Track work at BIC nearing completion
29/01/2005: The mammoth project to remove and replace all of the stabilised sand which surrounds the Bahrain International Circuit is nearing completion prior to the second running of the Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix. The project, which has been on-going since early November 2004 is designed to remove all the stabilised areas which abut the track.
The BIC is unique in that it is the only Grand Prix track in the World that used the system of ?¢â‚¬?“bonded?¢â‚¬A? sand and cement. Most others use grass, but in keeping with the desert environment it was decided to use sand while the circuit was under construction prior to the inaugural Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix in 2004. However, the increased use of the track for racing, track days, testing and corporate events has increased the ware and tear on the stabilised areas and a decision was taken to replace it to avoid dust or grit being thrown on to the circuit during future races.
To allow the track to be used during the period of work, contractors have worked firstly on the circuit’s outer loops and more recently on the six inner tracks that again are a feature of the diverse number of circuits that make up the Sakhir facility. All the stabilised sand has been replaced with tarmac but in keeping with the contrast between desert and Oasis at the circuit, new grass has been laid on the infield areas and the tarmac painted sand colour.
