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Well it's Grand Prix Formula One week ... so what does it mean to me?
I went to the first F1 in 2004 with my father-in-law Terry who was over from Australia awaiting the birth of his first grandchild.
We went to the practice session on April 2 and on getting back home we both sat down in the chair tired after a great day out.
My mum-in-law Margaret was just making us both a cup of coffee when Wendy came down the stairs saying: "I don't think you have got enough time to drink that - take me to the hospital our baby is coming!"
So we hot-footed it down to the American Mission Hospital where we were met by Sister Caroline.
I hoped our baby would be born on April 1 and Wendy wanted the 4th of the 4th 2004. But guess what? Little Hannah Ruby arrived just past midnight on April 3.
It was very exciting because she was a water birth I wanted to get kitted out in a frogman's outfit but the missus wouldn't let me.
Everything went well except that we had a new digital camera and unfortunately I didn't know how to use it. So, not many photos of the happy event.
What else do I think of when I think of Formula 1? I also have very fond memories of when I was invited to participate in a pro/celebrity race.
"What's that?" I'd asked. "A race with both celebrities and professional drivers," was the answer.
I arrived at the Bahrain International Circuit and was introduced to my fellow 'celebrities'.
Wow! What a line up. I sat down between five times Olympic Gold medal winner Sir Steve Redgrave and another amazing Olympian; Michael Johnson ... I was in awe but needn't have been as the whole bunch were very friendly.
During training we were taught lots of stuff such as, what all the flags mean when they are waved on the circuit. (Previously I'd had no idea that there were so many different ones). After more classroom stuff about safety and regulations we had lunch and got to mingle.
Then we were allocated a professional driver to take us out in one of the cars. I was strapped into the driver's seat beside a charming fellow called Vincent. He said that he had just three commands for me to remember: 'Faster', 'Brake' and, 'I'll put my hand on yours on the gear stick and when I move it away, change up!'
Phew! The noise, the speed, the adrenalin! It's lucky I was wearing brown underwear. We came back into the pits and I got out of the car, knelt down and kissed the ground.
The format of the race was that the professional drivers would drive first and then hand over to the celebrities' midway through the race. We were given our racing kit comprising fireproof underwear, boots, overalls and gloves. We were all feeling nervous but after some good banter with drivers Simon Webbe and Rick Parfitt we relaxed a bit. Then we took the walk to the starting grid.
I'll never forget the race. I got in, fumbled with my five point safety harness and took off behind Steve. On the third bend Michael overtook me. Suddenly I relaxed and began driving faster. I found myself repeating "slow in and fast out" (of the corners) in my head - which was the mantra we were taught in class. I see someone in front of me... and wow, somehow I overtook them!
I think I actually passed six cars and most importantly drove safely past the chequered flag. I found out that I'd finished in 10th place and was a little disappointed till Martin pointed out that I'd driven against professionals for a few more laps than many of the other celebrities.
The next day we began the race in 10th position on the grid. But after the first lap Martin was 4th, and then on the next lap 3rd and, on the next, I don't believe it, 2nd, (just behind Garth Tander - a champion Aussie driver).
In the pits I stood next to Steve as we wait to get into our cars and they nearly came in together. I looked at my car and saw that the door was all smashed in. We wrestled it open and I strapped myself in. Martin kicked the door closed and off I roared. The car was doing 150 kph coming into the first bend and as I went round the door flew open ... aaaarrrghhhhh!
On the next bend it slammed shut! Great! I put the pedal to the metal and hit 180 kph before going into the next bend and ... the door flew open again.
I slowed down to try to close it and my arm felt like it was being ripped out of its socket. Then I got flagged to come into the pits. As I retired I kicked the door in frustration and disappointment. It felt as though I'd let people down by not finishing but in the end, after all the other accidents during the race, we'd actually managed to be placed 10th.
Later on my wife Wendy looked at the car. She squeezed the door handle and lifted it into place, and 'click' it closed fast. Aargh!
My funniest and most memorable moment of the event happened when I was walking with Steve and Michael. Two girls walked up and asked for a photograph. Steve said "Yes", so, one of the girls handed him the camera, then moved Michael out of the way. Then they stood smiling on either side of me for the photo!
Ha! We all laughed and I said sorry to the celebrities and told them: "Well, we are in Bahrain, you know!"
So looking forward to the 5th Formula One race and Hannah's 4th birthday.
Keep happy, Krazy Kevin
