Episode 66 - The Cars are Gonna be a Little Bit Faster than the People

File: episode66.m4a
Length: 28:30
Size: 27.2 MB
Transcript: Coming soon

The world of Formula 1 took a back seat this weekend as Le Mans took over, but Sidepodcast keeps it F1 related… for the most part.

Intro

Oh, wait, this bit is about Le Mans.

Good Week / Bad Week

Albert Park appears to have a bright future, but we’re curious on the compromise, Force India are struggling with a former driver, Toro Rosso may have a new investor - but are they ready, and the track in Montreal is set for a change.

News and Views

If it wasn’t for testing this week, the news would literally be just about tyre compounds. Thankfully, there were three days in Barcelona to give us something to discuss - Davidson at Honda, the Toro Rosso still being slow, Heidfeld getting some extra track time, and Ferrari’s running out of fuel.

Feedback

Jordan leaves us a voicemail plugging his favourite F1 news source, and SidepodcastFan emails his in. Call us with your F1 site suggestions. We run down some Facebook stats, discussions and photos. Lou saw a Renault close up, F1 Wolf has some great photos, and we have some unclaimed ones on drop.io.

Housekeeping

Okay, yea, this bit is about Le Mans as well.

Linkage

Written on June 16th, 2008 at 01:53 am by Christine.
Posted in Podcasts
Tags: Barcelona, Comments, Emails, F1, Facebook, Formula 1, News, Opinions, Testing, Views, Voicemails

What others have said...

249 Responses

June 16th, 2008 at 1:57 amme said:
erm yeah, post-podcast recording i checked and discovered that alas takuma sato was once a honda test driver, despite what i may have claimed on this show.

you may lambast and ridicule me as you see fit.
June 16th, 2008 at 2:32 amScott Woodwiss said:
one or two things to point out - nit-picky i know but andy priaulx’s sirname is pronounced pree-OH, not pree-OW.

Plus I’m honoured to be your favourite for the Le Mans thread, Christine. Was the least i could do

also, since it’s now monday, happy birthday christine! you could consider that shout out on RLM kind of a birthday present from me

again, great show as always
June 16th, 2008 at 2:34 amlou said:
HAPPY BIRTHDAY CHRISTINE!!

Great podcast guys! and thank you for your very kind words about my photography

Also a MASSIVE thank you for the past 3 days! I have had such fun, what with Le Mans and pitstop challenges! The sidepodcast comunity is really coming together as a great group full of lots a lovely people

erm yeah, post-podcast recording i checked and discovered that alas takuma sato was once a honda test driver, despite what i may have claimed on this show.

you may lambast and ridicule me as you see fit.

tis ok, i forgive you you were tired aha I would not have noticed if you had not mentioned it.
June 16th, 2008 at 2:36 amme said:
you were tired aha I would not have noticed if you had not mentioned it.

somewhere in the back of my mind i knew it was wrong, but even now i can’t remember him doing any testing.
June 16th, 2008 at 2:39 amlou said:
somewhere in the back of my mind i knew it was wrong, but even now i can’t remember him doing any testing.

I don’t remember him doing any testing either…Ant sure…but sato….perhaps just before he got the race seat?
June 16th, 2008 at 2:41 amme said:
I don’t remember him doing any testing either…Ant sure…but sato….perhaps just before he got the race seat?

“His first taste of an F1 car came later that year when he underwent tests for both British American Racing and Jordan Grand Prix, eventually signing a deal with BAR as their 2001 test driver.”

“He made the step up into full time Formula One, signing a deal with Jordan to drive alongside Giancarlo Fisichella for 2002 season.”

source: http://en.f1-live.com/f1/en/drivers/sato.shtml

the jordan bit i remember well.
June 16th, 2008 at 2:44 amlou said:
“His first taste of an F1 car came later that year when he underwent tests for both British American Racing and Jordan Grand Prix, eventually signing a deal with BAR as their 2001 test driver.”

ahhh right don’t remember that. Thanks. You can still be forgiven for not remembering, he hasn’t done as much testing for them as Ant has.
June 16th, 2008 at 3:44 amDan Brunell said:
Great show as always and happy anniversary of your birth Christine.

The BMW pitstop thing is a addictive. Last year they had that up from September through December, with the fastest time getting a free BMW themed trip to this year’ Malaysian Grand Prix. I tried my best and could only get just about ten seconds. The winning times were in the low eights (HOW THE @#$ DID THEY DO THAT?)

This was the first time I tried to stay up for most of Le Mans. (I was watching it, listening to it, or blogging about 19 of the 24 hours, before I fell asleep) Along with going to the Belgium Grand Prix and the Nurburgring; Le Mans is definitely on my list of things I want to do when I go to mainland Europe again.

To finish, a abstract question… if there was a female driver on the grid, would that mean she would have a pit hunk instead?

- Dan
June 16th, 2008 at 4:14 amF1Wolf said:
Happy Birthday !

… and thanks for the plug. The gallery working now by the way
June 16th, 2008 at 9:00 amMattw said:
Thanks for another entertaining podcast. Happy birthday!

Some reactions for you:
Albert Park Finally common sense is prevailing

Red Bull run Doesn’t sound that dangerous. If a Red Bull hits anyone then it will just fall apart, leaving the hapless pedestrian with light bruising.

Giving up on 2008 Just teams trying to put a positive spin on their hapless form this year. A bit like saying: “Yes we suck this year, but we will try extra hard to not to suck again next year”

Le Mans Really pleased you enjoyed it! F1 is F1, but I always believe that there is room for motor racing outside F1, and Le Mans is a really special event. It takes time to learn the names and personalities is any new discipline - so I’m please you got into it. Often the event does clash with the Canadian GP, but you must go one year. Do it properly and camp in one of the camp sites lining the track.
June 16th, 2008 at 9:02 amChristine said:
Thanks everyone
June 16th, 2008 at 9:15 amMattw said:
Just teams trying to put a positive spin on their hapless form this year

Sorry, should have been ‘hopeless form this year’
June 16th, 2008 at 9:18 amKathi said:
Red bull run: They did bullfighting before

one or two things to point out - nit-picky i know but andy priaulx’s sirname is pronounced pree-OH, not pree-OW.

And Hülkenberg is pronounced Hülkenberg with an ü. (that helped, didn’t it ) I still think you should pronounce everyone however you want to.

Happy Birthday Christine
June 16th, 2008 at 9:20 amKathi said:
Oh and wasn’t Button running around in tights this weekend? How did he do?
June 16th, 2008 at 9:40 amme said:
And Hülkenberg is pronounced Hülkenberg with an ü.

am officially none the wiser?

how about the-slightly-less-incredible hulk, instead?
June 16th, 2008 at 10:02 amKathi said:
am officially none the wiser?

Are you trying to say that my exhausting explanation about German Umlauts wasn’t helpful?

how about the-slightly-less-incredible hulk, instead?

Will do.
June 16th, 2008 at 10:07 amAlex Andronov said:
Right… Now I really should be working not trying to recapture past glories on the BMW pit game. But I have done a high 12 seconds attempt which I have put on to drop.io!

It is slightly higher than lou’s attempt but then maybe that’s safest for everyone!!!
June 16th, 2008 at 10:14 amme said:
Red bull run: They did bullfighting before

ahh, see i complain about mclaren, running out of marketing ideas… hope they do something different this year.

It is slightly higher than lou’s attempt but then maybe that’s safest for everyone!!!

oh my, you managed to get the first two parts correct! how did you do that?

and then, how did you mess up something as simple as the fuel hose??
June 16th, 2008 at 10:17 amChristine said:
and then, how did you mess up something as simple as the fuel hose??

That’s not very supportive and encouraging, is it?
June 16th, 2008 at 10:29 amme said:
That’s not very supportive and encouraging, is it?

oh yeah. sorry.

there’s at least second to be gained by getting that one right tho, imagine how good the time will be then?

also, how bad does that make my low 13 look now?
June 16th, 2008 at 10:35 amAlex Andronov said:
Well that was the really annoying thing. On Saturday morning I was losing at least half a second every time on crossing the line but gettting the fuel hose right.

I think I might have got a bit excited at the perfect timing score and then gone off on the fuel hose under the pressure. I don’t need this on a Monday morning.

Oh yes it’s Monday: Happy Birthday Christine!!!

I think Me should buy you a flat screen TV!
June 16th, 2008 at 11:37 amBen Gribbin said:
What song do you use for the theme song? Its amazing. I recoginise it from the 2003 - 2005 F1 itv tune, and also from aint seen nothing yet.

