Bahrain wins Race of the Year
The Bahrain Grand Prix, which was Formula 1's first event in the Middle East, has taken the prestigious accolade as best organised race of 2004 at the annual FIA awards ceremony in Monaco
The fact that the event was such a success, despite the race against time that organiser Philippe Gurdjian faced to get the facilities finished, earned Bahrain the trophy that race organisers fight for each year.
Speaking at the FIA Awards, Gurdjian said: "Within the little time that we had to achieve the construction works of the new International Bahrain Circuit, it was a quite difficult task.
" I am very happy to see the Bahrain International Circuit receive the special FOM prize and more even for the Bahrainis themselves, as they deserve it, having been able to respond to Formula 1's very high quality standards."
Gurdjian himself is no stranger to receiving the award, having taken it for the first two grands prix he organised at Magny-Cours in 1991 and 1992, for the Malaysian GP in 1992 and for the 2003 Spanish Grand Prix.
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