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Formula One will be the main attraction at the Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix weekend but motoring fans are in for a treat with non-stop action supporting it at the circuit.
The up-and-coming stars of the GP2 Series will be racing and the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Middle East competition aims to thrill at the Bahrain International Circuit (BIC) in Sakhir this weekend.
The GP2 Series, which began in 2005, has produced more than 50 young talents including Nico Rosberg, Lewis Hamilton, Timo Glock and Nico Hülkenberg who have all tested their mettle in the group before making the move to motorsport’s top tier.
BIC chief executive officer Shaikh Salman bins Isa Al Khalifa said: “GP2 is a feeder series for F1. It is always an exciting race because the young drivers use the series to prove themselves and determine who is destined to be the next Formula 1 driver.
“They put on a thrilling show and are more aggressive and courageous on the corners, in my opinion. They really pull out all the stops.”
The first round of the GP2 2014 season starts in Bahrain with another nine events across Europe taking place between May and September. The championship finale will be staged in Abu Dhabi in November.
The Bahraini opener will consist of two races, jump-starting on April 5 with drivers racing over 32 laps, or a total of 173.184 km. The 23-lap sprint race follows on April 6 and will cover 124.476km.
In preparation of GP2, tests were held for the first time in Bahrain over the past month.
Meanwhile, the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge, managed by Bahrain-based Austrian racing legend Walter Lechner, will be holding its exhibition round at the circuit.
Shaikh Salman added: “The Porsche GT3 Cup Middle East is an opportunity for the regional drivers to showcase their skills during the F1 weekend.
“We are very proud to support legend Walter Lechner’s championship and to show how motor sport is rising within the region.”
Its season only just concluded in Bahrain with the sixth and final round at the BIC.
Kuwaiti youngster Zaid Ashkananai was crowned overall champion of the season following a dramatic one-point victory over last year’s winner Clemens Schmid.
Ashkanani and Schmid won a race apiece in the final round, making for a pulsating ending to the title fight.
Now Ashkanani will lead a full grid of the region’s most talented racers including the Bahraini trio Shaikh Salman bin Rashid Al Khalifa, Shaikh Jaber bin Ali Al Khalifa, and Mohammed Mattar during the Grand Prix weekend.
Other top drivers taking part will be Sheikh Hasher Al Maktoum and Saeed Al Mehairi of the UAE along with Saudi Arabian favourites Faisal Bin Laden, Fahad Algosaibi and Fawaz Algosaibi and Mohammed Jawa.
The rest of the participants on the provisional entry list are Alain Muraour of France, Kai Riemer and Hannes Waimer of Germany, Antonio Giancola of Switzerland, Charles Frijns and Rob Frijns of the Netherlands and Manfred Ender of Austria.
Race one of the contest will take place on April 5 and the second sprint will be on April 6 scheduled before Formula 1.
For further details, visit www.bahraingp.com
