Bahrain - Ferrari Classics and Grand Prix | FerrariChat
Buy

Bahrain - Ferrari Classics and Grand Prix

Discussion in 'Ferrari Discussion (not model specific)' started by 410SA, Apr 9, 2008.

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.

  1. 410SA

    410SA F1 Veteran

    Nov 2, 2003
    8,511
    West Coast
    Full Name:
    A
    #1 410SA, Apr 9, 2008
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    Bahrain – what an amazing place!

    It was with trepidation that I accepted an invitation to the Bahrain Grand Prix and a request to send two of my cars halfway across the planet to be displayed at the Bahrain Ferrari Classics Festival.

    I had never been to the Middle East and I was unsure of what would await us when we arrived. The invitation came from the most impeccable source, The Crown Prince of Bahrain, Shaik Salman bin Hamad Isa al-Khalifa and that alone was reason enough to accept. I cannot adequately express my gratitude for his hospitality.

    We flew to London from Phoenix and then connected directly to Bahrain, arriving in the evening of April 1. We were met at the door of the plane and whisked through customs to a waiting car and driver who was to be our personal chauffeur for the duration of our stay.

    We arrived at our hotel in the Diplomatic area of Manama, the city center of Bahrain and found a package with our itinerary and invitations to parties almost every day we were to be there. It also contained every conceivable VIP badge for entry to the circuit, but more importantly, to the Sakhir Tower, and the Court of the Crown Prince. The Tower affords the most spectacular views of the circuit and has four floors available to guests where we would eat, lounge and view the race.

    Early the next morning we went to Bahrain International Circuit (BIC) and watched as the 19 cars that had been imported for the Festival were set up in a wonderful purpose built tent. The cars were displayed in chronological order, from a wonderful 166 all the way to Napolis’ amazing P4/5 and including, amongst others, Jas’ F40, my F50 and 275GTB Alloy, Nick Mason’s Comp Daytona and 512 BB LM and two fabulous pontoon fendered TRs.

    The coordinator of this amazing event, Nadia Ammitzbol had a treat in store for us – a guided tour of behind the scenes at a Grand Prix. We saw areas that mere mortals never see – Race Control, the Paddock, the team suites, we stood on the podium and we wandered freely in the media center – unforgettable!

    Thursday was a tourist day and my wife and I saw the Great Mosque and received a very different view of Islam than what is the norm in the west. The people we met everywhere in Bahrain were welcoming, gentle and always smiling. We toured the old market and parts of the old city, the jewelry center and an amazing museum dedicated to the history of the Koran. That night we were in the Paddock for the F1 welcome party and modern Bahrain was on show again.

    Friday brought us back to the circuit and the unmistakable shriek of F1 engines for the practice sessions. The view of the circuit from the tower is almost complete, with only a couple of short sections not visible from the top terrace. The Ferrari Classics tent attracted so many people that there were constant lines to get in.

    Saturday was great with Qualifying and many more people at the circuit, and Saturday night had us at the Gulf Air party with a concert by Simply Red.

    Sunday dawned with great expectations and Ferrari did not disappoint, but the greatest part of the week was still to come.
    On Monday morning our Ferrari Classics group arrived at the tent to start up the cars and move them to the club circuit pits. The club circuit makes use of most of the Grand Prix Track infield, excluding the main straight but containing the esses, one hairpin and several difficult corners. It’s about a mile and half long and is really fun to drive. We fueled up the cars with 103 octane racing fuel and followed the safety car for two orientation laps, after which he peeled off and we had the track to ourselves for a couple of hours. The F50 was in its element and I had a blast. I was drenched in sweat by the time I finally came back in and to say I was ecstatic would be an understatement. We stopped for a wonderful catered lunch and by then some of the Crown Prince’s other guests started arriving at the track – Lewis Hamilton, David Coulthard, Jody Scheckter, Gerhard Berger, Louis Ruf, amongst them. It was really interesting to see Hamilton looking at the Ferraris but he would not get in them because he didn’t want to risk a picture of him in a Ferrari, especially after his performance at the race.

    We left that evening after what is probably the best trip I had ever done anywhere. Bahrain is a model of what the world could be if the politics of fear and hate were eliminated and the Crown Prince is a very vocal proponent of that idea. He deserves our wholehearted support.

    I have attached a bunch of random pictures of everything we did but the experience of being there is literally indescribable.
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
     
  2. crinoid

    crinoid F1 Veteran
    Silver Subscribed

    Apr 2, 2005
    9,955
    Full Name:
    LaCrinoid
    #2 crinoid, Apr 9, 2008
    Wow...great post! Thanks 410SA
     
  3. 134282

    134282 Four Time F1 World Champ
    BANNED

    Aug 3, 2002
    40,647
    California
    Full Name:
    Carbon McCoy
    #3 134282, Apr 9, 2008
    Alex, congratulations...! That must have been an amazing experience. Were you able to hang out with the Prince...? I get the impression that much of the Middle East is packed with car enthusiasts and tifosi in particular. It's a place I've always wanted to visit.

