albert park circuit.

[Raglanparade]

Me and the girlfriend just went into the city for dinner at crown casino, and we were going to go for a strole on the beach afterwards for valentines day.

Anyways, i got a bit lost through South Melbourne and found myself outside the gates to Albert Park. Me being me, couldnt resist myself, and i drove straight in. Once my girlfriend saw the "Bridgestone" concerete barrier of Turn 5 it clicked what i was doing, then she saw my eyes light up.

The grand prix track is coming along quite nicely, and no doubt should be looking the goods in a couple of weeks. It was actually that quiet that i pulled up the car, and took a shot of me and my mitsubishi verada on the main straight of albert park (complete with granstands and overhead 'melbourne' signs).

Tonite was teh first time ive driven around Albert Park when its being set up before a Grand Prix, and its got me excited about a new F1 season !!

ps. I didnt realise it was only 40kmh until i got to the end, the fastest i went was about 60kmh, so i hope there was no speed cameras around.

[Sodemo]

Nice one!

[Silk Cut Jaguar]

Now you've got some testing done, ask the FIA for an exemption and enter the GP.

[Raglanparade]

I dont think a 1993 v6 Mitsubishi Verada matches 2005 Spec regulations.

(it might match them better then the car Minardi want to run though).

What suprised me was how tight turn 1 is, the cars go through there at about 150kmh

[hgmonaro]

One good thing about the protestors is they keep the road open longer than what otherwise might have been so you get to drive through the track half setup and decorated... get's 'ya motor running, out on the highway, ready for some action... ohh that's an old advert

[Dixie Flatline]

Originally Posted by jasonhill9884

Tonite was teh first time ive driven around Albert Park when its being set up before a Grand Prix, and its got me excited about a new F1 season !!

ps. I didnt realise it was only 40kmh until i got to the end, the fastest i went was about 60kmh, so i hope there was no speed cameras around.

It's brilliant, isn't it! One of the advantages of having a street circuit.

Trouble is, they're now beginning to close the circuit to public access sooner than they used to. I remember going around it with my dad a few years back almost one or two weeks before the GP was to start, so the grandstands were practically finished, and everything else was practically finished off, too.

[Raglanparade]

Everything was pretty much finished though now. They have closed off the back part of the circuit already, but the front part of the circuit has to stay open until the Tuesday or Wednesday at least for access to the Melbourne Aquatic Center.

I didnt realise how much of a good circuit it is.

[Valve Bounce]

I ride regularly around Albert Park with my wife, and since our return to Melbourne last week, we rode around the bike track and it was like riding next to an Illegal Immigrant Detention Centre with all the fencing that has been erected.

However, all the fencing is necessary for crowd control and safety, so I guess all this is vital to stage the Grand Prix. I just hope that, as promised by Mr Walker, that the park will be reinstated much quicker this year after the race.

For those not in the know, the easiest and quickest to the race track during the 4 race days is by tram, which is free. If you are in a grandstand, check ou which tram line to take.

[Raglanparade]

the Melbourne track is great in the way that is has good access to public transport, and it doesnt interrupt the city that much.

[Valve Bounce]

Originally Posted by jasonhill9884

the Melbourne track is great in the way that is has good access to public transport, and it doesnt interrupt the city that much.

Make sure you get on the right tram. The route 96 which goes to St Kilda (or Light Rail GP express) services all the grandstands on the pit straight side of the circuit.

The St Kilda Road GP Express does the Clarke and Waite stands. For those who get on the wrong tram, you get a long walk around the circuit, which is best done on Thursday to familiarise yourself with the access points as well as enjoying the circuit.

For visitors to Melbourne, you can check out this website to see how to get around Melbourne and where to connect to the race track trams (which are free).

http://www.yarratrams.com.au/timetab...route_maps.asp

[Skam85]

OK, so I'm staying in Craigeburn/Roxbrugh Park, how would I go about getting to the track every morning? Is there a website for train timetables etc?

[hgmonaro]

there will be a website with timetable, no idea what it is sorry!

I thought you'd be catching a train into Spencers St, then a tram along Claredon St to the circuit but I'm not sure Craigieburn has trains other than V-Line ones (which won't be regular as they are the country and interstate ones) You might have to drive/bus it to Broadmeadows station and catch the train to Spencer St from there.

