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pythonScott · 11-11-2008, 08:40 PM

***updated with more pics on page 3***

its now the F1 off-season and what better to do in the F1 off-season than show pictures I took a month ago while on vacation from Afghanistan?!

i went to Japan for the GP, only thing is i didn't buy a race ticket... i scored a paddock pass and spent the full weekend (wednesday-sunday) in the Honda Racing F1 garage, stayed at the hotel with the team and rode to and from the track everyday with Jenson's team of mechs.

i lived the dream and these are some of the photos captured by my new SLR. I'll post pics soon from my point-and-shoot.

full gallery larger imageshttp://picasaweb.google.com/py...nD40#

Fuji-san:

Ross Brawn in the background watching over practice

the composites prep and repair area of the garage. Engine covers standing up on the right. left side of photo you can see the the end of the radio rack then a spare front nose/wing. F1 Photographer Lorenzo Bellanca in back, left of center, putting away some of his equipment

thurs night pit lane atmosphere

Rubens' car

Rubens's form fitting seat

well-wishes from Japanese school kids in Gotemba

engine cover going on to Jenson's car

scales Honda uses to corner weight the car. Then the car is rolled down to scrutineering to see how it weighs in there

rolling the car back from the scrutineer's scales

ferrari boys working late

Spare engines tucked in for the night (thurs night)

metal porn.

your header will never be this bad-ass.
never, ever.
owning a Hy-tech might feel like you're close. I have a Hy-tech and seeing these in person still made me weak in the knees.

team kit i was given so I'd fit in while helping in the garage. It doesn't matter how poorly they've done this year (or how funny it looks

), it was an honor to be able to wear that get up and i wore it proud

this is me... in a totally candid moment. I was fortunate and didn't have to wear the horrid FILA's that were part of the team kit and just wore my Adidas. The guys were jealous.

friday morning before practice

CTR in the hotel parking lot. I want one. bad.

a CTR driving by in Gotemba, close to the hotel

Accord hanging out by Gotemba train station. dude was really cool.

heading into a noodle shop for some REAL ramen. so, SO good!

Sunday morning riding into the track with Jenson's mechanics

F1 photographer Lorenzo Bellanca setting up a camera to take shots of the Honda pit stops

fuelers prepping the rig

prepping the tires and other misc for the grid dressing of the car

grid girls make great subjects, and these ones are jDm y0!

waiting for the race to start. note all the people in the background on the grid

behold the pit stop lollipop!

front-left wheel gun, back up wheel gun, and front wheel fairing ready for action

Ross Brawn in his fire suit.
His disapproving glare can crush you.

Thankfully he didn't mind me in the garage.

doh! the cars have started on the formation lap- its a rush to vacate the grid

its race time. everybody is at the ready.

taken thru a 2-way mirror. Nick Fry and race team cheif mechanic Matt watching the race. Matt and the fuelers have red balaclavas and inverted color (green VS white) fire suits to stand out from the crowd

i loved the red Alpine Stars booties. they offset the uniform just like the red highlights on the race car

another taken thru the 2-way mirror. team members watching the race

engineer watching the data stream, er, river coming in from Jenson's car

heading on down to the podium ceremony

Me again! this pic was taken by my good friend on the team during the podium ceremony while I took the photographs that follow...

champagne!!!

the Ferrari mascot. dont be fooled, its NOT the horsey. nope. THIS guy is their mascot. I hate this guy. He makes my Honda-loving skin crawl

the Flav and his boo in a congragulatory smooch. Shes a babe. see next image...

bravo! Flavio!! hugs all around

my friend Tim walking past the cars in Parc Ferme

pit stop roster. did you make the cut?

5 hours after the race the garage et al has been fully packed and cars prepped for shipping to China

almost nobody ever gets to see this: the post race, post clean up team meeting and pep talk. Its a cool thing and reminds you that, in fact, this is a team

If you're still hungry for more i should have the other pics posted soon (taken with my point-and-shoot)

Modified by pythonScott at 11:39 PM 11/16/2008

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pythonScott · 11-11-2008, 08:54 PM

damnit. i biffed it on the links.

gimmie and hour.

in the mean time check out the picasa gallery

MAV3RiCK478 · 11-11-2008, 09:08 PM

wow, i'm sooooo jealous looks like you had an awesome time!!!!

unrealwrc · 11-11-2008, 10:35 PM

AMAZING!

how did you get the pass for the weekend? is this something you do at every race?

pythonScott · 11-11-2008, 11:21 PM

mmk, links all fixed. wont make that mistake again!

