BIC getting all geared up on and off track for Bahrain GP weekend

Manama, Mar. 30. (BNA) -- With the FIA Formula One World Championship now headed to the Kingdom for the 2014 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix, Bahrain International Circuit (BIC) has been getting all geared up to host the highly anticipated festival of racing and entertainment. The weekend-long event takes place April 4-5-6 in Sakhir, and it will mark the landmark 10th anniversary of BIC, "The Home of Motorsport in the Middle East". In preparation for the special occasion, BIC staff have been hard at work with the upkeep of the circuit’s facilities both on and off the race track. Maintenance work has been going on daily over the past few weeks at the iconic Sakhir Tower as well as at each of the circuit’s luxury suites, where many high-ranking VIPs will be hosted during the course of the Formula One weekend. Also being prepared are the circuit’s various grandstands, which can accommodate up to 45,000 people in total on any single day. Approximately 10,500 fans can be seated at the Main Grandstand, which offers a perfect view of the start grid and chequered flag, the Formula One pit lane and the podium. Maintenance has also been going on at the Turn One Grandstand, the Batelco Grandstand, and the University and Victory grandstands. Furthermore, work has been done at each of the team buildings along the BIC paddock, which can host up to 18 international racing squads. Each building is fully equipped with all the team necessities, including a kitchen, bathroom and shower facilities. Maintenance has also been carried out at BIC’s world-class Media Centre, which can host up to 500 journalists during an event along with 120 photographers. The nearby TV and Radio Compound, which can house more than 260 broadcasters from around the world, has also undergone some work. At the F1 Village vending area, much of the set-up for the weekend’s entertainment has been completed, such as the Shaun the Sheep marquee for children, the High Rope extreme activity course and the Main Stage. Meanwhile, out on the race track, eight giant screens have been put up all across the circuit from where the fans can watch all the action. Repainting of some of the run-off areas and the beautification of the desert landscape has also been carried out. It will all come together brilliantly under the floodlights as Bahrain hosts its very first Formula One night race. Most importantly, complete safety checks on all tyre barriers and other parts of the track have also been conducted by BIC officials. Outside of the circuit’s walls, the public parking lot has also undergone extensive maintenance work, while key access points to BIC has been widened to significantly reduce the long queues due to traffic during the Formula One weekend. All this and plenty more work has been done at BIC to ensure that it is fully ready to stage the biggest and most happening occasion in the region this year. Such focus and dedication has won BIC many awards in the past, such as an accolade for the Best Organised Grand Prix in 2004 and then a few years later, the prestigious distinction of becoming the first-ever Formula One circuit in the world to be named an FIA Institute Centre of Excellence. Tickets are selling quickly for this year’s Grand Prix and those wishing to attend are advised to purchase theirs as soon as possible. Tickets range from BD150 for all three days at the Main Grandstand to BD60 for three days at the University and Victory grandstands. Three-day tickets for the Batelco Grandstand are BD120 apiece while tickets for the Turn One Grandstand are BD100. Those with Main Grandstand tickets will have a chance to win valuable electronic prizes as part of BIC’s "10 EVERY 10" raffle promotion on April 5 and 6. Ten winners will emerge every 10 minutes during the one-hour qualifying session and also throughout the Grand Prix. A total of 260 winners in all will be identified by their seat numbers, and they will be presented their prizes by a team of BIC staff. Tickets to the 2014 Formula One Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix can be purchased at the BIC stands in Bahrain City Centre or Seef Mall; online at www.bahraingp.com or on the official BIC page on Facebook; or by calling the BIC Hotline on +973-17-450000. Special discounts on tickets are available for children, senior citizens and those with special needs. Children aged three to 12 years old can get tickets at 50 per cent off, while school students aged 13 to 17 can get a 25 per cent reduction. Further, senior citizens aged 60 and above and those with special needs can both purchase a ticket with a 25 per cent discount. For more information on the 2014 Formula One Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix, visit www.bahraingp.com or call +973-17-450000. Also follow BIC’s official accounts on Facebook (facebook.com/OfficialBahrainInternationalCircuit), Twitter (@BAH_Int_Circuit), Instagram (instagram.com/bah_int_circuit) and YouTube (youtube.com/bahrainbic) for regular updates.