Is there anywhere I can buy your version?
June 16th, 2008 at 12:20 pmmy FA fantasy said:
“What the FIA doesn’t have, which is the most important thing for them, is an agreement with the teams which they would have with a Concorde Agreement,” Ecclestone told The Times. “The teams can do what they like. At the moment what we are trying to do, to keep sponsors happy, is say we can’t break away, but it could well be that that will happen. There is no agreement between the teams and the FIA. There is a commercial agreement that has been signed by the teams and FOM, so the teams can do what they like.”

“Max has nothing to do with finance,” he told the newspaper. “The FIA has a clear, clear, clear agreement and signed agreement with the European Commission that they are the regulators of the sport. They are not anything to do with money. If Max comes back and says we should give more money to teams, I will tell him to mind his own bloody business.”

“People don’t know what’s going on,” he said. “If you are a big, big organisation, you don’t know what decisions to take. I am responsible to our shareholders, the teams and the manufacturers, who have an awful lot of money invested. Max is responsible to the people in wherever who have got no money invested and nor has the FIA got money invested - all they’ve got is money that comes from Formula 1. If there was no Formula 1, the FIA would be in serious trouble.”

“The teams can do what they like. To keep sponsors happy, we are trying to say we can’t break away. But it could well be that it will happen.”

“What the FIA doesn’t have, which is the most important thing for them, is an agreement with the teams they would have with the Concorde Agreement,” he added.

“There is no agreement between the teams and the FIA. There is a commercial agreement that has been signed by the teams and Formula One Management, so the teams can do what they like.”

“The thing that worries me is that the Jewish community controls an awful lot of the finance which comes into Formula One, directly or indirectly,” said Ecclestone, who is Jewish.

***

I had to quote Bernard since I can’t post links. Interesting development on the Concorde Agreement front. I think so far there was no comment from Mad Max.

Bon anniversaire, by the way!
June 16th, 2008 at 12:32 pmme said:
What song do you use for the theme song? Its amazing. I recoginise it from the 2003 - 2005 F1 itv tune, and also from aint seen nothing yet.
Is there anywhere I can buy your version?

we like to think of it as a homage to christine’s favourite f1 theme tune

we intended to update it throughout the year, but haven’t found the time yet. will put an mp3 up on http://www.drop.io/sidepodcast for you later.
June 16th, 2008 at 12:41 pmScott Woodwiss said:
you guys might want to check drop.io, particularly christine, and check out what i’ve managed to create on photoshop combining christine’s two favourite things at the moment….
June 16th, 2008 at 1:01 pmlou said:
Oh and wasn’t Button running around in tights this weekend? How did he do?

Yep He was doing the Winsor Triathlon. However (and heres the sad thing) I still don’t know how he did. I have looked on various sites and … nothing….not a single photo or news of how he has done. Last time, videos and news was on his website withing 24 hours… But i when i know i will post a link on sidepodcast.
June 16th, 2008 at 1:18 pmAlex Andronov said:
Looks like he came 117th… Triathalon Results
June 16th, 2008 at 1:26 pmlou said:
Looks like he came 117th… Triathalon Results

Thanks Alex. I actually didn’t think to look on the Winsor Triathlon website - silly me! 117th out of 1624 finishers isn’t bad. It’s inside the top 10% which is what he was aiming for so that’s even better.
June 16th, 2008 at 1:51 pmChristine said:
you guys might want to check drop.io, particularly christine, and check out what i’ve managed to create on photoshop combining christine’s two favourite things at the moment….

Scott, that is very kind of you, although it is also slightly terrifying.
June 16th, 2008 at 1:57 pmScott Woodwiss said:
Scott, that is very kind of you, although it is also slightly terrifying.

HAHA! I just find myself laughing a lot every time I look at it
June 16th, 2008 at 2:01 pmlou said:
HAHA! I just find myself laughing a lot every time I look at it

ahaha its very funny Scott, well done! nice editting there.
June 16th, 2008 at 2:49 pmJourneyer said:
Happy Birthday Christine!

I watched Le Mans on Eurosport Asia (at least, tried to watch as much as I could).

For me, the unmissable non-F1 races are Le Mans, the Indy 500, as well as Dakar and Rally Monte Carlo (but those 2 are trickier as they’re multi-day events).

Twas a great race, too! Good effort by most of the F1-related drivers. But Tom Kristensen… wow. That guy is just PHENOMENAL at Le Mans. Almost as good as Senna’s record at Monaco.
June 16th, 2008 at 2:52 pmScott Woodwiss said:
Thanks

I want to join an F1 blogging website. I know I have one myself, but with only me ever posting there, it’s getting a bit empty. I was wondering if anyone knew of any sites who might be able to take me on?
June 16th, 2008 at 3:07 pmme said:
I want to join an F1 blogging website. I know I have one myself, but with only me ever posting there, it’s getting a bit empty. I was wondering if anyone knew of any sites who might be able to take me on?

vee8 might be a good place to start scott:

http://vee8.doctorvee.co.uk/

christine sometimes writes there and doctorvee’s a good chap. contribution details are here:

http://vee8.doctorvee.co.uk/contribute-to-vee8/

and we usually read all the posts there.
June 16th, 2008 at 3:08 pmScott Woodwiss said:
vee8 might be a good place to start scott

thanks, I’ll go check it out.
June 16th, 2008 at 3:26 pmSteven Roy said:
I haven’t had a chance to listen to the show yet but having scnned the comments I had to just say Happy Birthday Christine.

As for the Montagny Marmot. I think you need some sleep Scott.
June 16th, 2008 at 3:32 pmlou said:
:O Alonso has hired someone to be his ‘prefessional’ fan at every Grand Prix!

Alvaro Adema, a 23-year-old student, will travel to every grand prix and Renault test session with all expenses paid along with 3,000 euros a month pocket money.
June 16th, 2008 at 3:33 pmAlianora La Canta said:
Happy birthday Christine!

On Sato: he was BAR’s primary tester in 2003 - or was until he got promoted in time for the Japanese Grand Prix. So he has done some substantial testing as well as the 2001 stint. Though it was so long ago and so low-profile at the time that I can understand why you forgot.
June 16th, 2008 at 3:34 pmAlianora La Canta said:
Alonso has hired someone to be his fan at every Grand Prix! {lou - 2 comments ago}

Nice work if you can get it! Only a multi-millionaire could call €3000/month “pocket money”…
June 16th, 2008 at 3:36 pmlou said:
Nice work if you can get it! Only a multi-millionaire could call €3000/month “pocket money”…

Very nice work Won’t mind being Jenson’s ‘professional’ fan hehe
June 16th, 2008 at 3:43 pmMattw said:
In the wake of the track coming apart at the Canadian GP, I am organising an appeal for the Canadian GP organisers - Suitable track surface committee.

Please don’t send money. But Please people, if you have any clues, donate them, as the Canadian GP organisers clearly don’t have any.

Next week - The FIA ‘new safety car rules’ appeal.
June 16th, 2008 at 4:17 pmAlianora La Canta said:
if you have any clues, donate them, as the Canadian GP organisers clearly don’t have any. {Mattw - 1 comment ago}

Whatever they did on Saturday night should be the permanent solution.
June 16th, 2008 at 4:59 pmScott Woodwiss said:
Just finished my first post for Vee8 about Piquet. It’ll be up as soon as doctorvee reviews it
June 16th, 2008 at 6:46 pmSteven Roy said:
Great show as ever and what a range of subjects. Marmots to Le Mans.

The Red Bull run has to be the craziest thing ever. I know Red Bull like to be a bit unconventional but surely they must be planning to keep the fans off the road. The one good thing is that they are not doing it after the bulls when the track would be a lot slippier.

I think it is only fair that the female contingent of sidepodcast get something to make up for grid girl pics. Autosport.com have been posting photos all weekend taken by Allan McNish. They can be viewed from links at the bottom of the homepage. For some reason he keeps taking photos of Tom Kristensen when he is practically naked. Maybe next year he can have Franck as his team mate to keep Christine happy.
June 16th, 2008 at 7:03 pmme said:
I think it is only fair that the female contingent of sidepodcast get something to make up for grid girl pics.

yup, agreed.

not sure we have permission to show those mcnish piccies on the podcast, but if anyone has an image of a shirtless f1 person that they wouldn’t mind adding to facebook / drop.io we’ll do just that.

we do have a topless vettel entering monaco harbour, but i’ve yet to hear from anyone who finds that sight an attractive one.
June 16th, 2008 at 7:12 pmMichael said:
Happy Birthday Christine!

