Oct 27
Oh? Also? This is a bit awesome.
There’s another reason I’ve not been writing here so much.
And it’s all down to you guys.
Earlier this year, almost entirely down to the kindness of my readers here, I got to fly out to the UAE and work on the Abu-Dhabi Desert Challenge. You can read my stories from that time on the link above.
While I was in the UAE, the Chief Medical Officer, Patch, casually mentioned that he was recruiting a team of medics to work on the Formula 1 Grand Prix which was to have its inaugural Emirates competition at a track that was under construction at the time.
Buzzing after a week of helicopters in the desert, I made sure Patch was clear that I wanted in and was thrilled when he simply nodded.
“Ok.”
Just like that? No interview? No application form?
Cool.
I came home, told folks at work about the work I’d been allowed to take part in and put thoughts of F1 out of my mind.
Until a few months ago, when the emails started coming back in, supplying us with dates and briefings, requesting clothing sizes and photocopies of documents, ID and certification.
My spine started tingling.
From then til now, I’ve received increasingly exciting messages each week and again I’m astonished time on time by the casual opulence of the state we’re working in. One email is casually entitled “Evening entertainment” and the text body is written in terms that suggest a group of local musicians have been hired to tinkle the ivories in the background each evening. On opening the attachment, it becomes clear that the “entertainment” includes Beyonce Knowles, The Black Eyed Peas, No Doubt, Jamiroquai, Kings of Leon and Aerosmith.
Just a few local lads with guitars, really.
Another message breaks down the S.O.Ps for the event, in case of a crash, the FIA car will scramble, closely followed by an FIV (Fast Intervention Vehicle) staffed by a doctor and paramedic. If needs be, dedicated extrication teams aer available to remove drivers from cars and a host of ambulances can transport casualties to the on-site clinic (including resus and theatre) and the onwards by helicopter to one of two designated hospitals.
I hoped I’d find myself track-side, maybe standing by on a corner of the track or assisting in the clinic.
What I didn’t expect was the email that told me I’d been chosen to ride in an FIV, operated by a professional racing driver and clinically lead by senior medical staff.
Not just trackside, but on-track and with a response capacity.
Awesome.
What I’ve had to reset in my head is the concept that I need to pack stacks of equipment with which to live in the desert. This time there will be no tents, we apparently have dormitory facilities with kitchens and bathrooms on-site within the racing village.
This time my flights are paid for. In March we joked that “in the desert, no-one can hear you scream”, this time the messages run “Professional standards will be maintained at all times, please be aware that the event is televised and anticipated audience numbers may run to 400 million”.
The pressure is pretty huge and I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t nervous. Its a huge event and a massive privilege not only to be asked to attend, but to have landed a major role on the team. However, I look over the staff list and familiar names and faces spring up time and again, Patch, Gus, Nina, Hurls, Christina, Booker, Rolf, Lisa, Laura. Mates and colleagues.
My rucksack is packed on the floor in front of me, I have a few wee errands I need to run before I drive to the airport tonight, but they’re nothing that will hold me back.
Tomorrow morning I’ll be on my flight out to Abu-Dhabi and I’ll be back in a week.
I’ll take photos, I’ll write stories.
I’ll be back soon.
Look after the place while I’m gone.
October 27th, 2009 at 3:35 pm
Awesome!
Wow.
…
How cool is that? Well done!
October 27th, 2009 at 3:35 pm
Wow!!!! Congratulations! I have not posted a comment before but have been having a crafty read and just had to congratulate you on this! I am an avid fan of both F1 and your blog and am looking forward to the race - though possibly not as much as you now. To say I am envious on many different levels would be something of an understatement! Good luck and thank you for such an inspirational blog. Ben
October 27th, 2009 at 3:38 pm
The places a blog will send you, eh?
Sounds absolutely thrilling. Heres hoping it is just a paid vacation for you and that no one gets (seriously) hurt.
October 27th, 2009 at 4:09 pm
You lucky sod, do you know how jealous most of us are?
Have a great time, and get tips from the experts about how to drive like a loon
October 27th, 2009 at 4:25 pm
Not being a racing fan, what is the fia car? Or I suppose, how does it relate to accidents.
And is the FIV different from your normal ambulance? Otherwise, it seems a bit odd to have a race driver driving it, other than I suppose for authenticity.
October 27th, 2009 at 4:27 pm
Yeah, yeah, knickers full of sand, acting as lunch on the hoof for the local insect population, heatstroke, dodgy water, etc etc. Me, jealous?
Damned right!
October 27th, 2009 at 4:35 pm
Jealous? Me? Nooooo…. what could possibly make you think that?
Enjoy
October 27th, 2009 at 4:52 pm
:-O.
I have a duty at a local music venue…wanna swap?
