MP bats for amateur racetracks

Manama : “I know what I am doing is stupid, and I should be the only one to pay if something happens,” this is what a random street kid said when asked about the risk involved in street racing, quotes a recent report. Nay, he is not from Bahrain but from a different country and a different city, halfway around  the globe. But the risk he takes and the threat he poses remains the same everywhere. 

This is also the opinion of a lawmaker here, who has been trying hard for a long time to keep racing off public streets. 

He is of the opinion that we could end this by giving the kids here a chance to do the same at a regulated environment. 

“Build a public racing and car stunting area,” said MP Jamal Dawood, while adding that this way we could save many lives. 

In a telephonic interview with DT News, he said,  “It’s important to have such a facility in Bahrain. The youth have energies that they express in unacceptable manners, such as racing and speeding. Their energies must be embraced and such hobbies should be regulated.”

MP Jamal Dawood represents several constituencies in Hamad Town, where majority of the noisy and dangerous car stunts and manoeuvres are reported. 

“The Law prohibits such practices, but this doesn’t stop the youth from performing such acts on public roads. It’s the adventure and excitement they seek. 

“But they pose endless dangers to their lives and others,” he pointed out. 

And on the dawn of Saturday, the street madness claimed yet another life. A Bahraini was killed and eight others were injured in a deadly racing accident in the Al Areen area.

This is only a small part of a much wider picture. Streets of Hamad Town, Karrana and Sitra have seen countless number of such fatalities in the past three years. 

The proposal 

The proposal to build a special arena for amateur car racing was made by Dawood in February, 2015.

After a yearlong debate, both at the Parliament and Shura Council, the proposal was referred to the government for further clearance. 

“And that’s the end of it.

“It was kept aside, as they found it not convincing enough

“They disregarded it and opted not to reply,” the legislator said expressing his disappointment.

“Considering the freedom our kids enjoy nowadays, curbing their energies and hobbies is a tough task. It’s a reality that we should look into. A space is needed to attract the energies of the youth and protect them and the public from their dangerous hobbies,” he stressed. 

Reap the benefits 

Amateur motorsports are extremely popular in the region and why not exploit it a bit. 

“If a special arena is opened  for the purpose here in Bahrain, it would even attract people from the neighbouring GCC countries,” the MP said. 

Citing reports, he pointed that even though such stunts are performed illegally, at least 100 contesters are taking part in it on a regular basis supported by around 3000 spectators. 

“The matter has been discussed with several local and regional investors, who affirm that this is a successful sports tourism project and also expressed their willingness to invest. The government’s greenlight is all that’s required,” Dawood revealed.

300m long, 50m wide 

According to the proposal by Dawood, which DT News reported earlier, the track should be initially around 300 meters long and 50 meters wide.

“It should be surrounded by a three-metre high sand wall to isolate it and to protect the spectators. The arena should operate twelve hours a day (2pm–2am) and should be supervised and regulated by the General Directorate of Traffic. Fees must not exceed BD3 for participants and BD1 for spectators,” Dawood clarified during a parliamentary session last November.

Why not BIC?

When we asked why not redirect the youth to Bahrain International Circuit (BIC), Dawood said that he had discussed the same with a number of local street racers and enthusiasts, who said that “BIC operates with international standards and is specialised in hosting professional racing events and the entrance and participation fees are over most of the youth’s budgets”.

Back then, Dawood said, “the new project only targets amateur car shows and not professional racing events.”