Never Ending Thrills in Bahrain

Over the dessert, the sun was setting and it was beautiful.  But, that was not the thrill for the night. . .

Excitement was in the air.  The sense of competition hung heavy over the crowd. Oh, What FUN!!  Last night we experienced the Bahrain International Circuit Motorway in a way I would never have imagined.

16 members of the Jacobs Zate team became RACE CAR DRIVERS for the night! 

This was not just any race; it was on a race on the Bahrain International Circuit (BIC) premier tracks.

The BIC’s annual Grand Prix is renowned as one of the most friendly, atmospheric and exciting events of the Formula One racing season.

On April 4, 2004, Michael Schumacher’s Ferrari was first to the chequered flag to win the Bahrain Grand Prix, the first FIA Formula One World Championship event held in the Middle East.

Formula One Track

Very unique atmosphere.

Overhead view.

The BIC’s success has brought other international race series flooding into Bahrain: international Formula 3, GP2, GP2 Asia, the FIA GT Championship, the BMW World Final, the V8 Supercars Australia have all raced at BIC, and in 2012, the FIA World Endurance Championship was added to the calendar.

VIVA Karting Track, BIC’s all-new state-of-the-art karting facility built to standards of the Commission Internationale de Karting (CIK), helps unearth young local talent; and its on-site technicians provide vital racing expertise.

This premier Karting Track is where our competition was held last night.

In typical Jacob’s fashion the evening started with an in-depth safety briefing and everyone suited up in safety coveralls.  Helmets were secured and a 10-minute “seating” race began. 

Doug zipping up for safety.

Helmets at ready for the racers.

One member of the team (not to be mentioned by name) spent the previous weekend testing the course. I am sure that gave him a significant advantage, but it was all for fun, right? 

Wrong! 
These competition infused men were all out to win. They owned the course. They wanted victory!

Getting all the gear in place.

The team is ready.

Getting into the cars.

It was an excitement filled evening at the races in the middle of the dessert.

Here's a video of the first turn during the first race.

This video shows a spin out close to the end of the second race. The race may be contested because of this encounter . . . 

Winners of race ONE.

Winners of race TWO - the BIG RACE. 

After the victor was crowned, some of us retired to our flat for beer and Papa John’s pizza. 

..Ah, a taste of home!

Cheers,
Brenda