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It’s that time of the year when we can look back and reflect on the year it was…

2005 was a big year for me personally and for TotalF1.com.  TotalF1.com has been growing steadily year after year and 2005 saw a massive increase in visitors and page views (our biggest yearly increase yet) thanks partly to the growth of the forum and no doubt to a very exciting year in Formula 1 that saw a new King crowned, which is sadly, the last year of the privateers, I for one will miss the likes EJ and Stoddart.

As any regular to the forum will know, 2005 wasn’t a bed of roses in the forum.  Due to the growth of the forum, it became too big for me to properly over see it, resulting in the inclusion of Moderators here for the first time.  This lead to a chain of events that sadly resulted in some regulars leaving, some heated arguments with all the name calling you could imagine and a period of tenseness that took the focus of the forum away from what we came together for, to discuss Formula 1.  Hopefully that is all behind us now as we look towards another exiting year in 2006 and I sincerely hope anyone who left because of the turmoil will consider coming back for the 2006 season.  If you keep in touch with any members who decided to leave, please extend a personal invitation from me to come back...

I would also like to personally thank the ‘Pit Crew’ for helping me out in a job that is most of the time thankless.  Hats off to you guys.

2005 also saw some changes to TotalF1.com.  We revealed our new look which will stay for the 2006 season (maybe with a few minor changes), we had a few Web server moves to keep up with the growth and we launched TotalMotorsport.net which will become a portal/network of Motorsport news. The first addition to the network was TotalA1.com which brings you all the latest news in the world of A1GP.  I think the jury is still out on the A1 concept which seems to be a common feeling amongst F1 fans, but I have no doubt the series will continue to grow and gain fans once they iron out some of the problems and attract some better drivers…

2005 also saw the inclusion of some new F1 news sources and the removal of some other ones, but as always, if you know a site you think we should be indexing, please let us know.

During 2005, I also re-wrote the PHP script that does the behind the scenes ‘business’ (headline indexing), it can now read both HTML sources and RSS sources, plus its error handling is now much better, amongst other things.

Speaking of the headline grabbing script, TotalF1.com also passed the 100,000 mark for indexed F1 headlines during 2005.  Its interesting to look back at the TotalF1.com top 50 clicked headlines of all time (http://www.totalf1.com/top-stories.php).  The biggest story of 2005 was “BMW Laud ’05 F1 Design”, followed by “Williams Refuse To Comment On The New BMW/Sauber Deal”.  (Please note, some of the older headlines on this page will no longer work due to changes at the various news sources Web Sites.)

For me personally, 2005 was also a big and busy year.  During the year I turned 35 and after 13 years of working at the same place (holding down various positions), I took the plunge and changed jobs in July, moving into the Health Department as an Internet/Intranet Developer.  I was quite apprehensive about leaving a place that had become like a second home to me, but a change is like a holiday, right?

During 2005 I was also busy doing quite a bit of freelance Web Development, building custom Content Management Systems and Web Sites for various clients.

I also launched a Web Hosting business that I had ‘been meaning’ to do for a few years.  SONICclick.com is the business and it is mainly aimed at the Australian market, although our servers are based in the US.

Its been tough to fit in a full time day job, running TotalF1.com, freelance Web work and starting a Web Hosting business (not to mention a holiday to Singapore and another to Melbourne) into my schedule, but I managed, however, I think my wife truly knows the meaning of an Internet Widow…Hmm, maybe if I get a Notebook I can work in the Family Room…?

So, what’s happing in 2006?

Firstly, after a 4 year absence and due to popular demand, we will be running the official TotalF1.com Pick the Pole and Podium competition (PPP) again, which will be free and open to all registered TotalF1.com members.  I am trying to negotiate some prizes for this, but failing that there will be cash prizes.  Coding is roughly 50% complete and I hope to have it open for members registration by the end of January.

In 2006 we will also expand our network of sites, to include other forms of Motorsport. Most likely MotoGP and Champcar will be added first, but I am open to suggestions on this.

With the growth of the RSS format, we also plan some time during next year to launch customised RSS feeds for members (if there is enough interest), although there is no ETA on this yet.

I think I have waffled on enough, so let me take this opportunity to thank everyone of you for helping make TotalF1.com what it is today and as we look towards 2006 and the new car launches and new season, Jens and I would like to wish you all a safe and Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. If you don’t celebrate Christmas, have a great holiday!

Best Regards
Wes Metcalf
TotalF1.com