Anyone thinking about going to theSilverstone Classic in July? Looks pretty good and it’s not too expensive.
June 16th, 2008 at 7:27 pmScott Woodwiss said:
non-related piece of news:

my mum just text me to say that she met and talked to rory bremner in a cafe in edinburgh!
June 16th, 2008 at 7:30 pmKathi said:
I think it is only fair that the female contingent of sidepodcast get something to make up for grid girl pics.

I approve wholeheartedly of more (half)naked racing drivers.

Grandprix+ made an effort to bring sth for the female fans in their season preview - they took pictures of a Barbie doll at various spots around the race track. *is still seething*
June 16th, 2008 at 7:57 pmlou said:
Christine I have made a little donation It’s not much but it’s the thought that counts Happy Birthday
June 16th, 2008 at 7:59 pmlou said:
I approve wholeheartedly of more (half)naked racing drivers.

Me too
June 16th, 2008 at 8:08 pmScott Woodwiss said:
did anyone notice this - mclaren have an official facebook page

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Vodafone-McLaren-Mercedes-The-Official-Facebook-Page/12254981412?ref=s
June 16th, 2008 at 8:21 pmChristine said:
Christine I have made a little donation It’s not much but it’s the thought that counts Happy Birthday

Thanks Lou, I’ve got the notification that it’s received. You’re very kind
June 16th, 2008 at 8:29 pmlou said:
Thanks Lou, I’ve got the notification that it’s received. You’re very kind

Least I could do. I hope you have had/have a good birthday
June 16th, 2008 at 8:44 pmRich said:
Happy Birthday Christine, sorry for being late only just got onto the site. You should be living in South Africa since it is a Public Holiday today called “Youth Day”.
June 16th, 2008 at 9:16 pmlou said:
Oh dear I have just been watching the TV and Lewis is in yet another advert for Abbey/Santander…. That guy has been in more adverts in his short time in F1 than any other of the British Drivers on the grid at the moment!
June 16th, 2008 at 10:12 pmRich said:
But Tom Kristensen… wow. That guy is just PHENOMENAL at Le Mans.

Franck put in really good stints, Stéphane Sarrazin posted the fastest lap only one one second slower than the fastest ever lap at Le Mans by Jackie Oliver (at that time there was no chicanes). Nicolas Minassian was amazing driving in the wet on slicks. The French drivers excelled as did Mark Gene and Allan McNish. To me Villeneuve simply did not have the speed and Christian Klien threw away the lead.

Tom Kristensen, Allan McNish and Rinaldo Capello won because all three drivers did a simply amazing job (no weak links).
June 16th, 2008 at 10:23 pmScott Woodwiss said:
My post on Vee8 is up - “Is Piquet’s Playtime Over?”

Hope you enjoy it

http://vee8.doctorvee.co.uk/2008/06/16/is-piquets-playtime-over/
June 16th, 2008 at 10:24 pmme said:
Just finished my first post for Vee8 about Piquet. It’ll be up as soon as doctorvee reviews it

i see it’s up there scott. nice one.
June 16th, 2008 at 10:24 pmme said:
My post on Vee8 is up - “Is Piquet’s Playtime Over?”

hehe, you beat me to it.
June 16th, 2008 at 10:31 pmlou said:
On the subject of piquet…can someone tell me why there are loads of pics of him topless in drop.io….its kinda scarey…
June 16th, 2008 at 10:39 pmSteven Roy said:
I suspect it was because Kathi posted a request for pictures of half naked racing drivers.
June 16th, 2008 at 10:39 pmme said:
On the subject of piquet…can someone tell me why there are loads of pics of him topless in drop.io….its kinda scarey…

hahaha. yeah, i was just looking at the video someone posted there earlier and suddenly the place is overrun by a shirtless brazilian.

i guess i did ask, but who here is the anonymous piquet fan?
June 16th, 2008 at 10:40 pmScott Woodwiss said:
Talking of Renault, I’ve actually stumbled upon some ING adverts with alonso and the renault f1 team in. They’re actually very good! Here they are

Alonso “Celebration Lesson”:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qRqc2UKOHMs&NR=1

Alonso “Naranja GP”:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0uOd9PJevgQ&feature=related

Alonso “Streamlined” (feat. Piquet):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ANaCVb_Yhs0

Also there’s this one for Renault, which is quite funny:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gqdJMeCWNxE
June 16th, 2008 at 10:42 pmlou said:
I suspect it was because Kathi posted a request for pictures of half naked racing drivers.

but surely she would prefer pics of attractive drivers

hahaha. yeah, i was just looking at the video someone posted there earlier and suddenly the place is overrun by a shirtless brazilian.

lol

i guess i did ask, but who here is the anonymous piquet fan?

Not me!
June 16th, 2008 at 10:48 pmmy FA fantasy said:
My post on Vee8 is up - “Is Piquet’s Playtime Over?”

Lovely post.

di Grassi is back to GP2 racing, he replaced Ben Hanley - another RDD driver.

Parente is quick (Portuguese press claims C. Silk compared Alvaro to Kubica, good stuff basically), I heard Flav is paying for his GP2 drive; the rumour making the headlines today links him to this new American Honda B team (f1-live and grandprix.com).

Grosjean? Maybe. He did only 60 laps at the last test, but no major mistakes from him and he’s fresh from racing 24/7.

My wild bet - Alonso quits Renault at the end of this year, Piquet is dumped. Kovalainen back to Renault, second Renault driver will be… Nick Heidfeld.

Check this out - if you live in EU (only in EU) you can try and win paddock pass with Renault F1 in Hungary this year. All you gotta do is draw their PR man.
June 16th, 2008 at 11:03 pmRich said:
but if anyone has an image of a shirtless f1 person that they wouldn’t mind adding to facebook / drop.io we’ll do just that.

ME actually put the request up Lou.

My post on Vee8 is up - “Is Piquet’s Playtime Over?”

Was posted by Scott on Vee8 - possibly this was in response to that posting - somebody defending the guy.
June 16th, 2008 at 11:11 pmlou said:
ME actually put the request up Lou.

‘Me’ wants pics of shirtless drivers? what? lol
June 16th, 2008 at 11:18 pmme said:
‘Me’ wants pics of shirtless drivers? what? lol

noooo. steven said, and so i said, and then you said and then…

ahh, forget it
June 16th, 2008 at 11:20 pmlou said:
noooo. steven said, and so i said, and then you said and then…

ahh, forget it

Just joking hehe

sooooo anyone gonna own up to adding the piquet photos?
June 16th, 2008 at 11:23 pmRich said:
‘Me’ wants pics of shirtless drivers? what?

Yes, but in response to requests

It was first suggested by Steven Roy …

I think it is only fair that the female contingent of sidepodcast get something to make up for grid girl pics. Autosport.com have been posting photos all weekend taken by Allan McNish. They can be viewed from links at the bottom of the homepage. For some reason he keeps taking photos of Tom Kristensen when he is practically naked.

Kathi seemed especially keen with the idea …

I approve wholeheartedly of more (half)naked racing drivers.
June 16th, 2008 at 11:24 pmScott Woodwiss said:
this new American Honda B team

Wouldn’t they call it Acura, which is Honda’s North American brand?
June 17th, 2008 at 2:15 pmBen Gribbin said:
Any news on the theme tune yet? I cant find it on dropsio.

Thanks,

Ben
June 17th, 2008 at 3:34 pmStuart Codling said:
Afternoon all,

I’m heading off to Magny-Cours at the crack of dawn tomorrow armed with my new DSLR and will post pictures from the trip on my Flickr page:-

http://www.flickr.com/photos/sc_pix/

I can’t promise any semi-naked pictures of anyone, though. Actually, given how shonky the wifi was at M-C last year, I can’t promise any pictures at all…
June 17th, 2008 at 3:48 pmRich said:
@Stuart - enjoy the race and the trip. Looking at what was put up as examples of semi-naked F1 drivers - I don’t think even our female fans will worry about not getting those photos - admittedly it was a sample size of one out of current F1 drivers!
June 17th, 2008 at 4:24 pmme said:
I’m heading off to Magny-Cours at the crack of dawn tomorrow armed with my new DSLR and will post pictures from the trip on my Flickr page:-

nice one stuart, cheers for the heads up, we’ll keep tabs on your work during the weekend.

are you staying anywhere nice? heard the accommodation is a bit rural down that way.
June 17th, 2008 at 4:28 pmme said:
Any news on the theme tune yet? I cant find it on dropsio.

ben, i failed you. sorry, will get put it up shortly. just as soon as i’ve caught up with all the comments i’ve missed.
June 17th, 2008 at 4:59 pmStuart Codling said:
are you staying anywhere nice? heard the accommodation is a bit rural down that way.

