Race under the desert stars

In the last decade, Middle Eastern countries have opened their doors to Formula One races and has widened the scope of motor sports into a 'must-attend-affair'. And if you are a fan of the F1 races, then you are well aware that Bahrain International Circuit (BIC) is currently shining in the global spotlight, with the Formula One Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix 2018 weekend next month. This desert race track in the Arabian Gulf is a location worth visiting. I was lucky to be on a VIP tour of the circuit and try their 4x4 Land Rover experience — and both left me in awe.

The tour starts with a visit to the rooftop of the impressive eight-storey Sakhir tower at the northern end of the circuit, which has become symbolic to BIC, as it is constantly viewed on TV every time F1 races are conducted. The tower gives a 360 degree view of the circuit — its five grandstands and the vast expanse of the

Sakhir desert. The bird's-eye view of the circuit is a splendid sight. While the first four floors are the office premises, the others are reserved for viewing the race by the royal family and their guests.

During the race, this arena is the most-guarded and sought after. You have to be a member of the royal family or be invited by them to be able to sit in these boxes.

The BIC is unique because it is among the few racetracks in the world that hosts floodlit races, making it a visual spectacle. The five grandstands are strategically placed, but the most sought after is the Batelco grandstand, which provides a maximum (67 per cent) view of the racetrack. But then there are also those who choose the Turn 1 grandstand, which has a higher possibility of 'action', as the sharp-turning and wide track gives ample opportunity for overtaking. This is literally the 'turning' point of the race.

Bahrainis' love for motor sports can be gauged, not because BIC is thronged by thousands of people every week during F1 races, but by the fact that many hire the circuit for drag races during the weekend. An expensive affair, it can be hired for a day or for few hours, simply as a hobby, which is becoming increasingly popular here. But if a tour of the circuit doesn't satiate your hunger for adventure, and you're not exactly an F1 driver, there are some experiential sessions available too — the Land Rover experience, Ducati riding experience, Track top adventure, Open Track experience among others. Incidentally, this arena is also used by car manufacturers to test drive their vehicles.

I tried the Land Rover experience as a passenger and was completely floored by it. Mahmoud Ewis, who drove the SUV for me, explains the adventure. The 3.5km of this area comprises of a varied terrain — water, sand, rock, steep slope and hill. The Land Rover manoeuvre through the man-made and natural obstacles with the ease of a colossus, making the rough ride a mind blowing experience for the uninitiated.

The mega race

The Formula One Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix 2018 will be held from April 6 to 8 and will see star racers like Fernando Alonso, Valtteri Bottas, Sebastian Vettel, Daniel Ricciardo, Max Verstappen Lewis Hamilton, Kimi Räikkönen and others.