson/2009/06/classic_british_grands_prix.html
Thanks for stopping by and enjoy a great weekend.
Lee x
