2003 Batelco Bahrain Superkart Challenge
For immediate release
Wednesday, December 10th, 2003
BUMPER RACE ENTRY PREPARES FOR 2003
BATELCO BAHRAIN SUPERKART CHALLENGE
Several world champions set for Seef race contest; 22 teams entered
MANAMA (Bahrain): The Batelco Bahrain Superkart Challenge gets underway in the Seef District of Manama in Bahrain at 15.00 on Thursday afternoon (December 11th).
The 24-Hour event has attracted an impressive entry of 22 international and local teams for this CIK/FIA affiliated race to be held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Issa Bin Salman Bin Hamed Al-Khalifa, Son of the Crown Prince of Bahrain.
Bahrain made news headlines across the globe earlier this year with the news that a round of the FIA Formula One World Championship will take place on a new circuit on the island on April 4th, 2004. But the Bahrain Motor Federation has been flat out in recent days putting together the final preparations for this 24-hour race.
~We are delighted to host this 24-hour race again,~ said Sheikh Fawaz Bin Mohammed Al-Khalifa, President of GOYS and the Chairman of the Bahrain International Circuit (BIC). ~I am also looking forward to taking part in the race as one of the members of the two GOYS teams. We have been incredibly busy in recent weeks with many exciting plans for next year, but this should be a fantastic race.~
Also competing as a member of the first of the GOYS teams will be Sheikh Tariq Bin Mohammed Al-Khalifa, the President of the Bahrain Motor Federation. The second GOYS team has been named the Kartelles and is made up entirely of Bahraini female drivers.
Standing in their way and one of the favoured teams for victory, when the chequered flag is lowered at 15.00 on Friday afternoon, will be two Batelco-sponsored teams. The first is made up of a selection of leading Bahraini drivers and the second Batelco Speednet outfit includes the former English World Champion Colin Brown, Matthew Hamilton and the Middle East’s top racer, Dubai-based Frenchman Christophe Hisette.
Their closest rivals are sure to be the two MTC Vodafone Unstoppables teams, led by the experienced Sean Murphy. The first team consists of Murphy himself – a Rotax champion who heads off to the World Championships in Egypt in January 2004 – Le Mans karting winner Lee Hollywood, 2001 British Champion Stephen White, 2003 British Prokart champion Paul Wilkins and the experienced Lee Sheffield.
Team two is managed by Sheikh Hamed Bin Issa Al-Khalifa and consists of several experienced Bahraini racers, including Hamed Mudaweb.
~We have put together a fantastic track in the Seef district with a great view of the city and the sea,~ said Joint Clerk of the Course Elie Semaan.
~The track measures 950 metres in length and offers plenty of overtaking opportunities, some excellent corners and a test for both professional and amateurs drivers. it should be a cracking race and a fitting way to end this year and look ahead to what promises to be the most exciting year of motorsport history in Bahrain in 2004.~
The Batelco Bahrain Superkart Challenge is also supported by GOYS and Power Horse and is scheduled to finish at 15.00 on Friday afternoon in the Seef district.
Ends
For further media information:
Neil Perkins, NDP Publicity Services, Tel: + 973 827600, Fax: + 973 827666, E-mail: NDPPublicity@compuserve.com, www.ndp-publicity.com/press releases