BAHRAIN International Circuit (BIC) and Gulf Air are counting down for the 2009 Formula One Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix, the biggest international sporting and social occasion in the region.
The sixth Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix takes place on April 24 to 26.
Shaikh Salman bin Isa Al Khalifa, Chief Operating Officer at BIC, said, “In TV exposure terms the event is second only to the FIFA World Cup and Olympic Games. Over the years fans of Formula One have come from all over the world to expect so much more from Bahrain International Circuit and this year we promise to make it the most entertaining, biggest and best yet.”
“During the 2008 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix we witnessed almost 100,000 spectators attending the three-day race weekend. This year, we are hoping to go beyond this record to see a greater attendance as a thrilling season lies ahead,” he said.
Away from the track events include three groups of five acrobats who go by the name of ‘Limpopo-Zambezi as they hail from Mozambique, Kenya and Ghana. Other acts will appear in the Formula One Village Vending Area, with buskers in the tunnels, stilt-walkers, balloon-makers, acrobats, musicians and more. Bahrain will host the fourth round of this year’s FIA Formula One World Championship. The opening round will be in Melbourne, Australia on March 29 and the championship runs through 17 events in 16 countries before culminating in the final race in Abu Dhabi on November 1. Formula One attracts a global audience of more than 550 million viewers and takes place on every continent except Africa and Antarctica.
This year BIC announced a partnership with the United Nations Environment Programme whereby the circuit takes on environmental initiatives as part of its “BIC Go Green” campaign.
Shaikh Salman said, “The goal of the campaign is to carry out various initiatives that will be beneficial not only for the circuit but for the entire kingdom. We also hope that as the first circuit in the world to take this step we will be able to spread awareness nationally and regionally as we join forces with the UNEP to tackle important global issues.”
Alexander Peck, corporate communications director of Gulf Air, said, “As one of the principle ambassadors for the Kingdom of Bahrain we are delighted to again be at the forefront when the eyes of the world are focused on Bahrain. Our sponsorship started in 2004 and since then we have been instrumental in the success of the event and the economic benefits it has brought to the Bahrain economy.”