When the Government of the Kingdom of Bahrain underwrote the development of the Bahrain International Circuit (BIC) it planned that the facility should encourage future growth of the local economy and set the foundation for a string of new investment opportunities. The facility cost US$150 million/ 56.2 million Bahraini Dinars - the return on that investment has been many-fold to the Kingdom of Bahrain and the Middle East. And by linking with F1, Bahrain is reaping the benefits of being at the forefront of an elite club of 18 nations that host the premier motorsport events in the world.
The BIC has been designed with six separate track layouts, including a test oval and a drag strip, of which two can be in operation at any one time. This means the BIC can operate a wide range of motorsport, corporate, social and community events throughout the year.
Tens of thousands of fans and hundreds of top cars and drivers flock to the circuit for the regular Test and Tune events and annual International Drag Racing Festival. Meanwhile the growth of the region's domestic motorsport industry has seen enormous interest in national racing events, with young talent in the region focused on becoming the first great international-standard driver and aspiring towards a place on the F1 grid.
The circuit has many hospitality lounges designed to hold a wide selection of corporate and social entertainment. Clients can entertain their customers from a number of venues at the circuit. The striking Sakhir Tower has some of the most beautiful lounges and the most amazing views in the Kingdom. It is in a prime location and provides spectators with a bird’s eye view of the whole circuit. The executive boxes, which are located directly on top of the main grand stand, offer fabulous views of the pits and the paddock club.
The Oasis Complex has lounges that are ideal for entertaining large groups with capacity for up to 100 guests each. This location is superb for race fans because they can see most of the track from this position. On top of the Main Grandstand there are VIP boxes from which to enjoy the panorama of the pits and paddock.
The five-star catering and wonderful facilities have made this circuit one of the most popular venues for corporate functions and social occasions, as well as an important destination for racing fans. The new Ecclestone Heritage Collection is an outstanding museum of the rarest and most valuable F1 cars from all eras, some not seen in public since they stopped racing, this is absolute must-see for any racing fan. The circuit also hosts many charitable events throughout the year, supporting the local community.
Circuit Length : 2.55 km Inner track with a width varying between 14m - 15m (8 turns)
3.664 km Outer track with a width varying between 14m - 17m (10 turns)
5.411 km Grand Prix track with a width varying between 14m - 22m width
6.4 km Full Circuit with a width varying between 14m - 22m
1.2 km Drag strip with a width of 18.5m
2.0 km test oval
3.7 km Paddock Circuit (9 turns) 14 - 22m width
Lap Record : TBA
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Force India F1 Bahrain GP debrief - Q&A with Vijay Mallya Posted on: 18/03/2010
The first race of the 2010 season in Bahrain was a good one for Force India, as Adrian Sutil qualified in the top 10 and Tonio Liuzzi finished ninth. The Italian was thus in the points, beaten only by the cars from the 'big four' teams. Adrian's race was spoiled by a first corner tangle with Robert Kubica, a result of the smokescreen produced by Mark Webber. Af... Read More >>
F1 2010 - Bahrain Grand Prix Posted on: 15/03/2010
I write this on the Monday after the first F1 Grand Prix of the year in Bahrain, on the newly extended circuit.
The extra elevation in the 10 corner loop starting from turn 4 gave the track an interesting new dimension, and the different colours that the run off had been painted around the circuit certainly made it easier to recognize where ... Read More >>
Bridgestone Motorsport’s Friday F1 Practice Update Posted on: 12/03/2010
Bridgestone’s super soft tyre took Mercedes GP Petronas F1 Team driver Nico Rosberg to the fastest time as the 2010 Formula One season got underway in searing temperatures at the new configuration Sakhir circuit for the Bahrain Grand Prix.
