Thoughts on the Malaysian F1

March 23, race day at Sepang International Circuit. Temperature: hot. Weather: beautiful and sunny. Excitement level: running on pure anticipation.

I've waited for 2 long months for this day at it has finally arrived. Has it really been 2 months? How time flys. Anyways, 7 of us pile onto the minibus arranged from our hostel. The drive out takes about 1 hr which was surprisingly not too bad (a/c and everything). I have to admit, the excitement i had was more than i could handle. The arrival at Sepang was brilliantly topped off with a huge, beautiful sign, which couldn't have been a more welcome sight.

We hopped onto another bus which ferried us to the entrance of the circuit. From here, the excitement just kept growing and growing. I walked around and looked at a few displays here and there. Popped my head into the racing museum (more for the a/c than anything) and after thoroughly immersing in everything possible, headed off to my seat out in the hill stands area.

This one's for you Joe!

Really? Petronas Girls? I've seen so much better. BOOOO! Hhahahaa!

These guys were really into it

The view from the hill was spectacular! 2 hairpins, 1 long right-hander and partial view of one of the straight-aways. What better seat could i ask for? Pit of course, but i think that's asking a little much.

In front of me

Off to the left

It was a hot day and i sat just outside of the shadows from the trees (so i could have a better view of course). Maybe not the best choice since i did end up getting a little tan, but i had my umbrella with me to provide cover and the shadows moved over me just as the race started so it was all well thought out (positioning data, plug into google earth, 2.7559N, 101.7377E). So i slugged it out for the next 2 hrs in the hot sun under my umbrella with my book, bag, music and 3 really annoying chinese guys. Damn, i really could have punched them in the face by the end of the day. They just couldn't shut up. And because i have a good idea what they're talking about, it makes it even worse! Fine, so you don't know what's happening during the race, so you don't understand what's what, i really don't care about your issues. But there really is no need to talk so freaking loud that everyone else has to hear your dumb ass incompetence. Idiot.

Moving along. The drivers had a nice short parade in some classic cars, blah blah blah. Then, i heard it. The sound of an F1 engine reving up. It was just one car (i dunno who was driving) coming around but the excitement in me had reached a fever pitch! Way on the other side i see it zip through a little hole in the stands. Its getting closer now and I take out my ear plugs for the full experience. Its quites down a little (just a little) and then i see it come around the first hair pin. The car accelerates for a short burst and then suddenly downshifts 3 gears. Flames blowing out the side exhaust pipes and a engine note so loud you can feel a rumble in your chest with each change! Then round the 2nd turn and full throttle is unleashed on us! The machine flies by and runs all the way back up to top gear! For comparison, the safety cars, nice new Benzs, only were able to make one shift under full throttle.

Boring! Lets see the real cars!

Vrooooom!
Here we go!

The sound is completely deafening. It felt like i was being held against the ground by the sound this technological marvel was making. The only thing more exciting, was the warmup and opening laps. Right after this car went by, i heard the thunder start up. Over 10 of these beasts had released their cars from their unwanted slumber over on the other side of the track and were preparing to head around. This was the best part of the race in my opinion. Cars not really racing, but just testing out what they could do. Full throttle, 1/2 throttle, redline, full brake. With all these cars together on the track you could see just how fast they were. There acceleration was only shadowed by their braking ability. You'd think what they did was not possible, at least not until you saw it with your own eyes. And again, the sound, this time multiplied by 10.

The cars returned to their starting positions and we were under way. I couldn't hear a single word from where i was sitting but you knew the cars were on their way. It didn't take long for the entire pack to round the first hairpin i could see. As usual, Ferrari's in front, but that of course didn't matter to me. As they dove into the second hairpin, one by one, the flames shot out and the shockwaves pounded my ears and chest. Watching these cars is really beyond words. The sound and speed is near superhuman.

However, i must say, this will be my one and only F1 race. Maybe if i got another free tix i might be persuaded to go again. But really, F1 racing is so boring. There is no passing. There are no accidents. The cars and drivers are so well trained and refined, that all the racing is won and lots in the pits. Which i cannot see. Nor if i could, would it have enhanced the racing for me. Its just not that fun. And i can completely understand why. It was cool and absolutely amazing, but i still ain't gonna goto another one. F1, you gotta make things more interesting.

5 out of 7 people agree with me, F1 is boring.

-bk