2010 Korean F1 GP – Frustrating and Exhilarating!!!

So the thing I have been talking about for the last 3 months has come and gone. The weekend of 22-24 October was the INAUGURAL South Korean Formula 1 GP – something that I paid a lot of money for on my 1^st/2^nd week in Yoengchoen. It begun with a casual stroll to the train station (collecting some Hot Chocolate and a doughnut on the way-from Dunkin Doughnuts) at about 18:45 on the Friday evening. I had a 50min wait after changing trains at Dongdeagu station to get to Gumi, so I grabbed the most unsatisfying, and as a result pointlessly expensive, hotdog I have ever paid for for supper + a couple of very yummy chocolate chip scones.

An Arty collage I took with different camera setting while I was travelling...

For the 1^st time in Korea I felt like YODA – I was attending this once in a lifetime opportunity with Ms Deborah Brown (a friend who got me onto this idea – whom I had flown with from SA).

Deb called me in a mild panic about how she would know when to get off her train to Gumi. I, having travelled pretty much exclusively by train so far(and judging by my experience on a bus this weekend, will continue to shun said mode of transport) had all the info for her and we safely leased once I got to Gumi.

Following a brief catch-up at the station we climbed in our taxi and to our surprise, found ourselves getting to Waegook Cook (Westerner Bar and Restaurant-the place that was organising this whole trip) really easily.

This was indeed the correct location though we were not entirely sure how we got there, what with pronunciation worries and all (Refer to Andong Die Adda Hand Darren to see why). After some confusion about when I need to settle the debt I owed the tour company I was told “Settle it tomorrow morning and go to your motel-it is around the corner. It has balcony’s covered in pink neon lights”. With that ominous instruction we walked for about 5 minutes and got there no problem. It was nice enough. Small but more importantly cheap! It felt like those cheap sleazy motels you see in movies – there were even the coloured neon lights in the room to add to that image.

My Room with Deb for our Night in Gumi.

The day was long and we were both viciously “moeg” so after a brief chat about things for tomorrow (qualifying day) we went to bed at about 00:15

We had to get back to the pub by 04:50 (we were told) to get on the bus to drive to Gwangju which was about 3 hours away and from there we would make our way to Mokpo and Yongnam (where the track was situated). So Deb sets her alarm for 04:00 and I get up at about 04:30 and we are on the bus by 04:55.

At the pub everyone looking bright eyed and bushy tailed ready to leave for the track

“We leave in 5min right?” WRONG!!! We frigging sat on that bus for 50min waiting for various guests to get their asses to the bus including the guy who was in charge. That was just the 1^st of a series of unorganised blunders by this tour company. The rest to follow. Eventually we get going about 06:00 and stop at a Korean equivalent of an Engen 1 Stop/Shell Ultra City at about 07:30 for some breakfast (we hope).

Deb getting off the bus as we go in search of Breakfast

It is at this point we find out that we left someone in Gumi because they overslept. Serves them right. We get off the bus and Deb and I go in search of food only to find nothing is open. I eventually have to settle for Rice Cakes which were not that nice and Deb I think a couple of biscuits. We leave the rest stop only to find we left someone behind again (Andy from England-he teaches in Busan) as they had found a place that was open for food and he was eating when the bus left. He caught up with us in Gwangju.  

After fits of sleep we arrive in Gwangju and it feels like I never left Grahamstown...

Let me explain: In Korea the bar culture is not that big. Well not like it is in SA. Instead they have relaxed alcohol laws and you can purchase the alcoholic beverage of choice from you local cafe or super market and drink it as you walk out the shop. NOW... in Gwangju for the F1, it was 09:30 and I see a huge crowd of our travelling group buying 3 cases of beer. This was the start of a number of people getting horribly smashed (so much so that someone puked in the bus on the way back to our motel after Quali-AND that 2 gents nearly missed the bus because they could not walk straight. Funnily enough they were all South African – something I don’t miss about our people).

One of the chaps I grew to severely dislike, having a smoke break at our rest stop for breakfast. He is wearing the t-shirt that was given to us by the tour company. "Waegook" means foreigner in Korean

On the bus ride to the track I meet Andy officially as well as a chap from Aus and an elderly couple from Hawaii (They have been travelling around the world watching F1 to give a purpose to their travels over the years). Add Deb to the mix and you have a lot of F1 knowledge in a small space. It was so fascinating to listen to as I don’t know that much about the sport. I am just a fan who watches when I can and when I remember.

