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pinniped
03-30-04, 11:27 AM
That we get all the way up to the week before the Bahrain GP, and all of the sudden, the drivers and teams are saying they are worried about all of the sand?

Wheel-Nut
03-30-04, 12:00 PM
There is sand in Bahrain? The Bahrain G.P. was a mistake from the start!

cart7
03-30-04, 12:33 PM
Maybe they should delay this thing. I believe I saw on speed news that the track is pleading for a delay so they can finish the track. Apparently some of the frills stuff isn't done.

Fenster
03-30-04, 01:01 PM
They knew better all along. They shouldn't be there. With whatever happens the responsibility is directly in their hands. Let's hope that the sand is their only problem.

--Fenster.

Wheel-Nut
03-30-04, 01:51 PM
What do y'all think of the track layout?

http://www.bahraingp.com.bh/images/circuit.jpg

tomahawk
03-30-04, 02:51 PM
Sandstorms
No Alcohol
Pit Babes in Burkkas
Potential terrorist risk

Yeah - let's have a Grand Prix there :shakehead

:tomahawk

Joe in LA
03-30-04, 03:37 PM
Hey, c'mon--how many of us have longed for the days of cars sliding around the circuit tail out or in a nice four wheel drift? Sand should lead to some interesting car control demonstrations. :)

The main concern I have is that there will be a bunch of engine failures/overheating problems due to sand in the engine or blocking the radiators.

As to the shape--it kind of looks like a two hump camel, but one humpers are native.

racer2c
03-30-04, 03:49 PM
Reminds me of the old Spain track.

TrueBrit
03-30-04, 04:02 PM
Or the old Rio de Janiero circuit....

Ah yes, the rich tradition of the Grand Prix of Bahrain...who needs Spa when you have the gut-checking infield section, or the plethora of 2nd gear hairpins?..I mean really, who needs Eau Rouge when you've got the truest test of drivers skill, the Sheik Abdul-El Rahbim Turn or the Hezbollah Chicane complex.... :D :shakehead

What a joke...

Thanks Bernie..thanks alot.... :thumdown:

Wheel-Nut
03-30-04, 04:15 PM
Turn 1 look like a real car eater!

Dirty Sanchez
03-30-04, 04:26 PM
I'll be just as excited for this one as any other race on the F1 calendar (except the ones I'll be attending, ofcourse ;) ). Not sure how anyone can comment on the circuit without seeing what kind of racing it provides... more thorough response coming 04-04-04 :gomer:

Bring on the sand. :thumbup:

Ziggy
03-30-04, 04:45 PM
When did Tony put in the Sakhir tower at Indianapolis????
:thumdown:

Ziggy

JoeBob
03-30-04, 05:23 PM
Two questions:
Is it me or does the "Last Turn Grandstand" sound uh... wrong?
What exactly goes on in the "Bahrain Experience"?

Lizzerd
03-30-04, 05:51 PM
Put some stands in the GA sections in the back part of the track and looks like you can see just about all the track except for the front straight. More likely you'll be sitting on a sand dune there, though.

And there's an oval in the infield? Can you say "future Tony car race"?

oddlycalm
03-30-04, 06:37 PM
As long as cigarette advertising restrictions are the litmus test used, I'm sure we will see GP's in all manner of surprising locations. We've already seen a casino parking lot circuit simply because the money was right, why not a kart track in Mongolia...?

The circuit looks like it was designed either by a pimp on acid or TG, not that there's any real difference.

BTW, for those of you that know your quadrupeds, camels have but a single hump, but what about the Dromadery?

oc

RichK
03-30-04, 06:52 PM
And there's an oval in the infield?

That's just a test track for Bahrain's burgeoning auto-industry. :)

RTKar
03-30-04, 07:10 PM
Sandstorms
No Alcohol
Pit Babes in Burkkas
Potential terrorist risk

Yeah - let's have a Grand Prix there :shakehead

:tomahawk

Yeah...who's calling the shots?......tg?..... :shakehead

Robstar
03-30-04, 07:23 PM
Hey it's OK !
Apparently they're going to 'glue' the sand down... :rolleyes:

Linky (http://www.optusnet.com.au/sport/motorsport/news/story/abc/20040330/06/sport/1076638.inp)

Bearing in mind that it's April Fool's Day tomorrow... ;)

jonovision_man
03-30-04, 08:21 PM
Hey it's OK !
Apparently they're going to 'glue' the sand down... :rolleyes:

Leguna Seca? :rolleyes:

Much ado about nothing... it could be a pretty neat event, in an exotic location.

jono

pinniped
03-30-04, 09:21 PM
somehow I think sand might be more of a problem in, oh say, BAHRAIN, than in Laguna Seca...but that's just me...

