Abu-Dhabi, Part II, the race meeting and the return of the orange army

[FRENCHIE44T]

Originally Posted by Stack

Likewise, just got back. Shared a hut with FRENCHIE44T, both of us got hit by the sun to some degree. Was on post 12, half way down the straight. It was very hard going - on post for nearly 12 hours with very little shade in a track manning position in heat that hit the mid 40'sC around 3 o'clock. Evening sessions it dropped to a "comfortable" 35C

PS food was Great!!!

Heyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy Glad you got home ok, sorry I didnt get to see your group off, I fell asleep.

As Stack said, it was very HOT and one needed to drink LOTS of water didnt I Stack???? I can laugh now, but at the time it was not funny.

Also like I said in my last post for those who didnt get to go this time I really hope you get a chance next year, the place is amazing and the more that get to go, you deserve it as much as us getting that chance this time.

I was on Post 13, with a good bunch of guys & girl and well done to any of the local marshals out there who read this, YOU played a part in it too. We can't take all the glory. To give to an idea, it was like being on Hanger Straight, at Silverstone. Good for overtaking, I really thought Jenson was gonna get Webber on the closing laps down there, shame he didn't.


Lastly to BARC for giving me the oppitunity to do what I love to do best and represent my country at the same time. It was amazing just to be there, to take part as well, even better. Thank you.

[Sticker Rub]

Got back to Heathrow just after 6 this morning. I've discovered pores in the last week that I didn't know I had. I don't think there was ever any danger of my case being searched in customs due to the toxic nature of the contents. On Sunday afternoon, I measured a temperature of 52C in the sun. I've spent the entire day drinking tea & had proper pork sausages for lunch - heaven. It'll be a while before I can go near a bottle of water again: there's only so much you can drink before you get totally sick of it.

A few teething problems but a great experience overall. Fewer FIA inspections & more downtime to allow marshals to shelter & rehydrate would be my number 1 suggestion.

Thanks to all on post 18 (opposite support pit exit). We had a great team & some good banter all weekend. Congratulations to local trainees Tim & Musa (sp?) who were thrown in at the deep end to flag on Saturday & Sunday & did an excellent job. Thanks also to Ray on post 19 for looking out for us when we had to recover the wing & debris under the safety car during the first GP2 race.

[Stephen Green]

5 excellent days in Abu Dhabi where we met lots of very good and well trained local marshals, some from Abu Dhabi and many had driven over from Dubai.

There were a few teething problems but that was to be expected for a country where this was not only the first GP but their first race as well. The circuit is simply awesome. I was on post 26 in the marina sector just before the hotel bridge over the track, lets say the local wealthy people really know how to party and the yachts...well I was gob-smacked at the size of some of them.

To everyone who organised the event...well done. It was a mamouth task and as a team we pulled it off.

Oh, it was me that had been in touch with Martin Brundle before the weekend to get our presence mentioned on air. Our website got over 1,300 hits after his interview and we have over 230 people contacted Pete Wilson asking to do 'taster days' as a result!!!!!!!

[fazza]

Originally Posted by Stephen Green

5 excellent days in Abu Dhabi where we met lots of very good and well trained local marshals, some from Abu Dhabi and many had driven over from Dubai.

There were a few teething problems but that was to be expected for a country where this was not only the first GP but their first race as well. The circuit is simply awesome. I was on post 26 in the marina sector just before the hotel bridge over the track, lets say the local wealthy people really know how to party and the yachts...well I was gob-smacked at the size of some of them.

To everyone who organised the event...well done. It was a mamouth task and as a team we pulled it off.

Oh, it was me that had been in touch with Martin Brundle before the weekend to get our presence mentioned on air. Our website got over 1,300 hits after his interview and we have over 230 people contacted Pete Wilson asking to do 'taster days' as a result!!!!!!!

