“Ticket sales for 2014 F1 expected to be highest for BIC”

Manama, Apr 5 (BNA): Formula One in Bahrain enters the tenth year and the ticket sales are high compared with 2013, Shaikh Salman bin Isa Al Khalifa, CEO of the Bahrain International Circuit, said. He told Bahrain News Agency that 2014 could be called one of the best years for racing in Bahrain. “We are celebrating 10 years and that makes us proud. The cars are on track and we are looking forward to the race on Sunday. We hope that the weekend is successful,” he said. Asked about Bahraini drivers in the sport, he said, “We are looking at the FIA formula four championship – something soon after karting – where young wannabes are spotted. The karting is in high gear and we are expecting to see more talent emerge to the next level. We are expecting some uptake in the karting and formula four by the year end.” Looking at the race this year, he said: “We are very excited, the weather is right and the people are enjoying it. The excitement is high. The fans in the vending area are saying it is very good to be here in the evening than in the day time when it is too hot.” As Bahrain readies for the night race, the CEO said that he was looking forward to seeing the cars on track during the night. “The lights bring out a new side of the circuit – a new era for us. The night race is like the first year for us -- the same feeling we experienced at the beginning. I remember the first year we looked at the first pictures and it looked so simple compared to where we are today. Now we are enthused to see the night race. We are looking to building the race to the best till we are judged the best circuit. We are now ready to train people around the region in F1 medicine – having received the honour for the same at the recent FIA meet.”