BAHRAINSPORTS
APRIL 2014
comprises 495 lighting poles ranging in
height from 10 to 45 metres. It carries
5,000 luminaires necessary to provide
the required lighting levels for HDTV
broadcasting, and it has required 500
kilometres of cabling to set it all up.
The new lighting system is able to
accommodate a variety of track configurations, making it possible to host
numerous regional and international
racing events.
The new lighting system has received
plenty of positive reviews from those who
were in Bahrain in February and March
for Formula One pre-season testing.
McLaren engineer Tom Stallard said
on his Twitter account: “Ran round the
floodlit Bahrain circuit tonight. It’s going
to look great as a night race!”
Formula One journalist Tom Wilkinson tweeted: “Bahrain will look good in
the dark this season. I think it’s a good
move to have it as a night race.”
Andrew Tate from The Sunday Age
Sport commented: “It’s all desert and
floodlights here at Bahrain. Should look
spectacular for the night race come
round three.”
In mid-February, His Royal Highness
Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa,
Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Prime Minister,
launched BIC’s new permanent lighting
system, which is the most dramatic upgrade in the BIC’s decade-long history.
The Crown Prince said the new lighting system is a highly significant upgrade
for BIC and demonstrates the Kingdom’s
commitment to promoting motorsport in
the Middle East.
He emphasised that motorsport
remains an important contributor to
Bahrain’s economy.
The launch was attended by senior
ministers, government officials, BIC
board members and business leaders in
the kingdom.
Aside from the Grand Prix, there will
be much more to look forward to over
the weekend both on and off the race
track.
An extra-special line-up of family
friendly entertainment has been put
together by BIC for the enjoyment of all
those in attendance.
This will be highlighted by three
major concerts, including back-to-back
shows by superstar DJ and producer
Avicii and legendary rock band The Scorpions on Saturday night (April 5), and a
performance by Saudi star Rabeh Saqer
on Friday (April 4).
Back on the race track, an exciting
support programme of three top-class
championships will be burning rubber.
Among them is the GP2 Series, which
will be kick starting its 2014 season in
Bahrain.
The GP2 Series is widely known as
the chief feeder series to Formula One,
with the top flight’s current grid featuring
several GP2 graduates.
The weekend’s other support series
is the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Middle East. This championship is a pride
of the Kingdom of Bahrain, having been
born and bred at BIC has become the
most popular one-make professional
championship in the region.
For tickets, visit bahraingp.com or
call +973-17-450000. THE GAME
sports magazine t h e g a m e
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