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At the Bahrain International Circuit, there is something for everyone to do. The track opened in 2004 and has since played host to many high profile racing sports such as the Formula One Bahrain Grand Prix and the Australian V8 Supercar Series. The track was designed to have other fun activities besides racing in order to sustain a profit throughout the year. That is why the circuit attracts corporations and families alike all year long. Have a look at all there is to do at the BIC.
Tracks
The Bahrain International Circuit has eight tracks which include the endurance track, inner track, outer track, paddock track, drag strip, Grand Prix track, 4X4 off road course, and kart track. Each of these tracks attracts a different style of racing and the circuit was built in such a way that two tracks can be in function at the same time. This allows for more events to be held without causing major congestion. Schedule a tour of the circuit to learn all the details of the tracks and then visit a race in person.
Family Fun
The Bahrain International Circuit is a very family oriented place. During race events, there are carnival games, street performers, face painting, tattoo stations and other fun activities for the children. When races are not being held, families can still come to enjoy fun and exciting activities like 4X4 off road rides, kart rides, and V8 Lumina rides. Families can experience the thrill of racing for an entire day in a safe environment that is fun for the whole family.
Corporate Events
The new Bahrain International Circuit is an excellent place to hold corporate events. There are eight venues from which to choose to host meetings, conferences, product launches, and product exhibitions. Every event will be catered and tended by the friendly staff. Businesses can also order packages of adventures on which to take their clients or team members for excellent team building experiences. These experiences include kart racing and off roading among other exciting activities.
Hosting Parties
The new Bahrain International Circuit is also an excellent place to host parties. During races, groups can rent out the facilities to host small groups of as few as 10 people to large groups as big as 10,000 people. Families often hold birthday parties at the BIC where games, activities, and fun are in full supply for the children. Parties can be catered by the experienced staff and groups will enjoy the generous hospitality as they indulge in a spectacular party setting.
Regardless of the event, the new Bahrain International Circuit is the place to be. For racing, the tracks are second to none. People travel from all over the Middle East to watch racers maneuver the tight turns and fast straights. Corporations love to book activities where the friendly staff of the BIC will handle the booking of the entire stay including travel and lodging. This new track in the middle of the desert has truly been a great success and will continue to attract large crowds for years to come.
It may be surprising for some people to note that there was other industry in Bahrain before oil was struck. In fact, the pearl industry was huge before oil was found and Bahrain is still world renowned to this day for its natural pearls. Enthusiasts always think of Bahrain when discussing the best pearls and likewise think of pearls whenever Bahrain is mentioned. You can always be sure, if the pearl originated in Bahrain it is one of the best in the world because of the uniqueness of the pearls found in the waters around that island.
History of Pearls
Pearl enthusiasts all agree that the world’s best pearls throughout history have come from the Persian Gulf and most notably around the island of Bahrain. This is probably due to their abundance and ability to form naturally without being cultured. Today, India is probably the host of the largest stock of pearls. But, many of those pearls were originally collected from the waters around Bahrain. However, India still practices traditional pearl fishing around their own country where the tradition in Bahrain has dwindled considerably.
Unique Pearls of Bahrain
The pearls collected in the waters of Bahrain are very unique. They tend to have a special lustre which many argue comes from the mixture of salt and fresh water around the island due to fresh water springs on the sea bed. Pearls are also unique in Bahrain largely due to the fact that Bahrain does not allow cultured pearls. They will not circulate them If they are brought into the country and they will pay special attention to any pearls that come from traders of regions outside of the island. This is done to preserve the natural creation of the pearl.
Dangers of Pearl Fishing
Pearl fishing is and always has been a very dangerous business. Divers of the 19th century often found themselves falling victim to the many perils of the sea that also created their livelihood. During those days, they did not have the advanced gear divers are accustomed to using today, and instead dived out in the summer months to look for pearls until they ran out of breath. At that point, they were pulled up by a rope to start the process over. They had to be very careful of the reefs, sharks, and jelly fish while diving.
