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Speedsters and off-roading rebels are being offered the rides of their lives at Bahrain International Circuit (BIC) as the home of motorsport gets into top gear before the Formula One bandwagon rolls into town.
Highlights of the Sakhir circuit include the chance to ride in a 1,000-horse-powered dragster and plans are in motion to set up an academy for teenagers attracted to the fastest motorsport on the planet.
And, once more, the extreme rough and tumble experience of BIC’s legendary 4x4 off-road course is open for business. The BIC was renowned for having the first Hummer Driving Academy outside the US and when the vehicle ceased production officials set about attracting new beasts onto the desert obstacle set-up.
Fayez Ramzy Fayez, BIC’s circuit operations director, said: “It didn’t make any more business sense to continue promoting a vehicle ride when the manufacturer had discontinued the brand.
“Although sad, we had to move on. The course did a lot for the Hummer brand. The local dealers testified that many of their customers have either heard about the ride from somebody or completed it themselves having walked out extremely impressed with an ‘aah’ factor.
“It was a very popular ride and it went well with our theme of being the race track in the desert as well as highlighting the country’s motorsport heritage. It originally started with rallies and off-road events which is why it was important to continue with the theme and that sense of adventure.”
After a six-year relationship with Hummer it took several months to sort out a replacement and the BIC opted for Land Rover.
Mr Fayez explained: “We chose the Land Rover for several reasons. Firstly, the BIC, being the place that it is, goes after the best.
“Land Rover is often regarded as being the Rolls Royce of off-roading. Ironically, the initial obstacle course was originally designed with Land Rover in mind before Hummer stepped in.”
The course, which boasts 31 obstacles, was designed by Motion Works, a British motoring marketing and events company, alongside the BIC’s team. It is full of thrills and spills with drastic drops, ravine crossings and axle twisters.
The BIC currently has five Land Rover LR4 2012 models in action and there are 20 certified instructors, eight of which are female, ready to show aspiring off-roaders of both sexes how it’s done.
The circuit is now also offering companies and enthusiasts a chance to experience the adrenaline of a dragster close up. Mr Fayez explained: “We wanted our customers and clients to experience every flavour of motorsport, being the home of motorsports in the Middle East.
“We have corporate and passenger rides on the circuit, 4x4 off-roading adventures as well as the recently opened state-of-the-art VIVA karting circuit.
“The one experience or ride that we didn’t offer until now, which is one of the most popular motorsports associated with Bahrain, was drag racing.
“Many people have talked about it and wondered what it feels like? What are the G-forces involved and what do you see in a quarter mile? Is a quarter mile really a race? So we are giving people a product that will show them what it feels like to be in a dragster from the horse power, adrenaline rush and the speed felt during that quarter of a mile.”
The BIC has purchased two customised three-seater dragsters from Race Tech in the US, for an undisclosed sum, that can travel the distance in a mere eight seconds, although professionals claim they could go even faster if pushed to the limit.
The circuit has two qualified Bahraini drivers to tame the mean machines that are certified by schools in the US, licensed by the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) and also the Bahrain Motor Federation (BMF).
Both drivers are also racers that have competed locally and internationally. Adel Shaji is one of the drivers, however, the second has still to be named.
The dragsters are also being maintained by engineer Ali Atiah. Wanting to reignite the drag racing industry by attracting youngsters into the field, the BIC has also purchased a fleet of six 35-horsepower dragsters to start-up a junior dragster academy.
Mr Fayez added: “We noticed that the number of new people in Bahrain joining the sport appears to be diminishing. It used to be that we had a lot of people building their own cars and joining the sport, taking ownership of their machines.
“So we looked at how we can get more people involved and to love the sport again. We went to a junior dragster academy in the US and decided to start one in Bahrain. Right now it is set for teens aged 14 to 17.
“We are working on lowering the age limit in the near future. In the US the dragster drivers start from the age of 12. It’s all about safety for the BIC so we are in negotiations with the insurance companies to make sure we can accommodate 12-year-olds and the BMF for the license.
“This is the only junior dragster school outside the US. We are hoping to bring up a new generation of dragsters enthusiasts.
“We also want to offer a safe environment for young drivers to fully experience the sport. Rather than experiencing it on Bahrain’s roads, we can provide them the right environment with the right safety and medical equipment.”
The school will run over two days and include two hours of classroom time along with two one-hour track sessions. Each student will be provided with their own vehicle and upon graduation they will receive a license for completing the course.
There will be a drag racing championship for all graduates. The students will be able to use the BIC’s fleet during the first racing season. However, afterwards they will be invited to purchase their own dragsters from the BIC or build their own. A fully-kitted out dragster costs around BD6,000.
No price has been set for the course as of yet as it will not start until after April’s Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix. However, the academy will be open for bookings on April 1 along with reservations for the corporate dragsters by contacting BIC’s retail department at 17450000
Those interested in the 4x4 experience can also contact the retail department or visit the BIC Welcome Centre in person.
