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73RD EPISODE.
After having watched the Formula-1 racing on TV, when finally it reached India our excitement level breached all set limits. I think we (Peter Suresh and I) booked our seats the day booking opened. With no experience of an earlier F1 race and being rational human being we banked on the possibility that the seat price naturally must reflect the experience.
This made us zero in on the first big curve at the Gautam Buddha Circuit. The curve on paper allowed a nice view. Our theory was seemed to be right. Logic said that at the curves, cars would naturally slow down and that will allow us that extra millisecond of car view. More so for the clear view we should look at a seat that is right at the front, so that no rowdy spectator would block our view. We managed to find the tickets we wanted. Now we were all set to taste the excitement.
Now we parked ourselves at a hotel in Safdarjung Enclave Extension. The cost needed to be managed. On the race day we took an auto from SDA to Nehru Palace where the AC buses were to cart us to the circuit. It was a long-long journey but we made it on time.
We could hear the sound of engine, we could see people all around and then we were hit with the first setback. There was a close mesh wall before our seats and the track. Protective preventive or what ever may be the reason, it was right in face of us. We still took our seat and some how consoled ourselves. More so- as we had moved toward one extreme so as not to be disturbed by other we were at the edge of the curve and the seats were tangentially. Simply said we were about 2 feet further away from the track than the guy sitting 20 places on our right.
The moment race started we realised that seating anywhere will not make a difference. The cars come and whizz past so fast that at time the number painted on them is also immaterial. What you could follow was the colour of the car and the huge screen strategically placed. Even for viewing the screen the first row (where we sat) had to strain his neck while the backbenchers had a good view of the screen, the track with no wire-mesh. The sound of the car was high decibel even with the earplugs that we had. And it was stupid to even try talking when cars were in view. Their engine did the talking.
We spent few of the laps at the earing junction. The race becomes monotonous and tops making any sense when you are unable to follow it. More so ours was a corner that was not the overtaking corner.
Return was equally bad. Dependent on the buses arranged by the promoters of the race, one had to wait till the race fully finished. And then take that long journey to the hotel.
The only good part of the trip was the evening when one could sit down with the drinks and keep reminding self that it was far better to follow on the small screen at home than come to the circuit.
The only time to see a F1 is when you have the sponsor passes for the main straight, pass to go to the padlock area and have the invite for the evening party. Otherwise it makes no sense.
……….. OTHER ADVERTISING MARKETING EPISODES ………..
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