Quote:

Originally Posted by MAV3RiCK478

wow, i'm sooooo jealous looks like you had an awesome time!!!!

it was all just too surreal. I seriously had to pinch myself a few times to know it was real.
I'm greatful i got some great photos to remember it all with too.

oh, and was also able to talk to Nick Fry about my resume. I'm hoping for a job change in the off season

Quote:

Originally Posted by unrealwrc

AMAZING!

how did you get the pass for the weekend? is this something you do at every race?

i've got a number of friends on the team one guy in particular that i talk to all the time and has become a truly good friend.

this is the 11th GP or so I've been to since 2005, but the 1st time I've been able to do the full weekend. I've been on a wednesday to help set up before since you're not required to have a pass. Also been in on Saturdays after Quali, but after every single one I have been able to get in and help out with pack out and clean up and be around the cars.

unrealwrc · 11-11-2008, 11:27 PM

wow what a great connection. I need to make friends like that. Congrats and good luck in the future. maybe some 1 will be taking pictures of you working during the weekends.

JDM KID 510 · 11-12-2008, 01:18 AM

[freak]ing Sick!

MSchu · 11-12-2008, 04:13 AM

Superb... good for you!!!

Badass!

Hai... Fujisan

racinjason · 11-12-2008, 04:22 AM

Awesome pics, that would be a dream weekend for me. Are your friends on the team looking for any more friends?

db1love · 11-12-2008, 05:42 AM

Wow, looks like you had a great time!! Thank you for sharing the pics. Good luck!!

98Spec022 · 11-12-2008, 05:56 AM

Amazing pics, thanks for posting!

Timmah!! · 11-12-2008, 06:06 AM

How awesome! Thanks man!

Ponyboy · 11-12-2008, 07:14 AM

Holy Mother of...Awesome.

What a great privelige. Thanks for sharing!

JW racing · 11-12-2008, 07:27 AM

Super, thanks a bunch for the superb shots.

I must go change my kit now as I have made a mess of myself.

coolhandluke · 11-12-2008, 07:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ponyboy

Holy Mother of...Awesome.

What a great privelige. Thanks for sharing!

Sums of my thoughts exactly.

BauleyCivic · 11-12-2008, 07:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ponyboy

Holy Mother of...Awesome.

What a great privelige. Thanks for sharing!

I agree with the boy of ponies

Egezzy · 11-12-2008, 07:39 AM

i jus had sex w myself!

BauleyCivic · 11-12-2008, 07:50 AM

This part is sick:

Quote:

Originally Posted by pythonScott

team kit i was given so I'd fit in while helping in the garage. It doesn't matter how poorly they've done this year (or how funny it looks ), it was an honor to be able to wear that get up and i wore it proud

I wanna know how to score a paddock pass like that

Ponyboy · 11-12-2008, 07:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Egezzy

i jus had sex w myself!

ROFLOL!

thanks I just spit coffee on my laptop.

get RIGHT · 11-12-2008, 07:58 AM

IN-CRED-I-BLE!!

You really did live the dream. Thanks for sharing.

Erik95LS · 11-12-2008, 08:06 AM

wow! amazing.

Wendys or Bust · 11-12-2008, 08:44 AM

Omg that was awesome, the pictures are great and the amount of access you had was insane. I never realized you could get so close to the crew.

This greater than > Bride > Recaro > Status > any other jdm fan boy racing seat.

I love how everything they do is like an art. The headers the body work the garage. Everything is eye candy. Great pictures and thanks for sharing.

Spade · 11-12-2008, 08:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ponyboy

Holy Mother of...Awesome.

What a great privelige. Thanks for sharing!

I also agree 100%.

metlmadman · 11-12-2008, 09:10 AM

wow, thanks for sharing!!!

these pix make my pants tight

rota92 · 11-12-2008, 09:11 AM

Wow man, that is so awesome!!

Thank you for sharing this with us, and be safe!!!

11-11-2008, 08:54 PM	#2
pythonScott Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Jalalabad, Afghanistan Posts: 104	damnit. i biffed it on the links. gimmie and hour. in the mean time check out the picasa gallery __________________ -Jay Maisel workshop survivor F6/F100/D40/D90/D700 -nikkors:10-24/18-35/18-200VR/28-200/35 1.8/50 1.8/70-300VR/80-400 konica Hexar RF/UC-Hexanon 35 f2(#673)/M-Hexanon 28 f2/Voigt 12mm f5.6 (((wide)))

11-11-2008, 09:08 PM	#3
MAV3RiCK478 Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Santa Rosa, CA, USA Posts: 1,587	Re: (pythonScott) wow, i'm sooooo jealous looks like you had an awesome time!!!! __________________ 91 DB1 sold \| 92 DB2 RIP \| 90 DB1 Speed kills so put as much stickers on your car as you can!

