Top class motorsport returns to the new Bahrain International Circuit this week, as the inaugural Bahrain GT Festival pits sportscar crews against the dramatic desert-lined layout.
The end-of-year event, for GT cars competing in various championships around the world, should see a grid of nearly 50 cars compete at the venue which was opened in time to host the Formula One grand prix circus in April. The GT Festival is the first major international event to be staged at the brand-new facility since Michael Schumacher completed a hat-trick of early-season F1 wins.
Although a small number of cars from the FIA GT Championship, which were due to take part in the event, have been unable to reach Bahrain in time after the final round of their regular season in China due to problems with transport and customs difficulties, a grid of 48 international competitors is still expected to take part in the event, where they will be joined by a separate field of nearly 20 historic cars, which will take part in their own races.
