The saying, “There’s no place like home” might be an overused cliche’ but it’s true nonetheless. I’ve been away from the keyboard for several weeks thanks to a fantastic trek across parts of Europe - all in the name of motor sports. Life is good and yes, I do consider myself very fortunate. I’ll write at length about some parts of the journey: Goodwood; Brooklands and the Nurburgring, in the coming weeks. Currently I’m working on some other writing projects and trying to catch up on a lot of errands that have been neglected in my absence.

One thing I would like to make mention of is a new location to check out some of my Formula 1 writing. I’ve begun writing for a website based in Vancouver, Canada called Suite101. Under their sports section you can find me busily churning out articles. Currently I’m putting together a short series on the current group of Formula 1 Constructors - a short of Coles notes to get people up to speed on who the players are in F1 and how they got there. I hope you’ll check it out. You can find my work here.

It looks like a bit has happened since I’ve been gone and warrants a mention. Lewis seems to be building some momentum as we get into the second half of the season. While there was a brief log jam in the drivers championship, I suspect it might become a bit of a one-horse race if Ferrari can’t turn it around.

Also, Max got his day in court and while he might feel vindicated, he should still put the sport ahead of his galactic-sized ego. We all know he won’t. In fact, I’ll go so far as to speculate that he won’t step down in October of 2009 as he promised. He’ll either stay on because ‘people’ have begged him to or he’ll shift into a newly created position where he will continue his political machinations from the shadows. Autocrats never die, they just become more autocratic.

And, finally, there’s the Kimi Raikonnen retirement watch. A lot of ink is being wasted speculating on his impending curtain call. Despite his sub-par performances, I don’t think the Kimster is ready to walk away from all that Ferrari money just yet. But, if he does, you can be sure he’ll leave the decision until the last minute and keep the driver market simmering if not boiling.

That’s all for now, but regular posts will resume shortly.

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Race fans of all descriptions in Toronto, Canada were given a special treat today - a visit from Sir Jackie Stewart: three times F1 World Champion, ambassador of motor racing, former team owner, and former President of the British Racing Driver’s Club. To this long and distinguished list can now be added the title of author. Jackie was in town to sign copies of his new autobiography, “Winning is Not Enough.”

The event was scheduled to kick off at 7 PM with the arrival of Sir Jackie and it is with no embarrassment that I admit that I was jittery with excitement throughout the day. In fact, a disturbing portion of my day was spent determining exactly how early I should plan to line up.

The early bird gets the worm, or in this case the front row seat and when its a living legend is on stage, you don’t want to be in the back of the theater. Anyone who has heard Jackie speak before knows to expect a warm and witty evening of stories. However, I think everyone in attendance was delighted with the intimacy and charm Stewart shared with his audience as he described the details of his life inside and outside of racing. For the best part of an hour I, like everyone in the crowd, hung on every word and cherished every anecdote.

Its been nearly 35 years since Jackie raced in F1 and the sport is barely recognizable now from what it was then. These days, the paddock is closed off to fans, the drivers do not have friendships with one another and the driver salaries have skyrocketed. But, the tracks and cars are safer and drivers do not leave home for a race thinking they might not return. For these things, we have Jackie Stewart to thank.

Jackie should forever be remembered as much for his safety crusade as for his success on the track. While some people felt that race drivers should be prepared to accept death as part of racing, Jackie believed that it was the skill and not the risk that was the heart of the sport. How right he was.

The book though, is not just about racing, it is about the rich life he shared with family, friends and contemporaries. I can’t comment on the prose or pace of the writing as I am just sitting down to read it. However, I can say that Jackie Stewart is a gifted storyteller with an epic story to tell and that fills me with optimism.

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OK, it’s probably not the most glamorous job in the pitlane - interviewing drivers, getting the scoop on who’s spying on whom or how much last week’s prodigal son will earn next season. Actually, it sounds pretty bloody good and the job could be yours if you are the successful ’sub-editor’ applicant at F1 Racing Magazine - The World’s Best Selling Grand Prix magazine.

The advertisement, posted on F1 Racing’s parent publisher Haymarket’s website (see link below) seeks the following:

Our ideal candidate will be a skilled and flexible wordsmith …

The successful applicant will be an experienced, meticulous sub-editor with proven expertise in headline and caption writing, and with a flair for making copy sparkle. He or she will be equally comfortable proof-reading and helping the managing editor to oversee the production process. He or she will also help to maintain a team of high-quality freelance sub-editors.

Knowledge of Formula 1 is useful, but not as important as the ability to work comfortably within a small, tightly knit team

Now I don’t want to sound critical, but shouldn’t knowledge of F1 be paramount for an F1 editor? It’s great to know where all the commas go and yes, quotations can be a “bitch.” But, I’d want my sub-editor to know that it was Farina and not Fangio who won the first World Championship and that the Swiss Grand Prix was never actually run in Switzerland.

I think the majority of people who are deep into F1 want articulate, informed writing from authors, not sensationalist headlines taking up most of the page. Substance speaks for itself and glossy fluff finds itself lining birdcages.

I hope the editor of F1 Racing finds a stellar candidate for the job and I hope that person is a genuine fan of the sport -someone who can recognize not just good writing but a good story that should be shared with others.

Like me.

A Fan.

http://careers.haymarket.com/f/exp/Opportunities.aspx?VacancyId=7904

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