Police clashed with demonstrators ahead of Bahrain's Formula 1 Grand Prix, but a massive security presence prevented disruption to the race.
The Grand Prix, won by Red Bull's Sebastian Vettel, was overshadowed by sometimes bloody clashes away from the circuit which dragged F1 bosses into controversy for a second year in a row.
Police have fired pellets and tear gas to contain simmering resentment at a deadly 2011 crackdown by the Sunni royal family on Arab Spring-inspired protests.
On Sunday, masked youths set alight tyres on roads in Shiite villages just outside the capital Manama, but access remained open to the Sakhir circuit, south of the capital.
Police fired tear gas on Saturday night to disperse demonstrators who chanted against the "race of blood," said witnesses.
Armoured security vehicles, police cars and armed guards at road blocks lined the route into Sakhir in the morning.
Queues at the circuit confirmed a heavy security presence as every vehicle slowed to pass through a single file inspection by gun-carrying security guards.
Protesters set fire to barricades on the outskirts of the capital Manama "Police are out in force to beef up security measures at the Bahrain International Circuit," said Major General Tariq Hassan, the country's public security chief.
"Security forces are deployed in all regions countrywide, undertaking pre-emptive and precautionary measures to ensure safety and security and protect public and private properties."
Hundreds of demonstrators who attempted to reach Manama's Pearl Square, the epicentre of the 2011 protests, were forcibly dispersed on Saturday night.
Police fired tear gas and some protesters retaliated with petrol bombs.
Hundreds had also taken to the streets of Shiite villages overnight on Friday, prompting clashes.
"Your race is a crime," chanted protesters armed with petrol bombs and stones. "No, no to the race of blood."
Police responded with tear gas and stun grenades.
The scenes have renewed pressure on motor racing bosses over their decision to keep Bahrain on the F1 calendar despite similar disturbances that clouded the event last year.
Sebastian Vettel celebrates his win in the Grand Prix Talking to reporters at the track on Saturday, Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al-Khalifa admitted there were "issues" affecting the kingdom, which was rocked by deadly unrest in the 1990s and has been hit by disturbances for the past two years.
But he dismissed criticism that Bahrain was exploiting the motor racing event in a bid to boost its image and economy.
"We've never used this race to say that everything's fine," said Prince Salman. "We recognise there are issues in the country but they are to be solved in a political process which is well underway."
Human rights groups say the political violence in Bahrain has killed at least 80 people since 2011.
F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone said it was not for the sport to take a moral stand.
He said: "We're not here, or we don't go anywhere, to judge how a country is run.
"Human rights are that the people that live in a country abide by the laws of that country. So it's a case of whatever the laws are in a country. People need to respect them."
Strategically located just across the Gulf from Iran, Bahrain is home base for the US Fifth Fleet and also a major offshore financial and services centre for its Arab neighbours in the oil-rich Gulf.
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