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sur la terre showcase
< Abu Dhabi is set to host its first F1 Grand Prix this year, adding another high profile fixture for the region >
In total, there are a planned six international racing circuits to be built in the Middle East, all of which are already, or will be at a world-class level. Abu Dhabi already has a raceway, which will also have a Ferrari World amusement park, and Dubai similarly impresses with its Autodrome. However, within this growing list of recently burgeoning countries, the two that stand out above the rest for their dedication to new forms of motorpsport are, without doubt, the Kingdom of Bahrain and the State of Qatar. Both GCC nations truly set off on the road to motorsporting might in the early days of the 21st century. In fact, 2003 was a hallmark year for the two countries, and saw both developing key institutions that have lasted the test of time and financial crisis, and in the wake of growing appeal, have grown with the promise to be massive means of income for both countries in the future. THE BLOSSOM OF THE BIC Designed by former driver and now legendary Fromula One raceway architect, Hermann Tilke, the Bahrain International Circuit (BIC) was the lifelong dream of many of its proponents, which became a reality thanks to the initiator of the project, H H Sheikh Salman bin Khalifa, the Crown Prince of the Kingdom and of course, its patron, His Majesty Sheikh Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa. Many racing fans stood in disbelief as the plans came together to build one of the region’s first world-class motorsport circuits. Luckily, the foresight of the Kingdom’s leaders looked past the vehement arguments of BIC’s initial detractors, and instead focused on the gains (both monetarily and culturally) that the new complex would produce in and for the country and region. Of course, the critics soon ran out of gas and were quickly run down once the US$150 million project came to fruition, having since proven to be a wise investment. On the 169 hectare site where BIC now lies, there once stood only a vast expanse of sand, desert brush and untapped potential. However, in the staggeringly
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< Virgin boss, Richard Branson promotes his new Brawn F1 team at BIC this year >