RichK
03-30-04, 09:35 PM
I'd be interested to know if anyone here knows anyone actually going to the race.

racer2c
03-30-04, 09:39 PM
BTW, for those of you that know your quadrupeds, camels have but a single hump, but what about the Dromadery?

oc

We all know Dromadery's have six humps. Duh!

jonovision_man
03-30-04, 09:46 PM
somehow I think sand might be more of a problem in, oh say, BAHRAIN, than in Laguna Seca...but that's just me...

How about Zandvoort, then? It's not like sand is a complete unknown. It's a good chance for some old-fashion ingenuity. Someone'll wrap their sidepods in a hepa filter and win the race, wait for it.

I'm looking forward to it, should be interesting.

jono

pinniped
03-30-04, 10:03 PM
Yes, it should...a few extra engine failures would be my guest...I wonder how they will do the "pit babes in burkhas" though :rofl:

Railbird
03-30-04, 10:10 PM
The organizers in Bahrain got the job done where others failed.

Herman Tilke (http://emagazine.credit-suisse.com/article/index.cfm?fuseaction=OpenArticle&aoid=46257&lang=en) designed this circuit along with Malaysia and Shanghai



I will be watching

Robstar
03-30-04, 10:11 PM
a few extra engine failures

Hopefully those red cars so I can start moving up that bloody SnowChicken game... :)

Anteater
03-31-04, 01:04 PM
BTW, for those of you that know your quadrupeds, camels have but a single hump, but what about the Dromadery?

oc

Oh, boy--an invitation to share all that I know about camels! :D

There are two kinds: the Bactrian (the two-humped one), from Chinese Turkestan and Mongolia, and the Arabian camel (one hump), also called a dromedary. Dromedaries are commonly raced in the Gulf--a friend of mine once watched a camel race during her unhappy stay in Saudi Arabia. Her husband had to disguise her as a boy in order to get her into the race--women could not attend.

I have ridden a camel, and know exactly why they're called "ships of the desert"!

IMHO, Bahrain is a great place for a dromedary race, but for F1, not so great.

Ankf00
03-31-04, 01:10 PM
The organizers in Bahrain got the job done where others failed.

Herman Tilke (http://emagazine.credit-suisse.com/article/index.cfm?fuseaction=OpenArticle&aoid=46257&lang=en) designed this circuit along with Malaysia and Shanghai



I will be watching


exactly why the track sucks balls, b/c it's a Tilke-fest, he's created every crapfest and ruined every decent track in europe (sepang's his one accomplishment imo)

Tilke: "if it's not a chicane, it's crrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrap" (disclaimer: not a real quote.)

They did take care of their end of the bargain and are bringing in $ which is the point, but Tilke still sucks :p

Dirty Sanchez
03-31-04, 01:16 PM
exactly why the track sucks balls, b/c it's a Tilke-fest, he's created every crapfest and ruined every decent track in europe

Tilke: "if it's not a chicane, it's crrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrap" (disclaimer: not a real quote.)Not sure how you come to that conclusion. Sepang happens to be just about the most amazing racing facility on the planet... Safe. Wide. Multiple opportunities to overtake. Good mixture of corners. The garages, press facilities and grandstands are also second to none.

Of the two new circuits, I must confess that the Shanghai circuit looks like the more interesting one... but there's nothing on the Bahrain circuit map that suggests to me that they can't stage a great, competitive event there too.

Dirty Sanchez
03-31-04, 02:22 PM
First footers impressed with Bahrain facility.
Wed 31 Mar, 1:29 PM

The advanced parties sent by the various Formula One teams to set up their pits and equipment in preparation for the Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix have reported favourably on what they have found at the Sakhir venue.

As the engineers and technicians busied themselves in readiness for the race, there was an overwhelming air of enthusiasm - both for the new Bahrain International Circuit and the kingdom of Bahrain itself.

"We are all very impressed with our first sight of the new circuit," enthused Sauber Petronas team manager Walter Totschnig, "The facilities are fantastic, and the people of Bahrain very friendly. The circuit is the new dimension of Formula One!"

Sauber, one of the first teams to arrive in Manama, is no stranger to the kingdom, having been the first team to run a car in the Gulf during the 'F1 Fever' event on the King Faisal Highway earlier in the year.

Further up the pit-lane, garage number one is reserved for world champions Ferrari, where logistics manager Miodrag Kotur was equally taken by the facilities provided.

