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Author Topic: Sochi F1 Grand Prix 2017  (Read 9772 times)

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Offline msmoby

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Sochi F1 Grand Prix 2017
« on: March 01, 2017, 02:25:39 PM »
Just under 60 days to go to the VTB sponsored Russian GP 2017

If you can get to Sochi I have two free Main Grandstand tickets for :

Thurs - Pit lane access - you get close to the teams,

Fri - 1 and 2nd Practice sessions

Sat- Practice 3 and qualifying

Sun - The Race and associated support races.

I have already offered another 1 to a member - but these tickets are for FANS.. if you want to bring a loved one - let me know I'll try to get a promotional / staff price. The free ones are for members only

Your GP tickets double up as a Free rail ticket on race day ( return for free all the way to / from Krasnodar ) and accommodation isn't THAT expensive - if you stay in Sochi and get the train direct to the circuit - the stop after the Olympic Village. The F1 media circus, teams and drivers stay in the Olympic Park bed factories.


S.C went with friends last year and pronounced it boring - so won't be coming:)

I won't be in the Grandstand - as I'm the UK rep for the organisers and will be in the stand opposite.

IF you are a fan - it's one of the best value F1 events and Thursday is one of my fav days as the crowds can get really close to the cars and drivers.

IF anyone is interested - I'm sure you'll find a way to contact me :)










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Offline msmoby

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Re: Sochi F1 Grand Prix 2017
« Reply #1 on: April 15, 2017, 01:38:47 PM »
Arrived in Sochi for the preparations for the F1 show - it was beautiful weather - snow-capped mountains in the distance and S.C. waiting to pick me up and get out of the airport ;)


Sadly, one just can't just tip up - one must 'register' one's visa. Years ago this involved wasting hours of one's life with the Federal Migration Service - now ... 20 mins at the Post Office and 450 rub !

 

Then off to YOTA to kick my data sim into life - I use it in a Mi-Fi router and it allows my UK based mobile ( cell) to call the UK as if I'm there - not bad - considering it's 4 USD / minute roaming ... 1000 roubles / month for unlimited data at min. 20MBs is preferable.


 
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Offline Jerash

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Re: Sochi F1 Grand Prix 2017
« Reply #2 on: April 18, 2017, 04:39:26 AM »
Welcome to Sochi!)


.


Offline Maxx

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Re: Sochi F1 Grand Prix 2017
« Reply #3 on: April 18, 2017, 04:49:04 AM »

Mark! How did you manage to fake that footage of SC? We all know your are back in the UK sleeping on your uncle's couch in the basement  :laugh:

Offline msmoby

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Re: Sochi F1 Grand Prix 2017
« Reply #4 on: April 18, 2017, 10:37:50 AM »

Mark! How did you manage to fake that footage of SC? We all know your are back in the UK sleeping on your uncle's couch in the basement  :laugh:

It's amazing what one can do with 'photoshop', Dave

This year, yours truly is doing all the English PA announcements for the event  - so you will hear my dulcet tones on the PA system - if you tune in over the race weekend.))

Got stopped by the Russian Traffic Police - AGAIN, on the way to the circuit... :))  This time madame was at the wheel and had taken the wrong motorway exit and sent us 5 km up the motorway spur  to the Mountain resorts.. She was late leaving the motorway and her erratic driving - naturally attracted the attention of 'Mr DPS Policeman'...She had been driving down the middle of both lanes -  'indecision'

 I shut up - but when it looked like he was going to issue a fine - I heard the word 'straf' - I introduced myself as her 'guide' - pointing out the 'navigator' - sat nav was in front of me - and I had told her left - meaning right. really - so it was 'my fault' - and that we were late for a meeting at the F1 circuit.  S.C proudly told him I was the 'voice' of the weekend :))

He cracked - let her off with a warning to " listen to me - but only if I spoke better Russian "  and off we went !

Got a great shot of the Airport runway - looking out to sea, though - so was 'glad' of the diversion.





