Current Events > Saudi Arabia builds actual Rainbow Road racetrack

(+) Yeah! (+)

This is what that sweet sweet oil money gets you

https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/a/forum/d/dd732133.jpg

https://jalopnik.com/f1-s-mario-kart-inspired-saudi-track-proves-it-has-more-1851311385

F1s Mario Kart-Inspired Saudi Track Proves It Has More Money Than Sense

On Saturday, Formula 1 will race in Saudi Arabia on the Jeddah Corniche Circuit for the fourth time. Its officially the longest track in the calendar and boasts the most corners of any circuit in F1, but its not the only ridiculous location that F1 could race in the kingdom. Now, race promoters in the region have unveiled plans for a new track that looks right out of Mario Kart.

The new circuit, which is proposed to be built near the countrys capital of Riyadh, is called the Qiddiya City Speed Park Track, and its absolutely bonkers. Scheduled for completion ahead of the 2027 F1 season, the track comprises 21 corners and flows around the citys landscape to offer up more than 350 feet of elevation changes. For reference, the famously hilly Spa circuit in Belgium has around 330 feet of elevation changes.

Thats all well and good, but its far from the most mind-bending aspect of this track. That, instead, is something designers Alex Wurz and Hermann Tilke have called the Blade at turn one. This wholly ridiculous creation is a first corner that towers more than 20 stories above the ground in some kind of Rainbow Road-like design.

Below, its not all trampolines, bouncy castles and other things that could offer a soft landing should things go south; instead images released of the track show a shopping center-like creation. No doubt where spectators will be treated to video of the action going on above their heads.

Theres no word on how much the construction of the new track is set to cost, but its sure to be a lot. However, when the citys masterplan was relaunched late last year, its budget was set at more than $36 billion, reports travel site Skift.

The whole thing looks insane, like its gunning for Las Vegas crown as the biggest visual spectacle on the F1 calendar. But is that really what the sport needs?

If you head online right now, you can still pick up face value grandstand tickets for this weekends Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, while events like Monza in Italy and Suzuka in Japan are either limited to pricey VIP offerings or are completely sold out of race day tickets months in advance.

To make matters more concerning, promoters arent posing this new track as a direct replacement for Jeddah when construction comes to an end ahead of the 2027 season. Instead, theyre saying that it could even sit alongside Jeddah on the calendar if a deal can be reached.

If three races in the U.S. irks some fans, imagine how pleased theyll be about two in Saudi even if they are more than 10 hours drive apart.

The tracks unveiling comes as Saudi Arabia continues pouring money into Formula 1. First, the companys state-owned oil company Aramco signed a 10-year sponsorship deal worth more than $450 million, report ESPN. Then, the country agreed a 10-year contract to host a race in the country each year from 2021.

The two deals mean Saudi Arabia is one of F1s biggest single contributors as they are valued at an estimated $505 million. It should come as no real surprise then, that the handling of last years Saudi Arabian Grand Prix at the hands of FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem is currently under investigation for some pretty suspicious activity.

Saudi Arabia being more LGBT tolerant (unintentionally, of course) than the greatest country in the world.

Dark_Arbron posted...

Saudi Arabia being more LGBT tolerant (unintentionally, of course) than the greatest country in the world.

Probably has more to do with how they don't see a rainbow as an LGBT+ symbol.

And on the topic rainbows shouldn't be seen exclusively as a gay pride symbol.

If you crash, do you fall off the track and die? Cuz that's the real Rainbow Road experience

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FuX5_OWObA0

ForsakenHermit posted...

Probably has more to do with how they don't see a rainbow as an LGBT+ symbol.

And on the topic rainbows shouldn't be seen exclusively as a gay pride symbol.

They arent, but imagine if they built something like this in the US. Anyway I know this was never about LGBT representation, I just find the implication funny.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1XSysnj2Bk0

That seems kinda woke...

I'm all out of ape driving a car jokes. Sorry.

Somewhere.... over the... rainboooooooooooooooowwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww

Watch people crash off the sides. The'll be no cloud man to catch you

And not a single woman was seen within a 500 mile radius.

Wandering__Hero posted...

Watch people crash off the sides. The'll be no cloud man to catch you

tbf the newer Mario Kart games just have you reappear on the track, no Lakitu involved

I'll miss you again, uncle

I am disappoint. The roads should be lined with rainbow colored LED.

I'm throwin banana peels all over that motherfucker

Woah maybe Nintendo really can help drive Saudi Arabia to be better. They were just banning rainbow toys two years ago.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2022/06/16/saudi-arabia-rainbow-toys-homosexuality-pride-month/

The Saudi government is confiscating toys, clothes and other items bearing rainbow colors it says evoke the well-known Pride flag and promote homosexuality in children.

Its the latest crackdown by Saudi Arabia and some of its neighbors on objects and forms of art and expression that feature gay characters or are seen as promoting LGBTQ rights, including superhero movies not being shown in Saudi cinemas because they feature same-sex couples and hundreds of kites confiscated in Syria for their many colors.

Authorities in Saudi Arabia have been seizing rainbow-coloured toys and children's clothing, which they claim encourage homosexuality, state TV says.

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-61813390

Snip-N-Snails posted...

Woah maybe Nintendo really can help drive Saudi Arabia to be better. They were just banning rainbow toys two years ago.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2022/06/16/saudi-arabia-rainbow-toys-homosexuality-pride-month/

LeoRavus posted...

Authorities in Saudi Arabia have been seizing rainbow-coloured toys and children's clothing, which they claim encourage homosexuality, state TV says.

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-61813390

Everyone knows rainbows make people gay

That's why they blotted out the sky with smog

With Princess Peach, Mario, and the Toad

It's a road that you go
When you diiiiiieeee

Seriously did Lumalee write this song?

IT'S A ROAD THAT YOU GO
WHEN YOU DIIIIIIIIIIIEEEEEEE

HylianFox posted...

tbf the newer Mario Kart games just have you reappear on the track, no Lakitu involved

That's not true, Lakitu still saves you in 8.

HylianFox posted...

Its officially the longest track in the calendar

No it's not?

Eh, I guess I give them props for actually doing something cool with their oil money.

In the U.S. they just use that money to have lobbyists convince the dumbest part of our population that climate change is a hoax and they need to use more fossil fuels than usual to collect salty lib tears.

HylianFox posted...

tbf the newer Mario Kart games just have you reappear on the track, no Lakitu involved

No, Lakitu is still there.

StealThisSheen posted...

That's not true, Lakitu still saves you in 8.

Solar_Crimson posted...

No, Lakitu is still there.

Well, he doesn't save you in 'Tour'

Neat. Shame though that Peach has been jailed indefinitely for driving on it.

Why are there rails?

KainWind posted...

Why are there rails?

Drone-Lakitu is still in development.

Time for the final FINAL DLC park for MK8