Striking Oil
In the 1930s large deposits of oil were discovered around the island of Bahrain. Sadly, this discovery put an abrupt end to the natural pearl industry of the Persian Gulf. While much of the island’s wealth comes from this discovery of oil, many people would still like to have seen the pearl industry continue. Instead, those who had so often dove for pearls to create their income, switched to the oil industry for the promise of prosperity.
Today, the small island country of Bahrain is well known for more than pearls. In addition to oil, they are fast becoming known for motorsport racing due to the timeliness of the building of the Bahrain International Circuit. However, the pearl market will continue in Bahrain, although it may be small, as some families have passed their knowledge of pearl diving down through the generations and still make a living selling jewellery.
The Bahrain International Circuit was designed with the hopes that it would sustain itself and bring in profits throughout the year. As such, it could not focus on racing only and close its doors when no racing events are taking place. Instead, the BIC has become a place where families can come out at any time of the year and participate in fun adventures. The available activities are sure to keep families coming back for more fun whether there is a race to watch or not.
Races
The Bahrain International Circuit has eight tracks and two of those can be used simultaneously. That makes hosting year round racing events of many different styles a cinch. In addition to the Grand Prix Track, there is an endurance track, inner track, outer track, Paddock track, drag strip, 4X4 off road course, and a kart track. Whether your love is Formula One racing, Australian V8 supercar racing, drag racing, or go-karting, you’re sure to find an event at the BIC that will entertain you and your family.
4X4 Xtreme
This adventure is a fun way for the entire family to get a real glimpse of Baharain International Circuit’s desert course. A skilled driver in a Hummer H2 will take a group through the course by climbing, descending, and pushing through thirty obstacles that will leave you breathless. This is such a fun adventure, many families plan multiple days throughout the year to do it again. The obstacles include the rocky road, camel humps, and the boomerang climb and are all designed to test the limits of the Hummer.
Karting Adventures
Families always enjoy spending the afternoon on the Bahrain International Circuit kart track. The circuit has a professional karting team that will keep families safe and comfortable while exposing them to the exhilaration of racing on the kart track. Even the youngest racers can get out on the junior karts and have a thrilling experience. The activity is safe and fun for the whole family. So, pack up the kids and go check out this thrilling event for a day of endless family fun.
Lounges
Aside from the tracks, the Bahrain International Circuit also has indoor fun. The Paddock and Oasis lounges are common places for families to hold birthday parties. It is easy to spend an entire day there with amazing entertainers that can keep the children busy for hours on end. There are also games and other activities, as well as good food the whole family will enjoy. These lounges can also be booked during race days for an excellent way to enjoy the races with the family, while enjoying superb service from the staff.
Whether you’re there to see the races, enjoy a guided tour of all the hot spots on the track, or enjoy some of the adventures available on the tracks, the entire family is sure to have a grand time. During race weekends, there are often carnival games and face painting stations to occupy the children during breaks in the racing. There is sometimes even live music and street performers at the Bahrain International Circuit.
The best place to host a meeting or conference is at the Bahrain International Circuit. The amenities are excellent and the venue is perfect. It’s also a great place to have a day of fun and bonding among team members. They have many facilities that can be rented out as well as fun activities that can be reserved for any corporate event. Since the track is open all year long, planning business meetings and fun days around the race schedule is easy to do. Attending a race as a corporate function is also a good way to bond.
Conferences
The Bahrain International Circuit actually has eight venues that can be rented out to host meetings or conferences. That means it’s easy to find space for a group as small as 10 people or as large as 10,000. All venues have top of the line electronic systems including high quality audio-visual for any presentation. It’s also easy to have an event catered, as the venue is already set up for it. Scheduling an event at the BIC is very easy, as the staff can arrange the entire event including booking flights and lodging.
Product Launches
Product launches are always amazing at the Bahrain International Circuit. It’s an easy location for ensuring media coverage because the venue is already accustomed to hosting media for their race events. The style with which any product can be launched is second to none when hosted by the BIC. Adding the flare of racing to the launch makes it more fun and exciting for the guests. Since the staff are already accustomed to catering, and providing excellent service to large groups, it’s the best place to host any event.
