Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 2009 (lots of pics inside)

Whitford · 11-03-2009, 08:36 AM

Just got back from the Formula 1 Grand Prix in Abu Dhabi and it was an incredible experience to say the least. I can definitely say that I have never seen so much money in my life. The combination of the hotel (which is built within the track), the track itself, the still under construction indoor Ferrari themed park, the Formula 1 cars, etc. was just staggering. Also, this entire area where this took place was a barren desert one and a half years ago.

Onto the pics:

Pulling up to the hotel.

View directly to the left of the circular driveway in front of the hotel. The buildings in the background are part of the villas where the race crews stay. The marina wraps around the entire hotel.

A Lamborghini Reventón was parked outside when we arrived.

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Whitford · 11-03-2009, 08:36 AM

The hotel lobby.

We had Arabic for dinner. The food in the hotel was great. There was an Arabic, Italian, Chinese, Japanese, Indian and American restaurant all in the lobby. We didn't even have time to try them all.

My room.

A white chocolate race car that was waiting in my room for me.

Views from my window.

Went to check out the rooftop bar that night.

Whitford · 11-03-2009, 08:36 AM

The next morning we woke up very early to go eat breakfast outside on one of the patios.

View from where we sat.

Shortly after the first race practice session began - 'Chevrolet Supercars' (Holdens, really). Ironically, my girlfriend's cousin went on to win this race.

After we ate we took a very short ferry ride over to the race paddock to check out the upcoming races. This was a yacht that made all the others in the marina (which already were the most amazing boats I had ever seen) look like amateur hour.

Whitford · 11-03-2009, 08:36 AM

This was the paddock club lounge that was above the pits, overlooking the front straight on one side and the marina and hotel on the other.

GP2 cars getting ready for practice.

The hotel - basically a giant dick and balls. If you don't believe me, look at Google Earth.

Some nifty games.

Whitford · 11-03-2009, 08:36 AM

GP2 cars.

A great pit lane exit.

Whoops.

After the GP2 cars there was a Porsche practice and qualifying (factory prepped GT3's) but I didn't get any pics. After, we moved on to the northern grand stands where we were told that we would have a view of 65% of the track.

F1 qualifying.

Whitford · 11-03-2009, 08:37 AM

This was F1's first day/night race. Made for some spectacular viewing.

After the qualifying we went back to the hotel.

Saw an SL65 AMG Black Series on the way.

I wish I had snapped more pics of some of the cars we saw. The Panamera is definitely the new 'in' car there - we must have seen about a dozen at least. I also saw a Camaro police car and a GTR police car.

Whitford · 11-03-2009, 08:37 AM

Almost forgot.. In the distance is 'Ferrari World', an indoor theme park that is still under construction. Once complete it will house 22 roller coasters and a shopping mall. This picture really can't convey how massive this thing was. Think the ships in Independence Day.

The next morning, the Reventón had returned.

Bonzo · 11-03-2009, 08:39 AM

can we post replies yet?

saint_foo · 11-03-2009, 08:39 AM

You went?! I'm jealous! That looked really nice (can't see your pics at work, basing on the TV coverage). Did you go for work-related reasons, or just said what the heck? Lucky bastage.

Bonzo · 11-03-2009, 08:40 AM

nice family picture.

owace · 11-03-2009, 08:40 AM

was this just a random visit? or do you have connections or something?

RALLYT-WRX · 11-03-2009, 08:45 AM

Very nice!

So I have to ask, anybody recognize your Pops?

DMP RUN · 11-03-2009, 08:47 AM

BRB.....drilling for oil

Quote:

Originally Posted by RALLYT-WRX

Very nice!

So I have to ask, anybody recognize your Pops?

He looks like a lady

Whitford · 11-03-2009, 09:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bonzo

can we post replies yet?

Yes, of course.

Quote:

Originally Posted by saint_foo

You went?! I'm jealous! That looked really nice (can't see your pics at work, basing on the TV coverage). Did you go for work-related reasons, or just said what the heck? Lucky bastage.

Quote:

Originally Posted by owace

was this just a random visit? or do you have connections or something?

We went because my father and his band were asked to headline a show at the end of the race weekend.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bonzo

nice family picture.

Thanks.

Quote:

Originally Posted by RALLYT-WRX

Very nice!

So I have to ask, anybody recognize your Pops?

Just walking around, no not really.

Quote:

Originally Posted by DMP RUN

BRB.....drilling for oil

He looks like a lady

Still waiting for more pics to upload.

RALLYT-WRX · 11-03-2009, 09:10 AM

Damn Whitford you get all the cool hook-ups.

