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Published: March 16th 2006
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Despite referring to the drivers as “players” and the race as a “game”, I can now christen myself a race car enthusiast. I guess that’s what happens when you start with the best, right? 😉 Well, it’s also what happens when you go with a psychotic F1 fan. Let’s start at the beginning…
There were no hotels available in Bahrain, so we decided to just go for the day (it’s a 25 minute flight). Our flight was at 8:30 a.m., so the F1 fanatic, Dale, decided we should be at the airport at 6:30 a.m.. Although Dale tried to rationalize his psychosis by telling us that it’s an international flight, I countered with the fact that EVERY flight is an international flight! So, anyway, we had plenty of time to browse duty free and have a coffee before boarding our flight (which took 1/8 of the time we were at the airport!).
The trip to the race track was very smooth, as the wonderful organizers had made arrangements for free shuttles; however, the wonderful organizers also decided it would be a great idea to put Will Call approximately 2 or 3 km from the front gates. As the charter
bus whizzed by the tent I was supposed to pick up my ticket at, I started to think that perhaps this day wasn’t going as smoothly as I had thought. After a lengthy discussion with the crew—Dale (the crazy F1 fan already mentioned), Lindsey (past employee of Edmonton’s Grand Prix), Chris (another TFCNer) and Nicholas (Chris’ brother)—we all decided that it would be completely nonsensical if they didn’t have another ticket pick-up right at the gates. Well, welcome to the Middle East where many things are nonsensical to us Westerners.
After arguing for 10 minutes with a security guy who told me that I just needed to run over to the tent (seriously, I’m not exaggerating, it was at least 2 or 3 km from the main entrance—definitely not a casual jaunt), he finally phoned over to see if 1) we could get a shuttle over there or 2) someone could drop it off. We were denied on both fronts and told that if I walked there, I would be able to get a shuttle back. Logical, huh? There’s a shuttle going from Will Call to the front gate but not from the front gate to Will Call. It
took Dale from that moment until we boarded the plane back to Doha to figure out how illogical that was—so pretty, so pretty. Anywho, the guy I was dealing with was getting a little sick of this Canadian girl spazzing at him, so he decided to stop one of the millions of shuttles passing by to see if they could help. Well, the one car he flagged down turned out to have my ticket—yes, weird.
So, after wasting a good hour, we finally got through the gates. Jacques Villeneuve was just finishing up signing autographs, so, of course, I had to take the blame for missing out on this opportunity. Okay, so no autographs. What to do next? Obviously lounge on some Bedouin pillows and smoke some sheesha! Makes sense, right? Actually, it was fantastic—soaking up the sun, listening to the engines rev up, and enjoying the high life, Middle Eastern style.
After perusing the ridiculously overpriced merch (t-shirts were $75), we made our way to the Gulf Air Club, which we paid $75 to get into. Unfortunately, it was nothing more than a glorified beer gardens with fried foods (that still cost money!) and Foster’s beer (however,
Nothing like race cars and sheesha
It seems like an odd combo, but it's a great way to show the visitors the local culture.
they had you because it was the only place that wasn’t dry). After watching Dale down four beers and Lindsey turn lobster before our eyes, we made our way to the first turn grandstand. As I was told when I bought my ticket, our seats provided the best opportunity to witness crashes—gotta love that that is the draw!
After a 747 fly by (if you’re used to Snowbird fly bys, the Gulf Air 747 fly by looks like someone set the sky on slow motion! It was almost humourous how slowly they passed by), the cars started up and, before Dale could take off the lens cap of his video camera, they zoomed right by us. Two memorable moments: 1) The noise. It is indescribable. As one who is half deaf after attending a multitude of concerts and gigs sans ear plugs, I was in shock at how loud it was. 2) Dale’s goosebumps. For at least 15 minutes after the race started, Dale had goosebumps, he was so excited. Although he was wearing sunglasses, I swear I saw some watery eyes out of my peripheral. The race was actually really exciting. I honestly didn’t expect much, but I
really got into it. Especially when I opened my program and noticed a few little hotties—Mr. Fernando Alonso, the winner, and Jenson Button, fourth place—who obviously needed my cheering support 😉
After the race was over, we had a few hours to kill until our plane departed, so half the camp decided to catch one of the free shuttles to one of the hotels and go for dinner while the other half decided to catch the shuttle to the airport to see if they could hop on an earlier flight. I’m glad I was part of the former group…After waiting for a bit in the shuttle to the Movenpick (a very nice Swiss hotel), me, Dale, Lindsey, and some random man were escorted to our own vehicle, as there weren’t enough people for the shuttle. Now, you have to understand that none of us had been to Bahrain before and, therefore, didn’t have a clue as to which hotels were the closest to the airport. Well, as our driver expertly maneuvered through traffic, we started giggling as we saw that each turn took us closer to the airport. We had managed to pick the hotel right next to the
airport! The latter camp didn’t enjoy the same success. As we were enjoying a drink at the hotel, Lindsey received a text from Chris “Well, our driver doesn’t seem to know where the airport is . On the up side, we get to see a bit more of Bahrain”. It took them almost two hours to get to the airport!
When it was finally time for us to head to the airport after a delicious meal of prawn pizza and bread pudding, I asked the doorman if they had a shuttle to the airport. Watching the two doormen exchange looks, we thought we were exposed as the frauds we were and they would call us on 1) totally not looking like we belong in a five star hotel and/or 2) having zero luggage. However, they went and got the “shuttle” for us—it was a freakin’ Red Arrow type bus…for the three of us! It was hilarious, especially considering Chris and Nicholas’ bad luck.
We finally arrived back in Doha at 11:30 p.m. It was a very long day, but very worth it. Next stop: the Red Bull
Air Race in Abu Dhabi this weekend (www.redbullairrace.com). For those of you who think I'm slacking over here, we'll call these fact finding missions--they're excellent opportunities to check out event look 😉
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Psychotic F1 Fan??
non-member comment
Exaggeration
I wouldn't say I'm "PSYCHOTIC"...might like attending the odd race, sure..but who doesn't. can Liam neeson play me in the movie version of your adventures?? Seriously, it WAS a great day and I'm proud to welcome you to the Enlightned world of F1 Fandom!! Dale PS: I confess....The goosebumps part was true!!!