Corporate Driving
Dazzle clients by booking a day of driving at the Bahrain International Circuit. They have a Corporate Driving Day where they start out by serving breakfast, and then split the group into two teams. One team does all the on-track activities including karting, Caterhams, and the Skid Cars. The other team will experience all the off-road activities including the obstacles of the 4X4 track in a Hummer, Apache, or a quadbike. The groups come together for lunch and then switch activities, so everyone gets to experience it all.
Corporate Karting Events
For an excellent day of team building, schedule a karting event at the Bahrain International Circuit. A healthy level of competition is enjoyed by team members and everyone will have fun. There are lots of refreshments and you can structure the day however you like. You can choose different types of track action and off-track activities that will help your team to build better relationships with each other. There are karting endurance races as well as a karting grand prix from which to choose.
No matter what type of corporate even you’re planning, letting the Bahrain International Circuit host it is a sure way to make it a success. There are plenty of activities to keep everyone busy on a day of fun, and the hospitality is top rated. Business meetings, conferences, and exhibitions are always enhanced by the thrill of this exciting racing circuit.
The Bahrain International Circuit is home to many different styles of racing and therefore hosts a variety of events throughout the year. Just about anything from drag racing to Formula One has graced this circuit. The track has already gone down in history for being the first location in the Middle East to host the Australian V8 Supercar races and the Grand Prix Formula One event.
Formula One
The first Formula One race in the Middle East is the Bahrain Grand Prix. The first race day for this event was on April 4, 2004. Before receiving this opportunity Bahrain had to fight off intense competition from Egypt, Lebanon, and the United Arab Emirates, who were all hoping to have the honour of being the first Middle Eastern country to host the event. The initial Bahrain Grand Prix was given the “Best Organised Grand Prix” award by the FIA. This race continues to be one of Bahrain’s best sellers.
Australian V8 Supercar Championship Series
The first V8 Championship race to be held n the Middle East was the Desert 400 which was held at the Bahrain International Circuit beginning in 2006. For the first three years this race was run on the Paddock track, but in 2010, it was run on the Grand Prix layout. In the early years the race was typically run around November, but in 2010 was moved to February to join up with the YAS V8 400. The intense, close driving style of this race brings fans from all over to watch.
GP2 Series
The GP2 has visited the Bahrain International Circuit in 2005 and 2007. This series began in 2005 after the Formula 3000 series was discontinued. It is considered to be open wheel racing and tends to be a stepping stone to Formula One as it was designed to make racing more affordable for teams and attract lower level racers. Therefore, many teams see it as a perfect training ground to prepare for Formula One racing.
Drag Racing
The Bahrain International Circuit is quite famous for its drag racing strip. It hosts an annual International Drag Festival and brings in cars from the FIA European Drag Championship. They have FIA approval to run everything up to Top Fuel. Additionally, the Bahrain National Drag Racing Championship has been hosted five times. The house is always packed for this event.
Other Racing
The Bahrain International Circuit is always happy to host new forms of racing. In addition to the racing series’ they run every year, they have also played host to many one time events. The Chevrolet Lumina Series has been held at the BIC, as well as the Speedcar Series, Thunder Arabia, and Radical. They have also played host to the FIA GT Championship in the past. At one point they held a one-off Bahrain Superprix which involved Formula Three cars. Additionally, the first ever Formula BMW World Final was at the BIC.
With its excellent track design and layout, the Bahrain International Circuit can literally host any type of racing. It is already the talk of all the Middle East as the place to visit for the best motorsport experiences. In the future, the circuit owners hope to see even more races visit, but are very pleased with their current level of success.
The island of Bahrain has been attracting more tourist attention in recent years. This is partly due to the construction of the Bahrain International Circuit where many races are held year round, including the famous Formula One Bahrain Grand Prix and the Australian V8 Supercar series. Additionally, the Kingdom is trying to bring in more tourism, so construction for many beautiful resorts and hotels is under way. Before booking travel arrangements, it’s best to learn about the climate in order to visit at the right time.
