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#ForzaJules Forever: The Race Doesn't End Here
“Jules fought right to the very end as he always did. But today, his battle came to an end”
Image Credit: F1-Fansite.com
After 9 months of fighting, after 9 months of prayer and after 9 months of hope, you just never thought it would happen. He was going to pull through. He was going to be fine. When the statement was released by his family this morning that Jules Bianchi had succumbed to his head injuries following his horrific crash in Japan last year, the motorsport world fell silent. As I write this I have a lump in my throat, how do you process something like this?
“One by one, only the good die young, they’re just flying too close to the sun, and we’ll remember forever”
Switch off the engines, let the tarmac lay silent. For the first time in 21 years, the counter has been set to 0. Not since the infamous race at Imola in 1994 has F1 seen one of its heroes taken from us. The difference he was the waiting. We had time. We started to hope. A racing driver has an immutable passion and determination; they are a true fighter. There is no fear. There is nothing they cannot do. Except this.
We can only hope that the sport can look into the circumstances that caused his death, just with Senna in 1994 and do what they can to make the sport safer for the future. We have learnt our lesson in the worst way possible. But this is the time to change.
My reasons for writing this however are not to remember the pain, the suffering and our great loss. It is for this same reason that I will refuse to include any images of Bianchi’s crash in this article. Reliving that torturous day will not change the past. But what we can do is remember Jules for what he was. And that is exactly what I intend to do.
Since the first moment I started watching motor racing, I have always supported the underdog. There is something indescribably exciting about watching the rise of an unexpected superstar. Jules Bianchi was always tipped as the next big thing in Formula One; Ferrari had made their intentions clear. In a few years time we were more likely than not going to see Jules behind the wheel of a Ferrari winning races, and I believe championships.
I am not just saying that given the current circumstances. Ever since that race in Monaco last year, Bianchi proved beyond any doubt that he was a star in the making. Despite a time penalty, the eventual 9th place finish that Bianchi achieved remains the only ever points score that Marussia has achieved in its near 6 year history.
Image Credit: Marussia
Speaking at the Monaco GP this year, Alonso showed his support and awe of what Jules achieved at Monaco:
“It’s hard to understand when you are in a car that is not competitive, to get some points. It’s some kind of miracle. That is what Jules did last year, ninth place here. He was the star of the race. Now, to come here again and not see him together with us on the grid is very sad. It’s not only here we remember him, it’s every weekend”
He was right. Marussia has never been a competitive car and yet Jules put it in a competitive position, pulling off some of the most spectacular overtakes on a track that many consider as ‘almost impossible’ to pass on. No ordinary driver would therefore be able to achieve that. There was talent. There was something special there.
Rosberg may have won the race, but it was Jules Bianchi that won our hearts that day at Monaco.
Just recently I turned 24, and I thought I was doing pretty well for myself. And then I realise that Jules Bianchi was 25 and was already earmarked as a future Ferrari driver. It is when you think about things like that, that your life really is put into perspective. At the same time, you realise how much of a talent Bianchi was.
Image Credit: Ferrari
That is exactly how Bianchi should and will be remembered. Not for the horrible events that overtook him that day, but for his talent, his kindness and his determination.
It is such a sickening shame that it had to end. But then I remember the words of Gandalf:
“End? No, the journey doesn’t end here. Death is just another path… One that we all must take. The grey rain-curtain of this world rolls back, and all turns to silver glass… And then you see it”
To pay our final respects, I ask that we all do something. Take a listen to Just Drive by Alistair Griffin and simply close your eyes. The song is everything Jules was and always will be. Listen to the lyrics and remember a truly great talent.
There’s a hell of a race going on up there. It’s time to take your place on the grid
The race doesn’t end here Jules, in fact it has only just begun.
#ForzaJules. Forever.
