We get into the car and as soon as Steve starts the engine I realise that this is not just a car with go-faster stripes and a spoiler. “Ready for take-off?” he asks. “Never been more ready!” I reply. Poor Steve probably thinks I’ve never been in a fast car before. The engine roars as the car eases its way from the garage on to the pit stop. As soon as we hit the circuit the car picks up speed and I am pushed back into my seat. The first lap is fast but smooth. “Cool,” I say. “Wait,” Steve says. “You ain’t see nothing yet,” and he pushes the accelerator to the limit. CoolTravel, Maarten schäfer, Cool, travel, Kempinski hotels

1. Abu Dhabi
“Life in the Fast lane”

2. One of Abu Dhabi’s most exciting projects is the development of
a multi-billiondollar cultural district like no other in the Arab
world. Construction is in full swing and by 2012 visitors will be
able to marvel at masterpieces from the Guggenheim and the
Louvre in spaces designed by world-class architects like Frank
Gehry and Jean Nouvel.

3. We’re not going to sit on the beach till
2012 though, so in the meantime we
decide to visit the Yas Marina Circuit,
where the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix is held
every year. Situated on a man-made
island about 30 minutes from the city,
the track is the Arabian version of
Monaco, with several long straights
and 21 corners.

4. We wander around the track’s backstage area where we meet
Steve, a safety car pilot. “I can take you for a few laps if you’re up
for it,” he says. He hands me a helmet and I follow him through the
‘stables’ where Ferraris, Porsches and even a Dodge Viper are lined
up ready for action. Just as I start getting excited about what car
Steve will pick, we stop in front of a Nissan. “Make no mistake!”
Steve says. “This baby has a six-cylinder, 3.8L motor and reaches
top speeds of over 300kph.”

5. We get into the car and as soon as Steve starts the engine I
realise that this is not just a car with go-faster stripes and a
spoiler. “Ready for take-off?” he asks. “Never been more ready!” I
reply. Poor Steve probably thinks I’ve never been in a fast car
before. The engine roars as the car eases its way from the garage
on to the pit stop. As soon as we hit the circuit the car picks up
speed and I am pushed back into my seat. The first lap is fast but
smooth. “Cool,” I say. “Wait,” Steve says. “You ain’t see nothing

6. The car rockets down the straight,
powers past the grandstand in a
few seconds and approaches the
next corner. The speedometer’s
pointer has hit 270kph and the
curve is just 200 metres ahead.
That’s when Steve slams on the
brakes. The car slows down to
60kph for a few instants, but even
as we are entering the curve
Steve steps on the accelerator
again to build up speed before the
next curve. After the third lap,
Steve pulls up on to the pit stop.

7. The car stops, but I notice
that the circuit is still
moving. As I get out I also
realise my vision is blurred
and I lean against the car
for support. “Are you okay?”
Steve asks. “Fine, never felt
better!” I lie. “It was mind-
blowing! But next time I’m
in Abu Dhabi I might visit
the Guggenheim instead.”

8. • Thanks to Kempinski Hotels for the ground support and their local
knowledge
• Links:
http://www.cooltravel.org
http://www.coolbrands.org
http://www.coolbrandshouse.org
http://www.facebook.com/maarten.schafer
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Maarten, Schafer, Fast lane, Storytelling, creative mind,
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