Shaikh Salman bin Isa bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa continued to blaze through the
Batelco 2000CC Challenge this weekend by picking up first place during the third
round.

The event which ran alongside the Lumina CSV ME Championship, at the BIC's
National Racing Festival 2008, saw Shaikh Salman stand strong regardless of the
new competition which came in the form of Mustafa Al Khan, who picked up second
place in the first race, and Mohamed Saleh, who walked away with second in the
second race.

2000CC Shumi keeps it up

Shaikh Salman managed to hold on tight to pole position yesterday, having
remained undefeated through the first race and claiming his sixth victory in the
second. The racer, nicknamed 2000CC's Schumacher, has steamed ahead of the
Batelco-sponsored challenge and stayed in the driver's seat as Mustafa Al Khan
and Mohamed Saleh followed closely behind. The second race saw Mustafa Al Khan
fall behind into seventh place whilst Essa Al-Kooheji moved up into third place.

Speaking about the championship, the drivers highlighted that this was one of
the best national championships to exist in the Kingdom in the world of motor
sports. They also added that the growing number of participants was a mere
indicator of the popularity it was picking up, as was the financial backing
Batelco was providing in both prize money and sponsorship.

First place prize stands at 450 dinars, whilst second gets 400 dinars. In third
is a 350 dinar prize, with 300 dinars for fourth position. Fifth receives 250
dinars, followed by 200 dinars for sixth and 150 dinars for seventh. Eighth
position gets 100 dinars, whilst the rest up until 15th position receive 50
dinars each.

Current standings at the end of the third round are as follows: 1. Shaikh Salman
bin Isa bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa; 2. Mohamed Saleh; 3. Essa Al-Kooheji; 4. Stephen
Kellogg; 5. Mike Spahn; 6. Ali Al-Kobaisi; 7. Mustafa Al Khan; 8. Rashid Al-Jowder;
9. Faisal Raffii.

Al Khan can't stop Shaikh Salman's climb

Shaikh Salman bin Isa picked up pole position in yesterday's first race, after
completing the 10 laps with a 3.938 second gap between him and Mustafa Al Khan.
He also picked up fastest lap time of 1'24''405 during the eighth lap, leaving
Al Khan in the dust.

Al Khan was pitted to be the man who would beat Shaikh Salman, but had to settle
for second place in his first race of the season.

This was no match for the remaining competitors and after the first race,
Mohamed Saleh finished in third place, whilst Issa Al-Kooheji came in fourth.
Fifth was picked up by Stephen Kellogg, followed by Ali Al-Kobaisi in sixth,
Mike Spahn in seventh, Rashid Al-Jowder in eighth and in last place stood Faisal
Raffii.

Several regional satellite networks were seen at the National Racing Festival
2008 this weekend, to cover the phenomenal amount of competition during the
racing events.

Al Jazeera Sports Channel, Atlas Channel, Bahrain Television were but a few.
Joining their ranks was the all-too-popular channel known for specializing in
all things motor sports, Gear One.

Sports journalists, reporters and cameramen provided spectacular coverage of the
events and the press conferences that followed. Shaikh Salman bin Isa Al
Khalifa, Chief Operating Officer at Bahrain International Circuit headed the
list of interviewees, along with top drivers from the Lumina CSV ME
Championship, the Batelco 2000CC Challenge and the drag test and tune round.

Tens of journalists from leading national and regional newspapers were also seen
at the venue covering the latest happenings on and off the track.

It was a nail-biting fifth round yesterday which saw drama upon drama as Shaikh
Hamad bin ISa Al Khalifa and Abdul Aziz Al Yaeesh set the Lumina CSV ME
Championship ablaze on the BIC circuit. Each driver picked up pole position in
each race, whilst Bahrain’s Fahad Al Musalam had a bout of bad luck which put
him in eighth after the first race and fifth at the end of the second.

