Bahrain protesters clash with police over anti-Formula One rage
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Track preparations are underway at the Bahrain International Circuit in Sakhir, Bahrain, on Wednesday, April 17, 2013. The F1 Bahrain Grand Prix will be held on Sunday. (AP Photo/Hasan Jamali) (The Associated Press)
Groups protesting Bahrain's Formula One race have put up makeshift roadblocks and barricades of burning tires during clashes with security forces in the violence-wracked Gulf nation.
The demonstrations on Thursday were mostly isolated to anti-government hotbed areas, however, and unlikely to disrupt preparations for Sunday's race, which is the premier international event in the kingdom.
Anti-government groups have stepped up protests against the race in attempts to embarrass authorities. Rights group, including Amnesty International, have criticized Bahrain's arrests and other security crackdowns.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The latest clashes were mostly in Shiite districts that are often scenes of unrest. Graffiti on walls said: "No F1. Don't race on our blood."
Bahrain has faced more than two years of violence between the Sunni-led government and majority Shiites seeking a greater political voice.