Friday morning, DR.GARY HARTSTEIN, the
FIA Medical Delegate and DR. DAVID VISSENGA, the AGP Chief Medical Officer, observed the obligatory Medical Team Extrication Practice. Usually the team with the least number of points provides the car, and so it was that
Super Aguri's car was used. Driver TAKUMA SATO was not available, so the Medical Team had to scramble to find someone tiny enough to fit in the car and play driver. It no doubt was the most expensive car in which diminutive radiologist LINDA TRUONG will ever sit. Car Chief, PHILL SPENCER, said the car was "priceless." For everything else, there is MasterCard!
It was Truong's first ever race. The seat in which she sat for the extrication was a custom-fit carbon fibre seat with six lift handles so that she was 'stabilized' after her pretend accident and then lifted seat and all out of the car and onto the gurney. The extrication was timed with a stop watch and went well. Dr. Hartstein applauded the crew.
Scrutineering was Thursday afternoon 10 am to 4 pm. All teams presented at least two cars, with nine of the eleven also clearing their T or backup car. Those only having primary cars being inspected were Scuderia Toro Rosa and Panasonic
Toyota Racing. Its cars have all come in separately and later than the rest.
By Friday afternoon the Toyota T car had arrived and was given a preliminary inspection. Several other cars were checked for a variety of items, and all passed.
Among those at the track Thursday was a fit as a fiddle-looking MURRAY WALKER, who was holding court outside the
F1 Turnstiles, and a tanned SIR STIRLING MOSS, who is racing a Historic Car this weekend.
DR SID WATKINS, SIR JACKIE STEWART, MICHAEL HENDERSON, DR DAVID VISSENGA and ROB NETHERCOTT were among the participants in the Thursday afternoon launch of the Australian Institute of Motor Sports Safety, based on the FIA Institute. More on that later.
BERNIE ECCLESTONE is on site, and it's a sight to see with him walking around with RON WALKER, the tall gangly AGPC Chairman.
