Bahrain International Circuit (BIC) today launched tickets for the 2012 Formula One Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix, which will be held at the Sakhir track in April.

The race is scheduled to take place between April 20 and 22 as the fourth round of a record-breaking 20-race calendar that makes up this year’s FIA Formula One World Championship.

With the 60-day countdown to the Grand Prix weekend beginning tomorrow (February 20), BIC officials announced an exciting programme of events.

Shaikh Salman bin Isa Al Khalifa, chief executive at BIC, said the race will be held under the slogan: ‘Unif1ed – One Nation In Celebration’.

This mantra reflects the unifying spirit of true Formula One fans, who share a passion for the sport and who long to see the very best of motor racing take place in the Kingdom, he said.

Shaikh Salman expressed confidence that the Bahrain Grand Prix will be a memorable one for all fans. He said sport brings people together.

“We in Bahrain should feel extremely privileged to be part of an exclusive club of only a handful of countries who can say that they are a host of a Grand Prix and are a part of the FIA Formula One World Championship. Our race is a source of pride,” he said.

“Based on the success of past Grands Prix, we are all together looking forward to staging yet another spectacular Formula One weekend. We are excited about making Bahrain proud and for the whole world to see that we are indeed One Nation in Celebration.”

On the doubts expressed in some quarters on the holding of the race this year, Shaikh Salman said the race was on the calendar when it was announced and “we were always confident that the race will be held. The F1 management has supported BIC throughout,” he said.

He assured that the BIC team was working hard to ensure a safe event for the thousands of fans.
 
Today’s press conference to announce the details of the race was also addressed by Samer Majali, chief executive of Gulf Air.

Majali said: “As Bahrain’s national carrier, we are looking forward to welcoming the return of the Formula One Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix.

“We have already seen an increase in bookings for these three days as excitement builds. Gulf Air has been the title sponsor of the Bahrain Grand Prix since it made history in April 2004 as the first Formula One Grand Prix to be held in the Middle East.”

He said the airline will increase flights in certain sectors if the need arises.

Shaikh Salman also announced a 15 per cent discount on all tickets to the race weekend during the next two weeks.

Tickets to the Bahrain Grand Prix can be purchased at Bahrain International Circuit’s stand at Bahrain City Centre, online at www.bahraingp.com, or by calling the circuit’s hotline on +973-17-450000.

The Grand Prix will boast a line-up of three of the very best international support series that will complement all the Formula One action.

These supporting categories are headlined by the GP2 Series and Porsche Mobil1 Supercup. Also set to feature is the most popular circuit racing category to come out of the region, the WGA Supercars Championship Middle East.

GP2 is the chief feeder category to Formula One, and it is from where half of the top flight’s current grid has graduated from. GP2 will be staging its second round of the 2012 season in support of the Bahrain Grand Prix.

There will also be the Porsche Mobil1 Supercup which will be holding its opening round of the 2012 season. The Porsche Supercup is a favourite amongst motor racing fans worldwide and car enthusiasts alike in Bahrain. The championship is among the most popular in the world, with the large number of powerful Porsche 911 race cars battling each other side by side.

The third support series will be the WGA Supercars Middle East Championship. This category will be staging its sixth and final round of the 2011/2012 season at the Bahrain Grand Prix, setting the stage for the coronation of the series’ newest champions in the drivers and teams categories.

Fun activities

Off the race track, there will be plenty of recreational activities for people throughout the three-day Grand Prix weekend.

They will be located mainly at the Formula One Village behind the Main Grandstand, and all of them will contribute to the lively and engaging family friendly atmosphere here at Bahrain International Circuit.

Also adding to the jovial mood will be stilt walkers, street performers, buskers, balloon modellers, magicians and caricaturists who will be interacting with the large crowds; while a special Extreme Area will be set up for those wishing to test their limits and experience an extreme ride.

Meanwhile, for the first time at the Bahrain Grand Prix, there will be three special fully air-conditioned tents solely catered to children’s entertainment.

Further, there will be a spectacular exhibition of some of McLaren’s greatest Formula One cars. – TradeArabia News Service