Summer
The Summer months of Bahrain are often regarded as unpleasant. In fact, many people discourage visiting the country at all during the Summer. That is because of the relatively high temperatures the desert island can sustain. The summer is typically regarded to last from May to October. Temperatures during those hot months exceed 32 degrees Celsius and are often higher than 35 degrees. This high temperature combined with extreme humidity is what keeps people away. Even the summer evenings remain hot and humid.
Winter
The Winter months are often the more pleasant months to travel to the beautiful island country of Bahrain. That is because the days are cooler, but not so much so that it becomes unpleasant. Temperatures usually drop to around 21 degrees Celsius and can be as low as 10 degrees. Evenings can be quite a bit cooler than the daytime as desert temperatures can drop considerably. So, it is advisable to dress in layers and bring a sweater for the cooler evenings. Also, watch for winds that can bring a damp, chilly air over all the islands.
Travel
Arguably, the best time to travel to Bahrain is during the months of February through April and October through December. This allows tourists to avoid the blazing hot summer and still enjoy some warm, sunny weather. Likewise, it’s also advisable to avoid visiting during Ramadan because restaurants are closed during the day. The two Eid holidays should also be avoided as hotels are filled to bursting with visitors from neighbouring Saudi Arabia. Race days can also bring a considerable crowd regardless of the season.
Rainfall
The Kingdom of Bahrain receives very little rainfall. The small amount it does receive usually occurs during the winter months. The average amount of rain is about 75 mm per year. However, this amount can vary from almost nothing in some years, to double that amount in other years. On average, though, rain only falls about ten days every year. This means sunshine is abundant year round, which makes for excellent conditions to visit the country and do a lot of sightseeing without being hindered by weather.
The climate of this beautiful island country is typical of a desert. The Kingdom really only experiences two seasons. Fall and Spring tend to blend right into the Winter and Summer months on the island. For this reason, there are many pleasant months for touring the island and doing outdoor sightseeing. The long summer months also allow for many fun water sports like diving, snorkelling, water skiing, and many other water adventures that are fun for the whole family.
Bahrain has been considered a constitutional monarchy since 2002 and has been independent since 1971. The current king is Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, son of Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa. While the current ruling family has played a major role in the country’s history, many political changes have come about under the current King’s reign. Most are well received by the citizens, however there is a group of Islamic parties that have led an opposition to some of these changes.
National Action Charter
The reforms instituted by the current King of Bahrain are based on the National Action Charter which was a package of political changes that had been endorsed by the people in 2001. It is responsible for the start of national elections as well as changing the country to a constitutional monarchy. The referendum was voted for by the public with 98.4% of them being in favour of it. Since the endorsement of the charter, the political parties have been able to pursue their policies by moving moral issues up on the political agenda.
Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa
The current King is well known for his major political reform since becoming head of state in 1999. He immediately began doing away with the restrictive state security laws, and has been credited with giving women the right to vote, freeing all political prisoners, and also holding parliament elections. He has also created the Supreme Judicial Council which regulates the country’s courts. It is also responsible for institutionalizing the separation of the administrative and judicial branches of the government.
Becoming a Kingdom
As a part of the National Action Charter, the country of Bahrain was once again established as a Kingdom, as it had been in its very early days. The name was officially changed in February of 2002 from the State of Bahrain to the Kingdom of Bahrain. However, it is a constitutional monarchy, meaning that the current monarch acts as head of state, is bound by a constitution, and shares some of the political power with a cabinet. Therefore, citizens have the ability to vote on specific issues and are protected by a constitution.
Women’s Right to Vote
The political rights of women made a big step forward in 2002 when women were granted the right to vote and stand in national elections. However, there were not any women elected to office that year. Because none were elected to office, six were appointed to the Shura Council. Dr. Nada Haffadh was the first woman in the country to be appointed as cabinet minister when she became the Minister of Health in 2004. There is a strong hope for more women in office and many are being prepared to participate in the 2006 election.
