Bahrain to Host V8 Rounds
Bahrain International Circuit has announced a five-year deal to host a round of the Australian V8 Supercars Championship
The tie-up with the series will start next year, and the deal has been brokered with the help of ex-Arrows boss and current HSV supremo Tom Walkinshaw.
The first race will take place in Novemebr 2006 and is likely to be the penultimate round of the season.
The event is indicative of the series' increasing desire to move outside of its home borders, with the series confirmed to be racing in New Zealand for the next two years. The Championship made its debut in Asia this season, racing at China's Shanghai circuit in June.
"Being the Home of Motorsport in the Middle East we are continually working to maintain an attractive portfolio of world-class racing," said Bahrain International Circuit's chairman, Talal Al Zain.
"Bahrain is leading the world in motorsport events and is at the forefront of motorsport in the region. On behalf of the whole team at BIC, I am looking forward with immense pride to welcome the drivers, teams, sponsors and organisers involved in the series to the Kingdom of Bahrain."
The circuit's general manager Martin Whitaker thanked Walkinshaw for helping to arrange the series expansion to the Middle East.
"On behalf of all of us at BIC I would like to underline how grateful we are for the unfailing personal support and efforts that were exerted by the president and owner of HSV, Tom Walkinshaw in helping secure this," said Whitaker.
"Bahrain's geographical location at the crossroads between East and West will have an instant appeal to thousands of enthusiasts who would not normally get the opportunity to watch an Australian Supercar race live.
"The chance to experience the Australian series at its closest point outside Australia and at one of the World's leading Grand Prix circuits, is one that we believe will be too good to miss and we are anticipating a flood of hardened followers from Europe and Africa to make the trip."
The V8 Supercar date is the latest Championship to be attracted to the Herman Tilke-designed circuit. The Bahrain Grand Prix venue will host the final round of this year's GP2 series and also host a round of the FIA Top Fuel drag racing Championship next season and the new Formula BMW World Final.
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