F1 experience in Malaysia

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia – Our group of 12 Cebuanos, who came here for the Petronas Formula-1 Malaysian Grand Prix should be home by the time this column sees print.

For all of us, a group of Cebuano taxi operators and three others (that includes me), we were all first timers in terms of live F-1 action.

Although I have closely followed the races the past several years, the live experience is so much different from watching it on TV.

On TV, you actually get to watch the race from more angles with live commentary. 

If you go to the race venue, you will have to walk several hundreds of meters from the parking area to the track, you have to bear with the heat of the sun, you have to bear with the loud noise of the engines, and you have to sweat it out. 

I have to tell you the truth so those who never had the chance to watch a live F-1 race yet wouldn’t feel so bad. 

But, being on the track when the race happens is an experience that television can never replace.  Not even if you watch it on the widest screen with the highest definition.

You might not get the live commentary, but some people actually sell headsets at the race venue for you to follow the live commentary, but the price of such is not a steal.  In fact you’ll feel robbed to pay so much for the gadget.

Then there are the F-1 merchandise sold in so many booths all over the place.  No doubt about their authenticity, you just need to bring enough cash or be ready to see a huge credit card bill when you get home.

The fans are probably the best thing about being in the race.  You see them in all shapes and sizes, colors, ages, gender, religion, and a lot more.

Well, I’d like to write some more, but I’d rather share a few pictures on race day from the Sepang Circuit here.

By the way, thanks to my good friend Hector Almario, who made it possible for me to be in this trip as part of the delegation from Cebu hosted by Autogas Petronas.