Our preparation was of course how to smuggle grog into the event! Now, in Australia the eski is king – so armed with three types of eski we split our risk and managed to smuggle a wine goon bag in as a chicken, another goon back in as a plate of sandwiches, another goon bag (this time full of rum!) in as more sandwiches and of course some vodka in as water! We even had ice!

Once we were past the relaxed security checks we made our way to one of the two viewing hills as we only had general admission tickets. Once we had bagged a significant space we had a beer to celebrate – its was 11am The girls turned up in due course, distracting security with Krispy Creme donuts (how prepared we were!) and we settled in for a fabulous spread!

After the warm up of Ford Fista’s, Aussie racing cars (driven from the back seats) and the driver parade lap (each driver driven around in a fire truck to give praise to the victorian fire service) we were set for the F1 race – and Jenson was on pole As expected we got glimpses of the cars as they hurtled past but this time we had the benefit of the screen to watch the race elsewhere on track.

I became obsessed with my Union Jack (honestly, the photo’s have been pruned) and we celebrated extensively Jenson’s fabulous victory. After the race and presentation (more flag waving) we walked around the track (falling off into the gravel trap!) to the paddock to have a look’sy – we even spotted Jenson! But I could not get to the fence in time to give him my flag.

From here we had our second spread of the day – roast chicken to be precise – then rocked out, with flag of course, to The Who!

The next day we went to the Stoke House for birthday dinner with Emily and were pleased to see Jenson turn up! Although the girls wanted a picture, they were too shy to ask – so I took the opportunity to shake his hand, congratulate him, then snap him with the girls. If only I had given him the flag the night before I could have asked for it back!!!

We had returned to the same hostel and had plans to join up again with Adam & Cat (friends we met in Xi’an) who were also going to the GP (plan was to acquire tickets from touts). We met up in the hostel the next morning and decided to seek out the official buses from town to the track, although many people said they did not exist. Sure enough, the next morning we found the buses (dozens of them) and lots of touts so everyone was in a positive mood for the day ahead.

Once we arrived at the track the noise was deafening outside (we weren’t sure if it was morning practice or another race?) but we were excited to get inside. Having exchanged our voucher for tickets we promptly entered and found our amazing seats!

Soon after finding our seats the GP2 race began, after they had passed us once I was immediately reaching for the ear plugs and just before don’ing them Kaz asked if the F1 would be louder – her face when I said twice, if not thrice louder was a picture! The GP2 race was OK, plenty of amateur overtaking at the hair-pin and many a car leaving the track! We then got to see the safety car up close – the noise it makes alone is ‘awesome’!

Before the F1 cars were assembled on the grid, it seems a privileged few got a couple of laps in the two safety cars, the estate car had four people in it at one point!!! Once that and the drivers parade lap were completed we were set for race time!

The noise they made as they all came charging into the hairpin from top speed was just amazing. In just 60-70 feet they braked from top speed to almost a halt, the brake discs lighting up like a halo! This was the closest Massa came all race to Lewis, not close as in overtaking, but the distance from Lewis’s brake light to Massa’s front spoiler! Lewis just drove away from the pack. The race itself on the big screen (directly opposite!) didn’t seem like the most exciting in the year, but every time Lewis came charging into the hairpin we wished him well and that Massa would fail! Towards the end of the race Ferrari pulled team orders and Massa passed Kimi into the hairpin to give Massa the slightest hope in Brazil next, and final, race – but it was Lewis’s day – awesome. The sound of the cars is indescribable, it would make your ears bleed! The feeling through your feet and lungs was sensational!

After clapping Lewis around the hairpin for the final time we scrambled to the podium – we got close, mightily close, 30 seconds earlier and we would have been below getting wet form the champagne – but the whole day was so awesome! Truly! And Karen got to hear the National Anthem – it’s amazing the things you appreciate when you are so far from home!

After the race we headed back into town and went off to meet Lloyd – a mate of John’s from Seattle. We found him & James at a expat’s bar and had food/beer there – thanks once again Lloyd for the dinner! After such a fantastic day we were truly pleased we had returned to Shanghai – the second visit improved our impression of Shanghai too. The next day the food had disagreed with Karen so we had a lazy day, the extent of it was a walk to Tesco’s, yes Tesco’s! Again, Kaz loved it!