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For the 2008 Indianapolis 500 we will be bringing you all the latest news and thoughts from our dynamic pair of journeymen in the field Robert Rakete and Bob McMurray.
We are with them as they travel from New Zealand across to Indianapolis to make the ONE Sport Indianapolis 500 Preview show for screening on May 25 from 4:30pm within Powerbuilt Tools Motorsport on TV ONE.
From May 16 there will be daily reports
May 18: Rob embarrasses himself on the way over but finally
makes it to the Indy 500 track and Bob continues to enjoy
himself
Bob says:
They arrived!
It took a while but they are here.
To celebrate we went out for a riotous lunch and had just so much fun.
The picture of the day is all the boys tucking into a hearty meal and just enjoying themselves so much after travelling for all that time.
Don't they look great!
I have to say though that Air New Zealand took great care of our boys and made sure they got to their destination eventually and they fed, watered and housed them as much as they could.
Short blog today but did you know that the Indianapolis Motor Speedway is so large that you could fit the Vatican City, The Coliseum, Alexandra Park,Ellerslie racetrack, Wimbledon Complex and Yankee Stadium inside the Speedway.
Big eh!?
Danica's popularity
Now Scott Dixon is pretty famous in the States and in Motorsport but if anyone thought that Danica Patrick was not too popular then just remember this.
After her race win at Motegi this season, at the next round at Kansas her merchandise trailer sold in excess of US$100,000 worth of material in just two days. A record.
Another first today.
I did a radio interview for a Texas sports radio station.
Great guys and typical American fun show and I look forward to being their man on the ground next weekend as well.
I will leave the rest to Rob today. If I can wake the wee man up that is.
Bob
Rob says:
I'm awake!!!!
Rob embarrasses himself
I'm 42 this year. There are things a nearly 42 year old should know not to say out loud.
Things like "Did you honestly buy that shirt - with your own money?!" and
"Is that your girlfriend? Wow she's got a huge adams apple - for a lady."
But top of the list of things never to ponder out loud is "So you're having a baby?"
You guessed it - the lovely woman on the plane next to me wasn't pregnant but her womanly curves were the result of her three beautiful children.
Normally you would excuse yourself and get the heck out of there while that sick feeling of embarrassment washes over you.
But poor Suzanne was stuck next to me for the 12 hour flight to San Francisco - there was nowhere to go.
So I tried to keep talking in the hope she wouldn't notice my faux pas.
Problem 2 arose. I had taken a melatonin tablet (excellent for trying to sleep) just before I got on the plane - she was talking and I was falling asleep on her.
So let me insult you and then doze off while you chat...and so began the 33 hour odyssey that was Auckland - San Francisco - Chicago - Indianapolis.
It's good to be back.
It's so good to be here and driving into the Indy Motor Speedway was like visiting an old friend.
DT (Producer/Driver) and Bob have done a great job lining up locations and guests.
We hit the ground running - shooting Day 3 of qualifying and I had a chat with Tony Cotman, VP of Competition for the IRL, and a Kiwi from Te Kauwhata.
Cool guy. After our interview we day-dreamed about the IRL running a street race in Auckland and what a killer weekend that would be!
Time for some merchandise
Then it was time for me to prop up the American economy and help Scott Dixon pay the bills from his wedding earlier this year.
Bought three Scott Dixon #9 caps (USD$25 each) and bumped into his Mum Glenys.
Tomorrow I talk to Ron, Scott's Dad, for our exclusive preview show.
Ron will be spotting for John Andretti (calling lines for a driver on the track) at this year's 500.
So if his man is leading Scott into the last lap what would Ron do?!
Time now to hit the sack. Tomorrow is 'Bump Day' - always a lot going on.
I will also get to work trying to secure media deals with US radio stations - just like Bob McMotorsport.
Like the blog? Want to see the video ------ then remember the show from Indianapolis screens Sunday May 25th within PowerBuilt Tools Motorsport from 4:30pm on TV ONE.
ONE Sport brings you all the race action plus pre and post-analysis of the Indy 500.
Be watching TV ONE, Sunday May 25 at 4:30pm
