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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Please contact this circuit using the information panels below.
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!