"First of all, the weather is different - it is not as hot as we expected," he noted, "But what has really hit us is how fast everything has developed. The track was nowhere near ready when I was here last - now it is fantastic. It has been said that Bahrain wanted to have the best and most beautiful track. Now when I see it, it is the best."

At Jordan, chief mechanic Andy Stevenson was preparing the cars that will carry the Bahrain-sponsored 'Message of Humanitarianism' during this weekend's grand prix.

"The track is absolutely fantastic," he agreed, "Everything that they have achieved here, when compared to other circuits in the world, is brilliant. People are so friendly and professional too - we have been given all the help we need. The working conditions are really great - and the main grandstand is a sight to see!"

Jordan driver Giorgio Pantano, on hand to get acclimatised to the conditions in Bahrain, reckoned that the race would be an interesting one for everyone - veterans and rookies alike.

"The first turn is a very difficult one, and it will interesting to see how all the cars get round on the first lap," the Italian newcomer surmised, "But the circuit is beautiful, and the people in Bahrain are so friendly."

pinniped
03-31-04, 02:23 PM
The more I read about this race the more skeptical I become about it...but we shall see soon enough, tomorrow in fact! I hope its a good one, wouldn't want to lose a race called Spa for a sandblown race of attrition sans pit babes...

Anteater
03-31-04, 02:34 PM
This is really going to be a different type of Grand Prix as far as the traditions that we’re used to. No scantily-clad grid girls or supermodels in tops cut down to there. Although women enjoy greater rights in Bahrain than they do in other countries (they generally don’t wear the burka there, but do cover heads and limbs), I would be surprised to see women playing any role in race festivities. Instead of champagne, there’s going to be a special drink called “Warrd”, which has been specially formulated for the Bahrain Grand Prix podium.

"Warrd" is a unique blend of locally grown fruit - pomegranate and trinj mixed with rosewater, to produce a stunning juice with the taste and aroma of the island. The carbonated drink Warrd was revealed to expectant members of the regional and international media who were visiting the circuit on Wednesday 31st March.” (f1.racing-live.com).

I had to look up “trinj”on the Net; it’s a variety of orange. FYI, “Warrd” is Arabic for “rose”.

Not knowing much about Bahrain, I decided to research it on the Net too, and found some interesting info at
http://www.mideasttravelling.net/bahrain/bahrain/bahrain_culture.htm
http://www.lonelyplanet.com/destinations/middle_east/bahrain/printable.htm

Hope all goes well! I'm actually looking forward to the race now.

pinniped
03-31-04, 02:59 PM
Damn! YOU'RE full of information there Anteater!

Ankf00
03-31-04, 03:15 PM
Not sure how you come to that conclusion. Sepang happens to be just about the most amazing racing facility on the planet... Safe. Wide. Multiple opportunities to overtake. Good mixture of corners. The garages, press facilities and grandstands are also second to none.

Of the two new circuits, I must confess that the Shanghai circuit looks like the more interesting one... but there's nothing on the Bahrain circuit map that suggests to me that they can't stage a great, competitive event there too.
I was editing while you were posting :D

pinniped
03-31-04, 03:53 PM
IIRC there was a grand prix in the middle east many decades ago and the sand was quite a problem...I am thinking that was in the 30s...anyone?

Rob
03-31-04, 04:07 PM
IIRC there was a grand prix in the middle east many decades ago and the sand was quite a problem...I am thinking that was in the 30s...anyone?
That was the Tripoli GP on the ultra-fast Mellaha track. They also raced on a track in Tunisia, but I don't know whether or not that place was near sand.

TrueBrit
03-31-04, 06:05 PM
..and don't forget no champagne...... :shakehead

Stupid Bernie.... :thumdown:

mapguy
03-31-04, 06:24 PM
Someone'll wrap their sidepods in a hepa filter and win the race, wait for it.




That'll make matters worse. It'll only speed up the engine's demise.

tx-racefan
03-31-04, 06:34 PM
IIRC there was a grand prix in the middle east many decades ago and the sand was quite a problem

Shouldn't be a problem. I heard that the grains in Bahrain fall mainly on the chicane.

Lizzerd
03-31-04, 11:19 PM
Shouldn't be a problem. I heard that the grains in Bahrain fall mainly on the chicane.


:saywhat:

Cam
03-31-04, 11:52 PM
Shouldn't be a problem. I heard that the grains in Bahrain fall mainly on the chicane.
:laugh: :laugh: :saywhat:

Robstar
04-01-04, 12:07 AM
Shouldn't be a problem. I heard that the grains in Bahrain fall mainly on the chicane.

