It all started in the Spring of 2005. My Uncle had planned to go to Silverstone that year, he asked me if I wanted to go and, of course I jumped at the chance.
Fast forward a few months to July, on the Thursday morning it was time to leave a soggy Scotland and head off to Silverstone. A long, long journey later (8 hours) we arrived at Northampton bus station & caught the link to the village. That's when the mood suddenly changed - we'd just been informed about the awful events in London.
Friday morning had come & it was time to head to the circuit, my first ever Grand Prix - you can imagine my excitement (as a 12 year old). I'd been watching F1 since I was 4 and I was finally at a race. We had a general admission ticket so had access to the whole track on the Friday. My first suggestion was the pit straight to see my Ferrari crew in action. The noise was unbelievable, I had no ear protection and the V10 engines were piercing my ear drums - so much adrenaline pumping through my body. My next vantage point was the entry to Copse - to watch the cars fly through without lifting, what an amazing experience.
Sunday - another amazing day, watching the Red Arrows flying over the circuit - I was totally hooked with the noise and the incredible lines left in the sky. Before the race, we had a one minute silence for the victims and everyone affected from the London Bombings. Very emotional - never experienced anything like it and hopefully will never again.
60 laps of racing vanished in what seemed a very short period of time. 27 degrees and unbroken sunshine as well as amazing racing with Montoya winning, Alonso second and Raikkonen 3rd. Will always remember the cheers when Schumacher passed after the race finished. For sure the best weekend of my life.
Paul McGinnes
Memory added on May 3, 2013
Comments
No comments have yet been added to this memory.