We arrive at the track – eventually, after navigating a MASSIV Traffic Jam – at about 10:30. The Q1 session only started at 14:00. So for a long while Deb and I just wondered around the outskirts of the track, looking at the exhibitions.

Below is a detailed Photo Exhibition of A DRY Qualifying day :) Some of the visuals are explained below, so have a look and then read on...

Qualifying Day 

Now the track...

Deb and I were stressing so so much because the track only passed inspection by the FIA mid September. Luckily it passed and we had a race. HOWEVER, it was only the track and the major grandstand that were finished. Every other stand was still under construction and looked like they would fall to pieces, even the one we were sitting on (Stand H.a.). There were packets of nuts and bolts lying all over the place and a couple of seats people were using were not actually screwed into the stand.

The whole thing looked a bit of a rushed job BUT... I WAS STILL AT MY 1^st EVER AND THE 1^st EVER F1 RACE IN SOUTH KOREA!!!. Because it was still early we walked to every stall and Deb and I got photo’s taken on “the podium” saluting our adoring Korean fans and Deb got a pic with Jenson Button – her future husband – (well it was a picture of her next a giant picture of him smiling down at her, from the McLaren merchandise stall. I too indulged in that folly.

When we were walking past the main entrance of our section there was a guard of honour of Korean children dressed in Jeans and specially made shirts (for the race) waving flags and bowing as people walked in. Deb asked me to take a pic of her and some of the children and next thing we know we are surrounded by about 15 children and there are a whole bunch of Koreans taking photos of us with these children. It was very celebrity-like!

There were so many interesting stalls there the best would be for you to have a look at the pictures in the video - the one in particular that is a collage. We continued wondering around where I caved and bought myself a Korean F1 Cap (in black-really nice), and a McLaren F1 key ring both of which cost 2 descent suppers worth of cash.



The dead centre of the Pic is the Key-ring I bought



We take our seats in the stands just off two corners. The 1^st was a slow corner with potential for a lot of off’s and the second was a lightly quicker corner by was sharper also with the potential for loads of action. 1^st up was an air show from the Korean Air force – which was really cool, (what I could see of it at least) ...

...and then it was time for Quali...

We got to see Schumi running wide and nearly going into the tires in front of us, Lewis Hamilton spun on the corner and there was one more drive who had a problem with the corner. I was getting progressively colder but before we knew it, it was over and Mark Webber and Sebastian Vettel had pulled a Red Bull 1-2 at the front of the Grid in the last second of Qualifying. It was such amazing control and speed, and the noise... if you thought the Vuvuzela’s were loud, these things were about 10 times louder. Turn your speakers right RIGHT up and you will get a feel for how loud it was... (See Below-This is from Race day but it is just to give you a feel)

We both wore ear plugs for the duration of the racing weekend. After Quali we were told we were going to take a tour of the Paddock (where all the cars are stored before Race Day) but really no-one knew what was going on. We eventually after about 1 30min walk get to the main grandstand where the paddock is found and we can’t see anyone from our group. The tour leaders are nowhere to be seen and all we CAN see is a MASSIVE line to get into the MASSIVE MIASSIVE LINE to walk through the paddock. See Below:

Deb and I see 3 people from our tour and we all decide to stand in the line just in case we can go in, until we find out what is going on. (It was in this line that I was used as a standing post and was mistakenly groped by a very very drunk South African chap who was from our group. It reminded me of the good times at “Friars” back in Grahamstown! After deciding we were not going to get in the paddock before we were leaving we walked back to the bus only to have to wait for an hour while the Tour manager was stuffing around in the Paddock and forgetting about the people who paid him for the tour.

In happier times after Qualifying

This by the way was yet another screw-up on the tour organising front.

Now we have to get back to Gwangju where we are staying for the night. What is normally a 30min drive from the track to Mokpo was 2 hours. World Cup traffic issues – what issues (I went to two games and this was way way way less organised!)!!! We get to Mokpo tired and hungry at about 20:00 after leaving the track just before 18:00 (when we were supposed to actually leave at 17:30). From Mokpo it was another 2 hours to Gwangju. We get there and now

Screw-up number 4 I think...

Our motel room that Deb and I had paid for had been given to someone else. So we had to wait until everyone had their room keys to see what was left.

Eventually we were given out key and were supposed to meet in the foyer to all go for supper but we were so Fed up we did our own thing and went to TGI Friday’s at the main cinema complex where I had a 200g steak, backed potato(not as exciting as the pictured looked) and onion rings.

