Part VI
The final chapter dedicated to the top cars and winners. Some might think it was boring that Audi won again but i think different. Toyota was a good opponent and i also really liked their cars that looked pretty cool but also not pretty. The Audis made a good show and you should one day see them in real action: They are flying around the track without sound like electric Podracers in Star Wars, for me a demonstration of "Vorsprung durch Technik". Congratulation!
- Fab.
Part V
Back to the presence- even if it felt really future-like seeing the Deltawing driving around the track. I always had the feeling it was drifting, clearly not looking nice but having character soon everyone likes the special car with Racing Number "0". I really enjoyed walking around through the pit lanes where cars becoming pieces of Art and then back on track changing character to screaming creations again. Amazing!
- Fab.
Part IV
One of the Highlights was the Classic Race- even in the heavy rain. It was very sad that several cars were destroyed but that shows how hard times have been in the past driving such racecars without electronic help.
- Fab.
Part III
24h is a long time for watching cars racing each other. When you need a break you can go sightseeing at the campsides where you find every car you can imagine parked next to the owners tent. I love the contrast between the expensive metal and the cheap way of living at the racetrack. I really like the many different TVR's- they are just mad. The special stickers and number are the proof that this is surely one of the biggest meating of private Carfreax...
- Fab.
Part II
The 458 is loved by all of us because it wears just as much as it needs to cover the most important -just like the little black dress from your girlfriend. As race version it looks heavy equipped and trained- but "xiaoxin" (=be careful): what pictures can't tell: it screams like a devil. Not to go so far that this is the reason- but it won this year. The italien emotion on the podium was fantastic as the team shouted for their winning drivers ("Forza Fisicho")
- Fab.
Part I
Le Mans is not round the corner of Beijing - and NO the Chinese haven't copied the racetrack and built it up here. But even so i had the chance to experience the once in a lifetime event of visiting a Le Mans race this year. After some time i finally post some pictures. Part 1 is all about the color combination that never look wrong in Le Mans: light blue & orange
Fourth time in China - first time in Beijing.
And I am so lucky. A cheaper and earlier flight across, combined with a cancelled meeting on Sunday, buys me extra time in the Beijing region. And before I know it, the carfreax network has caringly absorbed this lonesome traveler. Although I manage to only catch one hour of sleep on my Moscow-connected flight, I decide to grab my chances - and after a damn' good cup of coffee I find myself on an orange (!) coloured designer bike, trailing closely behind my host, criss-cross past the Beijing highlights. Jetlag is for sissies! A snapshot tour, shooting from the hip. Three hours to go, the clock is counting. Yet, I am so lucky. Thank you Wout!
It is hard to believe that only six years ago, half of the Beijing population lived like this (source: Wikipedia). No sanitary rooms, no electricity. Such confrontation with the speed of development here. Yet, these are real pearls in the cultural necklace that is Beijing. Luckily, the authorities are aware.
We carry on and reach the Drum- and Bell Tower, two towering structures, which are even more impressive with the empty square in between. How different that must have looked, last week, when China celebrated its 'Golden Week' national holiday. This square is where China time was kept and communicated, across many dynasties, 'till way into the twentieth century when modern day clockwork finally replaced it. The soldiers of old are now frozen in time - like ancient Han Solos - while their modern day colleagues are busy exercising drills, a couple of miles away, inside the Forbidden City walls. This is Old Beijing's central axis, no longer the city's main north-south connection but certainly the cultural spine of the city.
We make our way back south, past the beautiful lakes where the top party officials live today. Tons of clubs and bars by the lakeside. I'll be back tonight, when this will be the center of activity. It's now or never.
Meanwhile it's 5 PM and this Cinderella is racing the clock. Sunset at six! We make it in time for the much-anticipated meeting with Chairman Mao, as he is overlooking the hugely impressive Tian'anmen Square. Together with huge flocks of Chinese tourists, we witness the flag lowering ceremony as the invisible sun sets over Beijing - and decide to call it a day.
It's the white against the red this time. Hard to choose sides.
- Geert.
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