Friday March 23rd 2007

I left home at 2.30am Friday morning for the 2.5 hour drive to Shannon Airport. Caught the 6.05am flight to Milan. A small airport orieo al serio is very busy. The layover was 3 hours so expresso was on the cards. Standing at the counter I got a tap on the shoulder, Giancarlo Minardi has spotted the Minardi USA jacket I was wearing. Bounjournio Come stai! are you coming with us to Valladolid. Yes Mr. Minardi ( shit I should have said sí) See you soon he said. Wow as he headed of in his Armani jacket to check in I was blown away by his saying hello. On to departure and others arrive. Alberto, Mattia, Fredrico we all say hello. Giovanni comes straight up to me hand outstretched, we have never met but it was like meeting a old friend.  Told me to meet him after the flight lands and we will all go into Vallidolid together. this I wish we could have done but as we did not know the position of our hotel we thought better to taxi it. In Vallidolid Airport Giancarlo once again came up to me as we awaited Dan's arrival from London. We talked about our last meeting in Faenza and our friends there. Shortly after Dan came through the departures lounge wearing his MCSF gear and GCM say's straight away  "Here is another friend". How true.

We arrive at the Hotel Parque a 3 star hotel in the centre of the city very close to the team.  The phone rings its Simon Cayzer team manager inviting us to come down and meet up where the team are setting up. Simon is a real nice guy who oozes a charisma that says I like what I do.  We talked for a while, quite a while said adios until tomorrow and headed for bed........... well maybe not straight to bed.

Saturday March 24th

Up bright and early (well maybe not bright) - Note to self too much Tapas and wine are not good!  10am is the time stated to start but we should have known better. Italy and Spain have so much in common! When we arrive there is already a crowd at the barriers. Giovanni meets us and gives us our passes. Tancredi welcomes us, Giancarlo shakes hands, hey we are just a part of the team.  Shortly after arriving we are introduced to the Bada brothers who are the serious money behind our team. Ferdinando Bada tells us there is a Bimmecc outlet in Los Angeles and Minardi Merchandise will be for sale there.  His brother Giancarlo is much quieter but his interest in the team is clear to see. We move to the Motorhome. Impressive we are told this was owned by Roldan's father. The coffee was not Minardi standard! So as everyone was getting ready for the 12noon launch we were kicking back like true VIP's!

By 11.30am the crowds have started to swell this temporary paddock has a real race feel about it. The cars are pushed out. The F3000 Lola. Piero Martini’s 190, and the 2007 GP2 Dallara. Then the drivers take their positions beside there chariots for photo call.  Both Nunes and Rigon beside the Lola but only Roldan at the Dallara.  It did not do much for Negrao not to show for this event.  OK he would always be second man but he would have shown solidarity with the team. Instead he went home to Brazil. Some speeches were made by the Mayor of Valladolid and Tancredi. Afterwards a Press Conference with all the major players was held with numerous TV crews covering it. As the event was coming to a close it was time for the MCSF to present the team with a specially commissioned plaque to mark this occasion. The plaque was made by our Fearless Leader Emmett and everyone was blown away by it.  I presented it to Tancredi on behalf of everyone on the team. Giancarlo Minardi and Vargus were also present. Tancredi was visibly touched and said “When we win our first race, we will dedicate the win to the members of the Minardi Club San Francisco”. We were then invited to a dinner that evening at the team hotel.

The dinner was presented by Roldan’s Father. All the members of the team were immaculate in there navy suits with Minardi logo, Ties and shirts. Spot the tourist. This was a very formal dinner that had as guests as well as us, Adrain Campos and his family.  The evening ended with Signor Rodriguez passing out the Habana Monticristo cigars.

Sunday March 25

Another restful nights sleep…… Note to self Habana Cigars and Wine don’t mix. We head down to the presentation area about 11am. Already thousands of people are starting to line the streets.  The Paddock is full of beautiful people (em that looks a familiar sight!) Roldan looks nervous he must be as the thousands of his home supporters have come out to pay homage.  The events start, the safety Car sweeps the circuit Campo Grande and the Parade starts. 3 Renault Megane Convertibles with drivers in the back circuit the “Track” to the crowds applause.  First track action is a young lad of about 10yrs who is the son of the event organizer he takes off in his 100cc Kart with Minardi side pods.  Next on track is Alvaro Rodriguez, no relation to Roldan he drives a Spanish Touring Car, a Seat Ibiza 2.0.  Next up is Adrain Campos Junior in a F3 car. He gets wonderful applause.  Now to the main event Roldán takes to the track in a F3000 Lola painted to look like the GP2 car. Rules state the Dallara cannot be used outside of permitted times.  An estimated 70,000 people have turned out for this and he does not disappoint them. Pit stops, Practice starts, high speeds he gives a great display.  That’s it the event is over.  Many of the team are rushing to catch the flight back to Milan we say our goodbyes to GCM, Giovanni, Simon, Roldán and all. It was a great weekend. A honour to be there with such a great team. We were treated so well it’s almost like being with family.  

 

Grazie Mille Minardi Team

Forza Minardi!!