Rosberg set a time of 1m 55.409secs in the afternoon practice session, leaving him fastest from... Read More >>
AN HISTORIC DAY FOR LOTUS RACING Posted on: 12/03/2010
Friday at the Bahrain Grand Prix marked an historic day for Lotus Racing, exactly six months to the day since the team's entry into the 2010 Formula One™ World Championship was confirmed. Jarno Trulli was first car on track as the pit lane lights turned green, followed closely by Heikki Kovalainen as the team saw their incredible efforts since September 1... Read More >>
Williams Cosworth Hard At Work in Bahrain Posted on: 12/03/2010
Williams: Bahrain F1 Grand Prix Practice Update
Sam Michael, Technical Director
“It was a very busy day with the usual teething problems. We lost some track time due to an electrics problem in the garage in the morning and we also had minor technical issues to resolve on the cars. We then had a much more productive afternoon lo... Read More >>
Bahrain Grand Prix - Race Weekend Preview with Force India Posted on: 11/03/2010
Force India have put together a great preview of the opening race of 2010, packed with facts figures and quotes from their drivers.
We'll be following their fortunes throughout the year along with the other contenders in what is likely to be the closest season ever in F1, and you'll be able to catch up with behind the scenes images and information here on ... Read More >>
LOTUS RACING SET FOR BAHRAIN AND THE START OF THE 2010 FORMULA ONE™ SEASON Posted on: 11/03/2010
By 3am last Saturday morning Lotus Racing had finally finished packing up the six airfreight boxes needed for the journey to Bahrain and the beginning of the 2010 Formula One™ season.
Two cars and a 60-strong team have now made their way to the Kingdom of Bahrain and the Bahrain International Circuit for the first r... Read More >>
MSCG Exclusive: Interview with Martin Whitaker, CEO of Bahrain International Circuit Posted on: 07/12/2009
MSCG Editor Chris Jenkins spoke exclusively to Martin Whitaker, CEO of the Bahrain International Circuit. This is what he had to say:
Chris Jenkins (CJ): Martin, thanks first of all thanks for talking with us. Congratulations on the exciting 2009 Grand Prix, which saw a great drive from Jenson Button to win his 3rd race of the season, afte... Read More >>
Kart action Posted on: 26/06/2009
Junior drivers at Bahrain International Circuit’s Kart Zone have extra incentive this summer to burn rubber and gun for their quickest and best-ever lap times.
Starting on June 17, 2009 and on offer every Wednesday until October, tickets to The Lost Paradise of Dilmun Water Park will be up for grabs at Kart Zone for the three fastest juniors on the day... Read More >>
Interview with Martin Whitaker, CEO of BIC Posted on: 06/05/2009
What particular problems does a GP circuit situated in the desert have — and how do you deal with them?
It is an extremely harsh environment. Temperatures in summer reach close to 50 deg C. Intense sunshine, strong winds and blown sand mean the circuit and its facilities require constant attention. ... Read More >>
Big turn out in Bahrain Posted on: 26/04/2009
Over 93,682 turned out to witness Brawn GP’s third victory of the season at the Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix this weekend and to catch up on the latest entertainment in the Formula One Village Vending Area.
As Jenson Button took home the Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix trophy, fans congregated at the vending a... Read More >>
Route from the airport
Coming from ‘Khalifa Al Kabeer Highway’, take ‘Shaikh Hamad Causeway’ direction ‘Manama South’.
After the bridge, turn left towards ‘Al Fateh Highway’.
Follow this route until you reach the traffic light junction to ‘Sitra’, where you have to turn left to ‘Majils Al Tawon Highway’.
Follow this route until ‘Awali’.
After passing ‘Awali’, take ‘Zallaq Highway’ towards Zallaq.
Follow this route until a left turn on a junction towards ‘Al Jazayer Beach’.
You will find the ‘Bahrain International Circuit’ on your left.
Route from Saudi Arabia
Take ‘King Fahad Causeway’ and take exit towards ‘Madinat Hamad’ on ‘Shaikh Salman Highway’.
