Get ready for Race Day thrills

Manama  : Loads of thrills await race fans this Saturday as Bahrain International Circuit (BIC) hosts the fourth round of National Race Day in Sakhir.

An exciting triple-header is set to take place with the BIC 2,000cc Challenge, Bahrain Superbike Championship (BSBK) and Bahrain Motorcycle Racing 600 (BMR 600) all roaring into action, with BIC’s 2.55-km Inner Track set to host the racing.

The day’s programme begins at 9.50am and concludes at around 5pm, all are welcome and tickets are available at the gate. They cost BD2 for adults and BD1 for children.

All three championships taking place Saturday will be holding the third round of their respective 2016/2017 seasons.

The BIC 2,000cc Challenge is one of the longest-running championships in the Gulf, professionally organised and featuring some of the top racers in two-litre cars with modifications limited to ensure an even playing field.

So far the 2,000cc campaign has been wildly unpredictable from the six races held to date, with four different winners - Mohammed Faqihi, Hussain Karimi, Tim Birkin and Shaikh Hamad bin Isa bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa, who had a fantastic double in round three.

The BSBK is also set to feature a very strong field of competitors, with each rider competing on a Ducati 899 Panigale sports bike.

Heading the cast is Mishal Alneaimi, who has won every race since last season with the exception of one, claimed by Mike “Spike” Edwards.

Edwards clinched race one from the previous meeting after Alneaimi was given a 20-second penalty following his first-place finish.

Others to look out for in the BSBK include Fahad Alsuwaidi and Ali Alshammari.

The BMR 600 will see competition divided into two categories, the first being the Superstock Series and the other the Hornets Series.

Some of the top riders in the Superstock class include David Wynne, Magnus Mossburg and Pawel Rosciszewsi, while those in the Hornets category are Alshammari, Adel Najjar, Ali Adiby and Mohammad Al Zaidan.

Action on Saturday begins at 9.50am with BSBK Practice. The Superbikers move on to Qualifying at 11.30am, after which Race One is scheduled for 1.32pm. Race Two takes place at 3.12pm.

The 2,000cc Challenge begins its programme at 10.50am with Practice, and then Qualifying takes place at 12.20pm. Race One is at 2.31pm and Race Two is at 4.11pm and the BMR 600 will be taking to the track for the first time at 10.25am for Practice and then again at 11.55am for Qualifying. Race One will be at 2.01pm while Race Two will flag off at 3.41pm.