At least I now know were my $3.00 a gallon gas money goes.

StuBeck · 11-03-2009, 09:13 AM

Nice pics, did you go to Road Atlanta? I have a few pics of your dad driving the Jetta there.

Whitford · 11-03-2009, 09:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StuBeck

Nice pics, did you go to Road Atlanta? I have a few pics of your dad driving the Jetta there.

Oh cool! No, I wasn't there but I know he had a great time doing that. Those VW's sound like a blast. I'd love to see those pics.

Scubie · 11-03-2009, 09:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RALLYT-WRX

Very nice!

So I have to ask, anybody recognize your Pops?

This has probably been covered in another thread, but who is your dad? Looks to be some sort of musician, eh?

edit: OP's dad.

Whitford · 11-03-2009, 09:23 AM

For race day we went back over to the Paddock Club for a pit walkabout.

Pitting practice.

RALLYT-WRX · 11-03-2009, 09:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scubie

This has probably been covered in another thread, but who is your dad? Looks to be some sort of musician, eh?

edit: OP's dad.

Aerosmith......... look it up.

Tim K. · 11-03-2009, 09:24 AM

Great photos! Post up more if ya got 'em!

Whitford · 11-03-2009, 09:25 AM

Suddenly, my LCD was filled by this:

Thaddy · 11-03-2009, 09:25 AM

Damn, awesome trip! I like the watch your dad is wearing in the race simulator, too.

Whitford · 11-03-2009, 09:27 AM

Whitford · 11-03-2009, 09:30 AM

11-03-2009, 08:36 AM	#1
Whitford NASIOC Supporter Member#: 97875 Join Date: Mar 2005 Chapter/Region: SCIC Location: Boys Town Vehicle: Das Bagger 288	Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 2009 (lots of pics inside) Just got back from the Formula 1 Grand Prix in Abu Dhabi and it was an incredible experience to say the least. I can definitely say that I have never seen so much money in my life. The combination of the hotel (which is built within the track), the track itself, the still under construction indoor Ferrari themed park, the Formula 1 cars, etc. was just staggering. Also, this entire area where this took place was a barren desert one and a half years ago. Onto the pics: Pulling up to the hotel. View directly to the left of the circular driveway in front of the hotel. The buildings in the background are part of the villas where the race crews stay. The marina wraps around the entire hotel. A Lamborghini Reventón was parked outside when we arrived. * Registered users of the site do not see these ads.

11-03-2009, 08:36 AM	#3
Whitford NASIOC Supporter Member#: 97875 Join Date: Mar 2005 Chapter/Region: SCIC Location: Boys Town Vehicle: Das Bagger 288	The next morning we woke up very early to go eat breakfast outside on one of the patios. View from where we sat. Shortly after the first race practice session began - 'Chevrolet Supercars' (Holdens, really). Ironically, my girlfriend's cousin went on to win this race. After we ate we took a very short ferry ride over to the race paddock to check out the upcoming races. This was a yacht that made all the others in the marina (which already were the most amazing boats I had ever seen) look like amateur hour. Last edited by Whitford; 11-03-2009 at 09:55 AM.

11-03-2009, 08:36 AM	#4
Whitford NASIOC Supporter Member#: 97875 Join Date: Mar 2005 Chapter/Region: SCIC Location: Boys Town Vehicle: Das Bagger 288	This was the paddock club lounge that was above the pits, overlooking the front straight on one side and the marina and hotel on the other. GP2 cars getting ready for practice. The hotel - basically a giant dick and balls. If you don't believe me, look at Google Earth. Some nifty games. Last edited by Whitford; 11-03-2009 at 08:50 AM.

11-03-2009, 08:36 AM	#5
Whitford NASIOC Supporter Member#: 97875 Join Date: Mar 2005 Chapter/Region: SCIC Location: Boys Town Vehicle: Das Bagger 288	GP2 cars. A great pit lane exit. Whoops. After the GP2 cars there was a Porsche practice and qualifying (factory prepped GT3's) but I didn't get any pics. After, we moved on to the northern grand stands where we were told that we would have a view of 65% of the track. F1 qualifying. Last edited by Whitford; 11-04-2009 at 04:52 AM.

11-03-2009, 08:37 AM	#6
Whitford NASIOC Supporter Member#: 97875 Join Date: Mar 2005 Chapter/Region: SCIC Location: Boys Town Vehicle: Das Bagger 288	This was F1's first day/night race. Made for some spectacular viewing. After the qualifying we went back to the hotel. Saw an SL65 AMG Black Series on the way. I wish I had snapped more pics of some of the cars we saw. The Panamera is definitely the new 'in' car there - we must have seen about a dozen at least. I also saw a Camaro police car and a GTR police car. Last edited by Whitford; 11-03-2009 at 09:03 AM.