Follow this highway until you reach the first roundabout on which you have to do a full turn left going towards ‘Riffa’
At the next roundabout you do a right turn, direction ‘Awali’.
Follow this route until ‘Awali’.
After passing ‘Awali’, take ‘Zallaq Highway’ towards ‘Zallaq’.
Follow this route until a left turn on the junction towards ‘Al Jazayer Beach’.
You will find the ‘Bahrain International Circuit’ on your left.
2009 Event Calendar
BDRC Round 6 Test & Tune: 6-8 May
Hummer Academy (H2): 7-9 May
Caterham Day: 16 May
Open Track, Car and Bike, 4x4 XtremeLumina V8 passenger rides: 22 May
BDRC Round 7 Test & Tune 27-29 May
Hummer Academy (H3): 5-6 June
Open Track, Car and Bike, 4x4 Xtreme Lumina V8 passenger rides: 5 June
Caterham Day: 6 June
Caterham Day: 13 June
2010 Event Calendar
CRC Round 5 - 09 April 2010
Batelco 2000cc Challenge - Round 6 - 09 April 2010
Circuit Racing Club - Round 5 - 09 April 2010
CIRCUIT RACING CLUB - ROUND 5 - 09 April 2010
BAHRAIN DRAG RACING CHAMPIONSHIP - TEST AND TUNE - 09 April 2010
BAHRAIN DRAG RACING CHAMPIONSHIP - ROUND 5 - 14 April 2010
Circuit Racing Club - Round 6 - 23 April 2010
Batelco 2000cc Challenge - Round 7 - 23 April 2010
BAHRAIN DRAG RACING CHAMPIONSHIP - TEST AND TUNE - 05 May 2010
BAHRAIN DRAG RACING CHAMPIONSHIP - ROUND 6 - 06 May 2010
Circuit Racing Club - Round 7 - 07 May 2010
Circuit Racing Club - Round 8 - 14 May 2010
Batelco 2000cc Challenge - Round 8 - 14 May 2010
Sakhir, Bahrain
Posted by: Steve Slater
The spotless facility at Sakhir makes a spectacular backdrop to Formula One action and stands in stark contrast to the desert scenery at the far side of the track. The Kingdom of Bahrain is just seven hours flying time from London, but for the first-time visitor in particular, it is like the introduction to another world, with classic desert scenery and ancient souks, contrasted with the modern capital Manama and welcoming coastal resorts with immaculate beaches.
The track is perfectly designed to give great views from the comfort of the main and first turn grandstands, right next to where the majority of overtaking action happens, but if you’re a little more adventurous, the general admission area at the Camel Farm (honest!) gives a great view of the demanding turns 12 and 13, one of the most demanding sets of high-speed corners on the calendar.
The circuit is located at Sakhir, in the south-west Bahrain Island, largest of the Kingdom's 36 islands, approximately the same size as the Isle of Man. The capital Manama, is located approximately 30km away in the North East and offers plenty of scope for exploration and absorbing the local culture.
The Souk, the traditional market in Manama, is a great way to really get the feel of Arabia, but be prepared to haggle and enjoy a bit of good natured banter, it’s as much a part of the shopping experience as the purchase itself. Gold items are a particularly local speciality as are carpets at Shwarma Alley. Manama also has some of the most modern shopping centres in the world, with all the major European and American brands are represented in the various malls.
Other places to visit include the House of Al Jasra, a traditional Bahraini house which is the birthplace of the Amir, the ruler of Bahrain. The Al Fateh Grand Mosque in Manama is Bahrain’s largest mosque. The original sandstone Bahrain Fort is a short taxi ride out of the city and a haunting reminder of the island’s colonial past.
The Tree of Life is a unique tree, which has somehow survived in the sands just outside Manama, and makes a good excuse to venture out into the desert. A visit may also give you the chance to ride a camel. First find the camel herders, usually they are somewhere nearby, and for a dinar or two they will help you try to climb on. Thankfully it’s easier than you might expect!
