Finally back from Surfers

[Tony Clifton]

Well I made my journey down to Surfer's Paradise for the race.
I was also at the 2003 race.
Fortunately for me, a friend of mine who works for CCWS was able to get me a pit lane pass (which was even good for during the race), so for the first time in my CCWS viewing history I was able to view a race from the pits which is pretty cool when you stand 10 feet or so from the pit crew as they jump over the wall and pit the car during the race.
I always kept an eye on the fuel man, Surfers does have a history of drivers leaving the pits with a fuel line attached, causing fuel spills.

Couple of observations/comments:

-reported attendance was 314 k over the 4 days, that is up 2 k from last year but still a couple of k down from 2003 or 2004 peak attendance (can't remember which year the papers reported). Either way the crowd was huge and very enthusiastic.

-The bad news, most of the crowd is not the for CCWS, they are there for the Australian V8 Supercar series. The V8 series DOES provide some really good racing, plenty of dicing and passing , even on the tight race course. CCWS is still billed as the headline act for the race, but from every local fan I spoke to, all were there for the V8's.

-The usual crowd of heavily drinking Australians and friendly Aussie local talent (who apparently have no problem either getting naked or being topless on the various apartment porches) add ALOT of flavor to the race. I would say without hesitation that the Surfers race BY FAR is the biggest party atmosphere for a motor race that I have every been to.

-Spent some time talking to Dr.'s Pinderski and Timms who were very friendly and the whole medical staff is a bunch of great guys and it is great to see that CCWS still, even with all the changes that the series has seen over the pasts years, still has a first class medical crew.

-Yes, Nicole Richie (not that I cared) was walking around the pits with the father of her kid (some guy with alot of tattoos and wearing a Jack Daniel's Racing shirt), she also had in tow aleast one body guard and 2 or 3 Queensland Police. I am sure the local taxpayer is thrilled about covering that cost. Richie was there Saturday only made only one pass through the pits (bodyguards requesting "no pic please" (uh, if you want privacy Ms. Richie don't go to a very public motor race with the cops and body guards)).

-Kevin Kalkoven was not there. He was getting ready for his stock trial.

-Tecate is coming on board as a sponsor for (I believe) Mario Dominguesz, which is exactly a surprise to absolutely no one.

-RuSport is closing down (or merging or getting sold, take your pick) at the end of the season.

-In the pits, drivers were pretty friendly. I tried to stay out of their way, they are at work after all. Took some nice photos using a long lens so I did not end of sticking a camera in the drivers face.

-I was even able to get into pit lane up to the point where they called "clear the pit lane". After getting home and watching the start I stood about 10 feet away from the Queensland minister of toruism when on camera she waved the green flag and it fell off the flag pole on TV. I did not even realize that she was being filmed for TV at the time.

-Dan Clarke is really selling those red "Dan Clarke" red hats he wears. I did not see even one of them either being sold or worn.

-The garage area for CCWS is VERY tight, mechanics have almost no room to work.

-No matter what happens with CCWS, SOME form of US based open wheel race series WILL race at Surfers. The attendance is too large and Australia has US and other international businesses that will not let an even like surfers go away from their marketing plans.

Overall Surfers Paradise is a great event one that if you are a big race fan you should go to one day.
Australia is a great country to visit, lots to see and the locals are very friendly to Americans. Only downside is the exchange rate is very bad for the American Dollar.

Can't wait until I go again!!!

[Peter Ford]

Sounds like you really enjoyed yourself tony,i experinced the topless dancing on the balconies and the drunken yobos myself last night,first my 1st champcar experince i really enjoyed it,hope my second one will be even better as have i decided to return in 08.