We arrived at the ticket office and Maxim - a student of Sochi University - whom I knew from last year - handed me over my accreditation and off we headed to the Media Centre

My desk is in a huge office that overlooks the Start / Finish straight and I had Lewis Hamilton and Kimi Raikkonen for 'company'





Took the bus back - 55 Roubles  - and it dropped me off near home.

I will drive tomorrow as although it was 23C and sunny, today - it will only be 11C and rainy, tomorrow :( 
 



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Offline rosco

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Re: Sochi F1 Grand Prix 2017
« Reply #5 on: April 19, 2017, 02:11:23 AM »
I genuinely enjoy seeing more inside the F1 event as I do follow the sport. Very interesting  :thumbsup:

Just one statement of caution however. You know when you first meet a German/Russian/American on holiday and wrongly assume that just because they are rude/loud/unable to queue, everyone from that country must be the same?

Well please don't let our Russian friends assume that all Brits act/behave/think the way you do!

Enjoy the week.

Offline msmoby

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Re: Sochi F1 Grand Prix 2017
« Reply #6 on: April 19, 2017, 03:37:21 AM »


Well please don't let our Russian friends assume that all Brits act/behave/think the way you do!

 :sick0012:
Rosco - I am a guest and I certainly do not need 'lectures' from young 'uns how to behave...esp. those who don't even spend the time I do here...

What I write on here - is my opinion - amongst fellow folks that have an interest in things FSU.



Enjoy the week.



Thank you
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Offline Maxx

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Re: Sochi F1 Grand Prix 2017
« Reply #7 on: April 19, 2017, 11:14:04 AM »




Thank you

There you go again Mark. I am pretty sure those aren't the real drivers but rather cutouts!

Offline msmoby

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Re: Sochi F1 Grand Prix 2017
« Reply #8 on: April 19, 2017, 10:06:36 PM »
Maxx, don't you know that many F1 drivers have been ordered to 'lose weight' for this season ? ...
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Offline Dogsoldier

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Re: Sochi F1 Grand Prix 2017
« Reply #9 on: April 20, 2017, 04:22:36 AM »
 :biggrin:
Whats up Mobes? You're looking a tad haggard.

Online Markje

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Re: Sochi F1 Grand Prix 2017
« Reply #10 on: April 20, 2017, 04:31:25 AM »

Sadly, one just can't just tip up - one must 'register' one's visa. Years ago this involved wasting hours of one's life with the Federal Migration Service - now ... 20 mins at the Post Office and 450 rub !

 


Wish it was that fast in Yevpatorya, but then again, the lines are longer and staff seriously under-trained and half of em are guessing what must be done.

OO===[][]===OO
My first trip to my wife: To Evpatoria!
My road trip to Crimea: Roadtrip to Evpatoria

Online AvHdB

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Re: Sochi F1 Grand Prix 2017
« Reply #11 on: April 20, 2017, 05:37:28 AM »
Just under 60 days to go to the VTB sponsored Russian GP 2017


Only can speak for myself I look forward to the updates. Hopefully the neggy vibes on this thread will be low.
“If you aren't in over your head, how do you know how tall you are?” T.S. Eliot

Offline msmoby

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Re: Sochi F1 Grand Prix 2017
« Reply #12 on: April 20, 2017, 06:08:37 AM »
:biggrin:
Whats up Mobes? You're looking a tad haggard.

Your are bang on DS ... Have you  driven an F1 car  ?:)


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Offline msmoby

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Re: Sochi F1 Grand Prix 2017
« Reply #13 on: April 20, 2017, 06:40:51 AM »
So, today I was recording the English PA announcements... BOY  getting the emphasis on some Russian Pop / Rock stars names - who will be appearing during the F1 weekend - HARD :)

Andrey - who is in charge of AV Media techie stuff  - took me to the 'Cooldown Room' - where the Podium drivers take on fluids, check their times and positions of other competitors and prefer their sponsors' caps - before appearing on the podium - after the race.





I'm not a  shy person - but it was scary using profession kit, wearing headphones and reading from scripts ....


 
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Offline Maxx

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Re: Sochi F1 Grand Prix 2017
« Reply #14 on: April 20, 2017, 07:10:37 PM »
Just under 60 days to go to the VTB sponsored Russian GP 2017


Only can speak for myself I look forward to the updates. Hopefully the neggy vibes on this thread will be low.