11-11-2008, 10:35 PM	#4
unrealwrc Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Gurnee, IL, USA Posts: 611	Re: (pythonScott) AMAZING! how did you get the pass for the weekend? is this something you do at every race? __________________ "Simplify then add Lightness" - Colin Chapman -94 Del Sol SI -98 Civic Hatch

11-11-2008, 11:27 PM	#6
unrealwrc Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Gurnee, IL, USA Posts: 611	Re: (MAV3RiCK478) & unrealwrc (pythonScott) wow what a great connection. I need to make friends like that. Congrats and good luck in the future. maybe some 1 will be taking pictures of you working during the weekends. __________________ "Simplify then add Lightness" - Colin Chapman -94 Del Sol SI -98 Civic Hatch

11-12-2008, 01:18 AM	#7
JDM KID 510 Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Bay Area [510] Posts: 4,582	Re: (unrealwrc) [freak]ing Sick!

11-12-2008, 04:22 AM	#9
racinjason Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Road America, WI, USA Posts: 382	Re: (MSchu) Awesome pics, that would be a dream weekend for me. Are your friends on the team looking for any more friends? __________________ RIP Champ Car World Series

11-12-2008, 05:42 AM	#10
db1love Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: HORE.LANDO Posts: 3,050	Re: (racinjason) Wow, looks like you had a great time!! Thank you for sharing the pics. Good luck!! __________________ *"Your Bth ain't really got no ass...she just poked it out"* Guru

11-12-2008, 05:56 AM	#11
98Spec022 Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Anytown, USA, USA Posts: 48	Re: (db1love) Amazing pics, thanks for posting!

11-12-2008, 06:06 AM	#12
Timmah!! Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: West Palm Beach, Fl, USA Posts: 1,409	How awesome! Thanks man! __________________ 1988 CRX HF, W/ D15b SOHC VTEC, and Si tranny 1996 SVT Cobra, 4.6L,DOHC, Vortech Supercharged 1976 Datsun 280 Z L28T 1971 Datsun 240 Z ITS Racecar

11-12-2008, 07:14 AM	#13
Ponyboy Modeval 1991 Acura NSX Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Tulsa, OK, USA Posts: 6,484	Re: (Timmah!!) Holy Mother of...Awesome. What a great privelige. Thanks for sharing! __________________ 3.6L NSX ScienceofSpeed Stroker - 335rwhp/270rwtq and a thousand more revs to go.

11-12-2008, 07:27 AM	#14
JW racing Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Lake Elsinore, CA, USA Posts: 679	Super, thanks a bunch for the superb shots. I must go change my kit now as I have made a mess of myself. __________________ NASA SoCal H1 #64Thanks:GEAR X, Special Projects, Progress, Hasport, Function7, Rota, Clutchmasters

11-12-2008, 07:39 AM	#17
Egezzy Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: TrailBraking and LateApexing in my Power of Dreams. Posts: 4,964	Re: (pythonScott) i jus had sex w myself! __________________ newleaf. "Racing is the ultimate inspiration; Racing never goes out of style and function of racing is the fashion." rodney wills

11-12-2008, 07:58 AM	#20
get RIGHT Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: selling YOU a Honda or Acura Posts: 10,966	Re: (pythonScott) (Egezzy) IN-CRED-I-BLE!! You really did live the dream. Thanks for sharing. __________________ SCCA solo II STX #77 ITR EXPO FTW!

11-12-2008, 08:06 AM	#21
Erik95LS Member Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: WV, USA Posts: 7,885	Re: (pythonScott) (Egezzy) wow! amazing. __________________ -Erik "It's been my experience that straight-line acceleration is probably the first aspect of automotive performance that any intelligent driver gets bored with." - the late Peter Gregg "she is a caboose" - Migs lol

11-12-2008, 08:44 AM	#22
Wendys or Bust Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Garland, Tx, US Posts: 1,606	Omg that was awesome, the pictures are great and the amount of access you had was insane. I never realized you could get so close to the crew. This greater than > Bride > Recaro > Status > any other jdm fan boy racing seat. I love how everything they do is like an art. The headers the body work the garage. Everything is eye candy. Great pictures and thanks for sharing. __________________ Fernando Alonso Nut/Cawk- Rider Crew Member #02

11-12-2008, 09:10 AM	#24
metlmadman Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: so cal, us Posts: 301	Re: F1 porn: inside the Honda Racing F1 garage-Fuji 2008 (pythonScott) wow, thanks for sharing!!! these pix make my pants tight __________________ EF8 w/ Dohc ZC FS/FT - 2000 Kawasaki Kx 250 - track built bike $1800 Pm me for pix and/ or info. - make offer

11-12-2008, 09:11 AM	#25
rota92 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: CT, USA Posts: 10,098	Re: (Timmah!!) Wow man, that is so awesome!! Thank you for sharing this with us, and be safe!!! __________________ 9.85 @ 145 - SOHC / HR car coming later than sooner AFAP Racing NRG Tech / T1 Race Development / Bullseye Power Synapse Motorsport / Golden Eagle Mfg. / Innes Progress Auto / Scott @ Kinsler /AEM/ Your name here

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