Arabia Felix Magazine Bahrain International Circuit By BIC Media Relations June 1, 2006, 03:04 It doesn’t take much to recognize the Bahrain International Circuit (BIC) as the “Home of Motorsports in the Middle East.” It is, after all, the first and only circuit in the Region ever to host a Formula One event and, in doing so, the BIC single-handily put the Kingdom, along with the entire Middle East, on the world motorsport map. The BIC does indeed play host to the most exclusive of sports, the FIA Formula One World Championship, as well as a wide range of other motorsports activities - including the FIA GT, the FIA European Drag Racing and GP2 Championships, the V8 Supercar Championship and the Formula BMW World Final – but it shines equally bright as a venue for corporate, public and private events. That is quite a tall order by any measure, but with outstanding facilities, exquisite catering and unique activities, the BIC is well positioned to deliver. For businesses looking for an outstanding location in the Middle East to host a corporate event with distinction, the BIC fits the bill. Perfectly. Although there are many venues, both in the region and across the world that can legitimately claim to be “world class”, there are very few that can offer something truly unique – and that is where the BIC stands on its own. One of the more interesting BIC offerings, for example, is its Corporate Driving Day package.  “Clients can be entertained in an atmosphere filled with action, thrill and speed” with the introduction of a new package, the “Corporate Driving Days”, held at the Bahrain International,” said BIC General Manager, Martin Whitaker. “It is an exclusive package aimed to whet the appetite of the corporate community and can be altered around the needs of the client,” he said. “The event includes a variety of events from stealth rally cars, to the Gulf-specs Caterham and the powerful V8 Holden,” said Whitaker. “Many companies opt to host a meeting while using up the half day corporate driving day package to ‘release the stress’ after a hard day of work,” he said. The “Full Day Package” includes a host of exciting events including sessions in a Formula BMW single-seater race car, the Caterham Challenge and Karting as well as V8 Australian Supercar passenger lap rides and sessions in Apache off-roaders and Stealth Rally Karts. Businesses can also brand the entire event with VIP Invitation Packs for each of their guests, company logos on the vehicles and company branded trophies to be awarded to outstanding participants. “Businesses today realise that when they are hosting a corporate event – be it a conference, a team building exercise, a client incentive activity or simply a fun day out for business partners – they must stand out from the crowds and break away from the conventional approaches that have worn thin over the years,” said Whitaker. “As the Home of Motor Sports in the Middle East, we are uniquely positioned to offer activities that no other venue in the Region can,” he said.  “You can, for example, take on the BIC’s Adventure Drive Arabia, a bespoke off-road automotive and motorsport activity centre that’s certain to leave a lasting impression,” said Whitaker. “This unique facility, a first of its kind in the Middle East, features a wide variety of off-road activities with independent operational areas for 4x4, Rally, Trials and Rally Karting,” he said. “Adventure Drive Arabia has been designed and created to BIC’s vision by motorsport consultants Motion Works UK,” said Whitaker. “Built to the highest standards in safe surroundings, our qualified instructors are on hand to help visitors enjoy the various off-road activity experiences and provide tuition to learn the art of true off-road driving,” he said. “Whilst catering for individual customers the new Adventure Drive Arabia off-road centre is also targeted at international and regional organizations seeking a solution for customer incentive and staff motivation programs,” said Whitaker. “The region’s warm winter climates and geographical location, within four to six hours of reach from the capitals of Europe, provides a new destination to escape to the sunshine and the treasures of the Kingdom of Bahrain,” he said. To round off its corporate entertainment offerings, the BIC boasts impressive hospitality and conference facilities that put it on par with the world’s very best. “Almost every area in the circuit is available for function hire; each with its own distinctive styles yet all with the advanced infrastructure and facilities that are a hallmark of the BIC,” said Whitaker. “From the landmark Sakhir Tower and the luxurious Oasis Complex to the tangible excitement of being in the architecturally stunning grandstands and corporate lounges, the BIC offers a host of locations for any number of functions including conferences, product launches, weddings, birthdays and client entertainment days,” he said. “The BIC is the largest active exhibition centre in the Middle East – it’s got more to offer than a top five star hotel or a major exhibition centre ever will,” said Whitaker. “The facilities make the circuit an ideal venue to host conference for anything from 10 to 10,000 delegates and, having been designed to play host to massive media interest during Formula One events, the BIC’s audio-visual and communication facilities are truly state of the art,” he said. “When the Government of the Kingdom of Bahrain underwrote the development of the Bahrain International Circuit, it foresaw the circuit to be a catalyst for the future growth of the economy and the foundation for a string of innovative investments,” said Whitaker. “By being the home ground of a sport that prides itself by demanding and achieving the highest standards of professionalism, Bahrain has linked itself in the international community to excellence, prestige and power,” he said. In fact, by linking itself with such a powerful and sought-after sport Bahrain will continue to reap the benefits of its image as it’s positioned in an elite club of 18 nations that host the glittery event. The US$150 million (BD56.2 million) Circuit was designed by the renowned German architect Herman Tilke and the contract for the construction of the racing circuit was awarded to a joint venture between Cebarco Bahrain and Malaysia’s WCT.  Work on the site kicked off on November 7, 2002 under a 16-month contract and was completed successfully on March 5, 2004. The Circuit was ingeniously designed so that six separate track layouts came together into one motor racing complex, thus, having the facility in operation for various motor sporting events throughout the year. The racing circuit runs from an oasis-like pit lane and paddock area into the austere ‘boulder strewn’ desert. The design of the racing circuits include a number of ‘shortcut’ layouts which may be utilised - in some instances simultaneously - for a variety of racing, training and corporate activities. The avant-garde circuit has become a paradigm design for future Formula One tracks.  The facility is the Middle East’s regional hub for motorsports of all kinds including drag racing, sports car racing, saloon car racing and off-road rallying. The striking Sakhir Tower, now a major land mark, encompasses some of the most beautiful lounges and the most amazing views of the Kingdom. The Tower gives spectators a birds eye view of the entire circuit. The executive boxes, which are located directly on top of the main grandstand, give an incomparable view of the Formula One pits and the paddock club. The Oasis lounges are ideal for entertaining large groups and have a capacity of up to 100 guests. The location is supreme for race fans as it grants them the opportunity to view most of the action on the desert part of the track. Another significant characteristic of the Bahrain International Circuit is that it is an immense opportunity for the establishment of a public-press bond. The international profile the Kingdom has already gained over the last three years in the lead-up to and during the Formula One event has been unparalleled by any other event ever. The event created international awareness and a realistic insight into the Middle Eastern culture which has in turn helped bridge the culture gap and enhanced understanding of the Arab community. More than 350 million TV viewers worldwide watched the Bahrain Grand Prix race in Sakhir and witnessed a state-of-the-art display from the Kingdom. Copyright © 2005 - 2007 Arabia Felix. http://www.arabia-felix.com