What a weekend in Valencia

It has been quite a weekend here in Valencia - The F1 Grand prix took place on the Valencia Street Circuit- loathed by aficionados but pronounced a triumph by Bernie Eccleston. It was a warm weekend, Sunday was a particularly hot day, apparently 3º hotter than last year and that was August!
Gay Pride had their annual parade in the city on Saturday night followed by a concert featuring mainly drag acts. We got to see the parade but after a day's sight seeing with visitors from the UK, a quiet dinner at home was the favoured choice, friends who did go said the concert was good but the atmosphere was great!
We met up with friends at the Guinness House to watch the England/Germany match - one of the friend's we were meeting texted ahead to say that Hamilton and Button had come second and third in the Grand Prix, a good omen- but I pointed out that a German had taken first place- not such a good omen.
We are just putting the finishing touches to two other big events this summer Fib Heineken Benicàssim - Our own Anita Darling will be there, this year in the company of ace photographer Pj; they'll be reporting on a daily basis on thisisvalencia and on thisisfib.tumblrand they'll be twittering too - so don't forget to follow!
La Tomatina takes place on the last wednesday August whis this year is the 25th, we ran a great luxury bus tour to this whacky food fight and we're taking bookings now clock on the headline for more info.

Valencia Formula 1 Experience at Bonaire

I read in one of the papers last week that a Scalextric replica of the Valencia Formula 1 circuit was being set up at Bonaire. Since Luke, my twelve year-old grandson, was flying back to England last Tuesday, I decided to take him for a look on the way to the airport. The model is housed in a tent by the main entrance.. There are six cars and a raised area where the joystick controls give the would-be racer a good view of the circuit. At the front of the stand is a full-size Formula 1 car with a large LCD screen, allowing drivers to pit their skills against the best in the world. The queues were long and, knowing we only had thirty minutes to spare, which queue should he choose? Luke went for the Scalextric track while I spoke to Dora, a member of the Bonaire marketing team. Explaining our predicament, I hoped she would find a way for Luke to take a turn with one of the cars. Instead, Dora called her manager over and an excited young man was boosted to the front of the queue. After five thrilling minutes racing in a highly competitive field (and the cars are very fast), Luke was escorted to the F1 simulator where, against a background of envious boys, he was pitched into an exhilarating ten-lap race.
All too soon, it was time to rush off to the airport. Before we left, Dora asked for an email address so that photos could be forwarded. A truly memorable experience!

Alonso, YouTube and George Clooney - Formula One Valencia

George and his Nespresso Ads, If he's not here in person - these ads will be all around

The VIP Meeting Point at Valencia Street Circuit.

With the Second Formula One European Grand Prix about to take place on the Valencia Street Circuit rumours and news stories are rife:-
Confirmed is the fact that Renault won their appeal and Fernando Alonso will race alongside team mate Romain Grosjea. Alonso is hoping to score a podium finish in front of his adoring home fans this year. The decision came a little too late for Valmor, the organisers of the Valencia Grand Prix as ticket sales were so low that they didn't build as many stands this year...Schumacher's proposed visit boosted sales a little, but then he pulled out.
Confirmed also is that multimillionare Co-founder of YouTube, Chad Hurley has announced that he is the major backer of the new US F1 team, whose first car will be ready in October, they will be one of three new teams next season.
Unconfirmed, but a very strong rumour is that George Clooney is on his way down to Valencia with his yacht which he is hoping to more in the Marina within the Valencia Street Circuit - we'll let you know when it's confirmed!

The Swiss at F1 Valencia

Can't let the Formula One weekend theme finish without a mention of Claude and his little band of Swiss Petrolheads. We had a very pleasant weekend with them - I say Swiss but actually only 4 were - the other two were Californian and Portuguese.

Alonso and his merchandise

Is this being awfully mean?
It's just that there seems to be an awful lot of merchandise left after his early retirement from the F1 European Grand Prix here in Valencia on Sunday?

GRAND PRIX OF EUROPE - THE POLE POSITIONS

2008 FORMULA 1 TELEFONICA GRAND PRIX OF EUROPE
Yesterday was qualifying day here in Valencia and was a big disappointment for Alonso who is in 12th position. Massa takes pole postion with Lewis Hamilton taking second.
Last night there was more rain in the city which is going to change the level of grip on the circuit, but this morning the sun is shining and it's a hot and beautiful day.