    Congratulations to Jim and Jasbir as well.

    Alex, that black Enzo in the pictures is a US-spec car - did you inquire as to its availability...? :)
     
  4. TifosiUSA

    TifosiUSA F1 Veteran

    Nov 18, 2007
    8,468
    Kansas City, MO
    Full Name:
    DJ
    #4 TifosiUSA, Apr 9, 2008
    Incredible! Thanks for posting.
     
  5. 134282

    134282 Four Time F1 World Champ
    BANNED

    Aug 3, 2002
    40,647
    California
    Full Name:
    Carbon McCoy
    #5 134282, Apr 9, 2008
    Hey, Alex or Jim or Jas - did any of you guys tell the Prince about FerrariChat...? :)
     
  6. MGD416

    MGD416 Formula 3

    Jun 4, 2006
    2,385
    #6 MGD416, Apr 9, 2008
    very cool, from the various pictures I have now seen, looked amazing
     
  7. ferrariKP

    ferrariKP F1 Rookie

    Jul 29, 2004
    3,994
    BKK/ LOS
    Full Name:
    Kenny
    #7 ferrariKP, Apr 9, 2008
    This story is showing what the "VIP" truely means.................

    You guys are so lucky that were CHOSEN to join such an awesome event there!!!

    Great post with nice pictures! Keep posting more pics especially that one of its kind, the P4-5!!

    Thanks a lot for sharing,
     
  8. Under PSI

    Under PSI F1 Rookie

    May 13, 2005
    4,240
    Phoenix
    Full Name:
    Jim
    #8 Under PSI, Apr 9, 2008
    It sounds like an absolutely fantastic experience. Please let me know if you ever need a personal physician to attend events with you.
     
  9. DM18

    DM18 F1 Rookie

    Apr 29, 2005
    4,725
    Hong Kong
    #9 DM18, Apr 9, 2008
    Fantastic. Loved the photos. I went to the inaugural Bahrain event - it was something that just had to be done!
     
  10. Jackmb1

    Jackmb1 F1 Rookie

    Dec 27, 2005
    3,329
    #10 Jackmb1, Apr 9, 2008
    Wow, this sounds like a great exp.
     
  11. ferraridude615

    ferraridude615 F1 Veteran

    May 4, 2006
    5,836
    Texas
    #11 ferraridude615, Apr 9, 2008
    Jeez, look at the view of the track from up there. One of the best seats in the house.
     
  12. 134282

    134282 Four Time F1 World Champ
    BANNED

    Aug 3, 2002
    40,647
    California
    Full Name:
    Carbon McCoy
    #12 134282, Apr 9, 2008
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
  13. Napolis

    Napolis Three Time F1 World Champ
    Honorary Owner

    Oct 23, 2002
    32,118
    Full Name:
    Jim Glickenhaus
    #13 Napolis, Apr 10, 2008
    Ditto, Ditto what Alex and Jas have said!

    NNO

    4 sure he's familiar with FCHAT.
     
  14. PAP 348

    PAP 348 Ten Time F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Dec 10, 2005
    100,220
    Mount Isa, Australia
    Full Name:
    Pap
    #14 PAP 348, Apr 10, 2008
    WHOA!! :):)

    Very cool Alex! You are a lucky son of a gun mate! :):)

    Thankyou kindly for sharing such wonderful pics. Also great to hear you had an experience of a lifetime. :):)

    Thanks again. :):)
     
  15. TexasF355F1

    TexasF355F1 Seven Time F1 World Champ
    Silver Subscribed

    Feb 2, 2004
    72,429
    Cloud-9
    Full Name:
    Jason
    #15 TexasF355F1, Apr 10, 2008
    Great descriptive outline of your once in a lifetime trip. Who knows maybe you'll be invited for than just this once!

    Great pics too! Thanks for sharing.
     
  16. Tarek K.

    Tarek K. F1 World Champ
    Rossa Subscribed

    Sep 7, 2006
    10,798
    Cairo - Egypt
    Full Name:
    Tarek K.
    #16 Tarek K., Apr 10, 2008
    Excellent Alex...........very nice details and pictures.
     
  17. spike308

    spike308 F1 Rookie
    Owner Silver Subscribed

    Nov 8, 2003
    4,714
    Austin TX!
    Full Name:
    Mike Z
    #17 spike308, Apr 10, 2008
    That is so cool!

    I knew there was another reason to own some of the greatest cars in the world.....



    now lets see... each kidney has to be worth 250K....
     
  18. M.James

    M.James F1 Rookie

    Jun 6, 2003
    2,721
    Worcester, MA
    Full Name:
    Michael.C.James
    #18 M.James, Apr 10, 2008
    I'm curious to know....how does one receive an invite to such an event, considering, I'm sure that most of the car owners keep a VERY low profile....?
     
  19. RMDC

    RMDC Formula 3

    May 15, 2005
    1,005
    Boston, North Shore
    #19 RMDC, Apr 10, 2008
    Just a simple thank you for sharing - doubt I would ever get there. Most appreciated.
     

Share This Page