11-03-2009, 08:36 AM	#2
Whitford NASIOC Supporter Member#: 97875 Join Date: Mar 2005 Chapter/Region: SCIC Location: Boys Town Vehicle: Das Bagger 288	The hotel lobby. We had Arabic for dinner. The food in the hotel was great. There was an Arabic, Italian, Chinese, Japanese, Indian and American restaurant all in the lobby. We didn't even have time to try them all. My room. A white chocolate race car that was waiting in my room for me. Views from my window. Went to check out the rooftop bar that night.

11-03-2009, 08:39 AM	#8
Bonzo NASIOC Supporter Member#: 2307 Join Date: Sep 2000 Chapter/Region: MWSOC Location: West of Rd Am Vehicle: 02 KTM 640adv sand shreding fiend	can we post replies yet?

11-03-2009, 08:39 AM	#9
saint_foo Scooby Guru Member#: 64364 Join Date: Jun 2004 Chapter/Region: MAIC Location: BTW...it's not a tumor	You went?! I'm jealous! That looked really nice (can't see your pics at work, basing on the TV coverage). Did you go for work-related reasons, or just said what the heck? Lucky bastage.

11-03-2009, 08:40 AM	#10
Bonzo NASIOC Supporter Member#: 2307 Join Date: Sep 2000 Chapter/Region: MWSOC Location: West of Rd Am Vehicle: 02 KTM 640adv sand shreding fiend	nice family picture.

11-03-2009, 08:40 AM	#11
owace Scooby Specialist Member#: 138000 Join Date: Jan 2007 Chapter/Region: Tri-State Location: New York, NY Vehicle: 73 cb 350f black	was this just a random visit? or do you have connections or something?

11-03-2009, 08:45 AM	#12
RALLYT-WRX Scooby Specialist Member#: 9369 Join Date: Aug 2001 Chapter/Region: MAIC Location: Cadillac Rothschild Vehicle: 2002 WRB- WRX '08 Spec B / 88 Fiero GT	Very nice! So I have to ask, anybody recognize your Pops?

11-03-2009, 09:10 AM	#15
RALLYT-WRX Scooby Specialist Member#: 9369 Join Date: Aug 2001 Chapter/Region: MAIC Location: Cadillac Rothschild Vehicle: 2002 WRB- WRX '08 Spec B / 88 Fiero GT	Damn Whitford you get all the cool hook-ups. At least I now know were my $3.00 a gallon gas money goes.

11-03-2009, 09:13 AM	#16
StuBeck Scooby Specialist Member#: 19546 Join Date: Jun 2002 Chapter/Region: Tri-State Location: Rochester, NY Vehicle: 2009 VW Rabbit	Nice pics, did you go to Road Atlanta? I have a few pics of your dad driving the Jetta there.

11-03-2009, 09:23 AM	#19
Whitford NASIOC Supporter Member#: 97875 Join Date: Mar 2005 Chapter/Region: SCIC Location: Boys Town Vehicle: Das Bagger 288	For race day we went back over to the Paddock Club for a pit walkabout. Pitting practice.

11-03-2009, 09:24 AM	#21
Tim K. Scooby Specialist Member#: 214 Join Date: Aug 1999 Location: Sumter, SC Vehicle: 2009 John Deere 5425 Green	Great photos! Post up more if ya got 'em!

11-03-2009, 09:25 AM	#22
Whitford NASIOC Supporter Member#: 97875 Join Date: Mar 2005 Chapter/Region: SCIC Location: Boys Town Vehicle: Das Bagger 288	Suddenly, my LCD was filled by this:

11-03-2009, 09:25 AM	#23
Thaddy Scooby Specialist Member#: 128109 Join Date: Oct 2006 Chapter/Region: MAIC Location: Pittsburgh, PA	Damn, awesome trip! I like the watch your dad is wearing in the race simulator, too.

11-03-2009, 09:27 AM	#24
Whitford NASIOC Supporter Member#: 97875 Join Date: Mar 2005 Chapter/Region: SCIC Location: Boys Town Vehicle: Das Bagger 288

11-03-2009, 09:30 AM	#25
Whitford NASIOC Supporter Member#: 97875 Join Date: Mar 2005 Chapter/Region: SCIC Location: Boys Town Vehicle: Das Bagger 288

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