Ahead of the busiest season in the history of Formula One, I would like to take advantage of the current lull to wish everyone a very happy and prosperous New Year, I should also like to give thanks to a few 'special friends'.

Top of the list is my wife, Gillian, without whose help and encouragement Pitpass wouldn't have happened. At the end of 2003, we had a clear cut decision to make - we could either borrow money and rebuild the site from scratch, or call it a day and close down, for the 'old' Pitpass, despite its quality content, was wholly unreliable and very much user unfriendly.

Deep down, I wanted to continue with Pitpass, for I was, and remain, convinced that in time it would begin to pay its way, and hopefully even show a profit. However, the final decision rested with her, and she never hesitated, "go for it," she said. We found the money, and by the start of the 2004 season the 'all new' user friendly, wholly reliable Pitpass was on-line - and judging by the complimentary e-mails, not to mention the dramatic increase in traffic, the changes have been well received.

So thank you Gillian.

Sincere thanks also to Chris Berry and Phil Gunhouse at SysExcel, who built the site, and Ewan Smith (Wangbar) who designed it.

Although Chris & Phil's brief was merely to rebuild Pitpass, they have performed way beyond the call of duty. In addition to continually tweaking the site, forever adding little extras, they have also been on hand whenever I experienced serious computer problems - talking me through various processes, attempting to calm me down and working tirelessly to keep the site going. Readers may not have been aware of these problems - for in many ways Pitpass is like a swan, serene on the surface, but below the waterline those little (unseen) legs are pumping furiously away - that on several occasions this year, I have suffered major computer failures that led to me working on all manner of old and borrowed PCs. Thanks guys. Thanks also to my good friend Cliff Wilsher who also helped out during several moments of crisis.

Next I wish to thank the rest of the Pitpass team, the guys that contribute the features that (hopefully) keep you entertained throughout the year, and get you thinking about various aspects of the sport. Sadly, one or two of our contributors have not been in a position to produce quite as much material in 2004, as in recent years, but hopefully they will be back on-form in the months ahead.

Therefore I wish to thank Mike Lawrence, not merely for his excellent work, but also for his friendship and his support. If it wasn't for his Arsenal delusions, he'd be perfect. Thanks also to Geoff Collins, Thomson Philips, Michael Clark, Rob Margeit, Glen Crompton, Don Capps and Bob Campbell.

Also, a special big thank you to Bob Constanduros, who no matter how busy, or insane, things get during the course of a Grand Prix weekend, will always keep me fully up to speed, and fully informed, especially when it comes to paddock gossip.

Another much valued member of the Pitpass team is John Marsh of Redzone Images. I know that many of you are very impressed with his work, as am I. Like me, John, has faced an uphill struggle over the last couple of years, hopefully we are both turning the corner - I look forward to working with him for many years to come. Only can we have a few less bloody Jenson Button pics in 2005, John?