Bahrain Grand Prix 2012

BIC, Sakhir: Bahrain International Circuit (BIC), the largest venue in the Middle East, alongside national carriers Gulf Air, proudly announced today an exciting programme of events for the upcoming 2012 Formula One Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix.
The long awaited race weekend, which is loved by hundreds of thousands of racing fans from across the region, will be the eighth running of the event.
It is scheduled to take place between April 20 and 22, 2012 as the fourth round of a record-breaking 20- race calendar that makes up this year’s FIA Formula One World Championship.
The 60-day countdown to the Grand Prix weekend begins today (Monday, February 20), and as the event nears, excitement and anticipation hots up.

‘UNIF1ED – ONE NATION IN CELEBRATION’
All-new details of the Formula One event were revealed at today’s Press conference, held at BIC’s Paddock Club Lounge Six. In attendance were Shaikh Salman bin Isa Al Khalifa, Chief Executive at BIC, and Samer Majali, Chief Executive at Gulf Air.
Together they revealed this year’s slogan for the race: ‘UNIF1ED – ONE NATION IN CELEBRATION’. This mantra reflects the unifying spirit of true Formula One fans, who share a passion for the sport and who long to see the very best of motor racing take place in the Kingdom.
Shaikh Salman commented: “Sport brings people together, especially the truest and most dedicated of fans. Be it in football, tennis, golf or motor racing, there is something special about sport that makes it a great unifier. “We in Bahrain should feel extremely privileged to be part of an exclusive club of only a handful of countries who can say that they are a host of a Grand Prix and are a part of the FIA Formula One World Championship. Our race is a source of pride!… Based on the success of past Grands Prix, we are all together looking forward to staging yet another spectacular Formula One weekend. We are excited about making Bahrain proud and for the whole world to see that we are indeed One Nation in Celebration.”

BAHRAIN INTERNATIONAL CIRCUIT AND GULF AIR … NATIONAL PARTNERSHIP
Samer Majali confirmed: “As Bahrain’s national carrier, we are looking forward to welcoming the return of the Formula One Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix.
“We have already seen an increase in bookings for these three days as excitement builds. Gulf Air has been the title sponsor of the Bahrain Grand Prix since it made history in April 2004 as the first Formula One Grand Prix to be held in the Middle East.”
To book a travel trip to watch the Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix 2012 on board the Gulf Air fleet, visit www.gulfair.com or call +973-17-373737.

SPECIAL DISCOUNT ON ALL GRAND PRIX TICKETS OVER NEXT TWO WEEKS
Shaikh Salman also revealed today that a generous 15 per cent discount on all tickets to the race weekend is being offered over the next two weeks. With this special deal in place, all race fans are advised to scoop up their tickets as soon as possible in order to avoid disappointment and get added value for money.
Tickets to the Bahrain Grand Prix can be purchased for seats along the Main Grandstand, from where a view of the start grid, finish line, Formula One pit lane and podium can be enjoyed. These are now on sale, as well as tickets for the Turn One Grandstand, Batelco Grandstand, University Grandstands and Victory Grandstand.
Tickets can be purchased at Bahrain International Circuit’s stand at Bahrain City Centre, online at www.bahraingp.com, or by calling the circuit’s hotline on +973-17-450000. All three-day ticket holders will have plenty of additional incentives that can be enjoyed throughout the Grand Prix weekend.

TOP-CLASS SUPPORT PROGRAMME WITH GP2, PORSCHE SUPERCUP AND SUPERCARS
Just as it had been in years past, the 2012 Formula One Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix will boast a line-up of three of the very best international support series that will complement all the Formula One action.
These supporting categories are headlined by the GP2 Series and Porsche Mobil1 Supercup. Also set to feature is the most popular circuit racing category to come out of the region, the WGA Supercars Championship Middle East.
GP2 is the chief feeder category to Formula One, and it is from where half of the top flight’s current grid has graduated from. GP2 will be staging its second round of the 2012 season in support of the Bahrain Grand Prix. There will also be the Porsche Mobil1 Supercup which will be holding its opening round of the 2012 season. The Porsche Supercup is a favourite amongst motor racing fans worldwide and car enthusiasts alike in Bahrain. The championship is among the most popular in the world, with the large number of powerful Porsche 911 race cars battling each other side by side.
The third support series will be the WGA Supercars Middle East Championship. This category will be staging its sixth and final round of the 2011/2012 season at the Bahrain Grand Prix, setting the stage for the coronation of the series’ newest champions in the drivers and teams categories.

NATION-WIDE EVENTS TO GET PUBLIC BUZZING WITH FORMULA ONE FEVER
In preparation for the Bahrain Grand Prix, Bahrain International Circuit has lined up a series of nation-wide public events to help raise awareness for the race weekend and to get people buzzing with Formula One fever.
Among them are special competitions in which people of all ages and nationalities can take part in. One is the ‘I Love Bahrain’ Picture and Video Contest, which will require participants to send in their favourite photographs or videos taken during past editions of the Bahrain Grand Prix. The best will then be selected and their entries will be put on display all over Bahrain in malls or even at the circuit itself during the race weekend.
Among other community events lined up are a ‘Build an F1 Car’ activity for schools and universities, the creation of different F1 related sculptures all across Bahrain, an art exhibition, and many others.

FORMULA ONE VILLAGE TO OFFER PLENTY OF FUN ACTIVITIES FOR ALL
Off the race track, there will be plenty of recreational activities for people of all ages throughout the three-day Grand Prix weekend.
They will be located mainly at the Formula One Village behind the Main Grandstand, and all of them will contribute to the lively and engaging family friendly atmosphere here at Bahrain International Circuit.
Also adding to the jovial mood will be stilt walkers, street performers, buskers, balloon modellers, magicians and caricaturists who will be interacting with the large crowds; while a special Extreme Area will be set up for those wishing to test their limits and experience an extreme ride. Meanwhile, for the first time at the Bahrain Grand Prix, there will be three special fully air- conditioned tents solely catered to children’s entertainment. These will undoubtedly be among the top attractions especially for the event’s younger audience.
Further, there will be a spectacular exhibition of some of McLaren’s greatest Formula One cars. This collection will feature some of the team’s most successful challengers, some of which date back to the late 1960s while others coming from the modern era. This first-of-its-kind McLaren Museum”, which will feature around 20 cars, will give race buffs a unique look down memory lane with one of the most successful teams to compete in the sport.
All this and plenty of other surprises will be on hand as Formula One takes centre stage in the region for this year’s Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix.
Tickets are now available. Once again, they can be purchased at the Bahrain International Circuit stand located at Bahrain City Centre. They can also be bought online at www.bahraingp.com or by calling the circuit’s hotline on +973-17-450000.

The press release above has been issued by Information Affairs Authority, P.O. Box 253, Isa Town, Kingdom of Bahrain Tel: (+973) 17 872 556 / Fax: (+973) 17 682 777.
For press enquiries, please contact the Press Office on press@iaa.gov.bh.

Picture credit: BIC Bahrain