Sidepodcast

I first came across the site at the end of 2007 and the first thing I remember seeing was Christine's version of the Queen's speech. Probably the most original thing I ever saw on a motor racing website. I decided to have a quick look round the site and I am stuck in its orbit unable to leave. They make me comment on all sorts of subjects and now they even phone me up for more opinions. I make hundreds of comments every week but still they want more. In addition to my frequent contributions to the main site I occasionally contribute to other sites of the sidepodcast empire such as f1minute.com, iheartfranck.com. I have now been tricked into signing up for identica and skype as further ways to prevent me escaping. Recently I took part in the inaugural sidepodpanel and several subsequent episodes. Now they want me to host it. I hope the host doesn't have to bake sidepodcake for the contestants.

At the start of 2009 as part of a sidepodplot to force me into setting up a blog it was suggested that I should write a guest post. Being sidepodcast one post became two and then four and then who knows how many. My little stories which tend to turn up on Thursday evenings can be found in the following locations:

http://www.sidepodcast.com/2009/02/12/the-fastest-driver-who-never-raced/
http://www.sidepodcast.com/2009/02/19/the-fastest-grand-prix-driver-ever/
http://www.sidepodcast.com/2009/02/26/bernd-rosemeyer/
http://www.sidepodcast.com/2009/03/05/jim-clark-grew-up-as-a-boy-who-loved-cars/
http://www.sidepodcast.com/2009/03/12/jim-who/

What will they have me doing next? I think the only way I can possibly escape is if everyone who reads this sends Christine pandas and marmots to distract her.

You should have a look at Christine's Xmas message and comment on it. She likes people going back through the archive.

Unique Contribution

I have become the unknown, and unpaid writer of several of Mark Hughes' very good MPH columns in Autosport. This happened unintentionally when there were about 5 races to go in this year's championship. Massa had a lead of a few points from Raikkonen and the whole world decided Ferrari should ask Kimi to back Felipe. I said on sidepodcast that most of the circuits left on the calendar had a history of wet races and Massa is not the best in the wet. The following Thursday I discovered that Mr Hughes has suddenly decided that he agreed with me. Since then on a number of occasions he has written something within a few days of me saying it. I look forward to him discovering that the smoother driver in each team has suffered this season. Allow a week for jet lag and stuff and around the end of October it should appear. OK I got that a bit wrong but he did do a piece on the driving styles and relative performance of Heikki Kovalainen and Lewis Hamilton so it is only a matter of time before he figures out the rest.

My Biggest Mistake
I have volunteered a few people to take part in shows and all of them have enjoyed themselves once they have overcome their initial shyness. I once volunteered Lou to take part in a sidepodpanel and after a lot of persuading she agreed and enjoyed it. I decided that there was little harm in volunteering her to host a sidepodpanel. That turned out to be a mistake. She will co-host a panel with jackie who I may also have slightly volunteered but since agreeing to be the co-hostLou has turned into a monster. First it was decided that two co-hosts meant two killer questions. Then Lou volunteered me to be on the panel despite the fact that I have been on more than anyone and have been hogging it a bit. Then Lou announced that she had two evil questions just for me and started preceeding her comments with mwhahaha. I have genuinely created a monster. Dear people of sidepodland be extra careful tonight. Once she gets control of the show who knows what the power might do to her.

First comment on Sidepodcast.com: