BAHRAIN International Circuit (BIC) continued its countdown to the long-awaited global debut of its state-of-the-art lighting system during the 2014 Formula One Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix.
The much-hyped weekend of motorsport and entertainment takes place on April 4, 5 and 6 in Sakhir.
The event marks BIC’s landmark 10th anniversary as well as the 10th hosting of the Bahrain Grand Prix, which will be enjoyed by tens of thousands of race-goers in Bahrain and by millions around the world on TV.
Following a hugely successful first decade cementing its status as “The Home of Motorsport in the Middle East”, BIC is now headed towards a new era of prosperity where night racing will be a regular staple on the circuit’s year-long calendar of events.
Featuring 495 light posts ranging from 10m to 45m in height and 5,000 luminaries fitted, the track floodlighting system is suitable for High Definition TV broadcasting of Formula One night races and other races and events on a variety of track configurations.
Enhances
Meanwhile, the installation of new artistic lighting at different locations across the track was also carried out. This enhances and supports the visual spectacle of night time racing.
The existing spectator and vendor area lighting were both upgraded and a new electrical distribution network built to provide permanent power to the new track floodlighting, artistic lighting and spectator area lighting systems.
In all, civil trenching works and cabling in excess of 500km has been installed to connect and provide central control of the lighting networks.
The entire project, which is the largest upgrade to the facilities invested on by BIC since the circuit first opened in 2004, took only 180 days to complete.
In February, Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Prime Minister, launched BIC’s new permanent lighting system.
The floodlights will first brighten up the track at the 2014 Formula One Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix weekend for Friday’s second practice session, scheduled to take place between 6pm and 7.30pm.
On Saturday, qualifying will be held from 6pm to determine the starting grid for Sunday’s race, which is also scheduled to get underway at 6pm.
Tickets to the 2014 Formula One Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix can be purchased at the BIC stands in Bahrain City Centre or Seef Mall; online at www.bahraingp.com or on the official BIC page on Facebook; or by calling the BIC Hotline on +973-17-450000.
For more information on 2014 Formula One Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix, visit www.bahraingp.com or call +973-17-450000. Also follow BIC’s official accounts on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for regular updates.