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James
Kitt's trip to Imola 2000
This
little story started in December as I was lying at my bed staring at
all my memorabilia I have collected, I started to think about the upcoming
season and that it may be the last year for Johnny in F1. In '99 I went on
a day trip to Monaco from Mcr Airport - Too much for one day and a
terrible view from arriving late in Nice. My next trip would be planned to
perfection, so I picked up all the F1 travel brochures, and put them
straight back down after seeing the prices.
My
first decision was where do I want to go? Given budget constraints (I'm
only 22 and in my 5th year at uni) I was drawn to Spa, Imola and
Barcelona. Spa is too far to drive (from Lytham, nr Blackpool) and
Barcelona seems boring so I was left with Imola.
 After
spending hours on the web I purchased a £50 return ticket to Bologna from
Stansted on GO!! and booked my hotel in Bologna through the web. I then
had a look on the Italian national railway web site and found out how to
get to Imola. It was all surprisingly easy.
The
only thing to do now was to purchase some race tickets, after my
experience in Monaco I decided that you really do get what you pay for so
I invested in a pit straight ticket for Saturday, opposite the end of the
pit lane and further towards the last chicane for Sunday. I have an
Italian flatmate who purchased the tickets direct from the circuit
(instead of paying a UK agent a massive sum).
Prior
to Imola I have attended about 3 tests at Silverstone, the first the day
after the R1 launch, but frozen fog ruined the day, 380 miles for fog
ARGGGGGGHHHHH!! so when I finally got to Imola you could hear the engines
revving in the garages (over a mile away!)
 There
was a great atmosphere and surprisingly few Brits - but lots of 'Jagwar'
girls handing out caps, flags etc (I paid for mine !!). Qualifying was a
strange affair Johnny had a three lap starter but on his second run he
seemed to stay out - what on earth was going on?? I believe Johnny had a
cracked exhaust, but you certainly couldn't tell from listening. What was
evident was the whine of the McLarens, the shrill painful sound of the BAR
and the deep growl of the Minardi's.
Anyway
qualifying wasn't great but I still had the f3000 race to look forward to;
it was very interesting watching the prepare the cars right in front of
me, I was also surprised at how many people walked off - Hello, you have
paid over £100 for your seat!! Anyway, the race as with most f3000 events
was processional, It was good to see some future prospects though -
particularly Darren Manning (fingers crossed).
On
to race day, would the R1 last? would JH start well? who would win? One
thing was for sure if you were a Finn you better hide your flags as the
tifosi were everywhere, most of them were Germans! Unlike football the
atmosphere was excellent, Finns were booed as they paraded the Finnish
flag below our stand and they enjoyed every minute of it. The parachute
display was excellent and one more thing the course car is certainly no
normal Merc, you'll know what I mean if you ever hear it (sounds like a
truck).
 The
race was a little boring as the big screen was just out of view, Johnny's
clutch dropped him to just in front of the Minardis, but I was opposite
the Ferrari pits so I didn't miss much. Overall it was a disappointing
race for JH, but he did finish which was good.
The
following day involved a trip to Faenza to have a look at the Minardi team
HQ, I was amazed when they offered a tour of the factory - and once inside
I am so impressed with how they manage to produce competitive cars -
please someone give them a bucket load of money.
All
in all I had a great weekend, and a heck of a lot cheaper than an
organised tour, do it whilst Johnny is still driving F1, even if it
means going to a Silverstone test - nothing like seeing it in the flesh,
my ears still hurt - thanks BAR!!!
This
page was prepared 30th June 2000.
With thanks to James Kitt
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