Indy and Wimbledon
This weekend I got to meet the fabulous baby_sis and her equally fab BFF, who both came to town for the Molson Grand Prix (a.k.a. the Molson Indy, but they changed the name). BFF works for Champ Car, so she pulled strings and got baby_sis and me VIP passes that got us in behind the scenes. The highlight was getting a ride in one of the pace cars before the race. OMG AMAZING! One of the most awesome things I have ever had the chance to do. The pace cars are souped-up Ford Mustangs, and they strap you into the passenger seat (with the heavy-duty harness that goes over both shoulders), and one of the drivers (who are all women, which is neat) takes you on a lap of the circuit. Let me tell you, whipping around those turns at 120 miles an hour is pretty fucking cool! I have never gone so fast before in my life! It was really interesting to get a little taste of what the Indy drivers experience going around the track (although they go faster, which blows my mind, because we were going damn fast in the pace car!). My driver was really friendly and fun, and I wasn't scared at all, she was totally in control the whole time. It was such an awesome experience. *g*
We also walked around Thunder Alley (where all the booths are) and Sis and I got our picture taken on the Snakes on a Plane promo thingy. They had a little fake section of a plane -- row of four seats with a roof, a picture of Sam Jackson in the back, and plastic snakes all over. Then they lifted a real albino python over your shoulders, which was really scary for me, because I have a snake phobia. My heart was pounding and I really didn't like the snake moving on my shoulder and against my neck (I had the tail end). Eeeeek! I think I might have muttered, "Get it OFF" to the trainer (who chuckled) once the picture was done, but I'm proud of myself for doing it. I know the snake was harmless, but it was just freaky to feel it moving on you. *shudders*
Anyway. We watched a bit of the race itself from different viewpoints around the track, and it was extremely cool to see the cars whizzing by. It's so loud, and they are gone in the blink of an eye. I've seen Indy and FI on TV, but you really don't get a sense of just how fast they are going. Wowsa.
Then last night BFF got us into the driver's party at one of the trendy downtown clubs that I never go to, heh. We had a great time, and got quite hammered (free Molson!). We hung out with some nice Aussie guys who introduced us to a few of the drivers. We met Katherine Legge, who is the lone female driver on the tour. She was nice and pretty drunk, but she said that since she hit the wall in the race, she deserved to let loose. Hee. Jan Heylen was very cute and friendly, and our fave was Justin Wilson, who was extremely amiable, a really great guy. He happily posed for drunken group photos, and one of the Aussies was cameraman. He commanded, "Everyone say, 'Australia's going to win the Ashes!'" Hee! (The Ashes is a big England/Australia cricket tournament.) Justin is British, and goodnaturedly argued that England was going to take it.
A lot of the younger drivers from the Atantic Series (like junior Indy, basically) were there having quite a good time with the ladies. It was quite entertaining to watch James Davison and 16-year-old Richard Phillipe be geeks on the dancefloor. (16! He shouldn't have even been allowed in the club, but life is good when you're a teenaged racecar driver.)
Finally made it home just before 4am. *facepalm* I had scrupulously avoided all media sources so I wouldn't be spoiled for the Wimbledon final, which I taped and watched today. When Sis and I left for the track yesterday, Federer had just won the first set 6-0, but I was sure Nadal would get his bearings and make a good showing. And he sure did! I'm glad Federer won, but I'm so happy it was a good match, and I would have been just as happy for Nadal.
I just love both these players so much, and it is great for the sport to have a rivalry where the two players really push each other to be better. Nadal just never says die, and I really hope he gets to win Wimbledon one year. I have total confidence that he will, given his talent and drive. And Federer is just such an amazing player, and I can definitely see him beating Sampras's record of 14 Grand Slam titles if he stays uninjured.
Both guys are such class acts, and seem like really nice people. I loved it when they passed each other as they were doing their lap of the court (waving to fans and getting their picture taken), and Roger put his hand out and Rafa slapped it. They're just so darn cute.
Overall, a great Wimbledon this year. Bring on the hard courts of North America!
We also walked around Thunder Alley (where all the booths are) and Sis and I got our picture taken on the Snakes on a Plane promo thingy. They had a little fake section of a plane -- row of four seats with a roof, a picture of Sam Jackson in the back, and plastic snakes all over. Then they lifted a real albino python over your shoulders, which was really scary for me, because I have a snake phobia. My heart was pounding and I really didn't like the snake moving on my shoulder and against my neck (I had the tail end). Eeeeek! I think I might have muttered, "Get it OFF" to the trainer (who chuckled) once the picture was done, but I'm proud of myself for doing it. I know the snake was harmless, but it was just freaky to feel it moving on you. *shudders*
Anyway. We watched a bit of the race itself from different viewpoints around the track, and it was extremely cool to see the cars whizzing by. It's so loud, and they are gone in the blink of an eye. I've seen Indy and FI on TV, but you really don't get a sense of just how fast they are going. Wowsa.
Then last night BFF got us into the driver's party at one of the trendy downtown clubs that I never go to, heh. We had a great time, and got quite hammered (free Molson!). We hung out with some nice Aussie guys who introduced us to a few of the drivers. We met Katherine Legge, who is the lone female driver on the tour. She was nice and pretty drunk, but she said that since she hit the wall in the race, she deserved to let loose. Hee. Jan Heylen was very cute and friendly, and our fave was Justin Wilson, who was extremely amiable, a really great guy. He happily posed for drunken group photos, and one of the Aussies was cameraman. He commanded, "Everyone say, 'Australia's going to win the Ashes!'" Hee! (The Ashes is a big England/Australia cricket tournament.) Justin is British, and goodnaturedly argued that England was going to take it.
A lot of the younger drivers from the Atantic Series (like junior Indy, basically) were there having quite a good time with the ladies. It was quite entertaining to watch James Davison and 16-year-old Richard Phillipe be geeks on the dancefloor. (16! He shouldn't have even been allowed in the club, but life is good when you're a teenaged racecar driver.)
Finally made it home just before 4am. *facepalm* I had scrupulously avoided all media sources so I wouldn't be spoiled for the Wimbledon final, which I taped and watched today. When Sis and I left for the track yesterday, Federer had just won the first set 6-0, but I was sure Nadal would get his bearings and make a good showing. And he sure did! I'm glad Federer won, but I'm so happy it was a good match, and I would have been just as happy for Nadal.
I just love both these players so much, and it is great for the sport to have a rivalry where the two players really push each other to be better. Nadal just never says die, and I really hope he gets to win Wimbledon one year. I have total confidence that he will, given his talent and drive. And Federer is just such an amazing player, and I can definitely see him beating Sampras's record of 14 Grand Slam titles if he stays uninjured.
Both guys are such class acts, and seem like really nice people. I loved it when they passed each other as they were doing their lap of the court (waving to fans and getting their picture taken), and Roger put his hand out and Rafa slapped it. They're just so darn cute.
Overall, a great Wimbledon this year. Bring on the hard courts of North America!