No negativity from me, if you meant me. Just teasing Mark a bit. I've always enjoyed Mark's trip reports and the videos he posts with them.

Offline msmoby

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Re: Sochi F1 Grand Prix 2017
« Reply #15 on: April 21, 2017, 03:17:17 AM »
It's fascinating to watch the kit arrive and erected, so quickly and even MORE impressive how quickly it is packed away ! FOM ( Formula 1 Management ) and the Sports governing body (FIA) guys are now on the ground erecting temporary buildings and large cargo aircraft are delivery huge boxes of kit  - in addition to that arriving by sea .




S.C. is NOT into F1 and yesterday the weather was good - so it was time to hit the beach )  They rescued a Cormorant that was clearly injured - and exhausted - following a storm 36 hours early. There is an elderly that rescues sea birds and it was too big to fit in the lady's normal shopping bag.  They walked to the local park - where there is a zoo and delivered the bird to the vet, there




On the way back from the zoo, she stopped and posed - many FSU ladies like to pose - amongst the greenery and flowers that make Sochi so beautiful



Note the 'Irish content' - an Aran Sweater ! It is just about sunset and the temperature is falling to 16C / 61F

Meanwhile, one of the volunteers - a student from Portugal - was doing a passable rendition of Fernando Alonso ..



He took this photo of a team garage - before it is 'taken over' - and filled with kit







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Offline msmoby

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Re: Sochi F1 Grand Prix 2017
« Reply #16 on: April 24, 2017, 06:17:23 AM »
It's the Monday that marks 4 days until the 'stars of F1' start arriving. From Thursday, the general public can start using their tickets to visit the pit lanes.

The weather has been DREADFUL - wind and driving rain - this would make for a great GP - but Svetlana - who formerly worked for the LADA PR team in PR - now responsible for digital content at Sochi's circuit- was more concerned if she could wear a 'summery outfit' ! :)  You will see her and many of the team - later this week... It is forecast to be warm  - 24C  - so Svetlana WILL be pleased :)



The track is full of the pallets of kit for the team and over the weekend the Safety and Medical cars arrived





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Offline msmoby

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Re: Sochi F1 Grand Prix 2017
« Reply #17 on: April 25, 2017, 07:49:51 AM »
Drove through pouring rain to the circuit and wondered when the promised sun would arrive !

I made a short video from one of the media rooms - where the world's press gather to edit photos


Svetlana, with the dark her and light jumper is writing content for the circuit and speaks great English - having been part of a Russian team in the World Touring Car Championships - she has 'seen the light' and arrived in F1 :)



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Offline msmoby

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Re: Sochi F1 Grand Prix 2017
« Reply #18 on: April 26, 2017, 07:47:33 AM »


Yesterday, the rain stopped, the sun came out and  my 'children' - volunteers - who are from the Sochi Olympic University -  became 'actors- for an idea of mine .....  We got a male student - who looks like Spanish 2-time World Champion - Fernando Alonso -  and a Finnish lass - to be his 'mystery lady' and we did an interview in the Pit-lane and on the track ;)

So... meet 'Fernaldo Alfonso'...

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Offline msmoby

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Re: Sochi F1 Grand Prix 2017
« Reply #19 on: April 26, 2017, 08:54:06 AM »
Today, 'Fernaldo Alfonso' and his mystery Finnish companion took a walk in the Sochi Paddock on the Wednesday before the 4 day 'weekend programme' kicks off tomorrow - with the fans arriving to see their heroes in the pit-lane previews.


It seems our Alfonso is being confused with the McLaren Honda driver - who will complete in the Indy 500, in May !


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Offline msmoby

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Re: Sochi F1 Grand Prix 2017
« Reply #20 on: April 28, 2017, 02:57:12 AM »
Yesterday, Thursday - was day one of the official F1 long weekend

I was tasked to escort winners of a competition to 'meet and greet' the Toro Rosso team - where Daniil Kvyat is at his home Grand Prix



At the request of a board member - I asked Carlos NOT to take out Stroll - the Canadian - his reaction was PERFECT !




