South Florida F1 kickoff GTG -- 03/06/04

[Manuel 320CE]

<< adapting from a similar post on the AMG SIG forum >>

I'm posting this to see if there is any interest to have a get-together in the South Florida area to the watch the Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix (live viewing). Let's cheer on Team McLaren as it makes another strong effort this year.

It will be aired Saturday evening on Speed Channel with coverage beginning at 9:30pm. The race should last less than two hours.

At this point, I'm still trying to decide whether to organize this at a sports bar or at a private home. Any thoughts?
- Would you attend?
- Suggested locations? PARKING a key consideration

I'm relatively new to the area (Boca Raton), but can help organize if there's enough interest in doing something.

Thanks -- Manuel

[Manuel 320CE]

While I've received a few offline responses, it sounds like there's not enough interest to do an all-MBCA type event.

Will try consolidate a few other car/marque folks, and will post any updates here.

[Chappy]

Hi Manuel,

Did you end up getting together with anyone? Fir us, it was a litle bit hard being Saturday night and all :D

A few of us did manage to get together for the F1 race at a local sports bar.....but there were TOO MANY Ferrari fans, if you know what I mean! ;)

Anyway, we made some new buds and we'll probably be back for the next race.

[Manuel 320CE]

Originally posted by Chappy
Did you end up getting together with anyone? Fir us, it was a litle bit hard being Saturday night and all :D
Ended up meeting up with some Honda fans (my other car...) and it was relatively low-key. Most of us were rooting for JPM (Williams, soon McLaren), who was a big fave in Latino-heavy South Florida.

Nonetheless the Tifosi were out in full force. I lived in Sao Paulo (Brazil) for a little bit, and the Barrichello fans were aplenty in S Florida, too.

[Chappy]

Let's hope the season improves quickly otherwise McLaren won't have a shot at being in top three. :(

[c2jones]

With the recent fireworks display by Kimi's car (consistent with their troubles throughout the year), it appears this will be the lowliest and most embarrassing season for F1 Mercedes power in a long time, especially in this internationally illuminated pinnacle of motorsport.

Combine this with Mercedes’ worst year ever (2003) for passenger car mechanical failures as rated by JD Power & Associates for initial quality and the growing number of vehicle returns (to the dealerships) for major flaws (even on the upper models) this very year and one has real concern for the once proud silver arrow division.

It is so bad that Mercedes has elected to discontinue their free general maintenance program for 2005 and thereafter as a result. It appears they simply cannot keep up with their service issues, especially in that they’re now focusing so much on styling and promotions (and past heritage for quality) to carry them through. Sadly, it’s working. Mercedes sales are at their best levels ever while their reliability is falling off the charts.

This is the wrong trend and the wrong message to its loyal enthusiasts.