To bring you this exciting instalment of my blog has meant that I have had to bypass the hotel internet access in my hotel in China.The hotel obviously likes to keep in with the chinese government and restrict access to blog sites. This restriction also applies to Facebook, Youtube, Twitter, and many more internet sites.
I have had to use a VPN (virtual private network). It is not illegal as many companies use it to bypass what is known as "THE GREAT FIREWALL OF CHINA"
However, it does highlight the futility of the Chinese government as it tries to impose its control over the population. China is trying to hang on to communism while all over the country, capitalism is taking over. But.... the craziness of China is forever present as witnessed at the circuit today(wednesday). The teams were asked where they would like their containers to be put on the ground for unloading into the garages. Some wanted them in the pit lane, others behind the garages. An agreement was made which still seemed to be OK until a few days ago. Then the chinese tore up the agreement and decided that no containers would not be put near the garages. Various reasons were given for not doing this. The cranes and trucks may damage the concrete floor yet a large mobile crane was spotted in the paddock earlier this week. The drain covers may get damaged but it would have been easy to avoid going near these.
Ultimately, it was just a big chinese mess. And the teams have now had to use forklifts to move their equipment over 400 metres. Some containers maybe over 600 metres away.
Again, it is the teams who suffer due to narrow minded bureaucracy as the time to unload and also for packing up has been greatly increased. I would like to see some of the decision makers come and get their hands dirty and help us. THEN, they can see what a bad decision has been made.
There are some very intelligent people in China but if the unintelligent ones have a stronger voice, then chaos happens.
This is WTCC Race of Shanghai 2012. Day 1.
 |
| Everyone gets to work unloading containers on Wednesday |
 |
| The security bolts are removed from the containers. |
 |
| Discussions between Wietracon and DHL,RML and WSR. |
I tried to take a picture of the chinese customs officials as they looked very smart in their black uniforms with gold braid and epaulets. But when I pointed the camera at them, I was told....
"no pictures".
The West Surrey Racing team, sponsored by Aviva/Cofco, have made a welcome return the WTCC and as I mentioned before, it is good to see my old friends again. It was a very last minute arrangement for them to come out to China and their Truckie has been very busy today trying to ensure that they have tyre trolleys and other equipment available to them. The other teams have been as helpful as they can to ensure that their race in Shanghai goes smoothly. You will certainly not miss their car as it is bright yellow!!!
 |
| Loading plan for the Honda container |
 |
| Colin Turkington,s Cruze is checked by the team |
 |
| Chevrolet car radio repeaters are positioned above their garage |
 |
| Spanish Truckie cleans the flat floor of their Seat |
 |
| Busy in their garage |
 |
| The Yokohama boys have plenty of food ready for the next few days. |
 |
| Forklift trucks are more important than the cars as the containers are unloaded. |
Tomorrow will see some of the containers moved even further away from the garages, once the teams have finished unloading. Where they will be moved to is unknown as I write this.
And to the chinese government who feel the need to deny me access to writing my blog......
"You can,t stop a VPN"
Stay tuned for the continuing story of Shanghai and the Race Truckies.