United States of Brands: The American Speedfest Thunders Back to the UK
Image Credit: speedfest.co.uk
American Speedfest has never just been a race weekend; it is a no holds barred celebration of muscle, speed and extravagance drenched in American patriotism. Where can you find pageant shows, hot dog eating contests, live music and driving displays alongside mind blowing on-track action? For one weekend in June, the Kentish lands were transported stateside. America had come to the UK like never before. For the guests of Stopwatch Hospitality, they were treated to an unforgettable experience that for any motorsport fan was something truly special.
People often say that the 3rd film in a series is never as good as the originals and perhaps it needs to end. Well if anything, the American Speedfest is the exception. Having been to the Speedfest for every year of its existence, from my Stetson to my boots I can tell you that it blew the other years out the water. As the hugely popular event returned for its third year, the headline act remained the NASCAR Whelen Euro Series.
There are many within the world who look at American racing with a certain degree of scepticism; isn’t it just a bunch of rednecks in cars turning left for a few hours? It can be safely said that the NASCAR Euro Series does blow that theory straight out the ballpark. From the fiery pits of hell comes the meteoric rage of the ages, the gods unleashed their chariots of fire to rain their thunderous chorus upon us all.
Stopwatch became American for the day
For guests of Stopwatch Hospitality, it was not just NASCAR racing they got to enjoy, but a full behind-the-scenes tour of the DF1 Racing garage and even the chance to chat to one of their drivers, Christian Malcharek! It is not every day that you are up close and personal with a NASCAR machine, but Stopwatch made that possible! Topped off with a fabulous glass of prosecco for everyone, even Christian’s father Jirko Malcharek, Slovakia’s only ever F1 driver, joined the chat to regale the group with his stories of F1 testing. We even posed the ultimate question to Christian – F1 or NASCAR? Without even skipping a beat the answer was NASCAR, any day of the week.
Entrance to Stopwatch also meant access to the official grid walk for the NASCAR Whelen Euro Series. Seeing the cars in their natural habitat with their commanders and crew alongside is something not many race fans will get to experience. The look of childish wonderment spread across the faces of all our guests; that primal passion for motorsport never fades. It’s with you for life.
When it came to the racing, the American machines did not fail to deliver. The racing was intense, action packed and exhilarating to the very end. Some of the incidents throughout the races proved the importance that safety plays in the sport. Cars had their entire body ripped off or even wrecked, rolled and ruined, yet the driver would walk away unharmed. However, if ever there was one tweet to sum up the quality of the racing, it could only be this by Stopwatch’s own writer Lewis Glynn:
“The @EuroNASCAR scriptwriters hath decreed that no car shall gap another. For if you defy me, you will suffer a SAFETY CAR”
Image Credit: Speedfest.co.uk
The other support races included the monstrous Formula 5000 cars, who could drown out even a Slipknot concert as well as some V8 muscle cars that were just utterly beautiful to watch. A star in both these races was the Stopwatch favourite Greg Thornton, who came up and chatted with the guests. A star of all types of historic racing, Greg is by far one of the nicest most genuine people you will ever meet, who always has time for the fans. If this man was not a driver, he would be perfect for television; his to-the-point descriptions and analysis of his races made everyone feel they were in the car with him. Genuine man. Genuine talent. Genuine race driver.
But what makes the American Speedfest so special is that the racing is just one part of a fantastic jigsaw that fits together to create something which is every type of awesome. A visit from the auto-cast of Transformers and Cars were huge crowd pleasers, after all who doesn’t want to see Optimus Prime up close and personal? Combine that with iconic Hollywood car displays, an American style beauty pageant and a hot dog eating contest and there really is no reason to even go to the US. But to top it all off, crowds at the end of the day were treated to a Brands-style re-enactment of the famous scene from Back To The Future; the Doc, a chasing gang and of course the DeLorean with added pyrotechnics.
