Shanghai Daily news

For Xu Hongda, the Chinese Grand Prix lasted no more than two minutes.
As one of the 20 marshals responsible to ensure a smooth start to the race, he was withdrawn from the track immediately after the cars zipped off.
"We are taken to a room to rest after our brief stint. Unfortunately, there is no television inside the room so we missed the race," Xu said before the race. "That means the only part of racing action I can see is the formation lap, which lasts just two minutes. I should have bought a radio to keep myself informed otherwise all that we can hear and see is the engine roars."
Xu, a 22-year-old undergraduate accounting major, was recruited as short-term help in late May along with more than 900 other volunteers, most of whom are university students. They were used for a wide-range of jobs at the Shanghai International Circuit - from hospitality to trackside marshals.
The voluntary marshals essentially assisted the FIA-appointed senior race staff and worked over 26 marshal points along the 5.4-kilometer race track and the pit lane area throughout the weekend.
They had to check in at their respective working points as early as 6am and were not allowed to leave until the last race of the day.
FIA, the sports' governing body, had sent two Portuguese motor sport referees to train the Formula One novices in early June. The instructions continued for over two months. They were put to test prior to the big day yesterday at various national motor sports events at the SIC like the Chinese Circuit Championship.
"The races actually helped us to understand the rules and its implementation better than those sessions in the classroom," said Tan Linlin, another assistant race marshal who was at marshal point no. 10 at the turn of seven and eight - a relatively flat and easy section. Tan was entrusted with the responsibility of cleaning the debris and to move away cars involved in a crash or breakdown in his designated section.
Tan was not too happy with this designated spot, having been earlier stationed at turn 14 - probably the most thrilling corner on the circuit right following the 1.175-kilometer straight - during SIC drills and junior formula events.
"The extensive gravel and the low speed hairpin out there makes turn 14 a heaven for overtaking," Tan said. "But I was told to move to marshal point 10 for the Grand Prix weekend. With the comfortable track condition there, it takes a life to witness something special there."
Tan was right. He missed a couple thrilling moments there, including Ralf Schumacher's spin and the dice between Michael Schumacher and Jacque Villeneuve.
Still, he was thrilled by his grand prix experience.
"I have been watching grand prix since my high school days when the Michael Schumacher-Mika Hakkinen rivalry was at its peak," said Tan. "Now I'm part of it myself ... a dream-come-true."
Pit lane marshal Xu agreed as well. "I didn't know much about grand prix racing before I landed this short-term job," Xu said. "But now I am beginning to enjoy it. Next time if they call me again I'll gladly again."