Check it out:

http://www.chateaudeprye.com/history.htm

It’s like a proper castle. Facilities are a bit castle-like (ie basic), but for character it’s easily the best place we go to all year. The Radio 5 crowd are staying there too.
June 17th, 2008 at 5:05 pmRich said:
The driving of the Safety Car is not only an issue at F1 events - at this year’s Le Mans there was a safety car period - where they have to use two safety cars (length of the circuit). In this case the safety cars are meant to keep an equal distance at the two parts of the race course. Well this did not happen at Le Mans - probably because the two safety cars had vastly different performances. This got me onto saftey and the GP track, given that drivers complain that the safety car drives too slowly and they lose heat in their tires and go off the track I want to make a suggestion that the British Caparo TI be used. Top speed is 330 km/h and does 0-160 km/h in under 5 secs and back to zero in another 3.5 secs and it can pull 3-G of force in a corner. On the Top Gear track it was just over 10 secs slower than the Renault F1 car. This means it is only some 18% slower than an F1 car.

It could be fitted out with flashing orange lights similar to the police rapid response vehicle which was exhibited at the MPH show recently [have uploaded a pic on drop.io]. This British manufacturer might also sell some of these at £190,000 plus tax. It is also quite green with low Carbon emmisions.

I also suggest that Michael Schumacher be the Safety Car driver, we then have a chance of seeing his driving without the chance of him winning.
June 17th, 2008 at 5:26 pmSteven Roy said:
Rich the Caparo burst into flames on Fifth Gear (Channel 5) and badly burned Jason Plato. On Top Gear the floor fell off and it had various other problems. It is nowhere near reliable or safe enough to be used as a safety car. According to Clarkson its handling is lethal in slow corners.
June 17th, 2008 at 5:36 pmBen Gribbin said:
ben, i failed you. sorry, will get put it up shortly. just as soon as i’ve caught up with all the comments i’ve missed.

No worries, I’ll let you off this time seen as the podcasts are so good
June 17th, 2008 at 5:49 pmRich said:
@Steven - yes I know of these incidents - you forgot to mention at last year’s Goodwood Festival of Speed a Dutch journalist had the throttle stick open and he veered off road.

These were pre-production units hopefully in production units it has all been sorted out.

I was trying to help the ailing British Motor Industry with some business!

Heck in South Africa we produce more cars than the UK. Actually the Noble is built in South Africa and exported to the UK where the engine is fitted.
June 17th, 2008 at 5:57 pmSteven Roy said:
I didn’t realise they were pre-production. Still if you give your cars to a TV company they should be sorted properly but maybe they have now sorted the bugs.

I didn’t know Nobles were made in South Africa. I thought they were all built in the UK. Installing an engine is a long way from building the car but I guess they don’t publicise the fact that most of the work is done abroad.
June 17th, 2008 at 6:09 pmMattw said:
at this year’s Le Mans there was a safety car period - where they have to use two safety cars (length of the circuit). In this case the safety cars are meant to keep an equal distance at the two parts of the race course. Well this did not happen at Le Mans - probably because the two safety cars had vastly different performances

The safety cars are always a huge problem at Le Mans.

One year (2003 I think), one safety car pulled off and let half the cars go, while the other safety car continued merry on. The ‘racing’ cars had almost caught the que behind the second safety car before it pulled off.

I want to make a suggestion that the British Caparo TI be used.

Could be a handfull in the wet
June 17th, 2008 at 6:10 pmme said:
It’s like a proper castle. Facilities are a bit castle-like (ie basic), but for character it’s easily the best place we go to all year.

bloomin’ heck, it has a moat!

The Radio 5 crowd are staying there too.

ace. please do say “hi” from all at sidepodcast. i’m gonna twist scott’s arm and see if he can get us a shout-out on their show too
June 17th, 2008 at 7:18 pmScott Woodwiss said:
i’m gonna twist scott’s arm and see if he can get us a shout-out on their show too

no need, I’ll see what i can do. you really are publicity hungry, you guys, aren’t you? ADMIT IT! Now I got the shout out on Radio Le Mans, you want more!

I’m kidding, I’ll see what I can do.
June 17th, 2008 at 7:37 pmme said:
Now I got the shout out on Radio Le Mans, you want more!

tis very true. i just thought it would be cool to hear while we’re live commenting. that’s assuming there’s no golf on of course.

I’m kidding, I’ll see what I can do

appreciate it.
June 17th, 2008 at 7:58 pmScott Woodwiss said:
attention all, i have found a cool new game

be the top gear star in a reasonably priced car

http://www.topgear.com/content/timetoburn/sections/games/18/game.html
June 17th, 2008 at 8:24 pmMattw said:
Afternoon all,
I’m heading off to Magny-Cours at the crack of dawn tomorrow armed with my new DSLR and will post pictures from the trip on my Flickr page:-

So, we share an interest in Morot sport (including Le Mans)

and now photography too. Good to see some landscapes in there.

Which DSLR did you treat yourself to?
June 17th, 2008 at 8:30 pmGaulty said:
attention all, i have found a cool new game

be the top gear star in a reasonably priced car

http://www.topgear.com/content/timetoburn/sections/games/18/game.html

Slower than the late Richard Whitely in a quicker car, 2:13.828
June 17th, 2008 at 8:51 pmRich said:
Slower than the late Richard Whitely in a quicker car, 2:13.828

I was unmentionably slow - spent most of the time on the grass!
June 17th, 2008 at 10:03 pmme said:
No worries, I’ll let you off this time seen as the podcasts are so good

ben, the theme is here:

http://www.drop.io/sidepodcast/asset/weekly-theme

managed to sort it earlier, but then drop.io started playing up. anyhow, hope it’s what you’re after, i wish we had time to make a better job of it.
June 17th, 2008 at 10:13 pmlou said:
attention all, i have found a cool new game

be the top gear star in a reasonably priced car

yay! new game! however im having trouble finding my way round the track…..i think i have done a Jonathon Ross and got lost…
June 17th, 2008 at 10:21 pmRich said:
i have done a Jonathon Ross and got lost…

I know that feeling!
June 17th, 2008 at 11:19 pmSteven Roy said:
I got lost more than once but with a little perseverance I have done a 1:55. I am sure someone will beat it. Anyone know where I can find a front anti-roll bar for a reasonably priced car. I keep spinning when the inside front lifts. Stupid front wheel drive.
June 17th, 2008 at 11:24 pmlou said:
ach i can’t master that game :/ however i have found another game, which i like a little bit more. What do you guys think? Not as good as the pitstop game but it’s ok.
June 17th, 2008 at 11:30 pmme said:
ach i can’t master that game :/ however i have found another game, which i like a little bit more. What do you guys think? Not as good as the pitstop game but it’s ok.

have to admit, i struggled with the first game, but this one i’m a little better at.

might go for a time in a minute.
June 17th, 2008 at 11:32 pmRich said:
Could be a handfull in the wet

Yes that is why you employ Michael Schumacher or The Stig! Anyway it would be the same for all the drivers.
June 17th, 2008 at 11:45 pmlou said:
might go for a time in a minute.

ehehe I beat your time
June 17th, 2008 at 11:52 pmme said:
ehehe I beat your time

what?

…might go for another time in a minute.
June 17th, 2008 at 11:55 pmlou said:
…might go for another time in a minute.