Bloody good show Steve. well done

[BSA Susie]

I got back home at 9.30 this morning after last being in bed yesterday morning! I collapsed on the sofa for a couple of hours, managed to get up to empty my case before it festered so much it walked to the washing machine on its own and then picked my babies up from school! So pleased to see them, the youngest's first words to me was ''was Abu Dhabi good mummy?'' and the eldest came out shouting, ''Lewis went in the garage, that was rubbish. Did you meet Jensen?''

Thanks to everyone involved in the organisation, I had a fantastic time all round. Both the local team and those that travelled out with us had a thankless task at times but what I experienced was great. Also thanks to those that know me that made the social side so much fun too, and thanks for passing your freebies onto me, the kids love them! Lastly thanks to my local flag marshals for being so open to learning, keen and confident that I hardly held a flag all weekend!

I'll probably not be back again, it'll not be in half term next year so good luck to those that apply and go for 2010, but I can saver the thought that I did the first one and had the only GP race incident at our corner!

[BSA Susie]

Oh and thanks to all the great team on Post 22, exit of turn 14, you are all great too!
We had a great position with the huuuuuuuuge gin palaces behind us, great racing on the track and even visits from Royalty!

http://photos-a.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos..._1693645_n.jpg

[FRENCHIE44T]

This is strange, sat at home watching the Porche SuperCup from Abu Dhabi. I was there yesterday. Then about 10 seconds of GP2 Aisia.

[lawnmowerman]

may I just take this opportunity to thank all at BARC and the fantastic hospitality of the UAE. Its always been an ambition of mine to marshal at a GP abroad, and wow what a place to do it at. Yas Marina, you really have set a new standard in Grand Prix Racing. Thanks to all at the Marshal Village for the friendly atmosphere, the amazing food (Burp) cleaned on a daily basis room, the local marshal's who made us most welcome, all the marshal's from around the uk, and on post 31, oh and my room mate Alan and the picture next to you're bed of your wife. what a great time we had mate, thanks. Missing Abu Dhabi and its hot sun already

[Piglet]

Fab photo Susie....c'mon the rest of you where are the piccies?!

Good result for the BMMC Stephen, we got three or four mentions in all I think, perhaps a bit more.

[Alan Green]

The post 20 team:

The rest of my shots (nothing much to see!) at http://www.flickr.com/photos/algreen...7622594730655/

[Snotty]

I would echo all the thanks already on this thread. BARC, ATOCUE, YAS Marina Circuit staff, the bus drivers, the airline, etc etc. So many memories to cherish. Many thanks to my team at Post 17. Mark and Barry, Ray, Tony, Janice and the one and only Bladders! We were luckier than most. Pit office , air conditioning, fridge, televisons, toilets, sofas and chairs. I am probably giving away to much.

If I ever see another bottle of water! 5 litres a day I drank; you can only take so much. good news is I have lost a stone in weight. The circuit was spectacular and wonderful memory of Jenson coming down between us on the support pit wall and Mark Webber trying to take on the outside... awesome!

Best laugh? Well a couple. when we got to the marshals village on the first night and saw the huts some wag started the great escape theme tune on his mobile phone and we turned in to see two marshalls climbing the fence trying to get out. And, unfortuneatly only the IO's heard this but Tommy Wilson's description on how they were going to unblock his post's toilet on Saturday was very funny.

Finally, we went there to pass on our knowledge to the local marshalls. My thanks to Jamie, Jim the mad yank, Mustapha and the other local marshals. What a first meeting for you. I hope we managed to pass on to you one or two things for the future.

I know there were one or two teething problems but I think a lot of people worked very hard to make us welcome and make our stay a great experience.
I am very glad I went and would go back again if asked. Roll on next year maybe? Let's hope they have finished that roller coaster at Ferrari World by then.

[haystacks]

Fazza, thought you were there, as your boat was in the marina!!
Susie, great photo of the gin palaces, at 27 we offered drinks and food from one behind us.