We were taken to the teams hospitality and garage. I am not allow to publish photos of the car's rear :)


The 17-year old winner stopped and posed / got the autograph of all drivers save Hamilton, Alonso and Vandoorne. But she DID get 'Fernaldo Alfonso' in a selfie !  The student - who looks like the Spaniard.

Here with the most polite F1 driver: Valtteri Bottas ..



We also stopped Bernie Ecclestone - he put his fingers to his lips - to stop us talking - and sneaked up to Daniel Ricciardo and kissed him on the cheek as he gave an interview.... I asked him not to use his tongue and he spun around to find the source - with a smile ;)... I hope someone got the grin on his face ..


He arrived wearing a sports jacket and carrying a briefcase and left wearing a VTB Bank F1 jacket ..was he making a deposit or a withdrawal ;) ?

'My' guests day was made by Ekaterina of Toro Rosso - it is her first year with the team:




She went out of her way to make them feel special

PS I'm not really 'in' to selfies... I'm just the guy in the blue shirt that appears in the reflections ))
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Offline msmoby

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Re: Sochi F1 Grand Prix 2017
« Reply #21 on: April 28, 2017, 07:12:27 AM »
Nothing like the sound of a Mercedes engines revving in the pits below me - just before practice 2 at Sochi's F1 GP - to wake one up ;)

The Media Centre is directly over the Merc and the Red Bulls' Garages.

Here we see the start of Practise session one... Sveta - from 'Car city' - Manny will know where that is - is used to covering World Touring Car racing and this is her first F1 session ... She likes Hamilton and Alonso - and is hoping to get good shots of them leaving the pits


We are behind one-way glass and I'm trying to zoom in on the Main Grandstand as another of our board members is rumoured to be here also ... They spotted me selling programs - instead of the 'Big Issue'....



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Offline msmoby

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Re: Sochi F1 Grand Prix 2017
« Reply #22 on: April 29, 2017, 04:16:20 AM »
This guy just 'bought a programme' from me ...



- Just after Practice 3 - before qualifying on Saturday 29th April 2017

His glasses are less loud than mine !!



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Re: Sochi F1 Grand Prix 2017
« Reply #23 on: April 30, 2017, 09:41:56 AM »
Race Day !

VVP and the Deputy PM turned up - along with Bernie and the top brass of Liberty Media...

BORING...

I was first in the press conference - grabbing my 'daughter', Raija - who is Finnish and studying at the Sochi Olympic University to translate his VERY first words to the press - in Finnish ;)

Fernardo and Fernaldo 'met' at last



Loads of action and I DID say Bottas was a guy to be reckoned with ... ;)



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Re: Sochi F1 Grand Prix 2017
« Reply #24 on: May 01, 2017, 12:14:23 AM »
Well, the F1 circus has moved on and I have over-indulged myself in the action.

SC has been so tolerant  - as I was leaving early and coming back so late.

The night before the race we met up with a fellow board member - who had come to see the race and we went to an Uzbek restaurant in Sochi

SC ordered food for me and I had a ''Live Beer", Nut paste wrapped in Aubergine ( Egg-plant) - Hachapuri - ( if someone could remind me of the Uzbek - rather than Georgian name )  very cheesy 'pie slices' and Lamb Shashlik to DIE for ...

This picture says it all .... me after 15 hours on the go and SC after a day on the beach :)



Our guest had an unexpected treat ... I heard the owners announce that they had a VERY special guest - a former Soviet Gold medal winning Ice Hockey player who has also won the Stanley Cup ...Alexey Gusarov



I didn't catch the name of the guy and folks on another table told us who he was and he was HUGE and very kind

Hopefully, t'other member can regale the tale, better :)

I shot a vid of the band performing what - initially - sounded like a very eastern piece....then realised it was Michael Jackson....   K who was one of our party - found the lyrics and I TRIED to 'sing' along ;))

I'll spare you THAT video ..





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Spurious claims about 'seeing action' with the Blue Berets are debunked >here<

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