Bahrain GP ticket sales up in ’07

UPDATE Advanced sales for the 2007 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix on April 13-15, the third round of this year’s FIA Formula One World Championship, are 20 per cent up on last year with over 100,000 fans expected to flood the Home of Motorsport in the Middle East over the three days of the race, to see a host of entertainment both on and off the track.

“Ticket sales have been phenomenal in recent weeks," said Steven Umfreville, Commercial Director. “Normally we don’t see the sales start to rise until almost the week before the race, but there has been a sustained increase of sales that’s been carried from New Year until now. Sales of seats in the Oasis Complex and Main Grandstand are particularly busy, so if people want to be in these seats they had better hurry."

The BIC’s grandstands offer an array of different vantage points, all overlooking several areas of the circuit. The Turn 1 grandstand offers a view down the length of the 1km main straight and the drama of seeing the Formula One cars brake down from over 310km/h to almost walking pace in under 100 meters for Turn 1 before the blast out through Turns 2, 3 and 4.

The University Grandstand allows a panoramic view of Turns 1-4 as well as a dramatic view over the infield and the back straight. The Victory Grandstand sits at the final turn and offers views over the infield and down the main start/finish straight. Giant TV screens, strategically placed around the circuit, offer the chance to share action all round the track with family and friends. Supporting the all-star cast of Formula One on the track will be no fewer than three categories encompassing sports, saloon and single-seat machinery.

03/31/07 (GMM) Ticket sales for the Bahrain grand prix next month are up 19 per cent compared to one year ago, according to the local Gulf Daily News.

"This shows that the interest in the race is growing and that our marketing efforts have been successful," said the Sakhir circuit's general manager Martin Whitaker.

While Melbourne hosted the Commonwealth Games, last season's Bahrain grand prix was the first on the calendar.

This year, it is round three, to be held on April 15.

Board member Abdul Hameed Kooheji insisted that the small Arab nation had benefited from hosting a formula one race.

"Even five years ago when we traveled, most people we met hadn't even heard of Bahrain," he said.

"Now, people know about it and this is largely due to formula one."