The politics in Bahrain can get heated as political groups differ on moral issues. There are many who believe in personal freedoms and have launched a campaign called, “We Have a Right”, while religious extremist parties are keen to launch campaigns against female mannequins displaying lingerie in store windows, as well as the hanging of under garments on clothes lines.
There has been talk recently about extending the famous V8 supercars from the Bahrain International Circuit to include new manufactures. For a while, it didn’t seem that any would take the bait. Ford and Holden have taken this race series as their battleground and have been content to be the only two manufactures involved in the races. However, a call to more manufacturers has recently been voiced, and it’s possible that there could be some new blood on the field within the next few years.
The Car of the Future Project
During the 2008 race season, a group called the Car of the Future project was organised and led by a former driver Mark Skaife. The primary goal was to review the future of the sport of V8 supercars. While working on plans to reduce costs of manufacturing the vehicles, they also began a project that would call other manufacturers to join the fun. The only catch is the manufacturers must have four-door saloon cars that are currently being sold in mass production.
The Ford Model
The current model being used by Ford for V8 supercars is the FG Falcon. It was driven by the Championship winners during the race seasons of 2010, 2009, and 2008. However, in a bit of racing drama, the winners of those Championships have switched to driving Holdens over the last two years. The most recent Falcon model being used was released in 2008. That model was designed after the Falcon XR8 street car which satisifies the condition of vehicles being based after production cars.
The Holden Model
Holden is currently racing the VE Commodore for their version of V8 supercars. This newest model was released in 2007. It wasn’t accepted by the race officials when it first came out because of a wheel base that was larger than the one on the Ford Falcon. This proves how tightly regulated the standards for similarities in the supercars are. However, after adjustments were made, the model was accepted and is now part of the tight competition against Ford to determine which car is the best.
The Possibility of Mercedes
While there hasn’t been much response among vehicle manufacturers to produce V8 Supercars, there have been rumours that Mercedes may be planning to enter the competition in 2012. This is partly due to the fact that Mercedes has confirmed it will display a V8 AMG customer ride car at the Grand Prix. Apparently, the new rules, which now allow for more sophisticated V8 engines have helped to lure the manufacturer in. In fact, these rules were changed due to more limited support from Ford and Holden in recent years as sales on their vehicles declines.
For years, part of what has made the race so interesting and exciting is the legendary rivalry between Holden and Ford. However, as the sport has increased popularity, it can certainly stand on its own without that rivalry. Adding new manufacturers and “fresh blood” could be just what the doctor ordered to keep the V8 supercars interesting and fun. In any event, the rules that require conformity among all manufacturers will not be changed, so the racing style will always be as close and eventful as ever.
The kingdom of Bahrain is rich in Arabian history and culture, boasting an average of eight million tourists a year. Located in the beautiful, blue Persian Gulf, Bahrain possesses a variety of interesting things to see and do, along with a sunny climate, beautiful beaches, and tours of majestic castles. This Arabian country is also famous for hosting the Australian V8 Supercar Series at the Bahrain International Circuit, a motorsports venue housing eight tracks that are situated in such a way to allow different racing events to occur at one time. People who choose to vacation in Bahrain will have wonderful, lasting memories of this place and all of the treasures it holds.
The Bahrain International Circuit
The Bahrain International Circuit (BIC) was opened to the public in 2004 by His Highness Crown Prince Shaikh Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa who is also the Honorary President of the Bahrain Motor Federation. It is an attractively built structure housing eight full race tracks, an excellent dining area, 47 VIP hospitality suites and has a seating capacity of 45,000. Determined to be considered the “home of motorsports in the Middle East”, The Bahrain International Circuit exhibits a charming and accommodating ambience to the motorsports fan or tourist visiting for the first time. It would be also be a wonderful addition to complement any vacation itinerary.
