Racing Line: "Sand and Deliver"

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  • Beteiligte Poster: Lars - KRazyJess
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  • Forum gestartet am: Freitag 06.08.2004
  • Sprache: englisch
  • Link zum Originaltopic: Racing Line: "Sand and Deliver"
  • Letzte Antwort: vor 19 Jahren, 5 Monaten, 6 Tagen, 4 Stunden, 45 Minuten
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    Re: Racing Line: "Sand and Deliver"

    Lars - 18.10.2004, 09:56

    Racing Line: "Sand and Deliver"
    Here's an article from the McLaren magazine "Racing Line":

    SAND AND DELIVER

    Copyright: Racing Line by McLaren

    The 2004 Bahrain Grand Prix is Formula 1’s first in the Middle East, prompting a flurry of interest in the sport in this region. Kimi Räikkönen visited nearby Dubai to experience a little of the culture for himself. Racing Line went along with him.

    Deserts are, as the name implies, sparsely populated: desolate landscapes inhapited largely by the occasional sideways-sliding snake or two. In short, not the place you expect to find a Formula 1 driver. Kimi Räikkönen, however, as the first Team McLaren Mercedes driver to visit the United Arab Emirates in an official capacity, is here in Dubai – city of swaying palms, plumb-straight highways, neon lights and, of course, desert – to bring a little bit of Formula 1 to the region.

    The sumptuous lobby of an uptown prestigious hotel is Racing Line’s first port of call. Kimi has already arrived and is chatting with specially invited Middle Eastern VIPs in an annexe of the period-style building. Carafes full of apple and orange juice await the thirsty, and Kimi is all smiles as he answers the various posers put to him by the guests. The purpose of this event is for Kimi to be introduced to key Mercedes-Benz clients from the Dubai region – an area where the tree-pointed star enjoys immense prestige. He is also here to chat about Formula 1 to the select media who have been invited. Then, in an adjoining room, Kimi sits himself down and sips a glass of iced water as he gives the first of several interviews. Questions range from the mundane to the bizarre, but they are all dealt with easily and with humour.

    Outsite, just past the window, the Gulf Sea washes onto the white beach and palm trees sway gracefully in silent acknoledgement.

    As the allotted time that Kimi is to spend here comes to an end, word goes around that Mohammed bin Sulayem has arrived. As well as being a vastly experienced internationial rally driver, Bin Sulayem has won the Middle East Rally Championship no fewer than 14 times, making him something of an expert when it comes to piloting a vehicle through arid landscapes; one great driver will be meeting another. The convoy – headed by Kimi and Bin Sulayem – drives off onto the bright and busy Dubai motorway system. Racing Line follows behind, trying hard to make its less-than-rocketship-rapid hire car keep up with the fleet of powerful motors disappearing into the distance.

    The Dubai Autodrome is our destination. Though it has yet to be completed, the facility still impresses, rising and falling through the sparse surroundings with a natural, undulating grace that will surely make for exciting racing and spectating come completon time. For today, though, a one-kilometre loop has been prepared to allow running, albeit of a truncated nature.

    A large white tent has been erected trackside and the wind, which is growing stronger as it rolls down off the desert ridge above, batters the tarpaulin into something like submission, making a pup-pupping noise as ist does so. Kimi and his entrourage enter the tent for an informal question and answer session during which a microphone is passed around the audience for anyone wishing to ask something. Learning new circuits, qualifying, rule changes, Michelin tyres, the winter break and even the McLaren Technology Centre are among the subjects broached.

    Kimi, sitting relaxed, holding his mike lightly in his right hand, answers each enquiry deftly. Then it’s time for the real action to begin.

    Bin Sulayem has brought along a car from his own collection. It is a testament to the sportscar designer’s art: the Mercedes-Benz CLK GTR AMG, one of only 25 such machines ever built. It sits, becalmed, on a bare stretch of asphalt, disturbed only by those who come close to peer into its windows while shielding their eyes from the high and hot sun. Bin Sulayem approaches the vehicle and motions for Kimi to join him. Each opens a tiny dihedral door and steps over the high sill to settle himself in the spartan, racer’s cockpit. The doors come down and the two men sit inside, discussing their environment, before a rasp of the engine cuts through the chatter of the 30-or-so people waiting around the car. Almost instinctively, the people step back as the silver machine bursts into ife and pootles through a semi-circle before taking to the track. Because the circuit is unfinished, there are no off-track elements in place to allow for safe and fast running, so today will be a time for fun, a time for Bin Sulayem to give Kimi an idea of the power and handling of the awesome GTR, and perhaps to let Kimi have a go behind the wheel himself. Surrounding the track on all sides are the paraphernalia of construction and the workers down their tools to squint at the silver-suited blond Formula 1 star who has temporalily stolen their views.

    After beeing ferried around the loop a couple of times by the quicksilverrapip Bin Sulayem, Kimi emerges from the passenger seat to take the wheel, and the throbbing silver beast – sunlight glinting from its sculpted flanks, takes to the track once more. The running is controlled, with occasional bursts of pace hinting at the latent power available to Kimi’s right foot. All too soon, it seems, the car pulls back into the temporary paddock area and Kimi and Bin Sulayem emerge, smiles as wide as the horizon, conversing through moving hands and wide-eyed grins.

