SEPTEMBER 1990.
We were offered the use of a private house just outside of Cascais in Portugal. All we had to do was book flights and hire a car. This done, we flew out to Lisbon Airport, picked up the car and drove down to Cascais. While driving down we passed a huge transporter which showed a racing car painted on the side. My wife turned to me and said "so that's why you agreed to Portugal".....I laughed sheepishly and said that I had an idea that the F1 circus was in town. From Cascais it was only a short distance to Estoril and this was the venue for the 1990 Portugese Grand Prix
My son and his friend had come with us so I hoped I had a little support from them. Once we were installed in the house the three lads set off to see where the circuit was while Carole chatted to her friends. The circuit was just out of town and we parked at the entrance. The three of us entered the stadium and stood in awe. The huge Marlborough centre stood out and we made for the circuit crossing pont. We were able to cross and I went to the Press Centre to see if I could ally myself to anyone. Ted MacCauley (Daily Mirror) was there and we chatted and he advised that I attend the press briefing in town next day.
Simon and Charles had a good look round the paddock and were very impressed. We met Nigel Mansell in the Ferrari pit and brief greetings were exchanged.
We returned to the house for evening meal, very excited that we now able to follow Nigel Mansell at close hand in the F1 Grand Prix.
Next day we went into town and I attended the briefing and while I certainly did not qualify for a press pass, was able to get circuit passes for practice.
So over the next few days we combined sight-seeing with visits to Estoril to watch the practising. From the garden of the house we could hear the cars warming up !!
It was a great way to follow a Grand Prix, from the arrival of all the huge transporters all of which disengorged racing cars, spare engines, tyres and all the parts necessary to build hospitality suites. Watching boxes being opened and seeing what was necessary to run each team was eye-opening and we all took masses of photographs. We saw the pits being set up and the braking points for pit stops being painted in pit lane. We were able to see the cars come in and have their readings downloaded. Many things that one does not see on the T.V. made us much more knowledgeable. Then we saw Murray Walker as well !!
By race day we had picked a special vantage point so we could follow the race.........And Nigel Mansell WON !!!
A wonderful holiday !
To crown it all, my friend in the press office arranged for me to visit after the race and I was able to retrieve lap charts and information for my collection. We were even able to congratulate Nigel on his win.................
ESTORIL
Estoril, located on a rocky plateau just inland from a popular beach resort, was opened in 1972 and enjoyed many years as a venue for club racing while also staging the odd Formula 2 race. The circuit fell into disrepair in the late 1970s but was late redeveloped and made fit for international racing in time for the 1984 championship decider when Lauda won the title by just half a point from Prost.
The second race was staged just seven months later in April 1985 and was one of the wettest Grands Prix ever staged. Victory went to Ayrton Senna, who collected the first of many winners trophies. A year later the race was given a September slot and victory went to Mansell. In 1987 and a year later Prost won, while in 1989 the circuit hosted one of the most controversial races ever seen. Mansell was black-flagged for reversing in the pits. He failed to respond and three laps later crashed into Senna, taking them both out of the race. For his troubles he received a one race ban.
In 1990, as if to make up for his last trip to Portugal, Mansell triumphed over Senna in what was to be a rare result in his miserable second season for Ferrari.
A Quick LapThe circuit features up and down sweeps through barren terrain and the lap begins with a flowing right-hander that leads directly into a rather wicked downhill section that ends in a hairpin. From there the track runs uphill to yet another hairpin and down the back straight that is neatly dissected by a little kink. A long left-hander follows, then a short straight that feeds into a uphill right-hander. From there it's a series of twists before a very, very long right-hander feeds the cars back onto the start-finish straight.
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