Bahrain facilities among the best in the world: Motor racing heads

By Arrackal Alexander M Manama, April 5 (BNA): Bahrain, a pioneer in motor racing and Formula One Grand Prix, has been among the top in the region, the President of the Federation Internationale de l’ Automobile, Jean Todt, has said. In an interview with Bahrain News Agency, he said the facilities offered are very high class. “We hope that motor sporting in Bahrain will look forward to more and more advances,” he said. Sir Jackie Stewart, OBE, a former British Formula One driver, said that Bahrain has had more developments in the racing infrastructure in the past ten years, compared with many other parts of the world. The kart track, for example, is a fantastic facility that will groom the young drivers of Bahrain and the karting afficianados of the region, he said. The racetrack itself has improved much, Sir Jackie said. “The tower is probably the best hospitality facility that I know of and Bahrain can be proud of it. His Royal Highness Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa has done a good job of getting everybody behind him to ensure that the race facilities and that for the public is maintained to the best level. The hospitality for the sponsors and the VIPs is again top of its kind.” In comments about Bahrainis racing at the F1, he said that it would take many years. “In the UK, motor racing has been on for a long time. It takes a minimum of 20 years to have a world-class driver,” he said. Bahrain racing circuit, when compared with the others of the world, is among the leading circuits, said Bernie Ecclestone, President of Formula One Management, Formula One Administration and Formula One Constructors’ Association. “The authorities here have been very cooperative.” Asked about the prospects of training local talent, he added that “the government could look at this seriously and it would benefit not just Bahrain, but the entire region.”