Flip through the latest issue of Gulf Weekly.
THIS year's Formula One race will be the third round of the FIA Formula One World Championship - following Australia and Malaysia - and the Bahrain International Circuit is expecting an increased number of spectators over the three-day race event.
Martin Whitaker, the BIC's chief executive officer, said his team is "working flat-out" on making this the best show to date with increased levels of entertainment and spectator activities.
He told GulfWeekly: "The Grand Prix will boast four support races - GP2, Porsche SuperCup, Lumina CSV Championship and Speedcar - and a wealth of side shows for individuals, families and corporate guests of all ages.
"Let us not forget that the Grand Prix attracts visitors from throughout the region and all over the world.
"It is a platform on which global blue-chip companies entertain customers and potential clients and is a revenue provider for the kingdom.
"The Grand Prix alone generated 100's of million worth of direct and in-direct economic impact for the kingdom. Add this to the impact of all the other events that the circuit is hosting on an annual basis and it soon becomes clear that the circuit has repaid the government's investment many times over.
"The team at BIC has grown the organisation into a world class facility. It is a facility that Bahrain can be proud of and continues to keep the kingdom at the forefront of people's minds around the world."
Amongst the many community initiatives planned will be a special educational programme allowing lucky Bahraini children the chance to savour the flavour of the F1 atmosphere at special visits during the build up to the big race day.
Staff will also be visiting schools with a fun-filled package of activities which may include 'giant characters' resembling race stars like Felipe Massa and Lewis Hamilton.
The BIC will be launching its major publicity campaign for this year's spectacular on Sunday to urge race fans in Bahrain to snap up tickets as early as possible to avoid disappointment.
Last year's event attracted 90,000 spectators over three days and some locals and expats were left disappointed by leaving it to the last minute to buy tickets for the main race.
The "our race" theme is the brainchild of Samer Al Shaikh, BIC's marketing and public relations manager and his team.
He said: "The glory is all thanks to the people of Bahrain. The race has grown in popularity each year and really now belongs to the people of the kingdom with support from the neighbouring Gulf States.
"People are talking about it as 'our race next to the desert' with pride, passion, patriotism and a sense of ownership. The heart of the Gulf is racing.
"And it's so true, the success story of the Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix and the way it has lifted the kingdom's profile on the world's sporting stage is down to everyone - the staff at the airport welcoming the visitors, the courteous hoteliers, the traffic police, the security forces and so many others - plus the multitude of workers here at the race track.
"There are so many people in the kingdom working together to make sure the event is truly special it has almost become a part of them."
The Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix is all about friends, family, the glamour and, not least, the cars and drivers.
See Back Page
Grand Prix Ticket Rates
Hospitality Products Corporate Lounge
BD24,500
Paddock Club - Weekend
BD1,470 Paddock Club - Race day BD1,250 Grandstand Tickets Weekend Main Grandstand BD150 Batelco Grandstand BD120
Turn 1 Grandstand BD80
University Grandstand BD60
Victory Grandstand BD30
Race Day Main Grandstand BD120 Batelco Grandstand BD100 Turn 1 Grandstand BD65 University Grandstand BD50
Victory Grandstand BD25
Note: All children (3-15 years) get a 50 per cent discount for all areas (personal ID required). University Students get a 10 per cent discount for all areas (university ID required).
IF you haven't been to BIC before; you can visit the Welcome Centre, situated at the Main Gate, which is open every day of the year.
