The  Bahrain  International  Circuit  today  announced  that  the  34  VIP corporate lounges above the Main Grandstand are now completely sold out for the 2008 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix on April 4-5-6.

The Grand Prix will be the biggest sporting, social and business networking event in the Middle East, said the BIC.

'The growth of popularity of Formula One and motor sport in general amongst sports fans in this
region since the BIC was built is extraordinary and highly rewarding to see,' said Martin Whitaker,
chief executive officer at the BIC.

'It is no less important that corporate interest is following suit, with the step-by-step increases in corporate sales that we have seen through the first four Bahrain Grands  Prix  taking  a huge  leap  for 2008.  Almost every  key decision  maker  in  the  Middle East
business community is expected  in Bahrain  either as a host or a guest in one of the VIP areas, underlining what an invaluable tool for commerce motor sport can be.'

The BIC's five-star catering service is gearing up to accommodate the huge number of corporate guests expected over the three days of the event, with additional staff being recruited to meet the demand for such vital services as security, car parking, cleaning and waiting on tables.

Meanwhile, the larders and refrigerators  are being stocked with  more  than 10 tonnes of fresh  produce and 100,000  litres  of  refreshing  drinks  to  ensure  that  ample  supplies  are  in  place  to  ensure  a comfortable stay in the Sakhir desert for the visiting VIPs.

For the business visitors there is also the allure of the first Motor Sport Business Forum Middle East on April  1-2, which will bring together the  leaders of the commercial world of  motor sport and many key decision makers from the Middle East. In the past four years the Middle East is estimated to  have  invested  more  than  $12  billion  in  building  international  motor  sport  building  venues, investing in teams and motor manufacturers and as sponsors. The forum will act as the conduit for knowledge and information to ensure the maximum benefit on that investment  can be achieved and build new opportunities.

Meanwhile  a feast of entertainment is  expected on the track  for  everyone at the 2008  Gulf  Air Bahrain  Grand  Prix,  with  the  third  race  in  this  year's  FIA  Formula  One  World  Championship expected to produce another titanic battle between the Ferrari, BMW and McLaren-Mercedes teams for victory in the Grand Prix and supporting action from the region's biggest circuit racing series, the  Lumina  CSV  Championship  Middle  East,  where  the  final  round  will  see  Bahrain's  Fahad  Al Musalam and Saudi Arabia's Abdulaziz Al Yaeesh with their eyes on the prize of a test drive in the V8 Supercars Australia.

Formula One's traditional support race, the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup gets its season underway in Bahrain with the field of exotic Porsche 911 GT3 Cup machines providing glamour and super-fast racing, while the new GP2 Asia acts as a feeder category to the top level of the sport for drivers from across the Middle East and Asia and the all-star Speedcar Series for NASCAR-style stock cars brings out veteran entertainers such as former Grand Prix winners Jean Alesi and Johnny Herbert in dramatic racing action. - TradeArabia News Service