And whilst Al Yaeesh continued to give a consistent performance this round,
Shaikh Hamad was quick to snatch his first season victory in the second race,
putting Al Yaeesh in second. In a round which took place as part of the National
Racing Festival 2008, the final standings see Al Musalam still on top with 15
points, whilst Al Yaeesh remains close behind with 15 points, and Shaikh Hamad’s
tally climbs up a staggering 137 points.

Shaikh Hamad snatches his first victory

All eyes turned to Shaikh Hamad in the second race as he cruised into first
place leaving all competition behind him in his dust. Shaikh Hamad also managed
to gain an additional point after recording a phenomenal lap time of 1’18’’491.
With such a wide gap between him and his rivals, Al Yaeesh had no choice but to
settle for second position.

Al Yaeesh managed to make up points whilst Al Musalam faced slight misfortune.
The final five laps saw him go head to head with Elgammal and defeat the
Australian racer, picking up second place, whilst Al Musalam settled for fifth
place.

The results at the end of the round were as follows: 1. Shaikh Hamad bin Isa Al
Khalifa; 2. Abdul Aziz Al Yaeesh; 3. Tarek Elgammal; 4. Pablo Rudolfi; 5. Fahad
Al Musalam; 6. Fahad Hizam; 7. Ahmed Hamada; 8. Raed Charawi; 9. Adel Shaji; 10.
Bandar Al Selmi; 11. Helmut Fleischmann; 12. Jaap Vaandrager; 13. Cristophe
Mariot; 14. Marwa Al Eifa; 15. Husam Al Saleh

Al-Yaeesh, Elgammal and Argentinean Coscia take the podium

The first round saw intense action and even more drama following a collision
between Abdul Aziz Al Yaeesh and Fahad Al Musalam at the first turn, which put
Al Musalam in seventh place and propelled Al Yaeesh into first. To fill the
gaps, Tarek Elgammal and Argentinean Franco Coscia stepped up to second and
third positions.

Five laps into the first race and Al Yaeesh continued to widen the gap between
himself and his rivals, as Shaikh Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa crept into fifth
place. Al Musalam was further disadvantaged after a near miss with Ahmed
Hamada's car which set him back another position, giving Fawaz Al Gosaibi's
Argentinean guest driver Coscia a chance to clamber up to third. However, Tarek
Elgammal kept up the pressure on Al Yaeesh and held onto second place, but
further bad luck for Al Musalam left his car bumper-less for the remainder of
the race.

The third lap saw Jaap Vaandrager pullout from the race, as did Bandar Al Selmi
in the seventh lap due to technical failures. Shaikh Hamad recorded a fastest
lap time of 1'18''668 which awarded him a further point.

Post-race deliberations following Al Yaeesh and Al Musalam's collision put Al
Yaeesh right at the back of the starting grid in 15th position, but still
managed to hold onto his first race result.

First race standings were as follows: 1. Abdul Aziz Al Yaeesh; 2. Tarek Elgammal;
3. Franco Coscia; 4. Ahmed Hamada; 5. Shaikh Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa; 6. Fahad
Hizam; 7. Raed Charawi; 8. Fahad Al Musalam; 9. Jacques Levet; 10. Helmut
Fleischmann; 11. Adel Shaji; 12. Husam Al Saleh; 13. Marwa Al Eifa; 14. Jaap
Vaandrager; 15. Bandar Al Selmi.

The sixth and final round is all set to go alongside the Gulf Air Bahrain Grand
Prix this coming 4 – 6 April.

Points and standings after the fifth round:

1. Fahad Al Musalam 156 points

2. Abdul Aziz Al Yaeesh 152 points

3. Sh. Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa 137 points

4. Ahmed Hamada 112 points

5. Tarek Elgammal 100 points

6. Fahad Hizam 94 points

7. Raed Raffii 92 points

8. Raed Charawi 85 points

9. Adel Shaji 76 points

10. Helmut Fleischmann 62 points

11. Bandar Al Selmi 55 points

12. Fawaz Al Gosaibi 47 points

13. Jacques Levet 44 points

14. Husam Al Saleh 43 points

15. Marwa Al Eifa 26 points

16. Christophe Mariot 18 points

17. Sherif Al Sakkaf 14 points

18. Jaap Vaandrager 11 points

Over 100 racers made their way to Bahrain International Circuit yesterday to
pick up where they left off in the second test and tune round during the day.

Drivers and bikers from all across the GCC flocked to the circuit for yet
another attempt at getting ahead of the competition. Having seen over 80
participants join in the first session on Friday, the second session proved to
be more gripping.

With the second round of the BDRC's National Drag Racing Championship due this
coming March, drivers gave it their all.

Hundreds of fans managed to get in on the action during yesterday's event, which
was running as part of the National Racing Festival 2008, and played witness to
some record-breaking times.

Fans also got to enjoy a great day out with fun and entertainment provided for
all the family in the vending area. Play areas, bouncy castles, fairground
rides, face painting and Kart Zone were only a few of the attractions available
during this superb festival weekend.

Speaking to some visitors, they highlighted that this was a very well organized
event run by the BIC, and was fantastic to see the Batelco 2000CC and the Lumina
CSV ME Championship all running side-by-side in one race weekend.

Getting the opportunity to see the drag test and tune round take place for the
first time during the day was also a novelty many could not afford to miss.

Egyptian Ahmed Hamada will be the first on the starting grid in the Lumina CSV
Middle East Championship race today, following a top performance during the
first stretch of the National Racing Festival 2008 yesterday.

During the qualifiers yesterday, Hamada glided straight into first place, whilst
Bahraini CSV champ Fahad Al Musalam settled for second place. The fierce
competition continued throughout the penultimate round, which was seen as the
main event of the festival weekend, as Al Musalam battled to stay ahead of Saudi
Al Yaeesh. The final is now set to sideline the Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix due
on the 4th – 6th April 2008.

Fans not only got to see the action kick off on the tarmac but also had the
chance to catch a glimpse of the Batelco 2000CC Challenge unravel at the Bahrain
International Circuit. And for the first time in BIC history, the drag ‘test and
tune’ round took off during the day time where drivers and bikers got the chance
to test their cars ready for the second round of the National Drag Racing
Championship next month.

All smiles for Hamada

Egyptian driver Ahmed Hamada expressed his delight having clinched first
position in the grid line up during the qualifiers with a superb time of
1:18:185 secs, whilst Bahrain Fahad Al Musalam picked up second starting
position following a dramatic finish which put him ahead of Abdul Aziz Al Yaeesh.
As for Shaikh Hamad bin Isa showed a growing improvement in his championship
which put him in fourth place. The Championship’s youngest racer Raed Raffii was
nowhere to be seen during the qualifiers as Dutch team mate Jaap Vaandrager took
his place instead. The two Argentinean guest drivers who joined the drivers
during the fifth race included Franco Cosca and Pablo Rudolf who were seen
driving Saudi Fawaz Al Gosaibi’s car. As for the French duo Jacques Levet and
Christophe Mariot, the two were seen driving the French team car during the free
sessions and the qualifiers.

Ahmed Hamada was more than happy to have made it to first position once again,
having achieved a similar result the last time he raced in Bahrain in November.
He added that a keeping focused could see him stand a good chance of winning the
Championship but highlighted that it wouldn’t be easy as he faces fierce
competition against Al Yaeesh and Al Musalam.

Results following the qualifiers are as follows:

1st Egyptian Ahmed Hamada; 2nd Bahraini Fahad Al Musalam; 3rd Saudi Abdul Aziz
Al Yaeesh; 4th Bahraini Shaikh Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa; 5th Australian Tarek
Elgammal; 6th Argentineans Franco Cusco and Pablo Rudolf; 7th Dutch Jaap
Vaandrager; 8th Saudi Fahad Hizam; 9th Egyptian Raed Charawi; 10th French
Christophe Mariot and Jacques Levet; 11th Bahraini Adel Shaji; 12th Austrian
Helmut Fleischmann; 13th Saudi Bandar Al Selmi; 14th Saudi Husam Al Saleh; 15th
Emirati Marwa Al Eifa.

