Prepping A Formula One Race In Baku

Close a few streets, throw up some bleachers, sell some soda, blow out ear drums and you've got a rip roarin' race! Not quite. Sarah and James crossed paths with Formula One race prep in Baku, lucky to be safely back home by race day.

No small affair, heavy equipment need apply and often.

The fencing is, obviously, the most abundant sign of the impending noise. Formula One (at least in Baku) races on regular streets, which remain open until the last minute. As do the regular speed limits. Portable pit stops. Spectators, not drivers.

The fencing can make the chic city look like a post apocalyptic TV show. The Walking Gucci Dead.

A photo parade of past glory, decorating the seaside promenade. Fencing and flowers, a curious juxtaposition.

Advertising lipstick on a construction fence pig. No one notices.

Seeing Formula One Racing At Sepang International Circuit

The Formula One road rockets roared into Kuala Lumpur recently and James went to check out the noisy scene. Get all your motors running.

Sepang's track, the view toward the pit area and finish line.

Practice run in the rain.  Your choice, watch it live or on jumbo TV. Lots of motorheads there with jumbo camera systems, collecting thier favorite drivers.

Landscaping.

One of many people on various safety crews. Not much clearance between racing free and sparking it up.

Off the track, plenty of auto-related distractions. The Honda tent.

Unwrapping the classic car display area. Some Petronas (Malaysia's national oil company) spokeswomen.

You know you've arrived when you can somehow create cuddly creatures out of an oil can and gas pump.