e-reporter Kate Goodacre visits the German Grand Prix21/07/2009

Bridgestone, exclusive tyre supplier to the GP2 Series, announced the eleven finalists of the 2009 pan-European Bridgestone e-reporter young journalists’ competition at the beginning of May, with eight finalists due to attend GP2 race weekends. Kate Goodacre from Manchester, a student currently studying Journalism at Salford University, was offered the chance to attend the fifth round of the GP2 Series (10-12 July), at the German Grand Prix, as part of the e-reporter initiative.  

Kate (aged 24) was the fourth e-reporter of the year to attend a GP2 event for Bridgestone, and to write race reports and features on the Formula One feeder series for the Bridgestone website, www.bridgestone.eu/e-reporter. Interviewing a host of drivers for her reports, including F1 driver and GP2 graduate Sebastien Buemi (Scuderia Toro Rosso), Kate gained invaluable journalistic experience and had the opportunity to practice her interviewing skills.  

Commenting on her e-reporter experience, Kate said, “What a delight to finally attend my first motor race at the Nürburgring, fifteen years after I first became enchanted by fast cars watching Michael Schumacher and Damon Hill fight for the Formula One title on my television! As the weekend progressed, my confidence grew tremendously and I got a real sense of the friendly rivalry that GP2 is now famous for. By the end of the weekend, I really felt at home thanks to the kindness and professionalism of everyone I’ve encountered in the paddock.  

“This experience has completely restored my faith in my own abilities, and reinforced my passion for a career in journalism beyond all doubt. What an honour to have the chance to interview a current F1 driver, Sebastien Buemi, and FMSI’s James Robinson, who’s engineered countless Formula 1 world champions. I'm worried one or two of my tutors back in Manchester might be a bit jealous!”  

Entrants for this year’s Bridgestone e-reporter competition were asked to demonstrate their ability to write topical interview questions and a newsworthy story when applying for the competition. Entry levels for the 2009 contest have been higher than ever before, with students also being able to enter in seven different languages.  

The next Bridgestone e-reporter finalist to attend a GP2 race weekend will be Tim Biesbrouck (from the Netherlands), who will be attending the Hungarian Grand Prix at the Hungaroring from 24-26 July.    

The overall winner of this year’s e-reporter competition, chosen for their ability to represent the Bridgestone brand and demonstrate their natural flair for journalism, will be announced in September 2009.  

For further information on the 2009 Bridgestone e-reporter competition, and to view race reports throughout the season from this year’s finalists, visit www.bridgestone.eu/e-reporter.

To read about this year's e-reporter finalists, please use the following links:
E-reporter Mieke Vercammen at the Belgian GP2 Grand Prix
E-reporter Joao Filipe at the European GP2 Grand Prix
E-reporter Tim Biesbrouck at the Hungarian GP2 Grand Prix
E-reporter Lukasz Lesniewski at the Dutch MotoGP Grand Prix
E-reporter Stephanie Black at the British GP2 Grand Prix
E-reporter Renaud Lacroix at the Spanish MotoGP Grand Prix
E-reporter Filip Cleeren at the Monaco GP2 Grand Prix
E-reporter Simona Vogel at the French MotoGP Grand Prix
E-reporter Ferran Lopez Margall at the Spanish GP2 Grand Prix