Elgammal shines through

Yesterday saw Elgammal excel during the free sessions, surpassing Fahad Al
Musalam who finished in second place.

Fahad Al Musalam expressed how he would not wait to snatch up more points in the
two races today, as he fights to hold onto first place. He added that he would
be 100 per cent focused during this race, leaving no room for error. As for Al
Yaeesh, he highlighted that the pressure was on and the competition between him
and Al Musalam was on. Today is his opportunity to blaze through and pick up
maximum points. Shaikh Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, currently in third, stated that
this was a great opportunity to be participating alongside such fierce
competition, and added that he looked forward to getting the ahead of Al Musalam
and Al Yaeesh who currently lead.

Current point standings put Fahad Al Musalam in first with 133 points, Saudi
Abdul Aziz Al Yaeesh in second with 114 points, and Shaikh Hamad bin Isa Al
Khalifa not far behind with 101 points.

Shaikh Salman bin Isa steams ahead of Batelco 2000CC

In the Batelco 2000CC Challenge, Shaikh Salman bin Isa bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa
held on strong as he managed to pick up first place once again in the third
round of the challenge. New competition was seen on the track as Mustafa Al Khan
joined the challenge for the first time and picked up an impressive second
place. Mohammed Saleh took third place and Stephen Kellogg clinched fourth. Issa
Al Kooheji finished in fifth whilst Ali Al Kubaisi made it to the finish line in
sixth place, and first-time Batelco 2000CC racer Rashed Al Jowder finished in
seventh. Michael Spahn too eighth place whilst Faisal Raffii finished in ninth.
As for Shaikh Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, he failed to make it past the qualifiers
due to technical failures which forced him to withdraw from the competition.

A striking performance was seen yesterday from Shaikh Salman bin Isa who
clinched first place in the last two rounds. But with newcomer Mustafa Al Khan
on the block, he will have to stay focused in today’s races which could see the
winner pick up 450 dinars from Batelco the title sponsors.

Test and tune in the daytime

The drag strip was witness to the first ever test and tune round during the
daytime. Over 80 drivers and bikers participating various categories stepped up
to the plate and took on the challenge. Organized by the BDRC, fans got to watch
a gripping round on the 1.2km strip with racers from all across the GCC. Another
test and tune round looks all set today with the first session kicking off at
1.30pm and the second at 6.30pm.

Salman bin Isa: Motorsport fans on the increase

Shaikh Salman bin Isa Al Khalifa, Chief Operating Officer at Bahrain
International Circuit, was delighted to see the numbers of spectators and
participants who made their way down to the track yesterday. He added that the
fans that attended the National Racing Festival 2008 was a clear indicator of
the growing popularity of motor sports both locally and regionally.

Shaikh Salman added that the level of competition seen in the Lumina CSV ME
Championship was also a sign that the Championship was growing and developing at
a fast rate, proving itself as one of the most prominent championships of the
region. He wished all participants the best of luck in today’s race and looked
forward to another round of fierce competition.

He was also thrilled to see the Batelco sponsored 2000CC challenge gaining
popularity, as more and more drivers enlist as the rounds progress. He also
added that the first-ever daytime test and tune round was received very
positively and hoped all visitors enjoyed their day out.

Fans have the time of their life

Hundreds of fans were seen at the circuit having a great time yesterday at the
BIC. With entrance for free and a packed schedule of entertainment and
attractions families, kids and grown-ups got the chance to spend the day
watching an array of races, have their faces painted and meet the rivers.

Spectators can also make their way to the circuit for the second day of the
National Racing Festival today, for free, where they will get to see the fifth
round of the Lumina CSV ME Championship take off, the Batelco 2000CC Challenge,
the second drag test and tune round and much much more.

Bahrain International Circuit has hit the road in its first leg of the F1
Roadshow which will see the ‘Our Race’ campaign hit all major cities across the
Middle East.

As part of the build-up towards the fifth Formula One race ever held at the
circuit, the BIC will be making its first stop in Kuwait for a press conference
due on Wednesday 20 February, 2008.

BIC’s Chief Operating Officer Shaikh Salman bin Isa Al Khalifa will be speaking
at the press conference on all the latest preparations that the circuit has
undertaken for the annual event which will be seen from 4 – 6 April 2008.

The press conference will take place at the Marriott Hotel in Kuwait City, where
Shaikh Salman and Gulf Air officials will give the media all the latest plans
and arrangements which have been made in line-up for the Gulf Air Bahrain Grand
Prix.

Details on all the latest attractions and entertainment which will be available
for all the family this April will also be given. Attendees will get to hear
about the latest travel packages and deals on offer during the F1 season.

The Bahrain International Circuit kick-started its promotional campaign on
February 13 as it looks ahead to celebrating its fifth anniversary of hosting
the Formula One. As part of the campaign, Bahrain International Circuit will be
making its way around the region and will be hitting destinations including
Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, Jordan and, for the first time ever, India.

Bahraini artist Abbas Al Mousawi and 15 local painters will be painting the BIC
Media Tunnel all sorts of colours this month in preparation for the Gulf Air
Bahrain Grand Prix.

During his visit to inspect the site, Abbas Al Mousawi highlighted that this
project would be running alongside the ‘Paint Bahrain’ campaign which has
already taken off the ground across the island.

The artist, along with several other painters, expressed his delight at being
given the opportunity to do this all again. After creating a 15×10metre tall
installation last year, the local talent will be using the site as his canvas
once again to illustrate the fusion between Bahrain’s rich heritage and the
motor sport culture the BIC has brought to its soils.

The paint project will commence on Friday, and will include participants, both
professionals as well as young rising talents. Students from Bahrain University
will also be partaking in this exercise, as will Bahraini artists Balqees Fakhro,
Mohammed Bahrain, Mohammed Al Eskafi, Mousa Al Damistani, Hamed Al Bousta,
Kareem Al Bousta and Jaffar Al Araybi.

The Media Tunnel is a crucial element at Bahrain International Circuit which
stretches across 150 metres and provides the media with access throughout the
venue during various events including the Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix.

Bahrain International Circuit, home of motor sport in the Middle East, played
host to a delegation from Swaziland led by King Mswati III who was accompanied
by his entourage of high profile officials.

His wife, the Queen, was also aboard the delegation which was taken around the
circuit to see the sights and various tracks on the premises. The King was also
given a brief insight into the various races and events which take place
throughout the year including the Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix.

During this official visit to the Kingdom of Bahrain, Mswati III was greeted by
BIC’s PR Executive Mohammed Al Awadhi who took them around the circuit and gave
them a background into the circuit’s global achievements since 2004.

The delegation got to see the track from BIC’s highest point, Al Sakhir Tower.
They were also taken to the Media Centre where they saw the facilities which
cater to over 500+ journalists during events and the Welcome Centre for visitors
at the BIC.

To complete the visit, Bahrain International Circuit presented King Mswati III a
VIP memorial coin in recognition of his visit to the circuit. In return, he
expressed his sincere appreciation and gratitude to the staff at the circuit for
their hospitality and stressed that the circuit’s achievements are a victory for
the Kingdom.

Prices Starting From BD186 only!!

The Bahrain International Circuit (BIC) has revealed an innovative range of accommodation packages for overseas visitors to the 2008 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix on April 4-5-6. The packages are designed to dramatically reduce the cost of staying in Bahrain through the Grand Prix period and make the drama and excitement of ‘Our Race’ open to international motor sport fans.

There are a broad range of four-night packages to suit every budget at the forthcoming Grand Prix, which became a sell-out event in 2007 drawing 90,000 people to the biggest sporting and social occasion in the Gulf. The BIC has joined forces with Bahrain’s leading travel agency Kanoo Travel, through its Kanoo Holidays operation, to ensure an enormous variety of choice in deals ranging from self-catering apartments to the finest five-star service.

