sussex

Here are crew pit girls in their period piece. This is how I imagine, more or less, British women circa WWII. The drivers and mechanics are men with exceptions: Maria Teresa De Filippis was the first woman to participate in a Formula One event in 1958 and this year she reunites with her Maserati 250F at Goodwood to take a few laps 'round the track.

The kids spend Saturday with Christian, who is otherwise on his way to Spain for a two week bike-trek. He spoils the kids with ice cream, pizza and football - just as it should be. Renata takes over Sunday morning allowing Christian to the airport and while we return late Sunday. It is a beautiful Indian summer and in truth, it is hard for us to pull away from Chichester and the estate. Ah, the peace Dear Brother. The peace.

Gordon Brown is on the talkies Sunday arguing his case. He's a cool cat despite the Labour rebels who call for 'is 'ed. Labour's convention takes place in Brighton and not surprisingly it is about the economy (stupid). Britain's borrowing rate has quickly accelerated from £512 billion in January to £620 billion and growing. As a percent of GDP, debt has gone from 30% in 2002 to 35% despite an economic expansion (The Centre for Policy Studies BTW sites higher figures than Treasury: £1,340 billion or 103.5 per cent of GDP). While high, other countries worse: Japan had a National debt of 158% at the height of their recession and the US national debt is over 65% of GDP when unfunded liablities included (and who knows after the bail-out+Iraq?) Anyway, Brown argues that he is the steady Eddy to guide our economy following his many years as Chancellor. For the moment, his party seems to agree - now probably not a good time to shoot the pilot. He is on borrowed time regardless.

International Flag Signals (from the race program)
Red: Signal for complete and immediate stop
Yellow (waved): Great danger, be prepared to stop. Do not overtake
Yellow (motionless): Take care, danger. Do not overtake.
Yellow with vertical red stripes: Take care, surface slippery as oil or similar fluid has been spilled on the road.
Blue (waved): Another competitor is trying to overtake you
Blue (motionless): Another competitor is following you very closely
White: An ambulance or slow-moving vehicle is on the circuit.
Black (with car number): Signal for the competitor to stop on the next lap.
Black with white chequered: Signal for the winner and end of the race.