on air diary...
MORE ROCK - NO ROLL PLEASE!
posted by Lee McKenzie on 14/08/2009
Beyonce, Black Eyed Peas, NERD, ZZ Top, Simple Minds and the F1 drivers – F1 really does Rock in Singapore this year. I have just launched the new concept between rock promoters Universal Music, LG and Bernie Ecclestone. Tonight I get real taste of rock with U2 in London and I can’t wait. Then this weekend I am hoping for a bit of rock but definitely NO roll when I go to Silverstone to cheer on a friend battling in British F3. And then there is my IRC rally attempts!
First though, the music! Basically after the F1 night race has finished, the stunning backdrop will change from a race track to a rock concert with some of the top artists in the world carrying on where the some of the top sportsmen in the world left off.
The idea is to bring new audiences into Formula One and create an all encompassing entertainment package and a TV programme which will be broadcast throughout the world.
On stage last week Bernie Ecclestone was delighted with the announcement although he did hold back on his favourite artists saying he was up with “all the modern music, Frank Sinatra etc”!
F1 Rocks kicks off in Singapore this year but it is hoped that there may be 7 or 8 events after F1 races throughout the world next season. This year in Melbourne we were treated to The Who, although sadly we were still on air and on my first programme I thought it wouldn’t be the ‘done’ thing to sneak off and watch some live music!
As I said on stage when I heard the line up, there was a time a few years ago when if you asked drivers who their favourite bands were, every one of them would say either Phil Collins or Dire Straits. You can’t imagine Lewis Hamilton coming out with that!
With Lewis into his R&B and Timo Glock loving heavy rock, it will be fun to see who is partying to what when the chequered flag falls in Singapore and the party really starts!
This weekend I head to one of my favourite tracks, Silverstone to watch the British F3 championship. Last year’s champion Jaime Alguersuari has already arrived in F1 thanks to a combination of talent and money. My next blog is on money spent, money needed and why talent is not enough in motorsport any more – cash is King! But back to the track and this season there are plenty of good drivers battling it out in British F3 – check out www.rengervanderzande.com
Finally my quest to take part in the final round of the IRC, Intercontinental Rally Championship is looking pretty good www.ircseries.com I will get back to you with more on that soon.
Thanks for saying hi
Lee x