“For many travellers the cost of ‘Grand Prix pricing’ has been an issue since the first Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix in 2004,” said BIC Chief Operating Officer, Shaikh Salman bin Isa Al Khalifa. “Last year we put together our first set of travel and accommodation packages which were extremely well-received and in 2008 we have come together with Kanoo Holidays to create the best possible range of packages to welcome everyone to Bahrain.”

Prices for the 2008 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix all-inclusive packages start from BD186 per person for the four nights, inclusive of accommodation and a three-day ticket for the Turn 1 grandstand, with the option to change this for a different vantage point for a supplementary charge. Additionally flights and transfers to and from the circuit can be included at extra cost.

Nabeel Kanoo of Kanoo Travel said: “We are committed to the ongoing success of the Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix and the Bahrain International Circuit as a showcase for the Kingdom. Creating these packages is a significant boost in ensuring that overseas visitors can enjoy the event at reasonable cost.”

Thanks to the pricing structure of the packages, it is also possible to upgrade expectations, with major hotels such as the Ramada and Golden Tulip offering extremely cost-effective packages and even the sumptuous new Banyan Tree Resort and Spa located just minutes from the BIC.

Umair Tahir, the Head of the BIC Reseller Network, said: “Last year we had a fairly limited selection of complete packages including travel and accommodation. However the interest was strong enough from Asia and Europe, let alone the GCC, in attending our race that we believe this is the ideal proposition. Overseas fans can arrange their own travel to Bahrain and then we provide the perfect solution in terms of cost, flexibility and accessibility to enjoy all the entertainment and atmosphere that surrounds our race and we are still keen to bring more apartment buildings into the scheme if they wish to join us by contacting Kanoo Holidays on 17 828 797.”

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Email : holidays@ybakanoo.net

Manama 17th February 2008: The ITHMAAR Group Yalla Bahrain! F1 Paint Bahrain is
well and truly underway after successful workshops held at Al Ahli University,
Bahrain International Circuit and Bahrain Arts Society.

This week students from Al Ahli University were the first to join in the
cross-community art project held in support of the 2008 Formula One Gulf Air
Grand Prix. Al-Ahlia is one of the most prestigious universities in the Kingdom
of Bahrain and holds a fantastic amount of artistic talent making it a crucial
stopping point on the cultural Formula One journey through the country. Led by
Abbas Al Mosawi, one of Bahrain’s prominent artists, a total of twelve 2D
sculptures were created.

Dr. Abdulla Alhawaj, President of Al Ahli University said “Al Ahli University is
very happy to have participated in the ITHMAAR Group Yalla Bahrain! F1 Paint
Bahrain event. We wanted to show our support for the community and to be part of
the Gulf Air Bahrain Formula One Grand Prix which is such an important event for
the Kingdom.”

The second workshop for ITHMAAR Group Yalla Bahrain! F1 Paint Bahrain was held
at the home of Formula One in the Middle East, the Bahrain International
Circuit. Members of the BIC joined Abbas Al Mosawi to paint their
interpretations of Formula One and Yalla Bahrain! Chief Executive Officer Martin
Whitaker was one of the first to arrive and enjoyed the event immensely: “It is
really important that all the schools and university students have got involved
with F1 Paint Bahrain. ITHMAAR Group Yalla Bahrain! is about bringing the
community together and making them part of Bahrain’s biggest event of the Year,
the Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix. Yet again Abbas Al Mosawi has done an
incredible job.”

Reflecting on the workshops to date Abbas Al Mosawi added “Working on the
workshops so far has been a great pleasure. I thought creating 2D sculptures
would be an enormous challenge but everyone involved had embraced the idea. The
workshop at Al Ahli University was only meant to continue for three hours but we
ended up painting for twice as long. The personal touches added mean the final
exhibition will be even more special.”

The hectic schedule of workshops comes to a close on Sunday February 17th with
the final one being held at offices of Yalla Bahrain! sponsor ITHMAAR Group. The
sculptures will then be revealed at a VIP gala evening on February 21st before
they go on public display at the Seef Mall from February 22nd.