If I was honest, throughout the lead up to the event I was filled with an immovable doubt; NASCAR machines at a track that isn’t an oval and full blown American pomposity? Surely this would not be that good. It takes a lot for me to say this, but I could not have been more wrong. The bombastic fanfare that greeted me would have been enough, and yet every time I took a breath more would come. The American Speedfest has become above all else, one of the highlights of the Brands Hatch calendar every year. The added bonus of spending the day with Stopwatch Hospitality will give you a truly unforgettable experience, matched by no one else. Exquisite hospitality and views, multimedia access and a behind-the-scenes package gives guests a memory few others will share, a first-hand account of the full motorsport experience. It is not just what the fans see, but how the racing is seen by the teams and drivers.
The only way is the USA. The only way is Speedfest. The only way is Stopwatch.
See you in 2016!
Don’t forget to follow me on Twitter @lewisglynn69
Keep Driving People!
Peace and Love!
Fathers Day: Flowing in the Family Fuel-Line
“The Force runs strong in my family. My father has it, I have it. You have that power too”
This weekend, I chose to go back to my homeland to visit my parents. For today is Fathers Day. And as I write my dad sites atop his throne, catching up on the weekends’ motorsport. People say that some thing don’t change, this tradition has been in effect throughout my life and I can’t see this changing. While many people I know are posting wonderfully sentimental Facebook statuses with obligatory father-child photo, I thought I would take it one further. The Glynn family gene pool has been dominated by motorsport since the beginning of time. Today is the perfect day to celebrate and thank the man responsible for introducing me to the world of cars.
While growing up, I never did quite fit in with those around me. Now I’m sure there are a multitude of reasons why this may be, but for me there was always one that stood out. Everyone would always be talking about football; great goals, terrible fouls and my personal favourite of referring to their team as ‘we’ as if apparently they have some say in how the team is run. For me though, all I wanted to do was talk about motorsport. Did I wish I could join in the sports chat? Not one bit.
My love for all things cars can be traced back to my dad. Honestly? I could not be more thankful for it.
Some of my earliest memories consist of three key aspects; my dad, motorsport and Brands Hatch. Many of my childhood weekends were spent with my dad watching all manner of racing, indulging my ever-growing passion for cars. I can recall it almost as if it was yesterday; my dad would have his race day clipboard and program, filling in all the results so he could keep a full record of the racing. It was not long until I was doing the same thing. It was around this time that my dad started telling me stories, and entrusted me with a true piece of Glynn family history.
Sitting in the Paddock Hill grandstand, my dad handed to me a clipboard of my own. Covering this clipboard, in much a similar fashion to his was a blistering array of motorsport stickers of seemingly rather considerable age. This was not just any clipboard; this was his father’s clipboard. This was a ceremony, the passing on of a great institution to the next generation. My dad went on to tell me of a time when he was the child and it was his dad taking him to race weekends. I just hope that one day I can pass on the motorsport legacy to a new generation too.
When it comes to cars, there are few opinions I value more than that of my dad. When I bought my first car, my dad was there. If my car breaks down, he always has the answer. If I want some advice on a race weekend or a race series, my dad always knows.
Image taken from: insidebtcc.com
Without him, I never would have discovered the BTCC. If my weekends were not spent at racetracks, then my dad and me would be watching the VHS reviews of BTCC seasons. People may wonder where my obsession with the series came from. Another point for my dad right there.
When I walked through the door upon my return home this father day, the familiar scene I was presented with is what made me genuinely realise how interwoven cars are into my family. It would not be a normal day if I did not find my dad watching motorsport on the television. Without this relationship, my passion for a career in motorsport would never have been born. Just like my dad’s life is scheduled around keeping up with the latest races, mine is based around covering events and keeping the Internet up to date with my take on proceedings.
All that remains for me to really say is thank you. For me, there is no motorsport without my dad. He passed his lifestyle onto me and I just hope that I can uphold this as we plough on through into the future. As I place my hands around what would have been my grandfather’s race day clipboard, it all becomes clear. By enjoying motorsport I am celebrating who I am. And where I come from.
Happy Fathers Day, Dad. And thank you for everything.
Keep up with me on Twitter @lewisglynn69
Keep Driving People!
Peace and Love!
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