MEAT!!! Not the healthiest supper in the world but I was SO hungry I didn't care

Deb had a Quesadilla I think. While in the cinema centre we bought OJ and sandwiches for breakfast for the next day as we were desperate for a decent breakfast (which was a good idea because we never even stopped for breakfast the next morning because the tour operators were running late and wanted to get to the track early). Back at the motel it was shower and bed - asleep by 23:30 (to the sounds of Bruce Springsteen Karaoke that sounded like it was coming from the next room :( ).

SUNDAY WAS RACE DAY!!!

Again please refer to the link below to see a video of photo's of my Race day - as there are so many pics that I can't put them all in this post as it is long enough already! Shoo...

2010 Inaugural Korean Formula 1 Grand Prix - Race Day

SUNDAY WAS RACE DAY!!! We got up at 06:00 under the assumption that we were to leave at 07:00. We had an enjoyable and slow breakfast and made our way to the bus, but guess what...

WE NEVER LEFT AT 07:00!!! We ended up sitting on the bus for about 45min waiting for various people to emerge from their rooms and make their way to the bus. Sigh. While we were on the bus it rained a bit but we thought as long as it stops soon we will be ok for the race. A long drive in (though because we left so early (early considering the race was only supposed to start at 15:00) traffic was light).

This Gent was our coach driver for the weekend

We are at the track by about 09:00 and see that it has rained heavily there as EVERYTHING is muddy and there are these huge puddles everywhere. Add to that the cold and it was unpleasent. Sigh. BUT I WAS AT THE FRIKKIN KOREAN F1 GP so it was great (See the smiles below) :)

With the rain and the mud, it makes the unfinished stands look even worse. In the video (which is kinda chronologically ordered) you can see what I mean by the “unfinished” statement. The pile of chairs that you see in the 3^rd picture of the video show it too perfection.

It looked as if it would rain some more before the race (Oh please let it be light and pass quickly...!). Wondering around the wet circuit it starts to PELT DOWN – we are not talking about cats dogs here, we are talking Woolly Mammoths and Brontosaurus’. I had my piddly umbrella as did Deb so we went hunting for the rubbish bag rain coats that you see all the Asians wearing at wet sporting events. After getting close to soaked and buying a bear dressed in F1 gear for an absurd amount of money, we find a guy making a KILLLING outside selling them.

This NINJA looking chap was well prepared - UNLIKE me :-P

R21 got me dry or at least prevented me from getting me wetter for the rest of the day. We also had a CUNING PLAN to keep ourselves dry once we sat down... read on for the answer.

Following the purchases and walking around for hours on end we found lunch – i got a couple of sandwiches, we make our way to our seats (which are soaked in water with little pools accumulated in the butt wells. Just after I sit and as Deb is about to sit a little boy runs over with a towel and wipes down her seat. ON THIS DAY that is what I get for being a guy.

We sit down to watch the pre race which were a series of touring car. All the while it is still raining, though it has lightened BUT the track is soaked. Suddenly the field of about 12 cars is down to 3 as the rest have been told to make their way to the pits as it is too wet and dangerous, so they won’t win. The remaining 3 cars were left to fight it out for a lap before the safety car came out and did 3 more laps of the track before they called it a day and the guy behind the SC was declared the winner.

Now it was time for anticipation to build as the start of the F1 was nearing...

The drivers go out on the drivers parade before the race and it is dry.

Drivers Parade Before The Race Started

Deb is swooning over Jenson Button desperately trying to get her camera to focus so she can take a pic of him...

Then the rain starts again...

And keeps going again...

There was a parade going on, on the starting grid leading up to the Formation Lap - 
we could only watch it on the Big screen in front of us(doesn'y this boy look cute! He was on rollerblades.)

15:00 the race starts but it is so wet and there is so much spray that they pull out the safety car. They drive around for 4 laps and then the race is stopped due to the dangerous conditions and the amount of water on the track. 16:05 the race “begins” again though it does so behind the safety car again.

This was a lap under the saftey car - see all the spray!

They drive around the safety car until lap 17 of the 54 lap race when it is finally dry enough for the race proper to get going. Now though there was the worry of having enough light to finish. All the while there is rain and Deb have out CUNNING PLAN (see pic below) in operation: We sit on our seats in out rain coats with an umbrella over our heads (Deb’s as it was bigger) and then I get my open umbrella to cover our legs so in the main we stayed dry which was nice.