October 27th, 2009 at 5:02 pm
[…] Trauma Queen » Oh? Also? This is a bit awesome. traumaqueen.net/?p=1190 – view page – cached Earlier this year, almost entirely down to the kindness of my readers here, I got to fly out to the UAE and work on the Abu-Dhabi Desert Challenge. You can read my stories from that time on the link… (Read more)Earlier this year, almost entirely down to the kindness of my readers here, I got to fly out to the UAE and work on the Abu-Dhabi Desert Challenge. You can read my stories from that time on the link above. (Read less) — From the page […]
October 27th, 2009 at 5:54 pm
Awesome!
Fingers crossed for a “potentially serious” accident (where the driver has thankfully been protected by all his safety gear and is fine) so we get to see you in action!
Have fun
October 27th, 2009 at 5:57 pm
Awesome! What a brilliant assignment- Hope it is fun and please please blog about it…
Recently found your blog- brilliance!
October 27th, 2009 at 6:05 pm
sounds like a trip of a lifetime - enjoy. Looking forward to seeing the pics
October 27th, 2009 at 6:31 pm
…in huff …kinda dinny like you …mebbe jealous …damn right! Safe journey hon…looking forward to you tales of speed and derring do (or is it dare and do, I never know) xx
October 27th, 2009 at 6:32 pm
ps that thing I sent you got published in a publication for forces families yay!!
October 27th, 2009 at 7:18 pm
Yay! Have a fab time, kinda hoping for crashes for you to attend at (in a weird nursey kind of way!!)
October 27th, 2009 at 7:27 pm
Wow! Have a fab time.
October 27th, 2009 at 7:42 pm
Woo Hoo !!
You lucky bastard. Have a fantastic time.
October 27th, 2009 at 7:55 pm
Have fun, stay safe and tell us all about it when you’re home!
October 27th, 2009 at 8:06 pm
There is a word for people like you, you know, and it begins with a B…….
Enjoy………. and we want the glorious technicolour descriptions of how your brain tried to leave through your ear as you pulled 4g while cornering in a two seater F1 car!
Have a glorious time Mate
October 27th, 2009 at 8:12 pm
Jammy get
October 27th, 2009 at 9:43 pm
I’m thrilled you have been given this role. It is no less than you deserve.
ENJOY…
October 27th, 2009 at 10:08 pm
Glad to see the small amount of money we gave is growing into more and more. You deserve it, we are all looking forward to the photos and stories!
October 28th, 2009 at 2:24 am
Kal, this is way cool! I’m looking forward to the words and pictures… enjoy yourself!
October 28th, 2009 at 3:43 am
SWEET! I’ll watch for you in the background on the feed of the race here in the States. I hope you don’t get too much time on camera during the race, however.
October 28th, 2009 at 6:14 am
Sounds amazing, hope you have a great time. Plenty photos please…
October 28th, 2009 at 11:10 am
Awesome! No, wait, that’s beyond awesome, that’s BE-AWESOME!
Mate, you realise we expect lots of pictures. And stories. And will be pining for your return so we can get our Kal fix.
Have fun, stay safe and good luck!
October 28th, 2009 at 12:10 pm
Well, well - off to save the UAE racing folk again. *grin*
But… Aerosmith? I thought Steve Tyler was still kind of under the weather. Broke his shoulder or somesuch. (fell off the stage) I know Joe Perry was being a biotch in the media about how long it was taking him to heal, and complaining that they’d had to cancel tour dates.
Please DO tell if it really is them and Mr. Tyler is healthy again.
Oh, and yes - photos and stories. Please.
October 28th, 2009 at 12:14 pm
Take lots of photos, and write lots of stories.
But most of all…ENJOY IT!!!
October 28th, 2009 at 1:26 pm
You. Jammy. Git.
That is all. *seethes with envy*
Pictures, and stories, on your return, may mollify me slightly. Nah, have a blast, seriously.
October 28th, 2009 at 4:12 pm
Await your return a little impatiently
October 28th, 2009 at 8:29 pm
Vroooooooooooom, go man go. It’s your reward for all those freezing cold Red Cross duties you’ve put in over the years, Truly excellent.
October 28th, 2009 at 8:51 pm
Well done mate … now enjoy ya big kid lol
October 28th, 2009 at 9:16 pm
Thrilled for you. Three cheers from Chicago!
October 28th, 2009 at 11:47 pm
How cool! Can’t wait to hear the stories and see the photos
Hope you have a marvelous time!
October 29th, 2009 at 1:47 am
wooo hooooo
Have fun
Vroooom Vrooooom
October 30th, 2009 at 8:10 pm
I’m normally stood trackside as one of the marshals (did the British Grand Prix but that’s another story) I’m always delighted to see the medics when it all goes tits up!
Have a great time.
October 31st, 2009 at 10:18 am
oh my gosh, am I too late for love & huge hugs?XXXXX
November 1st, 2009 at 10:05 am
My 3-year old thought you were cool. Now you’re working where the racing cars are. The only step up now is a trip to the moon. And my office job is distinctly un-cool - thanks.