I look forward to beating you next time …I’m not competitive…
June 18th, 2008 at 12:00 amme said:
ehehe I beat your time

ah-ha, now i’m back in the game
June 18th, 2008 at 12:13 amlou said:
ah-ha, now i’m back in the game

lol beat ya again
June 18th, 2008 at 12:17 amScott Woodwiss said:
i’ve sparked another fun-filled evening of happiness. i’m so pleased!
June 18th, 2008 at 12:19 amme said:
lol beat ya again

right back at ya. i managed to shave 3secs off of my opening lap!

i’ve sparked another fun-filled evening of happiness. i’m so pleased!

i have beer, but inside track is gonna be late this week
June 18th, 2008 at 12:21 amScott Woodwiss said:
i have beer, but inside track is gonna be late this week

you always have beer. ALCOHOLIC!
June 18th, 2008 at 12:21 amlou said:
right back at ya. i managed to shave 3secs off of my opening lap!

damn it! will have to try again.

i have beer, but inside track is gonna be late this week

ah you have beer, this could play to my advantage!
June 18th, 2008 at 12:23 amme said:
you always have beer. ALCOHOLIC!

with the price of fuel these days, it’s cheaper to have a drink and walk everywhere.
June 18th, 2008 at 12:27 amScott Woodwiss said:
with the price of fuel these days, it’s cheaper to have a drink and walk everywhere.

I’m suprised you CAN walk when you have a few every night
June 18th, 2008 at 12:30 amme said:
I’m suprised you CAN walk when you have a few every night

aah, i don’t want you thinking that i’m encouraging drinking btw. don’t want to be a bad influence on anyone or anything.
June 18th, 2008 at 12:35 amScott Woodwiss said:
aah, i don’t want you thinking that i’m encouraging drinking btw. don’t want to be a bad influence on anyone or anything.

never crossed my mind
June 18th, 2008 at 12:36 amScott Woodwiss said:
by the way, how are you getting the screenshots?
June 18th, 2008 at 12:40 amSteven Roy said:
Into the 1:33s. This game is a lot easier than the reasonably priced car one.
June 18th, 2008 at 12:40 amlou said:
Why is it getting harder to beat your time?….i will try again! i am 1/2 second off your time!
June 18th, 2008 at 12:40 amme said:
by the way, how are you getting the screenshots?

apple + shift + 4

what OS are you using?
June 18th, 2008 at 12:41 amme said:
http://www.drop.io/sidepodcast/asset/srf3-003

1:33:31 - jeez.

is that mr. roy per chance?
June 18th, 2008 at 12:41 amlou said:
Into the 1:33s. This game is a lot easier than the reasonably priced car one.

1:33s! omg! how?! actually the top scores for the game are like 1:18…
June 18th, 2008 at 12:43 amme said:
actually the top scores for the game are like 1:18…

tell me you’re not that competitive.
June 18th, 2008 at 12:45 amlou said:
tell me you’re not that competitive.

ahaha no I’m not that competitive. It does sadden me that my times seem to be getting slower though…
June 18th, 2008 at 12:47 amScott Woodwiss said:
apple + shift + 4
what OS are you using?

hmm, i don’t see any apple key…..oh yeah, that’s right - i’m using windows
June 18th, 2008 at 12:48 amSteven Roy said:
Finally hit something close to 3 clean laps. 1:29.48

Too many lapped cars. I want blue flags and lots of them.
June 18th, 2008 at 12:49 amlou said:
Scott try the snipping tool (thats what i use) it’s in accessories
June 18th, 2008 at 12:51 amme said:
.oh yeah, that’s right - i’m using windows

ok. XP or vista?
June 18th, 2008 at 12:58 amScott Woodwiss said:
how on earth are you guys getting 30 second first laps? i can only manage 32s.
June 18th, 2008 at 12:59 amme said:
how on earth are you guys getting 30 second first laps? i can only manage 32s.

need to pass all cars on the inside by the first corner(ish).
June 18th, 2008 at 1:06 amScott Woodwiss said:
need to pass all cars on the inside by the first corner(ish).

yeah i managed that

anyway, check it out! 1′31!

That trumps “me” and lou i think
June 18th, 2008 at 1:08 amlou said:
That trumps “me” and lou i think

Impressive. Trumps me by miles….turns out I’m actually geting worse! :/
June 18th, 2008 at 1:10 amme said:
Trumps me by miles….turns out I’m actually geting worse!

a 1:29.5 is unbeatable in my book. darn it
June 18th, 2008 at 1:12 amlou said:
a 1:29.5 is unbeatable in my book. darn it

I bet you would be able to do better without the beer I have no excuss….I got to about 1:33 and started to go backwards….
June 18th, 2008 at 1:18 amJoe said:
I’m a bit behind the times here on you guys. I’ve yet to download the latest podcast, and have to try them games too, jeez, someone give me a slap eh?

Someone give Kimi a slap too maybe, a comment of his has annoyed me:

http://www.itv-f1.com/news_article.aspx?id=43022

“Now we’re heading back to Europe to tracks, which have been built to be used by racing cars,” he said.

Yeah mate, like Monaco and Montreal are mickey-mouse tracks……..I get what he’s saying, but to me it seems like he’s saying “Ferrari have the best car, we’re going to murder everyone because they all suck”

*sigh* I do get the feeling that Ferrari will dominate Mangy-Cours though.
June 18th, 2008 at 1:22 amme said:
to tracks, which have been built to be used by racing cars

it’s funny he says that about this track, because last year aguri struggled to exit the garages, such is the small pit lane in nevers.
June 18th, 2008 at 1:23 amlou said:
*sigh* I do get the feeling that Ferrari will dominate Mangy-Cours though.

With Lewis starting at least 10th and Heikki not having the best luck in races recently, i think thats a given….however I’m hoping BMW will be strong too. I have a liking for Ferrari victorys….just cause the Italien national anthum is so damn catchy!
June 18th, 2008 at 1:36 amScott Woodwiss said:
just cause the Italien national anthum is so damn catchy!

i’ll second that. although, i hate to admit, i think kimi will take the win this weekend. although i did say in my voicemail on monday that i put kovi for 2nd. he’s due a break after the tough time he’s had.
June 18th, 2008 at 1:37 amlou said:
Can i ask….who put the video clip of Alonso getting thrown in the wimming pool into Drop.io? lol
June 18th, 2008 at 1:39 amlou said:
i’ll second that. although, i hate to admit, i think kimi will take the win this weekend. although i did say in my voicemail on monday that i put kovi for 2nd. he’s due a break after the tough time he’s had.

I kinda want Kimi to get the win this weekend… He is falling behind in the fight for the Championship, and i kinda wanted him to get it….although i will settle for Kubica getting the title
June 18th, 2008 at 1:39 amJoe said:
Has Heiki had a single incident free race this season? I don’t think so……..he definately deserves a win. And you know that when Heiki wins, they’ll be a reference to Mika. Man, I wish Mika was still in F1 in some role. There’s a video of him and Eddie Irvine having a juice fight at a press conference in 99 at Montreal, lol. He was such a character.
June 18th, 2008 at 1:49 amlou said:
Has Heiki had a single incident free race this season? I don’t think so……..

He did ok in Malaysia…3rd I think….but I think all of his other results have been below that….couple of retirements i think (feel free to correct me anyone)…he has not been doing as well as Lewis…which is a shame! I would love Heikki to win!
June 18th, 2008 at 1:50 amme said:
although i did say in my voicemail on monday that i put kovi for 2nd. he’s due a break after the tough time he’s had.

yay, voicemail, thank you

who put the video clip of Alonso getting thrown in the wimming pool into Drop.io?

not a clue, sometimes drop.io is too anonymous isn’t it?
June 18th, 2008 at 1:52 amlou said:
not a clue, sometimes drop.io is too anonymous isn’t it?

Just a little bit… did anyone admit to the Piquet pics by the way? or the mysterious canada pics? I kinda feel like i need to put a pic of Jens on there….just so there so there is one attractive driver on there…..
June 18th, 2008 at 1:55 amme said:
did anyone admit to the Piquet pics by the way? or the mysterious canada pics?

not so far as i’m aware.

i guess in some ways, the site is perfect for shy people, but it would be nice to know.
June 18th, 2008 at 1:57 amJoe said:
I feel quite out of the loop here, what exactly is this drop.io thingy? Sorry for seeming a bit silly, I’m silly and damn proud of it.
June 18th, 2008 at 1:58 amlou said:
i guess in some ways, the site is perfect for shy people, but it would be nice to know.

