As he lifted the nose to accelerate away, the massive downwash hit the pits, sending awnings, tables, bottles of wine, advertising leaflets, guest's hairstyles and hats cartwheeling around in the blast. Mechanics were hanging on to poles, gazebos were collapsing and general chaos ensued. Within moments he had lifted and calm returned but he didn't as he returned to base. The GP managed to start on time, but the confusion behind the scenes took a while to sort out.
I was working at one of the Grand Prix where the Harrier performed, possibly 1980 (1983 was Silverstone) - the carnage was spectacular and I seem to remember the organizers were walking round writing cheques to cover the damage. It was particularly the tents etc at the top of South Bank that suffered