[gachjoel]

So many people to thank for all the organisation and for looking after us all, BARC,ATCUAE,CHEFS,Waiting Staff, Eithad Airways,Yas Circuit, the list is endless.
Post 28....
Fran,mike,norbert,brian,saleh,jason,shalah,john,ian..
Pleasure working with you all

[The STIG]

Nice to see that you all enjoyed yourselves, and the photos on facebook show that you were all looked after well. Lets see what they want next year

[gachjoel]

Originally Posted by Snotty

Best laugh? Well a couple. when we got to the marshals village on the first night and saw the huts some wag started the great escape theme tune on his mobile phone and we turned in to see two marshalls climbing the fence trying to get out.

must say i am one of the guilty party, there would have been more of us, but the sight of me running left everyone laughing (not a pretty sight)

[Dan Friel]

Had a great weekend at Post 9. Hello to those that marshalled with us through the GP2 test and Grand Prix. Looking forward to the Masters Series meeting already.

[Burnsie]

Having heard so many positive stories and superb photographs from Abu Dhabi, I'm very tempted to volunteer for next year. My only slight hesitation is the heat, someone earlier in this thread said that it was up in the 50s at one stage! I live in Ireland, so the sun makes an appearance for about one fortnight every year, and even then we'e doing well to push the 20°C barrier

So what about all the guys and gals who were over there this time, how did you find the heat? Was it very humid or was it a more manageable dry heat?

[M Greenslade]

Dan Hi - Thanks for supper, pity about being escorted home by the police!!!!

Bladders.......................

[Dan Friel]

Originally Posted by M Greenslade

Dan Hi - Thanks for supper, pity about being escorted home by the police!!!!

Bladders.......................

What's new!

The heat. The air temp won't go above 35 degrees at this time of year, so manageable in the shade and ok if you rehydrate. Come in July / August for the 50's!!

[Burnsie]

Originally Posted by Dan Friel

The air temp won't go above 35 degrees at this time of year, so manageable in the shade and ok if you rehydrate.

Thanks Dan, that's what I wanted to hear

[Stephen Green]

Originally Posted by Burnsie

Having heard so many positive stories and superb photographs from Abu Dhabi, I'm very tempted to volunteer for next year. My only slight hesitation is the heat, someone earlier in this thread said that it was up in the 50s at one stage! I live in Ireland, so the sun makes an appearance for about one fortnight every year, and even then we'e doing well to push the 20°C barrier

So what about all the guys and gals who were over there this time, how did you find the heat? Was it very humid or was it a more manageable dry heat?

On our post it got as high at 47 degs on Saturday. Sunday was equally as hot and also quite humid. I find that once it gets over 35 degs I don't really feel that much difference at it gets into the 40's. That may sound silly but you notice for example the difference between 25-35 than you do 35-45.

As long as you are sensible and use high factor sun cream/block and seek shade when the opportunity presents itself, you will be fine.

[Burnsie]

Originally Posted by Stephen Green

On our post it got as high at 47 degs on Saturday. Sunday was equally as hot and also quite humid. I find that once it gets over 35 degs I don't really feel that much difference at it gets into the 40's. That may sound silly but you notice for example the difference between 25-35 than you do 35-45.

Thanks Stephen, I understand what you mean. I haven't experienced anything close to those temperatures (except when opening the oven door!) but I'd say that there comes a point when - to some extent - you become accustomed to the heat.

Originally Posted by Stephen Green

As long as you are sensible and use high factor sun cream/block and seek shade when the opportunity presents itself, you will be fine.

Factor 500 sun cream it is! Can the marshals hire their own water tankers?

[zakeriath]

Post 10



A great many thanks to all that gave us the opportunity and thanks to all for the fun.

[Grandslammer]

Another thanks to all involved in making it happen
Post 2 "Tunnel Ratz"

[vw_nut]

Originally Posted by Snotty

Best laugh? Well a couple. when we got to the marshals village on the first night and saw the huts some wag started the great escape theme tune on his mobile phone and we turned in to see two marshalls climbing the fence trying to get out.

guilty party number two who of thought me involved in a joke hahahahaha
had a brilliant time one of thiose to look back on think wow i cant believe i have done that great work by everyone and as for someone who has never marshalled aboard before and someone who has never been on a plane what an experience just words can not describe it thanks barc and all involved gfor a fantastic opportunity