Yeah its perfect for people who just follow the comments and posts but don’t like to comment. Would be lovely to find out who took the Canada pics though…they are really nice!
June 18th, 2008 at 2:02 amme said:
I feel quite out of the loop here, what exactly is this drop.io thingy?

short version: enhanced (multimedia) commenting.

long version: a big bucket of formula 1 related links, images, video, audio and comments that anyone is free to contribute too. if you have anything to share with everyone at sidepodcast.com that’s the place to do it.

url: http://www.drop.io/sidepodcast

I’m silly and damn proud of it.

me too
June 18th, 2008 at 2:03 amme said:
Would be lovely to find out who took the Canada pics though…they are really nice!

did you see dryden’s marmot(s) on the facebook group?
June 18th, 2008 at 2:05 amlou said:
did you see dryden’s marmot(s) on the facebook group?

no…. i will go have a look
June 18th, 2008 at 2:07 amlou said:
AWWWWW Marmots like F1 too! They really are cute aren’t they?
awwww!!!
June 18th, 2008 at 2:09 amme said:
They really are cute aren’t they?

they might be.
June 18th, 2008 at 2:11 amlou said:
they might be.

ahaha has Christine been talking you round?
June 18th, 2008 at 2:12 amme said:
ahaha has Christine been talking you round?

she’s still not having one!
June 18th, 2008 at 2:14 amScott Woodwiss said:
i reckon she’s gone off them a little after my creation of “Franck the Marmot”. AHAHA!
June 18th, 2008 at 2:14 amlou said:
ooo there is a video on Jenson’s site taken at the triathlon last weekend…Nick Fry was there….does he not have more important stuff to do…not that I’m complainning he supports his drivers but….surely he has something to do?
June 18th, 2008 at 2:16 amlou said:
she’s still not having one!

So you didn’t get her one for her birthday then…

You could always get a little guinea pig…they are kinda similar… what about a cute little kitten
June 18th, 2008 at 2:30 amme said:
what about a cute little kitten

now you’re just encouraging her.
June 18th, 2008 at 2:55 amPink Peril said:
June 18th, 2008 at 1:37 am lou said:
Can i ask….who put the video clip of Alonso getting thrown in the wimming pool into Drop.io? lol

OOOOOooooohhhh - can someone post a link to that?
I am at work, and the site doesn’t load correctly because of *stupid* IT regulations, and I can’t find it.

But, I am drooling already………

Why Fernando? Why isn’t your ‘professional fan’ me? I thought I was your favourite fan
June 18th, 2008 at 8:14 amRich said:
For all of the Alonso fans, well fans of Alonso being chucked into the swimming pool - while looking at Scott’s adverts of Alonso - I noticed this video - not the same posting as on Drop.io but same video with foreign (to me) subscripts.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3nRpgt0WNPk
June 18th, 2008 at 8:18 amRich said:
Lou, surprised you don’t find Nelson attractive? When he won the inaugural A1GP at Brands Hatch (I think), the South Africa TV commentators were full of admiration for his looks! I just put it down to different tastes (culture, gender et).
June 18th, 2008 at 8:23 amRich said:
What the drop.io is telling me is that there is more diversity of people visiting sidepodcast than actually comment by a large comment - obviously there is some heartbroken PK fan out there very sad that his final days are coming unless his fortunes change - that was a LOT of photos taken over many years, some quite personal. I would hate to think I was really upsetting someone.
June 18th, 2008 at 8:34 amRich said:
Christine, Marmots are rodents so are closely related to rats! What you want is a Rock Rabbit (Dassie in the vernacular). It is not a rodent and is most closely related to an Elephant - but they have little hands, very intelligent and occur through Africa. They also do not have all the rodent-associated health-risks. I have put up a pic of one in an African Thorn Tree on drop.io
June 18th, 2008 at 8:46 amRich said:
Red Bull run Doesn’t sound that dangerous. If a Red Bull hits anyone then it will just fall apart, leaving the hapless pedestrian with light bruising.

Red Bulls are definitely less dangerous than Real Bulls!
June 18th, 2008 at 9:28 amChristine said:
It’s very unfair that all the fun and games begins once I have gone to bed.

And I’ve decided to go back to my original plan. I want a baby panda.
June 18th, 2008 at 11:09 amPink Peril said:
Thanks Rich - I’ll have sweet dreams tonight
June 18th, 2008 at 11:52 amRich said:
I want a baby panda.

And my suggestion of a dassie (rock rabbit)? - they are vegetarian and very clean since they only use one place for their toilet duties. My grandma had one as a pet - brilliant pet (super affectionate) and they live much longer than rodents, which are sadly, rather short-lived.

A Panda is going to eat you out of house and home and they grow BIG! and oh Panda’s live a very long time - so it is a long term commitment. They are also very particular about everything - become most disagreeable when they get uncomfortable.
June 18th, 2008 at 12:04 pmChristine said:
I only want a baby panda, I would have to give it back when it got too big.

Truth is, I’m never going to be able to look after any animals, therefore I can just pick the cutest. No one can deny that baby pandas are THE cutest.

Plus, imagine dressing it in a Sidepodcast T-shirt. Sidepodcast Panda!!
June 18th, 2008 at 12:27 pmme said:
They are also very particular about everything - become most disagreeable when they get uncomfortable.

in that case the two of them will get along just fine.

Plus, imagine dressing it in a Sidepodcast T-shirt. Sidepodcast Panda!!

(insert your own words of disbelief here)
June 18th, 2008 at 12:33 pmlou said:
Lou, surprised you don’t find Nelson attractive?

really? not really to my taste I’m afraid I still prefer Jens

I only want a baby panda, I would have to give it back when it got too big.

that could be done….volunteering at a Zoo comes to mind….hand rearing one….but that’s a lots of work…

No one can deny that baby pandas are THE cutest.

Plus, imagine dressing it in a Sidepodcast T-shirt. Sidepodcast Panda!!

True they are very cute but dressing the baby Panda up? I suppose you would take it to Goodwood to promote the sidepodcast brand lol - you have sidepodcast t-shirts?
June 18th, 2008 at 12:35 pmlou said:
It’s very unfair that all the fun and games begins once I have gone to bed.

aww I’m sorry Christine Next time we will try to start playing earlier
June 18th, 2008 at 12:37 pmChristine said:
True they are very cute but dressing the baby Panda up? I suppose you would take it to Goodwood to promote the sidepodcast brand lol - you have sidepodcast t-shirts?

Okay, people don’t seem as enamoured with the t-shirt idea as I was hoping. The baby panda will have to go without.

Volunteering at a zoo? That seems like a lot of effort.

There are two t-shirts in existence, both owned by me. We tried a clothing range, but it just didn’t take off!
June 18th, 2008 at 12:44 pmlou said:
There are two t-shirts in existence, both owned by me. We tried a clothing range, but it just didn’t take off!

really? that surprises me…when did you try them? early on in sidepodcasts life? Actually come to think of it…I think you were wearing one in a video….sidepodcast diaries from Goodwood last year maybe….
June 18th, 2008 at 12:55 pmChristine said:
I think you were wearing one in a video

I believe it may have been GPlive.
June 18th, 2008 at 12:58 pmlou said:
I believe it may have been GPlive.

ahh ok hehe nice t-shirt
June 18th, 2008 at 1:05 pmSteven Roy said:
What’s wrong with putting a panda in a T shirt? A marmot in a T shirt would look stupid but a panda could work.

The trouble with pandas is they only eat bamboo. Volunteering at the zoo is a lot less hassle than looking after a baby panda 24/7.

Don’t forget it needs ear defenders as well as a T shirt.
June 18th, 2008 at 1:14 pmme said:
Don’t forget it needs ear defenders as well as a T shirt.

steven, if i spend three days walking up goodwood hill carrying a panda in a sidepodcast t-shirt, wearing earmuffs, i am holding you personally responsible!
June 18th, 2008 at 1:15 pmChristine said:
steven, if i spend three days walking up goodwood hill carrying a panda in a sidepodcast t-shirt, wearing earmuffs, i am holding you personally responsible!
June 18th, 2008 at 1:17 pmlou said:
steven, if i spend three days walking up goodwood hill carrying a panda in a sidepodcast t-shirt, wearing earmuffs, i am holding you personally responsible!

ahaha! wouldn’t you be holding the camera and christine the Panda? Lol it’s certainly one way to get noticed! ahaha
June 18th, 2008 at 1:26 pmSteven Roy said:
If you end up with the panda I promise to look after for 30 minutes while you get lunch on the Sunday.

You said you were looking for a way for people to spot you and this is way better than my idea about the sideepodcast helium balloon. Although you could tie the balloon to the panda’s wrist.