Position
Driver
Team

1 Felipe Massa
Ferrari
2 Lewis Hamilton
McLaren-Mercedes
3 Robert Kubica
BMW Sauber
4 Kimi Räikkönen
Ferrari
5 Heikki Kovalainen
McLaren-Mercedes
6 Sebastian Vettel
STR-Ferrari
7 Jarno Trulli
Toyota
8 Nick Heidfeld
BMW Sauber
9 Nico Rosberg
Williams-Toyota
10 Sebastien Bourdais
STR-Ferrari
11 Kazuki Nakajima
Williams-Toyota
12 Fernando Alonso
Renault
13 Timo Glock
Toyota
14 Mark Webber
Red Bull-Renault
15 Nelsinho Piquet
Renault
16 Jenson Button
Honda
17 David Coulthard
Red Bull-Renault
18 Giancarlo Fisichella
Force India-Ferrari
19 Rubens Barrichello
Honda
20 Adrian Sutil
Force India-Ferrari

European Grand Prix, Valencia Formula One Urban Circuit 22-24 August 2008

This weekend sees the First Formula One European Grand Prix on the Urban Circuit by the Port here in Valencia.
To help you make the most of it we publish our handy tips here. If you have extra time and are interested in more than just the racing we have some excellent suggestions for your own tours around this beautiful city here and a guide to the best shopping here.
Restaurants and bars listings are here
and if you are still around for the 27th August then join us on our La Tomatina tour - details here - book now! the seats are going fast

Formula One Grand Prix - Surprises at Hungary

Anyone who thought Lewis Hamilton had the Formula 1 world championship sewn up should have seen the way Felipe Massa surged through from third on the grid to take the lead on the first corner this afternoon. The Ferrari ‘Tifosi’ went wild as Massa re-affirmed their faith in the prancing horse emblem. Masa stayed very much in control of the race, with Hamilton seeming to lack the pace to mount a serious challenge. When the British driver pitted after 41 laps with a puncture, the Brazilian must have felt pretty confident.

Meanwhile, Heikki Kovalainen drove a mature race and, towards the end, began reeling in the Ferrari. Massa’s engine surprisingly blew up on lap 68, just two laps from home, giving two novice drivers the best results of their careers. Timo Glock, who had performed so well in qualifying, brought his Toyota home in second place ahead of Kimi Raikkonen.

Masa later said ‘racing can be a cruel sport. We had given it our all, but these things can happen’. Today’s results move McLaren ever closer to Ferrari’s grip on the constructor’s prize. Since the British Grand Prix, McLaren have whittled Ferrari’s 33 points lead down to just 11 points.

Renault have moved up to 5th overall, thanks to superb driving by Fernando Alonso and Nelsinho Piquet, who between them today contributed one third of Renault’s total points this season. Alonso later said: "We fought hard today and we were on the pace with a car that was working well, which is encouraging for the rest of the championship”

The top six finishers were:
1 Heikki Kovalainen (McLaren)
2 Timo Glock (Toyota)
3 Kimi Raikkonen (Ferrari)
4 Fernando Alonso (Renault)
5 Lewis Hamilton (McLaren)
6 Nelsinho Piquet (Renault)


After 11 races, the leader board looks like this:

Drivers:
1 Lewis Hamilton (McLaren) 62
2 Kimi Räikkönen (Ferrari) 57
3 Felipe Massa (Ferrari) 54
4 Robert Kubica (Sauber BMW) 49
5 Nick Heidfeld (Sauber BMW) 41
6 Heikki Kovalainen (McLaren) 38
7 Jarno Trulli (Toyota) 22
8 Fernando Alonso (Renault) 18
9 Mark Webber (Red Bull) 18
10 Timo Glock (Toyota) 13
11 Nelsinho Piquet (Renault) 13

Teams:
1 Ferrari 111
2 McLaren 100
3 BMW Sauber 90
4 Toyota 35
5 Renault 31

The next (and 12th) race of the season comes from Valencia on 24th August. Tickets are currently at a huge premium but anyone looking for accommodation should contact Tim at thisisvalencia.com and he will do his best to find last-minute deals.

Formula One The German Grand Prix

The German Grand Prix returns to Hockenheim after a year’s absence while the circuit was being up-graded.
Conditions during qualifying threatened a repeat of Silverstone but, apart from an early cloudburst, the track allowed some fast times. Fastest of all was Lewis Hamilton, who beat Felipe Massa to pole with a stunning lap, backed up by team mate Heikki Kovaleinen in third. more here

Formula One Urban Circuit Valencia August 23-26

Lots of news coming out of Valencia on the Formula One Urban Circuit, Not least of which is the accommodation, or lack of. Every hotel seems to be sold out through conventional channels. thisisvalencia.com may just be able to help!, we have alternative accommodation on offer, and can help with a multitude of things Valencian - go to the site or email us - address on the site - we are sure we will be able to help you!