Webber burns across bridge.

[lv619]

Just saw the end of Ch.9 news with webber driving his F1 car across Sydney harbour bridge. Anyone know if theirs any footage of this on the net yet?
It will be on later tonight on tv no doubt, but I wouldnt mind a copy myself (on computer). :eclipsee_

Anyway, heres an article to keep you all amused, lol...

Webber burns across bridge
February 27, 2005 - 5:25PM


Australian Formula One ace Mark Webber fulfilled the fantasy of many a frustrated Sydney motorist when he drove across the Sydney Harbour Bridge while it was devoid of traffic.

As part of a television promotion for next week's Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne, Webber piloted a 2004 BMW F1 Williams car across the icon five times, supposedly at no more than 90kph.

The 28-year-old from Queanbeyan said he had "not a clue" about what speeds he recorded during his seven minutes on the iconic bridge.

He said it was "pretty eerie" driving on an otherwise empty bridge and he was "quite nervous".

"To go over a bridge, there's a lot of expansion and movement over the years, so to drive a Formula One car over there I was expecting it to be bumpy, but it was a bit bumpier than I expected, but no problem," Webber said.

NSW Premier Bob Carr apologised to motorists for the closure of the Harbour Bridge between 5am and 10am.

"I apologise for the inconvenience that some motorists will suffer, but this is an unbelievable opportunity for us," Mr Carr said shortly before Webber's drive.

The premier said pictures of Sydney's major landmarks including the Bridge, the Opera House and the Harbour would be beamed to millions of viewers throughout Asia and Europe.

"It's terrific promotion for a city that's earning a buck out of tourism."

He refused to start any Sydney-Melbourne rivalry, declaring the latter was "entitled to its unimpeachable, unstealable day of glory which the F1 Grand Prix represented".

"Nothing can steal the attention Melbourne gets with this major event, that's Melbourne's, it will stay Melbourne's but my philosophy is if its good for one part of Australia, it's good for the rest of Australia," Mr Carr said.

Webber hinted he would be okay with sixth or seventh place in next week's season-opener and predicted some tough early races for his new employer Williams.

Driving the old Williams and using "very, very hard" tyres, Webber said the exercise was purely promotional and provided no information about his prospects for next week.

Both Webber and Williams boss Frank Williams had previously stated the 2005 car would not be at its quickest for next week's race and the Australian driver had modest expectations of the car's early season performance.

"The opposition we are up against is incredibly strong, but Williams knows that and we will also be a force in the future," Webber said.

"I think the first few races could be a little bit tough for us, we are not hiding away from that, but we've got to be real with ourselves.

"We are setting tough goals for ourselves, there's no point in saying we are happy with sixth and seventh and places like that, that would be okay to get underway.

"But during the course of the season, we can't stay there all year."

A spokeswoman for the Roads and Traffic Authority said no major delays were caused by the five-hour closure of the bridge.

"There was no problems at all," she said.