Besides what driver is going to refuse an interview to Christine while she has a baby panda?
June 18th, 2008 at 1:30 pmlou said:
You said you were looking for a way for people to spot you and this is way better than my idea about the sideepodcast helium balloon. Although you could tie the balloon to the panda’s wrist.

woundn’t it float away? or are we talking baby helium ballon… I think it may need a cap too….
June 18th, 2008 at 1:42 pmSteven Roy said:
The balloon will make it look like it is waving. The cap is a good idea too. Sidepodcast cap?
June 18th, 2008 at 1:53 pmme said:
The balloon will make it look like it is waving. The cap is a good idea too. Sidepodcast cap?

oh jeez.

we don’t have a sidepodcast cap, no. we have a renault cap signed by brundle and his son though.

whilst i agree that a waving, floating baby panda, might be too adorable to refuse. how the heck are we gonna carry it all weekend?
June 18th, 2008 at 1:56 pmRich said:
Christine, as you might know female Pandas have all sorts of reasons to abstain, and male Pandas simply do not know what to do this results in rather few baby Pandas. Despair no more, they have found that Panda Porn works and lots of baby pandas can now be produced.

Porn sparks panda baby boom in China Research — and blue movies — attributed to record-high birth rate in 2006

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/15852885/
June 18th, 2008 at 2:01 pmRich said:
Christine, if you went to Goodwood with a genuine Panda baby dressed in a Sidepodcast Cap and T-shirt you would not need a helium balloon to advertise your presence you will have a crowd around you to do so.
June 18th, 2008 at 2:09 pmRich said:
how the heck are we gonna carry it all weekend?

That is the least of your problems - feeding and convenience stops will be bigger problems - and as I say when Pandas are uncomfortable they are entirely disagreeable beasts - more so baby ones!
June 18th, 2008 at 2:27 pmSteven Roy said:
Sounds like Rich is a panda expert.

How much can a baby panda weigh anyway?
June 18th, 2008 at 2:32 pmlou said:
how the heck are we gonna carry it all weekend?

I was gonna say i would help on the Saturday, but having read Rich’s last comment i think you would be on your own I don’t fancy being attacked by a baby panda - no matter how cute they are.

You could always put it in a back pack….but if you want to dress something up and carry it around Goodwood may i suggest a baby monkey…they are very cute, small, and easy to carry… I should think…
June 18th, 2008 at 2:40 pmSteven Roy said:
According to wikipdedia they only weigh between 90 and 130 grams when they are born but 45kg after one year so if you plan to carry it you will need to get a very young one.
June 18th, 2008 at 3:17 pmRich said:
How much can a baby panda weigh anyway?

Depends on the age and when you consider your young Panda to be no longer a baby - male pandas tend to be babies for a longer time and therefore can get bigger!

New born Pandas are really small and naked and not particularly cute.

Here is video of Panda from birth to 120 days.

http://www.metacafe.com/watch/520408/new_born_panda/

Here is video to show what happens when a Panda gets grumpy…

http://www.metacafe.com/watch/232503/the_evil_panda_full_story/

The most practical approach is to get ME a Panda costume to wear to Goodwood - you then have your Panda that can walk on its own two feet (no carrying), ME can remain anonymous, and everyone will recognize you because your companion is the only person brave enough to go to Goodwood dressed as a Panda. If Kimi can dress up in a Gorilla suit it is not much to ask ME to dress up in a Panda suit!
June 18th, 2008 at 3:24 pmme said:
The most practical approach is to get ME a Panda costume to wear to Goodwood

that’s a nice idea rich, but how the heck am i gonna operate a camera while wearing a panda suit?
June 18th, 2008 at 3:28 pmSteven Roy said:
Surely baby pandas can walk anyway. If a year old cub weighs 45 kg it must be able to walk. I think the whole argument about carrying it is just because you don’t want Christine to have one. Stick a collar round its neck and get a dog lead. It will be fine.
June 18th, 2008 at 3:32 pmlou said:
Stick a collar round its neck and get a dog lead. It will be fine.

or a harness if you don’t want to put a collar on it

that’s a nice idea rich, but how the heck am i gonna operate a camera while wearing a panda suit?

excuses excuses…it probably wouldn’t be impossible… alternatively let Christine take the photos!
June 18th, 2008 at 3:45 pmSteven Roy said:
but if you want to dress something up and carry it around Goodwood may i suggest a baby monkey

Surely you can’t be serious about dressing a monkey as a panda Lou? People will spot it a mile away.
June 18th, 2008 at 3:52 pmlou said:
Surely you can’t be serious about dressing a monkey as a panda Lou? People will spot it a mile away.

no. I meant dressing the monkey up with a t-shirt…not as a panda! ahaha
June 18th, 2008 at 3:57 pmMattw said:
Pandas? nasty cars. very nasty
June 18th, 2008 at 4:10 pmRich said:
Pandas? nasty cars. very nasty

If you look at the video link I put up a few comments back you will see nearly as nasty as the animals they are named after.

Anyway I thought the “New” Panda was a good car - sure James May has told me so on one video at sometime.

I am needing a new(ish) car it was on my list to look at!
June 18th, 2008 at 4:13 pmlou said:
Anyway I thought the “New” Panda was a good car - sure James May has told me so on one video at sometime.

yeah James May has one….but Richard and Jeremey don’t like it…
June 18th, 2008 at 4:16 pmRich said:
how the heck am i gonna operate a camera while wearing a panda suit?

As Lou say excuses, ME you need to think of yourself as one of those first spaceman on the moon who had to wear astronaut suits and look at the the superb photos they took - and on those cameras (Hasselblads) everything was manual. Much more difficult to operate a camera in space suit than a Panda suit!
June 18th, 2008 at 4:20 pmRich said:
but Richard and Jeremey don’t like it[Fiat Panda]

Last I heard Jeremy had a low mileage Ford GT and Richard a Morgan AeroMax Coupe which everyone said was the ugliest car on the earth - I liked it - if I had lots of money I think I would drive one of those just to be different.
June 18th, 2008 at 4:22 pmSteven Roy said:
Why do I have a picture in my head of a panda in a spacesuit? That would be unusual enough to get some attention at Goodwood.
June 18th, 2008 at 4:23 pmlou said:
Last I heard Jeremy had a low mileage Ford GT and Richard a Morgan AeroMax Coupe which everyone said was the ugliest car on the earth - I liked it - if I had lots of money I think I would drive one of those just to be different.

I think Jeremy has a Lambo spider now…and I think Richard still has the morgan…as well as all the Porches!
June 18th, 2008 at 4:29 pmRich said:
Why do I have a picture in my head of a panda in a spacesuit?

After Scott’s photoshop skills with a Marmot and Franck’s face - I have a picture in my head of a Marmot wearing Franck’s pink crash helmet. You got to be confident as an F1 driver to wear a Pink helmet - possibly that is why he was overlooked - the sponsors did not like it! In the Pug being a coupe you could not really see it!
June 18th, 2008 at 4:32 pmJordan Allen said:
Chrisitne and Me:

Has not the “Bear as Mascot” approach to things F1 have been done to death since James “Hunt the Shunt” was driving for Hesketh back in the early 70’s? (And that was just a silly Teddy Bear mascot)….

I am pretty sure that it is going to be a bugger to move a Panda Bear from China to the UK and get it though customs, assuming that the Chinese Government is willing to give up a Panda Bear cub to foreigners anyway.

Better to go after a groundhog. You will still have problems about bringing in an intruder species to the UK, but I am pretty sure there’s a few local golf clubs in Canada that would be quite happy to get rid of the local pest no questions asked…..

Jordan (F1) Allen.
June 18th, 2008 at 4:32 pmRich said:
I think Jeremy has a Lambo spider now

Well he wasn’t getting much joy out of the Ford GT!
June 18th, 2008 at 4:34 pmRich said:
I keep getting…

Oops, for some reason your comment is in the moderation queue. Legitimate comments will be published as soon as possible.

Bet this message gets put into the moderation queue!
June 18th, 2008 at 4:37 pmChristine said:
Bet this message gets put into the moderation queue!

Apologies, Rich. I have rescued the comment now. As ever, the spam filter goes crazy, but don’t worry, we keep our eye on it

Oh, and there’s nothing wrong with Franck’s pink helmet. I think it suits him
June 18th, 2008 at 4:43 pmRich said:
Better to go after a groundhog. You will still have problems about bringing in an intruder species to the UK, but I am pretty sure there’s a few local golf clubs in Canada that would be quite happy to get rid of the local pest no questions

Apart from my own dog, the best pet is a Rock Rabbit, Dassie Hyrax, they don’t bite, no plague or other diseases associated with them, intelligent, very clean and quite long lived. They make at least 21 different vocalizations for communicating information effectively.
June 18th, 2008 at 4:45 pmRich said:
Oh, and there’s nothing wrong with Franck’s pink helmet. I think it suits him

Actually I like it too - it is very individualistic - whereas most drivers have a helmet that is branded in the main sponsors colours - horrible.

