BAHRAIN, 21 May 2004 — Hot on the heels of the first ever F-1 Grand Prix in the Middle East in April, several companies announced one-make race series, planned to run at the Bahrain circuit and also those currently under construction in Dubai and Qatar.
Most are due to commence toward the end of the year (Dubai Autodrome opens in September), either on an arrive-and-drive arrangement using hired race cars or outright purchase, but both options involve fairly heavy financial resources and a full season of racing.
In contrast, GulfSport, the Middle East importer of European built Radical Sportscars, not only announced their 2004 Gulf Radical Championship but also a Radical Introduction Day and regular weekly Trackday events. While the Championship is of course a full season of racing, the Introduction day enables prospective race drivers to sample the car in advance while the Trackdays give the opportunity for speed enthusiasts just to drive fast on a race circuit.
The Radical SR3 Supersport and Radical SR4 Clubsport set new standards of safety, have a 6-speed sequential gearbox, slick racing tires and full aerodynamic package, and offer lap times close to those of Formula 3 — but in a two-seater sports car, which is an awesome experience. The Introduction Day, which will take place in June, has already attracted applications from several Gulf states and that this includes Saudi Arabia is hardly surprising given that Radical hold lap records at European circuits and that the Sakhir circuit is just a short drive over the causeway from Eastern Province and only a couple of hours flight from Jeddah.
The Introduction Day offers a unique opportunity to sample the Sakhir Grand Prix circuit from the passenger seat of the awesome Radical SR3 — driven by racing driver and GulfSport Director, Martin Hope. It also enables invited guests to meet with key members of the GulfSport team to discuss the Radical range of sportscars and see the facilities for storage and maintenance of their cars at the Sakhir circuit.
For those who simply want to arrive and drive at the circuit without racing or race involvement, GulfSport will explain how the circuit will be available for weekly ‘Trackday’ events, where hourly test sessions will enable guests to get behind the wheel on a top race circuit, literally in the wheeltracks of Michael Schumacher. These sessions will alternate between race Radicals and road-going cars. GulfSport will also present their plans for a personalized Driver Development and Training service to help their customer’s get the most enjoyment out of their investment.
For the more ambitious, Radical customers will be invited to race in a ten event, twenty race Gulf Radical Championship, where drivers will ‘fly the flag’ as they race against competitors from other GCC countries in a high-profile international event.
GulfSport, the exclusive authorized distributor of Radical Sportscars in the region, will be available to ensure that all drivers have expert advice and mechanics on hand to help them throughout the testing and race days.
A typical race event will consist of 30-minute test and qualifying sessions, followed by two 30-minute races. It is anticipated that the Championship will also visit both the Dubai Autodrome and the 5.4kms Losail International Circuit in Qatar.
Finally, and not for the feint-hearted, for an invitation to a GulfSport Introduction Day with its unique opportunity to strap into the tight fitting passenger seat of a 260kph Radical SR3 and feel the extraordinary sensation of being in a real racing car at speed, send contact details to [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]) or telephone GulfSport (Bahrain) on +973 9602116 or GulfSport (UAE) on +971 50 6178929. Information about the Radical SR3 Supersport, SR4 Clubsport, Gulf Radical Championship and GulfSport Trackday Club can be found at www.Gulf-Sport.com (http://www.gulf-sport.com/).