As the race runs along there were a few incidents in our sector of the track even a pretty decent sized crash but they were all just out of our view. Sigh.

The track was a bit dryer here.

The rain begins to clear a bit but it is getting darker it is well into dusk when the race was finishing and it was actually incredibly exciting what with Mark Webber crashing his car to take him out of the Championship lead... (see Video below:)

Doesn't Mark Webber look so sad :( ...

...Seb Vettle blowing his engine to smithereens with 9 laps to go...

Sebastican Vettel literally BLOWING his race...
(Note how clear the big, screen is in this pic - that is how dark it was at that point)

...and Fernando Alonso coming through for the win after both Re Bull cars looked to be easing to a comfortable win.

SHOOOOO.... What an incident packed race. Then in the darkness we have to find our way to the bus with every Korean present trying to get out of the parking lot first. It was madness alla World Cup. After about a 40min walk I get to the bus but Deb is nowhere to be seen. I give her a call and she is on the wrong bus – the one going to Seoul and not Gumi. She was told to get on that but I later find out that there are a mix of people on busses so we will be stopping to swop the right people for the right bus after we get going. Nearly another organisational screw up AGAIN!!!

Having switched bussed it is now pushing 20:00 and we are leaving the track.

Deb needs to be back Gumi to by 00:50 to catch her train home at 01:00. She makes this well clear to the drivers and organisers and even got assurances from them before she booked her ticket she would be back in time. I had arranged for the day off so that I didn’t have to worry about catching trains and such and then having to teach on the Monday.

It takes us 2 hours to get back to Gwangju where we pay for and are handed a large pizza to shared for supper but now we sit and wait because people need to finish their smokes and alcohol before we get going. 25min wasted and NOW THE BIG SCREW UP from the tour company perspective...

They tell Deb there is no way she will make her train back as we are only expecting to be back in Gumi after 01:00. I was “GATVOL” with all the shoddy organisation but Deb went about things in a very dignified manner (despite her seething inside) and through the kindness of a Swedish man who had his car and was driving back to Seoul (and thereby has to go through Deajeon where Deb lives) he will give her a ride. I couldn’t get out of that bus fast enough when we arrived in Gumi at 01:45. I said my good-byes to Deb and stormed to the motel to get some sleep for the night.

Monday morning dawns and I wake up at 10:00 so I had just under 8 hours sleep was which needed but still not enough. I find breakfast, a savoury scone, from a dinky little coffee shop  (Ti-Amo Cafe) and walk to the train station to catch my 12:15 Train to Deagu (30min ride) where I was expecting to catch the 13:53) train back to Yeongchoen.

Mondays Breakfast was at Ti-amo cafe which was a Ginger Latte and Health Sandwich, top left is the changing of the seasons in Gumi.

Lunch was at Yoger Presso- a couple of fruit waffles and a flavoured coffee of unmemorable nature. The waffles were amazing though. Bottom left is a perspective shot down the Main Yeongchoen Bridge when I arrived home.

On arrival at Gumi station I see my train is delayed by 45min. So Instead of grabbing lunch in Deagu I get a super yummy fruit waffle and coffee and take a walk to the Nike franchise shop where for about 20min I contemplated spending a very large sum of money on a New (Either) Man Utd/ Barcelona Soccer shirt. Reason and sense returned to me in time and I made my way back to catch my train. I was fully expecting to miss my connecting train as the estimated time of departure was 6min before I was supposed to arrive in Deagu. On arrival in Deagu I thought: “let’s just take a look and see if the train is there. If it is not then I will go up and buy another ticket for another train later”. A woman rushes past me down the stairs (presumably to catch the same train) and I am thinking, “there is no need to rush lady – the train has left. Trains 98% of the time leave on time” so I saunter down to the plkatform only to find... 

MY TRAIN IS STILL THERE! I now start to run to make sure I get on and I don’t even get on in the right carriage. I just walk through to the right one and head home after a LONG, ADVENTUROUS, EXCITING, FRUSTRAINING, AMAZING, F1 weekend with my friend Deborah Brown – a weekend I will never forget! :)

*Many thanks to Deb for some awesome pics that have helped enrich this post. Most of the close pics of the cars and big screen came from her awesome camera and skills*

Many posts to follow including my Soccer match vs the Korean Army, Halloweeen folly and PARASAILING!!! Stay tuned to Geoff's Asian Adventures...