Willow Glen Resident

Letters & Opinions

Grand Prix was a definite rush for any fan

By Moryt Milo

Saturday morning I woke up to the pungent aroma of garlic invading the valley. This time of year it is particularly strong in the early morning when the air is still and a thick overcast settles on the South Bay. I got up and closed my windows because the smell was overwhelming.

A short time later I was awakened once more. This time it was a loud buzzing sound. I was certain we had an invasion of bees in the back yard. I got up to investigate.

As soon as I opened the porch door I knew the source of the buzz. The sound was coming from the race car drivers doing their qualifying laps for the Grand Prix. I could hear them in Campbell, even though I was miles away.

Listening to the roar of the engines, it was easy to envision the racers negotiating the turns and straightways along Almaden Boulevard. The sound whetted my curiosity to see what was going on. Last year, I watched the main event on ESPN2; this year I wanted to see what all the talk and politics over city subsidies was about.

It was year 3 of the San Jose Grand Prix, time to hop on the light rail in downtown Campbell and check it out.

It wasn't hard to convince my son to join me. And getting there was easy. At $1.75 for a one-way light rail ticket, it was a no-brainer. Parking anywhere near the event was $15. Apparently everyone else had the same idea, because the light rail had plenty of riders.

We arrived at the Children's Discovery Museum station and the formula race cars were so loud the adrenaline rush was immediate.

Two tickets later, we found ourselves standing right by the fence, as the cars flew by.

My son and I discovered quickly that the best vantage point, without being in the grandstand, was standing on the upper walkway at the San Jose Center for the Performing Arts. From this location it was easy to look down on the track and racers, while simultaneously viewing them on the big screen as they rounded the hairpin turn and headed toward the other side of the track near the Fairmont Hotel.

It was amazing--cars shooting by at more than 100 mph. We were so close there really wasn't a bad spot at the event.

When we tired of the racing, we walked over to the meadowlands. As I looked toward the field, a motorcyclist went flying through the air upside down on his bike before landing right-side up in his seat and going down the ramp.

"Did you see that!" I said in disbelief to my son.

We discovered that the cyclists were showcasing their talents for the upcoming X Games. Again, we were right there--so close, my son could high-five the bikers as they rode back around for another go.

What came across loud and clear on day 2 of the three-day event was that a fan didn't feel cheated. There was plenty to see, including the vintage and classic cars exhibited in the convention center.

The event had shifted energy levels into overdrive. The tires tearing up the track were a complete rush, and the overall atmosphere had captured the awesome sensation of speed and power. The adrenaline level through the entire downtown was off the charts. Maybe that's why everyone we passed was smiling and pumped up.

I can't say it was better than Grand Prix 1 or 2, since I never went to those. I can say that No. 3 looked like a well-oiled event. It was easy to get around, and it didn't feel crowded. I definitely appreciated the enormous amount of time and manpower expended to put on the race. It was clear the process was a massive undertaking.

And no, I don't think the city should subsidize the event; that
$4 million is needed elsewhere. But I am glad to hear there will be a Grand Prix 4, because the exposure for the city puts San Jose in the winner's circle.

Moryt Milo is the editor of the Willow Glen Resident. She can be reached at 408.200.1051 or via
e-mail at mmilo@community-news papers.com.