Carol's been at it again: forecasting plague and pestilence
throughout The Midlands and The Sarf for today. She's been at it for days, she has.
It's a wonder anyone ventures outside.
It rained all the way to the circuit. We'll give her that one. The journey took slightly longer as a result. Two raincoats each (both with hoods) and the big umbrella are required for the walk in gentle rain to the paddock for a swift cuppa tea in the cafe, a visit to that Ray Skontrole-fella for a programme and then, at 12:40, the Pit Lane Walk.
By the time we do all that, needless to say, it is barely spitting.
We saw you at that Donington Test Day-thingy! The car didn't run that day but it's ok now.
Steve Tandy - Generation Bentley Racing Team driver - has a quick chat and gets his photo taken.
With The Pit Lane walk being just 15 minutes long we need to work as a team. So the olde-fella plods about at the start of the Lane whilst Vicky sprints up to the far end to work her way back to the exit in the middle and the chance to spot the Ecurie Ecosse BMW Z4 already being prepared for Qualifying.
Black Falcon Mercedes drivers (sorry haven't worked out exactly who they are just yet) return from the Pit Wall having checked out the going. Verdict? Hmm, tricky, it's still damp-ish.
Wanted: fully qualified race engineer with a 'can do' attitude prepared to dive in at a moments notice to solve problems. Folk with dodgy backs need not apply.
If you love the colour purple you must be in heaven right now.
12:45pm. On the way to the loos before taking a few action shots of the GT's.
Completely stopped raining now. Not even spitting. And it's getting very warm an' all. We've got too many coats and umbrellas! Cowin' Carol.
12:55pm: Cowin' safety fencing Pt I.
The M-Sport Bentley Continental GT3 hammers out of Copse.
1:15pm: Cowin' safety fencing Pt II.
Walked under the tunnel now to take some shots of things moving right to left.
Thiriet by TDS Racing BMW Z4 thunders into Copse.
OK, that's enough of that. Need to get back to the Paddock Cafe for lunch (lamb hot pot for David and baked potato and beans for Vicky).
2:15pm-ish:
Formula Renault 2.0 NEC teams assemble prior to going out for their first race of the weekend.
Ben Barnicoat (GB) - Fortec racing.
Seb Morris (GB) - also Fortec Racing.
Even steering wheels are gadgets nowadays.
Jorge Cevalles (MEX) - yet another Fortec Racing-fella (are we getting commission from Fortec?).
They must be the only ones that do (unless it's a Bank Holiday).
2:45pm: Formula Renaults nipping down to Becketts.
Team mates by the look of 'em. These two are the Finnish-fellas Leopold Ringbom (41) and Lassi Halminen.
2:55pm: Cyril……..er, sorry……we mean David, is giggly with excitement due to the now dry and warm environs of an almost sunny Silverstone, and light-headed and knackered thanks to all the coats he's having to carry (not to mention camera-stuff).
C'mon Vic. That's enough of all that racing-malarky. Time to go and see what the Lambo drivers are up to before they go out on track.
3:10pm-ish: every corner you turn is full of umbrella girls promoting the sponsors products.
Your watches are how much?!
If this Lambo-driver was Irish we'd suspect that he'd be called Tim O'Tay but he's not, he's an Italian-fella by the name of Eduardo Piscopo and so he's entitled to have very clean hair.
At an International event sign language is everything. Here's one that needs no translation.
3:55pm: Too fast shutter speed Pt I:
Strolling back towards the car park as two Lambos thunder down The Wellington Straight
(from the air).
4:00pm: Cowin' safety fencing Pt III & Too fast shutter speed Pt II.
Another Lambo on The Wellington Straight (from ground level).
That's it. Off home now. Lovely and sunny now. Be pleased to chuck all our clobber (thanks Carol) into the boot.
Should be back home just in time for the Monaco Qualifying on The BEEB.
Another excellent Silverstone Saturday done and dusted.
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