The 6 Hours of Bahrain Programme announced
The Bahrain circuit will host the sixth round of the FIA World Endurance Championship on the 28th and 29th of September. The event programme was unveiled on Monday at a press conference on the circuit in the presence of Sheikh Salman bin Isa Al Khalifa, Director of the circuit, Gérard Neveu, CEO of the Championship, and the Audi factory driver Allan McNish.
So far, 32 competitors have announced their participation at the 6 Hours of Bahrain to be held from 16:00 to 22:00, finishing at night on the Bahrain International Circuit, which also hosts a Formula 1 race every year. “Bahrain International Circuit is one of the most impressive facilities in the world and the perfect place to showcase the new FIA World Endurance Championship in the Middle East.” Explained Gérard Neveu. “The on-track entertainment will be provided by the teams and drivers competing for the first World Endurance Championship title and the race here in Bahrain will feature cars from manufacturers such as Audi, Toyota, Aston Martin, Ferrari, Corvette, Porsche, Lotus, Nissan, Honda, Morgan and Oreca. The 24 Hours of Le Mans is the greatest race in the world and the FIA WEC is about bringing the spirit of Le Mans to the tracks we visit and spectators will be able to have access to the paddock and get close to the cars and drivers, as well as have some great off-track entertainment.”
There will be concerts and performances that will be held on a large stage, while the arts will be offered to younger. The drivers will take part in the autograph session to the delight of young and old. A round of the BIC 2,000cc Challenge, a national championship, will be the support race for the 6 Hours of Bahrain.
This family event will mark the first event of the FIA World Endurance Championship in the region, as Sheikh Salman said: “The Six Hours of Bahrain will mark another first for the Kingdom and for BIC. We are known around the world to be regional pioneers in the sport. We were the first international circuit of the highest standards to be built in the Middle East, and we were the first to bring major global championships to the Middle East. Now, we are proud to once again be the first in bringing such a prestigious series here. This category of motorsport has a very rich history; its very essence has been derived from the legendary 24 Hours of Le Mans race in France, which is also a part of the WEC.”
The event will be on the 28th and 29th September, two weeks after the race at Interlagos in Brazil. Tickets are available at the entrance of the circuit, at the airport, the city hall and in shopping malls, but also on the website of the circuit www.bahraingp.com.
Dave Davies (quotes from circuit press release)