"Cato Batista" 21/06/2012 19:44:55 ID #183
Ladies and Gentlemen:

The 8th round is coming up in Valencia for the European GP. It’s going to be a long time before we’ll have another 7 of 7 different winners to open a F1 season, so I hope you are you are enjoying this one just as much.

Technically this track is similar to Montreal in that it demands braking stability and traction on corner exit, but it requires higher downforce. Most corners are very slow (this is the track where 1st gear is used more than most) and as the last race, the critical issue will be rear tyre degradation. Pirelli will provide medium and soft compounds (http://f1.manbos.com/tyres.asp) expecting high temperatures. The big difference to the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve is that Valencia always produces processional races: the pole has won 3 of the 4 editions and not even with 2 DRS zones (back to one this year) there is very overtaking.

We are still in ‘Canadian GP state of mind’ from having been there ‘live’ 2 weeks ago. A Grand Prix is always a sense of occasion, and those who know say Montreal is one of the gems in the calendar. I hope you can do the pilgrimage one day if haven’t’ done it, and of course, sharing the event with a group of CFA colleagues elevates the whole experience to a new level.
By popular demand I’ll dedicate today’s space to include some of the many images from our trip to the 7th round of the Championship.
1) The eight lucky ones. This pictures show the great seats we enjoyed this year with the start/finish line, pit exit and full view of the “Senna corners”

2) The traditional track photo on the hill between corners 2 & 3. Tim and Lou are missing, they were rushing to the airport!

3) Critical moment, lap 38, pit stop to switch to new ‘primes’ (wine) after the ‘options’ (beer) were finished...

4) Uwe & Lou beating up Santi for getting Manbos in the CFA

5) Lou brought his racing gear to impress and meet new friends...

6) A CFA member mingles with the crowd at the Gilles’ shrine on the starting grid

If you want to see more come visit our private facebook page. I want to invite you once more to share comments, pictures and the likes with the rest of the group.

http://www.facebook.com/groups/74937600680/10151045438360681/

Get ready, we’re back in action tomorrow!

Cheers

Cato