Goodbye! At Last...

[SidewaysFeltham]

Originally Posted by chris bailey

But, whatever criticism we level at the modern era, we all fret across the off-season and switch on to watch the first race.......

Not me, Chris: haven't watched it for many a year.

Indeed, the last time I actually watched an FI car in action was at Brands, in 1994; accidentally...

I had an appointment with my specialist Doc in West Kingsdowne and whilst waiting, his receptionist's daughter (who then worked for the circuit) called Mum to inform her Mansell had flown back from his IndyCar commitments to drive in Coulthard's place as a favour for his chum Frank Williams.

So after my appointment I toddled along to the circuit (It was open and free admission) to watch Nigel in action.

Rent-an-Oik were there in force; the nature of the nouveau spectator was typified by a fat bloke in jeans standing in front of me, with a Team Williams trophy hat worn backwards, copious builder's crack bulging over his jeans waistband and swigging from cans of Fosters.

His intellectual vacuum was demonstrated by his insistence upon screaming "Come on Nige!" whenever the Williams was transiting the top straight (Club Circuit). Rather pointless since (i) Mansell was the only car on the bloody course! and; (ii) With his ear pieces in and full helmet, then there was no chance of being heard, now was there?

Well, if this is the new sparkling FI, sorry guys, you can keep it.

As the old Royal Navy saying goes, "I wish you joy of it!"