:rofl: :saywhat: :rofl:

JohnHKart
04-01-04, 08:01 AM
They knew better all along. They shouldn't be there. With whatever happens the responsibility is directly in their hands. Let's hope that the sand is their only problem.

--Fenster.

My thoughts exactly....although with trains blowing up way up in Europe in Spain, anything can happen anywhere now. Still, putting on a GP in the heart of the middle east smacks to me of sheer greed and stupidity.

John

Ankf00
04-01-04, 11:04 AM
My thoughts exactly....although with trains blowing up way up in Europe in Spain, anything can happen anywhere now. Still, putting on a GP in the heart of the middle east smacks to me of sheer greed and stupidity.

John

sheer stupidity is what Herman Tilke did to A1-Ring and Hockenheim, GP in Bahrain is just brainfade :)

Dirty Sanchez
04-01-04, 12:55 PM
Drivers have their say :cool:

The new Sakhir circuit, which will host Sunday's Bahrain Grand Prix, has too many slow corners, according to some Formula One drivers.

Bahrain has created an oasis in the middle of the desert, spending over $150 million into the state-of-the-art Sakhir circuit. Even before turning a wheel at the track, Italian driver Jarno Trulli said he was disappointed with the circuit ahead of this weekend's first ever Middle East race.

"For a driver, a new track is always exciting. However, I admit that I'm a bit disappointed: it could have been better," Trulli told Gazzetta dello Sport. "There are too many slow, first gear curves. You don't need guts to drive here. Honestly, I expected something more technical.

"They have created an exceptional, ultramodern venue, but with all the space at their disposal they could have done better. Instead they created a track that I'd define slow, where we'll probably use Montreal-like aerodynamic loads: it's true that there are very long straights, but at the end of those there's a tight corner that will require heavy braking.

"So, we'll either have the gas fully open, or we'll be almost still. There are at least three first gear curves, and I fear four. Too many. It's a shame."

McLaren's David Coulthard said he liked the track overall, but, like Trulli, the Scot believes there are too many slow corners.

"There's less dust than I expected, and that's a good thing, and more tight curves than I thought and a longer straight compared to other circuits," said Coulthard. "It's a positive sensation, and I like the track overall, even if there are things that I wouldn't have done.

"There are at least four first gear or second gear turns, which I think are too many. If it was me designing the track, I would have had slow turns alternating fast, spectacular curves, where the driver's foot is important."

Renault driver Fernando Alonso also agreed.

"I'm impressed by what they've built in the middle of nowhere," he said. "I like it, even though there are too many slow corners, which however should guarantee a chance of passing."

Jordan driver Giorgio Pantano, making his Grand Prix debut this season, said the track seemed too easy.

"It's a nice track, but certainly not hard, since it's all about heavy braking, tight hairpins and curves slightly over 90 degrees," said Pantano. "From what I saw in the drawings I thought it would have been harder."

oddlycalm
04-01-04, 01:29 PM
"So, we'll either have the gas fully open, or we'll be almost still. There are at least three first gear curves, and I fear four. Too many. It's a shame."

In other words, it's pretty much like Indy. :shakehead

Must be a rule that only people with a lot of money and no clue can build new GP tracks. Why spend $150 million on a layout like this? I guess it's par for the course these days, after all that idiot TG spent $75 million on a mickey mouse layout and that silly pagoda. This could have been laid out in a parking lot if someone had a big enough one.... :thumdown:

oc

Ankf00
04-01-04, 03:53 PM
In other words, it's pretty much like Indy. :shakehead

Must be a rule that only people with a lot of money and no clue can build new GP tracks. Why spend $150 million on a layout like this? I guess it's par for the course these days, after all that idiot TG spent $75 million on a mickey mouse layout and that silly pagoda. This could have been laid out in a parking lot if someone had a big enough one.... :thumdown:

oc

Tilke's calling card, nuff said.

RichK
04-01-04, 03:57 PM

Dirty Sanchez
04-01-04, 04:00 PM
I'm not sure why circuits have to make the driver's "oooh" and "aaah" in order to be considered good. :confused: But then again I also think a driverless series might be just as exciting (similar to what Steve Matchett has suggested on occasion).

The Indy F1 circuit, while a pretty ho-hum driver's track, is a helluva technical challenge for the engineers and has consistently been one of the better races of the season.

Hard Driver
04-02-04, 02:28 AM
http://f1.racing-live.com/photos/imgactu/04/track-sakhir_010404_220x140.jpg

So, Do they have sand traps in the runoff areas? :confused: