Tickets to the 2013 F1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix went on sale at the weekend and readers are invited to take advantage of special discounted rates plus the chance to win a brand new car and other valuable prizes in a series of raffles.

Bahrain International Circuit (BIC), regarded as the home of motorsport in the Middle East will stage next year’s Formula One extravaganza from April 19 to 21.

The reduced rates are under BIC’s early bird discount, which will run until January 31. All ticket prices are to be reduced by 15 per cent and those purchased will be entered in a raffle draw for the chance to win a car on the final week of the promotion.

Apart from the car, all sorts of other valuable prizes can be won each week such as iPhones, iPads, BIC Xperience packages and return air tickets.

A weekly draw will be held, starting this Sunday, and five winners will go home with one of the prizes. Those who win in any of the weekly raffles will still be eligible to enter the final draw for the grand prize.

Tickets under the scheme are being sold exclusively at the BIC stands in Bahrain City Centre and Seef Mall. Tickets can be bought for seats along BIC’s Main Grandstand, Batelco Grandstand, Turn One Grandstand, University Grandstand and Victory Grandstand.

After the 15 per cent discount, tickets to the Main Grandstand are now BD153 for all three days of the grand prix. A ticket for Race Day alone costs BD132 under the Early Bird Discount.

Tickets to the Batelco Grandstand, which overlooks the inner circuit and the Support Race Pit Lanes, are BD102 for all three days and BD89 for Race Day alone.

At the Turn One Grandstand, where the field of more than 20 Formula One cars can be seen trying to squeeze past one another while hoping to remain unscathed, tickets are BD68 apiece for the weekend and BD60 for Race Day alone.

For the University Grandstand, located just after the first couple of turns, tickets cost BD55 over three days while a Race Day pass costs BD47.

Finally, the Victory Grandstand overlooks the circuit’s final turn. Tickets cost BD43 for the entire Grand Prix weekend and BD34 for Race Day.

All three-day ticket holders will be able to enjoy exclusive activities with their passes, such as a Pit Lane Walk on the Thursday afternoon of the grand prix.

The early bird discount also covers Friday Roaming Tickets, which gives the holder the opportunity to move around the circuit freely and watch the Formula One practices from any of the grandstands. After the 15 per cent reduction, the Roaming Ticket costs BD55.

Further deals on tickets that are not a part of the discount scheme are being offered by BIC. Children aged three to 15 years old can receive 50 per cent off on ticket prices, while school students aged 16 and 17 can get a 25 per cent reduction and university students 10 per cent.