-
- David Abbott prepares for Monaco Grand Prix
-
- David’s McLaren M26
-
- Will I fit in this car!
Everyone who travels to the south of France has a fascination with traveling to Monaco and the chance to walk around Monte Carlo. People walk to see the Royal Palace (home to the late and beautiful Princess Grace and Prince Rainier), the obscenely luxurious boats in the harbour, the cars that only appear in dreams and James Bond movies, the Casino, and rich and famous people who live here, before the leave to see other sights along the coast.
I have a friend who was recently invited to race in the Grand Prix de Monaco Historique. David Abbott, from Christchurch (NZ) has just returned from racing in the Formula One category in the Grand Prix. He was privileged to be able to race a McLaren M26 (1976) in this race which would be regarded as one of the most historic car races in the world.
This isn’t a race for anyone! For New Zealanders, household names such as Denny Hulme and Bruce McLaren have all raced in the Monaco Grand Prix, so for David to race around this famous circuit he was indeed in esteemed company. I was indeed very proud of him.
The format for the Grand Prix consists of one qualifying round on the Saturday (8 May) and the race proper on the Sunday (9 May). Prior to arriving in Monaco David had practiced on the race course using a race simulator, but one of the things that surprised him about the circuit was the variation in elevation over the race track – steep hills are a reality. He was required to abandon a qualifying circuit due to an ill fitted tyre, so didn’t have the ideal start position on race day at the back of the grid!
For the Sunday race, the event consisted of 15 laps of the Monaco circuit. David was happy with his average time of 1 minute 50 seconds per lap, but the winner was averaging 1 min 38 per lap! He was saying that he was reaching speeds of 165mph (265 km/h) as he approached the casino. I just can’t imagine that, and if he’d been a tourist he would have arrived in Rome in about 40 minutes!!
I have often driven tour groups through the famous Monte Carlo tunnel, and David was saying that he found this tunnel deceptively difficult. Hitting speeds of 165mph (265 km/h) through here as well, he found that the end corner exit from the tunnel was very tight and required extreme concentration. To make matters worse, he said that he had a loose mirror, and coming out of the tunnel he had to put his hand out to re-adjust his mirror!! Keep your hands on the wheel David! His memory of this circuit was driving through the centre of Monaco at top speed with high rise buildings on either side, whilst recognizing views of the track that he has known since his youth.
In New Zealand we hear a lot about high profile sports, and most of the stars in these sports feature on the front pages of most newspapers and magazines. Here we have David Abbott who has never appeared on any front page, but in rugby terms he has just played a Test Match at Twickenham, and today I want to celebrate this achievement. He didn’t achieve a podium place, but I know with his ability and humble determination, he’ll be hoping to make it back there another time, and then I’ll be on the track side watching him win!
What a great experience! I’ve done a fair amount of traveling around Europe, but I think the Grand Prix at Monaco needs to be added to the list. I’ve enjoyed perusing your blog–keep up the good work!
http://trekology.wordpress.com
I actually don’t know a thing about cars, but I think this event and achievement is extraordinary. Think about setting up a race track through your city centre for both this “historique” race and the main grand prix which will take place next weekend! Wear earmuffs. Thanks for your comment.
sounds like something straight out of the movies…i’ll have to try to keep track of how it goes next weekend.
i’m trying to get my own blog up off the ground..any advice? seems like you’re doing quite well. you’ve got yourself a new reader for sure.
http://trekology.wordpress.com
Actually I’ve been writing my blog for only one month. I think the secret is to writing interesting articles!! But I have the best topic in the world to write about – France!! This blog gives me so much scope for interacting with my travellers, and I find it so much more interesting than just using a web site, which in comparison is so rigid. Your front page looks really lovely, so keep it going!
Back in 1998, took a trip around Europe, for 5 weeks, which
included 2 nights in Monte Carlo. Now, of course, they
don’t let Insight Tours stay, but in those days, things were
a little easier. Stayed in the New Town, down by the
Princess Grace Memorial Gardens. Absolutely amazing,
all this architecture, amassed all over the hills, and really
not a square metre left. We were taken all around in
small buses, and one of the trips was the Grand Prix Course, have several photos to remind us.
Did all the sights, Royal Palace, boat harbours, and shops,
and of course, the Casino, only the public area ( what a let
down) You could take an evenings membership, and go into one of the better gambling rooms, but we were eager to walk, and look at the beautiful lightss and atmosphere.
Paul de Vence village was a great visit while there. No doubt ts costs rather alot of dollars, and masses of secuity to even get in through the gates. They were very security
minded back in 1998. Have to have a few more dollars now to visit, probably nothing has changed, because they are very conservative and private residents.
RDR.
Nice text & pictures, thank you.