JEDDAH, 17 February 2007 — The event everyone is waiting for is returning to Bahrain. The 2007 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix is set for three days from April 13. It promises to be more exciting than ever, a team representing the organizers said at a roadshow marked by a press conference at In10So, Serafi Mega Mall, here on Thursday night.

In 2006, the legendary Michael Schumacher retired after years of domination and Fernando Alonso claimed the title for the second year amid frenzied excitement. Now, with Alonso behind McLaren’s wheels and Kimi Raikkonen taking over the reins at Ferrari, 2007 is heating up to be a year of new records.

“The first and only round of the FIA Formula One World Championship in the Middle east, the Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix is one of the world’s biggest sporting events that generates enormous crowds and a TV audience in hundreds of millions from all around the world,” Samer Al-Shaikh, marketing manager of the event, said.

He was accompanied by Gulf Air’s Bahrain-based Manager for Sports Marketing and Sponsorship Hisham Abu Alfateh and Jeddah-based General Manager for Saudi Arabia Saad Alqinni.

“The Bahrain International Circuit is proud to be the host of this annual extravaganza,” Al-Shaikh said. The Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix has set new standards around the world for hosting an FIA Formula One event, through unequaled promotion, supporting events and added value activities for racing fans to enjoy at the Grand Prix.

A seven-week program of cultural and community events will get under way under the banner of ‘Yalla Bahrain’ (Let’s go Bahrain) during official Formula One testing from Feb. 22-March 1 and thus make the event spectacular for GCC nationals.

The success of the Bahrain International Circuit in the three years since it was built has paved the way for Formula One in the Middle East. “Bahrain is delighted that Abu Dhabi will be joining the elite Formula One family in 2009,” Al-Shaikh said, adding that two Grand Prix events for the Middle East will further strengthen the region’s standing in the biggest motor sporting championship in the world alongside two races in North America, three in the Far East and seven in Europe‚ which is testament to the world acknowledging the impact of Bahrain’s Grand Prix bringing prominence to the Middle East in the world’s sporting community, he added.

“Gulf Air, for the first time, has come up with an all-in-one, day-packages for race lovers to travel from Riyadh and Jeddah to watch the event and return on the same day,” said Gulf Air General manager Saad Alqinni.

“Saudi Arabia is a very important market as it is one of the highest selling points in the region for the Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix. Our offices are inundated with inquiries abut the packages and we took into consideration the day flights to make it convenient and attractive to the people of Saudi Arabia, where the interest in Formula One is growing year by year,” he added.

For SR2,312 per person from Riyadh and SR3,284 from Jeddah, the package includes an entrance ticket to watch the race, return economy class airfares from the destinations to Bahrain, meet and greet service at the Bahrain International Airport and coach transfers from airport to Bahrain International Circuit and back.

Alfateh said that a great interest was already being witnessed from travelers across the region keen to attend the race. “With flights conveniently scheduled, guaranteed seats and race tickets, complemented by top ground transport and reception arrangements, race lovers can look forward to a memorable trip.”