Flip through the latest issue of Gulf Weekly.
Last Friday I found myself 50 feet up in the air perched on a ramp. Lucky me! I was at the Bahrain International Circuit commentating for the Yalla Bahrain soapbox cars event! Let me tell you all about it.
A challenge had gone out to Bahrain's companies and universities to design and build the best go-kart - one that would go the fastest and the furthest and do it with the most pizzazz.
When I was a kid a 'go-kart' meant something like an old crate nailed to a long bit of wood with four wheels attached and steered by a bit of rope attached to the front axel. These days, however, it seems that go-karts are rather more sophisticated and more resemble a car-like/bike-ish contraption. Yep, I've got to say, there where some weird and wonderful machines out there for this very special event.
After climbing to the top of the ramp and looking around for my oxygen mask (if you remember, last Friday was terribly windy, hazy and very, very sandy) I could just about imagine what a smoker must feel like after they've smoked around 30 cigarettes. Disgusting!
Up on the top of the ramp with me was Jan (the German tug of war champion for 1998) and Gary (the only Man Utd fan I know who actually hails from Manchester). This pair of big, strong boys worked pretty hard - it was their job to pull the soapbox cars up the ramp so that they could then roll down.
The day before there'd been some dry runs to test the karts and there'd been only one accident the whole day. So, when the first snazzy looking kart (from GPIC) took off down the ramp we were pretty surprised when it reached the bottom and then turned over and bounced the driver out! Ouch! Thank goodness that safety was at its upmost and all the drivers were made to wear crash helmets and protective arm and leg gear.
Next up were the 'Cowboys from Hell' from AMA University. They successfully made it down the 23 metre long ramp, as did many (but certainly not all) of the subsequent karts.
A lovely lady named Ruth was interviewing the judges after each descent. (I think she may be an ex-basketball player as she's about 6 feet 4 inches tall). We had some good fun banter going on between us, though someone mentioned we sounded a bit like Dumb and Dumber! Then it was my turn to go 'Ouch'!
Teams continued to fly down the ramp with varying degrees of success until it was the NYIT's turn. Their kart was just amazing. It had horns, four legs and even a tail; it was a Bull! The team performed a little sketch before the kart took off down the ramp and it was pretty funny. One of the team ran out in front of the kart (as though running with the bulls). Next, a senorita danced as the 'bull' raced towards her. Then waiting at the finishing line was a Matador resplendent with his red cape who finished the act with a big 'Ole!'
It was a very well thought out and quite polished routine, which was complimented by a very fast kart. Nearly all the judges gave them top marks, so they became the ones for everyone else to try to beat.
One of the other karts that I liked included the 'Al Jen' kart which looked rather like a coffin on wheels. It was very heavy to pull up the ramp and didn't make it to the finish line. It, in fact, started coming back towards us due to all the bluster and power of the wind.
In the end all the karts did two runs, and after a long, windswept but enjoyable afternoon we eventually came to the prize giving ceremony. The karts where competing in two sections one open category included sponsors the Ithmaar Group who did very well coming in second (and Johnny, their driver, won the category for the best white socks) and especially Al Ayam, who were the winners.
The winner of the university category was NYIT with second place going to the Joker from BTI and coming up a close third were 'the Cowboys'. It was a great day out, organised by those loveable people from KHP Events.
The next day I found myself at Sheikha Hessa Girls School for its annual carnival. I'd received a phone call on the Friday and hoped and prayed that the weather would get better, and, lo and behold, it was a truly beautiful day.
I arrived at 10am to start with the music and MC'ing and what a lucky chap I am because their lovely music teacher Miss Margaret offered to assist me. I was a bit weary from my big day out at the BIC, so the first thing on my agenda was to get us both a coffee!
There were lots of great food outlets as well as bouncy castles, a Formula One car, an Aussie V8 car and lots of other different attractions including a big, soapy football pitch made totally of plastic with Football nets at either end.
It was a good day out and lots of dedications came my way. At the end of the day there was a raffle which I've got to say was one of the longest I've ever done; with 84 prizes! Thank goodness Adrienne, the school principal, and some other ladies helped out.
So, did you have a good weekend? I certainly did. Though I need another one now; so that I can recover from it!
Keep Happy,
All my love,
Krazy Kevin
