Flip through the latest issue of Gulf Weekly.
Bahrain is set to become the first country in the region to host the FIA World Touring Car Race (WTCR), as part of the World Endurance Championship 8 Hours of Bahrain weekend, taking place in November.
The Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile will stage the exciting new international racing series for the first time in Sakhir on November 11 and 12 at the Bahrain International Circuit (BIC).
“It’s a great honour for us to host WTCR for its debut in the Middle East and also the first time it will appear alongside the World Endurance Championship (WEC),” BIC chief commercial officer Sherif Al Mahdy explained.
“The unique combination of touring car and sports car racing will make for an exciting spectacle for fans in Bahrain and across the world and we look forward to welcoming participants later this year.”
It is the first time the WTCR will take place alongside the FIA WEC, and the race is also part of a double-header with Saudi Arabia that will decide the series’ title winners this year. The Saudi event will take place November 25 to 27.
The inaugural WTCR Race of Bahrain will use BIC’s full 15-corner, 5.412-kilometre Grand Prix Circuit layout. WTCR Race of Bahrain will count as Rounds 15 and 16 of the 2022 season, while WTCR Race of Saudi Arabia will form Rounds 17 and 18.
“Having two world-class venues such as the Bahrain International Circuit and Jeddah Corniche Circuit joining the WTCR − FIA World Touring Car Cup calendar is a positive development for the series,” added Alan Gow, FIA touring car commission president.
“It’s also great to finally have a joint event with the FIA WEC.”