Bahrain V8 Supercar Series Desert 400
Since 2006, the Desert 400 has been played out at the Bahrain International Circuit for a total of four times. Winners of the first four years were Jason Bright, Mark Winterbottom and Jamie Whincup who has won twice. Much like Formula One, the Australian V8 Supercar Series event has a huge following that is growing in popularity around the world. It is an exciting motorsports event with New Zealand and Abu Dhabi being the only other places, apart from Bahrain, that it has ever been seen outside of Australia.
What to See in Bahrain
Taking a vacation in Bahrain means a mandatory visit to the Bahrain National Museum where it is possible to learn about the pearl industry. Tourists can even then go diving for pearls at the Dar Island Resort. Additionally, shopping in Bahrain is an experience in itself, with the souq being a must-see for any tourist. Situated near the Manama City center, the souq has a wide variety of merchandise—clothes, souvenirs, jewelry, and locally crafted items. Nighttime in Bahrain also offers the Seef Mall where films are shown at any one of the sixteen cinemas.
Leaving Bahrain
Leaving the fabulous country of Bahrain is facilitated by the courteous service encountered at Bahrain International Airport, the central airport hub in the Middle East. It is situated in the Northern Gulf between Saudi Arabia and Iran and has convenient connections to popular destinations in Asia, Europe and Africa. This means that anyone stopping by to visit Bahrain for a few days easily have the option to move on to their next destination without having to be transferred. All in all, Bahrain is a beautiful country to visit and is even better for those who love motorsports.
The history of Holden is a colourful one. Although the name dates back to the days of the gold boom in the 1850s, Holden will always hold a special place in Australia’s history as the maker of the first all-Australian car. It is very interesting to note the progression and continued success of the company that began as a leather and saddlery business in 1856 to one of the top vehicles in Australian V8 supercar racing today.
The Beginning
While the history of Holden begins with a leather and saddlery business, it did not remain that way for long. In 1885 the company combined with Henry Adolf Frost, a carriage builder and the name was changed to Holden and Frost. They got into business trimming vehicles in 1910 and eventually began building bodies under the name Holden Motor Body Builders. In 1924, they were the only body builder for General Motors in Australia.
The Lion and Stone Symbol
Many people have come to recognize the famous lion and stone symbol as Holden’s trademark. This symbol is a big part of the history of Holden. It was designed in 1928 by a man named George Rayner Hoff and began to be fitted to all Holden bodies. The symbol represents man’s invention of the wheel. Much like the wheel, the symbol remains with Holden today.
The Beginning of Australian’s Own Car
In 1931 GM purchased Holden Motor Body Builders and merged it with their Australian company to form General Motors-Holden’s Ltd. During the second World War, the Australian government had begun to encourage an Australian automotive industry. GM and Ford both turned in proposals. The government initially preferred the Ford model, but chose the GM model because of the lower cost and less need for government intervention. This decision made the history of Holden a part of Australia’s own history.
Development of Australia’s Own Car
Holden began to work on the designs of the Australian car and eventually had to come to a compromise with GM because Holden’s managing director preferred a local design, but GM was insisting on using an American design. Ultimately, they settled on a previously rejected Chevrolet proposal after the war. In 1948 the car became available, but there were waiting lists that extended more than a year into the future.
V8 Supercar Racing
Today, Holden is well known for their participation in the Australian V8 with the Holden VE Commodore. Still in competition with Ford, they are raced every year in events like the Desert 400 at the Bahrain International Circuit against the Ford Falcon FG to determine the new champion of the series. Because strict contest rules require both cars to be extremely similar in weight, aerodynamics, and speed, Holden has had to come up creative ways to keep their cars ahead of the pack.
The history of Holden is rich in Australia, not only because it was the first all-Australian vehicle, but because of its aggressive marketing and ability to stay on top of current trends. The car has remained very popular despite a decline in production in the 1980s. The company was quick to make the necessary changes to get back on top of the market again in the 1990s and 2000s by producing both practical and fun racing vehicles that are well loved by everyone.
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