SAKHIR, 27 September 2006 — Bahraini and Saudi youth are celebrating Ramadan nights by taking their cars to the racetrack of the Bahrain International Circuit (BIC) in Sakhir.

Scores of youth are turning up each night to drive their cars around the temporary tracks as thousands of youth cheer and boo the drivers, depending on their performance.

The nights of Ramadan, which is a time of worship and contemplation marked by prayer, fasting, and charity with focus on devotion to Allah, is also a time for many Muslims in the Gulf to socialize and interact with family and friends, following a daylong fast.

Many Gulf men spend their nights following the break of fast (iftar) in the majlis or diwaniyah, the room in a home set aside to receive and entertain family and guests, where they would play cards, chat or watch television.

Others might spend time in coffee shops or take part in football mini-tournaments, but in a sign of changing times, Bahraini youth have opted to enjoy the nights of Ramadan by joyriding in their cars.

Scores of them gather on regular bases during weekends to joyride illegally on the streets at night, raising havoc and many times the night end for them with a ticket, accident, jail, or a ride to the hospital.

BIC apparently in an effort to address the problem that was set to increasingly menace other drivers on the streets during the period of increased traffic at night during Ramadan decided to capitalize on the popularity of the sport and attempted to draw the youth from the streets into its Sakhir circuit, south of the capital Manama.

The move, which seems to be working so far, is popular with motorists and youth alike. “I feel safer on the streets knowing that the ones who are likely to drive fast or attempt to turn the road into a ‘private track’ are driving somewhere else,” said Ahmed Abdullah. “It is safer for us and it is safer for them.”

The circuit implements safety requirements for the drivers requiring that they wear their seatbelts and a helmet. It also places the crowds behind a metal fence with an ambulance and rescue crews placed on standby during the nightly event.

BIC opened its doors for the monthlong program on Sunday and in the first two nights alone it attracted scores of drivers and thousands of spectators each night.

“This is the first time I am taking part in such events. The thrill you get testing your car in front of a huge crowd is amazing,” said joyriding participant Muhammad Bahar.

The BIC move also attracted Gulf youth nationals, mainly Saudis, which is helping boost the tourism sector. A temporary paintball station, and a “mini city” built by the organizers also provide the visitors with food, refreshments, and even sheesha (hubbly bubbly).

Entrance for the public is free and drivers wishing to drift their cars on the temporary set-up track can do so for a nominal fee.

The event runs daily from 9 p.m. to midnight on weekdays and 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. on weekends, which coincides with the expected increase in traffic on the roads of the island during Ramadan.