Have a look at http://www.viclink.com.au/timetables...hp?LANDMARK=69

Looks like bus 532 to Broadmeadows...

Edit : Just looked at a Melways.. and from Roxburg Park you'd still have to get to Broadmeadows Station

[Valve Bounce]

Originally Posted by Skam85

OK, so I'm staying in Craigeburn/Roxbrugh Park, how would I go about getting to the track every morning? Is there a website for train timetables etc?

Use ANZWERS for the search engine, and then go on from there. If you are going to the south side of the circuit, (pit straight side) then get off at Spencer St and take the 96 Light Rail GP Express from there.

If you are on the north side (Clarke or Waite) then get off at Flinders St Stn and take the St Kilda Road GP Express tram from there. (heading across the river).

Whatever you do, don't take a taxi because you will just sit in traffic like forever. The trams will be infinitely faster and they are free.

There is no panic if you want to go on Thursday, because taking any of the GP Express trams will do as you probably want to take a walk around the circuit to check it out before the serious stuff begins.

[Raglanparade]

www.connexmelbourne.com.au

for your train timetables.

Melbourne has a good network of trains, and even though Spencer St station is under some renovations at the moment, it is still relateively east to get around, and the staff there are helpful.

[Valve Bounce]

One last thing - don't forget to dress for the weather. It is very cool sometimes these days already, so bring a fleece and windcheater if the weather forcast says it is cool.

[Skam85]

Thanx guys, now I will have a great time. Any ideas:

a) where Minardi will be unveiling their car
b) how much a taxi would cost from Roxburgh Pk to Broadmeadows station (a 13min drive)

[Valve Bounce]

Originally Posted by Skam85

Thanx guys, now I will have a great time. Any ideas:

a) where Minardi will be unveiling their car
b) how much a taxi would cost from Roxburgh Pk to Broadmeadows station (a 13min drive)

I suggest you ask the people you are staying with. However, you are quite a long way outside of Melbourne CBD, and a 13 minute drive there could translate into quite a distance and therefore taxi fare.

[Raglanparade]

I used to live in Warrnambool, and the center of town was a 10 min drive away. Coming back from the pubs it used to cost us anything up to 20 bucks to get a taxi.

I would safely say that a 13 min taxi drive to the Broadmeadows station would cost around 20 Australian Dollars at least. Your better of finding a suitable bus route to get you to the station for about 2-3 dollars!

[Valve Bounce]

Originally Posted by jasonhill9884

I used to live in Warrnambool, and the center of town was a 10 min drive away. Coming back from the pubs it used to cost us anything up to 20 bucks to get a taxi.

I would safely say that a 13 min taxi drive to the Broadmeadows station would cost around 20 Australian Dollars at least. Your better of finding a suitable bus route to get you to the station for about 2-3 dollars!

Or if you can get hold of a bicycle and ride to the train station. Otherwise, 4 days' of taxi fares start to add up.

[Raglanparade]

I wouldnt leave a bicycle at Broadmeadows station for a day just queitly.

Its not one of the best areas of Melbourne and quiet frankly, i dont know wether i would even park my car at the station carpark there.

[Skam85]

Hmmm. I'm sure I'll figure something out...

[1200Datto27]

I'm marshalling at the GP this year, and to get there in time from where I live, I'd have to catch a train at around 5am to get there in time, hopefully I'll get a car park down there.

[Valve Bounce]

Originally Posted by 1200Datto27

I'm marshalling at the GP this year, and to get there in time from where I live, I'd have to catch a train at around 5am to get there in time, hopefully I'll get a car park down there.

If you PM me, I might be able to direct you to somewhere to park you car in a convenient place all day. Don't even think of driving near the circuit as the entire area is closed off .

[1200Datto27]

VB, thanks for the offer. I'll find out on Monday if I can get a officials car park pass, otherwise I'll PM you.

[Raglanparade]

Park at Lilydale Station, thats always a safe one !

Well i live in Croydon, so its not any safer up here.

The year i went to the grand prix, we parked in Richmond in a side street off Church St (just before it crosses the river and turns into Chapel St), and then we trammed it down Church St, and up Toorak Rd to the GP circuit.

Takes about 20-30 mins on the trams to get to the circuit, and its probably safer than parking at a metro station.