    The next driving activity involves a large, black Mercedes-Benz S55 AMG, less sporty thand the GTR, perhaps, but nonetheless a powerful car in its own right. Kimi will now become one of the world’s fastest chauffeurs as a select few are invited to enjoy the thrill of a passenger ride around the loop. Kimi is clearly in his element, smiling as he lazily circles the wheel to take the car onto the track. In a flurry of dense white tyre smoke, he is away, and soon disappears over the first crest. When he reappers, at what seems a crazye speed, he has the final corner to negotiate and he gets the big car around it in one glorious powerslide. It looks as if he can’t possibly keep the car from spinning out of its lurid attitude, but he does, time after time, as highpitched tyre squeals pierce the air.

    Each seat of passengers gets at least a two-lap run, and each leaves the car with a mixture of pleasure and horror etched across their faces. Kimi has clearly mad an impression.

    When all the rides have been completed, Kimi exits the car and makes immediately for the front tyres. He touches them, in order to feel the warmth he has generated, and smells his hand, turning up his nose in comic fashion at the smell of charred rubber that he has engendered. There is just time for some group photographs before the convoy has to head off yet again.

    The next mode of transport for Kimi and bin Sulayem is a Mercedes-Benz G55 off-roader, a sturdy, box-like creation finished in silver, naturally. Racing Line climbs aboard as Bin Sulayem settles himself at the wheel, Kimi alongside. We head along a stretch of arrow-straight highway for a few minutes and then, without warning, turn off to the right and are immediately transported a thousand years back in time to a place where there are no shining lights, no opulent hotels and, most pertinently, no roads. The sand rises and falls like an ocean, with wave-like ripples adding to the illusion. Bin Sulayem has already removed some pressure from the G55’s tyres, the better to cope with the drifting surface. The dunes are deserted, save for occasional clumps of sapless local flora. Bin Sulayem tackles the scarily vertical dunes with aplomb bordering on follhardiness, until you realise that he has been piloting in these environs for the best part of 30 years and is more than capable of frightening anyone not used to the pitching and rolling that the uneven sand imposes on the vehicle.

    We pause for a brief while to allow Bin Sulayem and Kimi the chance to discuss the very special techniques demanded by this sort of driving. Then Kimi takes the wheel and drives back and forth over the dunes. He is clearly apprehensive but with instruction from Bin Sulayem, who is seated alongside, he soon gives rein to his natural driving talents, positioning the G55 in any number of seemingly impossible angular trajectories.

    Our time in the desert is over too soon and it is time to take to the road for the next engagement. Kimi and Bin Sulayem say their goodbyes, shaking one another warmly by the hand. Racing Line heads off into the shimmering heat haze ahead.

    The final event of the day is to be held at a karting track on the outskirts of Dubai, its yellow and blue kerbs standing in start relief to the natural, muted hues that surround it. The purpose of the event is to launch the new TAG Heuer Formula 1 sports watch – of which Kimi is the official ambassador – to the region. Beside the pit-straight a black tent shields the guests, who consist of major TAG Heuer retailers from the area, from the unforgiving sun as wave after wave of Kimi-wannabes hustle around the track. Kimi has alreadyset a benchmark time for the protagonists to measure themselves against, and there are several rapid drivers on show – but how rapid, only time will tell.

    Word travels around that Kimi is about to arrive and an audible murmur of anticipation skates around the guests. Without further warning, the familiar blond hair appears and the guests do not need to be told to applaud with gusto. The activities centre on the racetrack, where are a number of local hopefuls are competing in heats to determine which 10 will take their places in the grand final. As if there weren’t sufficient incentive already, Kimi himself will present a TAG Heuer Formula 1 watch to the winner.

    As he heats progress, it’s clear that here are numerous talented pilots on show as they manhandle their karts around the sinewy and technical circuit. Kimi is mingling with the guests, some of whom have their picture taken with him for posterity. Others stand back, snapping away to create their own, instant memories.

    As the on-track action draws to a close after a tense and rapid final, the guests make their way to the podium, where the top three drivers are announced in reverse order. Kimi plays the role of dignitary to perfection, giving each of the drivers a smile and a firm handshake before posing for the obligatory podium pictures. But he is not quite finished yet.

    A special 125 cc competition-spec kart has been prepared in order for Kimi to show those watching how it should be done, and he does not disappoint. With the track to himself, he is free to give rein to his expression behind the wheel, and hustles the kart around as if it were a mere plaything – which to him, of course, it is. It is on occasions such as this that one can get a fair impression of the Formula 1 driver’s art and wonder at his seeming ability to make whatever he is driving go faster than anyone else’s. In short, he is quick, and visibly so.

    After signing some more autographs for the ever-eager guests, most of whom are seeing a grand prix star in the flesh for the very first time, Kimi says his goodbyes and leaves. As people finished their drinks and start to think about heading home themselves, he is already gone, powering along the highway and leaving a trail of white sand in his wake.



    Re: Racing Line: "Sand and Deliver"

    KRazyJess - 19.10.2004, 18:12


    Hey Lars! THNX SO MUCH FOR THE ARTICLE!!! It's awesome you've kept your promise!!! :wink: I feel so bad I haven't been able to keep mine! :cry: This year I have a very hard year with lots of exams a lots of work!!! I don't think I'll be bale to give you those articles until winter holiday! :oops: I just barely have time to breathe!!!

    I'm sry! I hope u understand! And I love your site, even though there's not much people on the forum! They don't know what they're missing!

    Oh and thnx for the GQ pics too! You're amazing! Bye bye!!!



    Re: Racing Line: "Sand and Deliver"

    Lars - 20.10.2004, 06:47


    Hey KRazyJess! Thanks for your replay. It is really no problem with your articles. I understand you and wish you good luck with your exams. This work is more important than to give me an article because your exams are important for your future. I am happy that you visit my forum all the time. I will add the pictures of this article soon and some other will follow later.

    Bye
    Lars



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