TCR, Porsche GT3 make for exciting support programme

Manama : The TCR International Series will be making its debut at BIC this weekend. It will be holding the first round of its 2016 season.

TCR will be opening its new campaign with a pair of practices today. Qualifying takes place on Saturday, followed by the first race over 10 laps or 25 minutes, scheduled for a 7.30pm start. Its second sprint will be Sunday.

In the Porsche GT3 Cup, newly crowned champions Al Nabooda Racing are aiming to round off a spectacularly successful season with another powerful performance at the 2016 Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix weekend.

Fresh from capturing the teams’ and drivers’ titles in the 2015-16 season, Jeffrey Schmidt and Zaid Ashkanani return to action at BIC for two exhibition races tomorrow and Sunday as part of the Grand Prix support programme.

The two Porsche GT3 Cup exhibition races will be held over 10 laps or 25 minutes around the 5.412-kilometre Grand Prix track. A practice session is scheduled for today and qualifying early on Saturday to determine the grid for the opening sprint.

Bahrain International Circuit welcomed a large crowd of motor racing fans yesterday for a Formula 1 Pit Lane Walk. 

Fans were also able to take photographs and see the Formula 1 pit from a unique perspective. The Pit Lane Walk was open to all ticket-holders.

Back-to-back concerts 

The Bahrain Grand Prix concerts series moves on to a pair of top-class international acts today.

First up is reggae royalty Jimmy Cliff, after which he will be followed on stage by superstar DJs Axwell and Ingrosso.

Loads of family entertainment can be enjoyed all race weekend at this year’s Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix.

The list of attractions include theatre shows, extreme performers, roaming acts, a special area for children’s activities, and an interactive F1 Game Zone. These will all be located at BIC’s Formula 1 Village vending area.

Gil and Tony will be getting everyone into the mood as hosts on the vending area’s Main Stage.

The extreme performances are professional acrobats Les P’Tits Bras and aerial artists CirkVOST. The roaming acts include the Beastie Drummers, Danny “Hang Player”, Joey Albert, Mimo Dixie Band, Morf, The Dapper Chaps, The Mangore Duo, The Saw Guy, Wojtek, Spandy Andy.

In the kids’ area, there will be various workshops for kids and many other attractions such as Titeretu, Labyrint Maze, Treemendous and the Amazing Drumming Monkeys.

Meanwhile, F1 Game Zone will be providing an ultimate experience for motor racing fans.

Tickets to the Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix are selling fast. A Main Grandstand ticket costs BD150, while a Batelco Grandstand ticket is BD120. A ticket to the Turn One Grandstand is BD100, and tickets to the University and Victory Grandstands are BD60 apiece.

Children aged three to 12 years old can get tickets for half the price, while entry is free of charge for those two years old and below. School students aged 13 to 17 years old can get a 25 per cent discount. University students can get 10 pc off, while senior citizens aged 60 and above along with people with special needs can get 25 pc discount.

Tickets can be purchased at the BIC sales tent located at Sakhir Service Station on the way to the circuit, at the BIC stands in Bahrain City Centre or Seef Mall in Seef District, online at www.bahraingp.com, or by calling the BIC Hotline on +973-17-450000.