Fuji Circuit

My second visit to the foot of Mt. Fuji in about a month. This time it was to the Fuji Circuit which gave me much to write about.. An experience I’m bound to go back to any number of times.. For a true lover of science, the human race, the machine, the possibilities, it was a great cocktail.. a cocktail bound to make you a slave, an addict..

It was a cocktail of speed, excitement and drama topped with a sprinkling of mystery.. Formula One is, IMO, among the world’s greatest and high profile sports. And the chance to watch it, I feel lucky..

It is not one of those sports you can play with a ball in your backyard, it is a very complex sport.. it is an experience..

The temperature was 15 degrees C but the wind from the mountains made it feel like it was about 5 degrees C. I had just a shirt and a pair of jeans on.. It was getting frigid.. but the anticipation didn’t allow me feel the cold..

The grid cleared ahead of the formation lap. 2:30, Formation lap began and everyone completed their formation lap cleanly. The smell of rubber burning against the tar, the combustion of gasoline was a pretty good concoction that would give anyone a quick high..

Drivers took their grid positions. The lights came on – they went out and the race began.. And there was a deafening sound from the engines.. I have been to a few Rock concerts, and really loud dance clubs but I had not seen an event louder than this.. Those engines explode a good 130db.

Raikkonen gets a great start and gets ahead of Hamilton but Hamilton attacks back and locks up at the end of the straight.

Nakajima and Coulthard collide and Coulthard retires!

Massa was in front of Hamilton and they collide, Hamilton spins and rejoins at the end of the field

That was the high moment… for me, personally.. I jumped out of my seat and let a sigh of relief.. HAMILTON was at the END. He wont claim big chanpoinship points..

Hamilton's huge lockup at the start forced him to pit as his front tyres had really bad flat spots.

And then Sutil crashes out of the race.. My Japanese friend goes – ‘You feeling bad? Your country car crashed..’ I replied – ‘ Oh, I’m happy they survived this long.. they have a history of chronic failures’.. so we got back to the race..

Massa was penalized for the initial incidents involving Raikkonen, Massa and Hamilton. He serves his drive through. So does Hamilton.

I just realized I’m doing a little commentary here.. It was so exciting that I wouldn’t minding writing all about it.. event-by-event.. funnily enough, my little brain even remembers every single detail.. in the interest of non-followers I’m going to resist the temptation..

My seats were in front of the Chicane. I witnessed cars fly at 300kms/hr, in gear 7, approaching the corner and yet a fraction of second and a firm a firm stab at the breaks later they are cornering at 75kms/hr in gear 1. And in yet another fraction of a second they are flying at 150kms/hr… all these happening in such quick time it is just unbelievable..

Just didn’t realize how the 2 hours went by.. The crowd was really packed in multiple layers of warm cloths. After the race, of course, I too felt a little cold.. but the excitement kept me going..

Although the results weren’t what I wanted it wasn’t bad either.

It was a great day. A fantastic atmosphere, colorful people, hooting horns.. I had a great experience. It was surreal. I love engineering and automobiles even more now..

Man and the machine what a combination.. Didn’t mention this - “The hot grid girls”. Wow! Here are some pictures ..