Bahrain International Circuit

Motorsport venue
Name = Bahrain International Circuit | Location = Sakhir, Bahrain
Time = GMT +3


Events = F1, GP2, F3, V8 Supercars,
Bahrain GT Festival, Drag racing | Length_km = 5.411
Length_mi = 3.37
Turns = 15
Record_time = 1:30.252
Record_driver = flagicon|GER Michael Schumacher
Record_team = Ferrari
Record_year = 2004The Bahrain International Circuit (Arabic: حلبة البحرين الدولية) is a venue used for drag racing, GP2, and an annual Formula One Grand Prix. For the first time in 2006, there was a V8 Supercar race, named the Desert 400, and also a 24 Hour Race.

The construction of the Bahrain circuit was a national objective for Bahrain, initiated by the Crown Prince, Shaikh Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa. The Crown Prince is the Honorary President of the Bahrain Motor Federation.

Race organizers were worried that the circuit would not be complete in time for the 2004 Grand Prix and attempted to cancel the event, however Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone refused this request. In the end, the circuit was not quite fully complete, but was good enough for the grand prix to go ahead.cite web |url= http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/formula_one/3567433.stm|title= Bahrain 'tried to stop GP'|accessdate= 2007-04-13|date=2004-03-25|publisher = BBC News]

The circuit posed a unique problem. Positioned in the middle of a desert, there were worries that sand would blow onto the circuit and disrupt the race. However, organizers were able to keep the sand off the track by spraying an adhesive on the sand around the track.cite web |url= http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/formula_one/3580063.stm|title=Schumacher admits sand fear|accessdate= 2007-04-13|date=2004-03-29|publisher = BBC News]

The circuit was designed by German architect Hermann Tilke, the same architect who designed the Sepang circuit in Malaysia. The circuit cost approximately US $150 million to construct.cite web |url= http://www.bahraingp.com.bh/circuit-info.html|title= Bahrain International Circuit Info|accessdate= 2006-12-17|publisher = Bahrain International Circuit] It has six separate tracks, including a test oval and a drag strip.

In 2007 the circuit became the first Grand Prix circuit to be awarded the distinguished FIA Institute Centre of Excellence award, given for excellent safety, race marshal, and medical facilities; and for the high standards of technology required to maintain these.cite web |url= http://www.formula1.com/race/news/5942/772.html|title= Bahrain named Centre of Excellence by FIA|accessdate= 2007-04-13|date=2007-04-13|publisher = Formula1.com]

Facilities

eries Hosted

The Bahrain International Circuit hosts a number of high profile series, including the FIA Formula One World Championship, the Australian V8 Supercar Championship Series, the GP2 Series, GP2 Asia, Chevrolet Lumina Series, Speedcar Series, Thunder Arabia and Radical.

In the past the circuit has hosted the FIA GT Championship, and a one-off Bahrain Formula 3 Superprix. The first ever Formula BMW World Final took place in Bahrain. Also every year there is the traditional 24 Hours of Bahrain. In April 2008, there was talk of a NASCAR Nationwide Series race or an IndyCar Series race.Fact|date=June 2008

Games Featuring Bahrain

*Formula One 04
*Formula One 05
*Formula One 06
*Formula One Championship Edition
*TOCA Race Driver 3
*GTR - FIA GT Racing Game (available as add-on)

Bahrain Grand Prix

Notes and references

External links

* [http://www.bahraingp.com.bh/ Bahrain International Circuit]
* [http://www.formula1.com/races/in_detail/bahrain_789/ Circuit info from official F1 site]
* [http://www.formula1.com/news/features/2008/4/7573.html A lap of Bahrain with Honda’s Alexander Wurz]
* [http://www.formula1.com/news/features/2008/4/7576.html Duelling in the desert - how to master Bahrain]
* [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/motorsport/formula_one/circuit_guide/4244345.stm BBC's circuit guide]
* [http://www.bahraingp.com.bh/webcast.html] Bahrain International Circuit's Webcast
* [http://watch.tsn.ca/auto-racing/clip42140#clip42140 TSN Track Walkthrough]