The ABCs of attending your first GP

As Formula One’s popularity in Asia continues to explode, with a new Asian Grand Prix being added to each calendar recently, it got me thinking about the aching need for someone to come up with the ultimate “survival kit” and “how-to-guide” for first time Grand Prix goers, which is why I spent several weeks and a large chunk of my dignity convincing the signatures at the bottom of my paycheck, that I needed to go to this year’s Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne last March for research.

A tough sell, sure, especially considering that it would be my seventh time at Albert Park (not to mention the multiple times in Sepang and Shanghai, plus my coverages in Monza, Brazil, Hockenheim, Nurburgring, Singapore and the like) but I pointed out that I had only ever covered the Grands Prix from the privileged side of the paddock fences before or under the generous hospitality of a major sponsor, and that I could in no way fully empathize with the average fan; I reasoned that the only way to address that was to go deep undercover, disguised as a fan, and bring a first timer, like, say, my 11-year old son along with me to up the realism of it all. And they fell for… err, sorry, agreed to it.

Don’t get me wrong, the idea was genuine and sincere. I had every intention of spending the entire 4-day weekend studying the park and scoping out the best seats or vantage points, public transportation options, best burger stands, cheapest merchandise shops (outside the track), ideal spots for photographs and autographs, as well as a first hand review of all the other displays, concerts and amusement rides that make up one of the most colorful motor sports events on earth. There was only one problem. Someone had already beaten me to it.

William Herrera, owner and operator of Redrocktravel.net, also known in motor sports circles as the rock star of F1 Travel tours, had already done the dirty work years ago and perfected the formula of the perfect GP experience. As a bonafide fan of the sport and well-seasoned traveler, the idea of opening up a boutique travel agency that specializes in motor sports tours just seemed to think itself up.

I’ve known about the Red Rock tours for some time now, but I’ll admit that I only booked my package with them expecting little more than a competitive price based on their volume, and perhaps a token monogramed giveaway like a towel or T-Shirt. The rest I planned to do on my own. In other words, I was lured more out of the convenience of it, rather than their expertise, because I had no intention of ending up on the typical tourist conveyor belt that seems to happen with packaged tours.

How wrong could I be…

The biggest difference with Red Rock is aside from the fact that they have most likely been there before, unless of course it is a new track like India, they also travel with you. Whether you are a group of fifty or five, they are there every step of the way. And far from being suffocating, they provide a level of local knowledge that could end up putting a seasoned cab driver to shame. And that can end up making the difference between the time of your life or an utter waste of your time.

Because at the end of the day it’s the little things sometimes that make the biggest difference – like that pricey inner city hotel that looked so convenient on Google maps but (because of public transportation re-routing on race weekends) may not actually get you to the track any quicker than the much more modestly priced serviced apartment two train stops outside of the CBD. Or, what seemed like a great seat on the internet, for example, might not reveal that it is behind a 15-foot tree, or an hour’s hike away from a toilet or food outlet. Or in the case of Sepang, a cheap ticket may not include transfers from the hotel to the track, which is about 32 kilometers south of nowhere.

These are the things that only good ‘ole fashioned ground intelligence can reveal. And when it comes to the grassy bits surrounding the 5.3 kilometers of race track in Albert Park, or the congested streets of Shanghai, the flood lights of Singapore or the desolate surroundings of South Korean circuit, it’s something that Red Rock has in spades after making all the mistakes for you.

As the days went on, I realized that despite my extensive experience in covering these races, I was ashamed to admit how little I knew about being a fan and how much I had almost missed out on by trying do it all on my own. I mean I could tell you where to catch the official photographers shuttle, or where the best WIFI signal is in the press room, but as far as an average ticket holder is concerned, there was no point reinventing the wheel, which is how this how-to guide ended up being a who-to guide.

Take the fan stand. Melbourne offers fans perhaps the best access in the world to your F1 heroes. But you need to get there early and face a line that would make the one outside the Apple store during the launch of the iPad2 look like a children’s party. End up anymore than three deep from the barrier and you may as well sign your own cap. This is hardcore. Unless you are with Red Rock who know that by purchasing a GP Advantage ticket (at a minimal premium) you get exclusive access to Gate 1, which opens an hour before every other general admission gate, giving you pole position ahead of the bulk of the fans.

In just one hour of hanging out at the fan stand outside the paddock entrance, my son was able to get the autograph of about 80% of the drivers on the grid, including four out the current five world champs – not including yours truly, who is the one champion he thinks is fully responsible for getting him the access.

If you have a blood type of 15W 40 or more, then you must treat yourself to a live grand prix at least once in your life. There is nothing on earth that is quite like it. Forget what you’ve seen or heard on TV because nothing can prepare you for the actual sound, the thrill and the atmosphere that only an F1 weekend can create. Sure you get better coverage on the tube, but it’s the difference between listening to a CD or attending the concert.

Packages start as low as $1,972 and include accommodation, airfare and GP tickets for the Australian GP. And if you think that March 2012 is just too far away, or find the Australian Dollar conversion rate a bit steep, there’s always Singapore this September 25.