Thanks for rescuing my comment!
June 18th, 2008 at 5:23 pmJordan Allen said:
@Rich:

But right now Christine likes either Groundhogs or Pandas. I just think that a Groundhog would make a more cost-effective long-term pet vs. a panda bear. A Groundhog named Willie lived for 22 years. Now, if a Panda Bear lives that long or longer, well, I fear Chrisitne’s floor would cave in from the weight of the panda alone….

And can a Rock Rabbit give you a long term weather forecast? Say for the next six weeks? With Human weatehr forecasting in Canada, anything past 48 hours forcast can be considered hopeless.

But if the “Me” in the Panda suit idea gains ground, Me should practice working behind the camera inthe Panda Suit for Sidepodcast TV. Think of the new technologies that could develop through the use of “Pandavision” or “Panda-cam”.

Jordan (Allen) F1.
June 18th, 2008 at 5:33 pmDom said:
Why do I have a picture in my head of a panda in a spacesuit?

Here is video to show what happens when a Panda gets grumpy…

Surely you can’t be serious about dressing a monkey as a panda Lou? People will spot it a mile away.

Why are we talking about pandas? Who is responsible for this?
June 18th, 2008 at 5:46 pmRich said:
And can a Rock Rabbit give you a long term weather forecast?

True but with 21 known and distinct vocalizations a hyrax would be good for the podcasts! It also belongs to its own order so it has a pedigree like few others.

The Panda is simply not suitable, I am sure ME dressed up in a Panda suite would be less grumpy than the real thing. Seriously zoo-keepers will tell you Pandas have mood shifts quicker than a spitting cobra.

I concede that I did not know that Marmots could live as long as 22 years - so I put up an image for Christine of Franck, and a Pink helmet wearing Marmot in Drop.io
June 18th, 2008 at 5:53 pmRich said:
Why are we talking about pandas? Who is responsible for this?

Christine - because she wants pet, baby panda. Apparently a Fiat Panda car won’t do!
June 18th, 2008 at 5:59 pmRich said:
Think of the new technologies that could develop through the use of “Pandavision” or “Panda-cam”.

and think of the Pandamonium when his service provider’s servers break!
June 18th, 2008 at 7:05 pmJordan Allen said:
and think of the Pandamonium when his service provider’s servers break!

Hopefully the ISP’s clients will not be “bamboo-zied” into letting this unfortuneatly event to happen…..

Jordan (Allen) F1.
June 18th, 2008 at 7:16 pmChristine said:
I put up an image for Christine of Franck, and a Pink helmet wearing Marmot in Drop.io

Wow. That’s weird as well. Photoshop is not always Franck’s friend, is it?
June 18th, 2008 at 7:35 pmRich said:
Photoshop is not always Franck’s friend, is it?

I am not sure whether it is photoshop or Marmots that are not “always Franck’s friend”.
June 18th, 2008 at 8:09 pmAlianora La Canta said:
I don’t see what all the fuss about half-naked drivers is about, let alone the Piquet Jr. obsession someone apparently has.

Hope Stuart’s enjoying himself at Magny-Couers. Will he get to be the passenger for F1 Racing’s drive to France with an F1 driver or has one of their other journalists got lucky this year?

The Top Gear game 60% loads for me before freezing. It would be nice if, just once, I could actually play one of these games you all get excited about…

There’s a film coming out this summer called “Pandamonium”. Do you think that would satisfy Christine? Though given that it features a kung-fu fighter as the panda, maybe it’ll simply put her off the idea…
June 18th, 2008 at 8:32 pmRich said:
I don’t see what all the fuss about half-naked drivers is about, let alone the Piquet Jr. obsession someone apparently has.

It might have been put as a bit of a joke… just a thought it followed quickly on Scott’s analysis of PK that he put up at another blog!
June 18th, 2008 at 8:38 pmRich said:
o you think that would satisfy Christine? Though given that it features a kung-fu fighter as the panda, maybe it’ll simply put her off the idea…

I think all the pics of a Panda wearing Franck’s helmet might do it before then.
June 18th, 2008 at 8:48 pmme said:
The Top Gear game 60% loads for me before freezing. It would be nice if, just once, I could actually play one of these games you all get excited about…

awww, now i feel bad
June 18th, 2008 at 9:06 pmScott Woodwiss said:
just a thought it followed quickly on Scott’s analysis of PK that he put up at another blog!

er, what are you incinuating?
June 18th, 2008 at 9:10 pmme said:
I don’t see what all the fuss about half-naked drivers is about, let alone the Piquet Jr. obsession someone apparently has.

i think it’s a good thing. few people have been brave enough to stand up for nelson of late, so even if they’re being anonymous about it, i say “yay” to whoever put them there.
June 18th, 2008 at 9:16 pmRich said:
er, what are you incinuating?

That your article was a catalyst for somebody to defend Nelson Jnr.
June 18th, 2008 at 9:20 pmScott Woodwiss said:
That your article was a catalyst for somebody to defend Nelson Jnr.

ah ok, i thought you meant something else….
June 18th, 2008 at 9:45 pmRich said:
I thought your article on PK was well balanced. Frankly I had expected a little more from he [PK] than he has delivered so far. One aspect of the Renault that worries me is if indeed they have given up development this year for the 2009. Remember, last year they gave up developing the 2007 car to put all efforts into the 2008 car -and it is worse than last year’s car (like Honda last year went back on their 2006 car). I do not understand how teams can appear to go backwards.
June 18th, 2008 at 9:46 pmSteven Roy said:
Ali,

The link below gives you all the games on the Top Gear site. If you can find one that loads and you like let me know.

http://www.topgear.com/content/timetoburn/sections/games/
June 18th, 2008 at 10:04 pmRich said:
Former World Champion Jacques Villeneuve admits he still harbours hope of returning to Formula One.

Not sure how to interpret this, has Jacques not realised that he was not fast enough in F1. This was stated after finishing second at Le Mans - but that fine finish was not because of, but despite his driving!

“If the opportunity would occur, certainly with the new regulations, I would love to get back to work.”

Source: http://www.planetf1.com/story/0,18954,3213_3702699,00.html
June 18th, 2008 at 10:26 pmSteven Roy said:
Just got down to 1:27.5 for the F3 game.
June 18th, 2008 at 10:49 pmme said:
Just got down to 1:27.5 for the F3 game.

there isn’t a wordpress emoticon to express my feelings right now!
June 18th, 2008 at 11:35 pmSteven Roy said:
& 1:54.0 in the reasonably priced car.

Competitive me?
June 18th, 2008 at 11:37 pmme said:
& 1:54.0 in the reasonably priced car.

Competitive me?

only when i have a remote chance. i know when i’m proper beat.
June 18th, 2008 at 11:39 pmlou said:
& 1:54.0 in the reasonably priced car.

You are very good at these games Steven! wow!
June 19th, 2008 at 12:26 amSteven Roy said:
1:52.7

You are very good at these games Steven! wow!

But still nearly 10 seconds from the record
June 19th, 2008 at 12:53 amSteven Roy said:
1:51.2. Only!!! 7 seconds from the record
June 19th, 2008 at 12:55 amme said:
1:51.2. Only!!! 7 seconds from the record

if you need any motivational speeches, or encouragement, just yell.
June 19th, 2008 at 12:58 amSteven Roy said:
So long as I don’t have the record I am plenty motivated. I can see where the next 2 or 3 seconds will come from but I am not sure about the rest.
June 19th, 2008 at 1:01 amlou said:
1:51.2. Only!!! 7 seconds from the record

wooo!!! That’s sooo much better than am! well done Steven!
June 19th, 2008 at 9:41 amStuart Codling said:
Which DSLR did you treat yourself to?

Sorry to wind the clock back so far but I ws in transit yesterday while all this madness was going on!

Matt, I got a Canon EOS450. I know the Nikon equivalent is supposed to be better, but most of the pro photographers I’ve worked with have used Canons, so it became the de facto choice for me. Also, Darren Heath is going to let me use one of his lenses.

The wifi here is indeed shonky but it’s working now and I’m just uploading some pics…

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