Whose GREAT idea was it to hold a Formula 1 race in Bahrain?

http://www.formula1.com/race/news/1366/716.html

Special drink created for Bahrain podium

Another first for this Sunday's race in the Middle East

The winner of this weekend’s inaugural Grand Prix of Bahrain will celebrate on the victory podium not with traditional champagne, but with a non-alcoholic drink produced especially for the occasion.
Out of respect for the culture and traditions of the Kingdom of Bahrain and the Arabic world, the first three drivers in the Grand Prix will mark their success with Warrd, a unique blend of locally grown fruit - pomegranate and trinj - mixed with rosewater.

The carbonated drink was revealed to expectant members of the media who were visiting the circuit on Wednesday. Speaking at the tasting, HE Shaikh Fawaz bin Mohammed Al Khalifa, Chairman of the Bahrain International Circuit said, "The winner's celebration after the Grand Prix is synonymous with the sport of Formula One. Here in Bahrain we want to keep the traditional ceremony for the winner but to do it with a non-alcoholic beverage that is in keeping with our culture and traditions.

:puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke:

and there aren't a lot of shipping requirements.

It's like golf or horseracing in Dubai, the local sutlans spend so much cash on prizes that the best go there and make sick money. You think Tiger Woods flies to Dubai for fun, or the 4 million dollar prize?

Just wait for the beer & champagne lobby to get into gear...

To be honest: I've always found that the shower is a total waste of perfectly good Champagne - with this stuff they can bath in it, as far as I'm concerned.
Ahh, not to forgot: another possible Schumacher merchandise article - probably looks cool next to the Schuhmacher sugar cubes. :grr:



(I can't stand this tax dodger.)

the cars can stay on the track because of the sand-not sure if the engines will be able to run the race because of the sand. the government is not sure if the glue they`ll spray will stick to the sand. good idea to hold the race there...

Yep. That's a lot of sand alright.

Because according to him it's dangerous for F1 to be dependent on the European races. He was quoted as saying that Europe is going to be "3rd world" in the next ten years.
:eyes:

They're spraying glue on the sand around the track to try and stop it from blowing onto the track. That alone should tell you what bad idea having a race there is. Unfortunately the driving force behind this is tobacco $$$ Bernie & co. need to find a way to get the money they need without the cigarette money.

Still I hope its a good race.