What is Gridwalk Talk?
Gridwalk Talk is an F1 and motorsport blog, with a snazzy header and all sorts going on. It’s the best thing since sliced bread, which is also pretty snazzy. It’s all run through a self-hosted WordPress blog that I’ve set up myself, just to get some gold stars from someone if anyone wants to give them.
Who runs the blog? Is it a team of people?
Don’t be silly, that would mean paying people and stuff. What a silly person you are! Gridwalk Talk is created and authored by Luke McCarthy-Reed, a young Welsh chap who funnily enough likes F1 and motorsport in general quite a lot. He also likes Muse a lot too, so if you want to bribe him with anything, it’s definitely these or a Ford GT40. All three are welcome.
Where is all the F1 news? I don’t see any, which is ludicrous.
Ah, you see this isn’t an F1 news blog or anything like that. There are plenty of good, and bad, outlets around the interwebs that report on Formula 1 news and make it up as well to fulfil their criteria of news posts per month, but that is and never will be Gridwalk Talk. This is merely a place for me to discuss and talk about F1 because I like writing and I tend to never shut up about the sport. If that’s a bad thing or anything for you. Yes, there will be posts discussing news but I’m not one of those places that, as exclusively predicted, reveals news that is about as exclusive as a DFS sale and reports it as I’m not a journalist. I’m just someone who likes to gobble on through the medium of words in my own little part of the internet.
How long have you been watching Formula 1?
Since the end of 1996, as it turns out. My first real memory of the sport is (two decades late spoilers) Damon Hill’s championship win at Suzuka ’96 and Murray Walker in a fit of excitement as he had to stop because he had a lump in his throat. Which is really strange considering the time Suzuka is on in the UK… but all the same, good times. Sinxe then my love for the sport has grown and grown, following Rubens Barrichello from team to team, desperately hoping Mika Hakkinen’s sabbatical would end and just generally disliking Michael Schumacher for his general Schumacherness.
Are you seriously asking yourself questions?
Yes. Yes I am.
Why does your sidebar and logo look like Coldplay’s font?
Because I think it looks awesome, of course!
How long as Gridwalk Talk been running?
Since the dawn of mankind, my friend. Actually it’s since November 2009 after one of my favourite seasons of Formula 1. That year was a hell of year on so many reasons and after becoming inspired by the Sidepodcast F1 community that we had at the time, I decided a blog would be a good idea. You can decide for yourself if it still is but I think so because I really enjoy doing this regardless of how anyone views my output. In that time the site has had gone through many iterations, moved away from a WordPress hosted site and even had a guest post provided by the wonderful Chitra Chandhok which is a tad mind-blowing really for something that’s essentially a hobby.
Why do you keep mixing up Practise and Practice in your F1 2012 posts?
I’m honestly so sorry, it’s an after-effect of me being a numpty. It is a shameful bit of confusion in my vocabulary that I do try not to mix up so often. As compensation, please accept this duck on my behalf.
Can I submit a guest post even though I’m not Karun Chandhok’s mum?
Of course, I always welcome good quality guest posts if people want to make the effort to do so. There’ll be a bit of editing to make it presentable on the site (I apologise for my proof reading in advance, it’s shocking) but I won’t change any wording. Obviously there are limitations on not submitting anything offensive or intended to upset anyone as this is a good-natured place with cookies, biscuits and general chocolate related accessories, but I always welcome new stuff. If you do want to submit anything, get in touch with me either via the contact form below or on Twitter and we’ll go from there. And if you are a mum of another motorsport genius then even better! Fathers also acceptable.
What is the most important part of a new post?
The terrible pun in the title of the post, of course. No one likes a blog post title that doesn’t make you facepalm and question the existence of humanity for something so hilariously shocking.
You’ve made a Photoshop/posted an image that I want to use; can I use it?
See, this question is actually a lot more serious than most questions as it can be pretty offensive to use people’s photos and bits of work without crediting them. Wherever possible, I will do my utmost to make sure that any original content that gets included in posts gets credited to its original source and I’d expect that of anyone who plans to use any images off here too that I may make. There’s no problem with anyone using my work, whether it be written or photoshopped or whatever, but I implore that you credit where it came from as it’s grossly unfair to simply put out the assumption it’s something you’ve done and get the credit for. I think it’s fair to be open in allowing people to use what you’ve made but with only the expectation that you get credited for it. As I say, I always try to make sure I credit anything I include in my stuff but if I do miss anything please just contact me below or on Twitter and I’ll amend the error of my ways.
Can you recommend any other good sources of F1 and motorsport stuff on this web of internet goodness?
Seeing as you’ve asked so kindly, I do know a few little places that you should definitely spend some time looking at for some motorsport awesomeness:
- Sidepodcast - Easily my favourite F1 place to be. Awesome community, constant stream of interesting content both written and audio too. Sidepodawesome. Plus it’s run by two of the best, friendliest people you could ever meet.
- Too Much Racing – As run by the ridiculously well informed Pat W, the man offers a fab range of motorsport as part of TMR. Well worth a sit down and sitting through everything he produces.
- BadgerGP – Formerly known as F1 Badger before the Berniemobile went crazy about two characters, this too is a ridiculously well run blog and always ahs something interesting on F1.
- VivaF1 – The thing I like about VivaF1 is that they offer a good level of technical stuff that I understand, and I am stupid. Plus, again, it’s run by some fab people who do a top job with their F1 stuff.
- Lou Johnson Photo – OK, so it has more than just motorsport but that’s just a bonus for you! My other half has been blessed with the talent and ability to create some amazing work through her photography whether it be motorsport or not, and quite frankly you’re missing out if you don’t take a look!
Any question? No? Good, class dismissed. Don’t go running down the corridor, now. If you do have any queries whether it be general queries, about the blog, or want to get in touch, just use the contact form below and I’ll get back to you as soon as I can.
