The final curtain call is on its way as the last round of the Batelco 2000CC Challenge season is seen this Friday. 
 
Sponsored by leading telecommunications company, Batelco, the series will see the most intense action yet in the eighth and final round of the season as Shaikh Salman bin Isa bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa goes head-to-head with Mustafa Al Khan one last time. 
 
As the legend stands pitted as the most likely to steal the debut season championship title, first place will claim a monetary prize of 3,000 dinars, whilst second will take 2,000 dinars and third will finish with 1,000 dinars. Driver recording the fastest lap will be awarded 500 dinars, all courtesy of the championship sponsor, Batelco. In addition, each driver will be granted a monetary prize at the end of each of the two races which will make up the final round. First place will take home 450 dinars and so on until last position will leave with 50 dinars. 
 
A fight for the money
 
Coming to the end its debut season, the championship was organized by the Circuit Racing Club under the Bahrain Motor Federation and saw a growing popularity throughout the season from both participating drivers and fans of the series. 
 
Having witnessed a fierce fight between Mustafa al Khan and Shaikh Salman bin Isa Al Khalifa for pole position, the final round will see them weighing in with 344 points to Shaikh Salman whilst Mike Spahn separates the two, in second, with 246 points and Al Khan follows behind in third with 216 points. Meanwhile, Ali Al Kobaisi stands close in fourth with 208 points and stands a good chance of finishing the season in third position. 
 
2000CC’s Schumi ready for the final call
 
Current leader on the scoreboard Shaikh Salman bin Isa Al Khalifa, Schumi of the Batelco 2000CC Challenge, declared that he was more than ready for the final round. He stressed that he was entering the competition hoping to come out with the best result and certain victory. He also added that the series had gained huge popularity from the participants and newcoming drivers having picked up much recognition. With Batelco sponsoring the series and supporting the drivers at length, he added that this was also beneficial to the series. Taking place in the inner track at BIC, he added that his achievements this season would form a solid backbone to his performance in the new season next year which has already seen increasing interest from more drivers wishing to take part. Shaikh Salman welcomed the competition from all the drivers in the series and stressed that the more the competition increased the more exciting the Challenge was going to get. 
 

Al Khan renews his threats 

Award for top rival to Shaikh Salman bin Isa Al Khalifa so far this season has got to go to Mustafa Al Khan. Having missed the first two rounds of the season he continued to tough it out and head after the leader, a risky tactic but one which earned him a win. This time round, Al Khan has promised a tougher fight to the finish and will show no relent as he focuses on stealing wins for both races which could see him finish as second place runner-up to the season. In a previous interview, the young-gun confirmed, “I will win both races in the upcoming round and I am here to tell Shaikh Salman that the competition is on.” Al Khan continued to add that he was looking to record the fastest lap time in both races as he hoped to win the 500 dinar prize for the fastest lap time.
 

Drivers swear the series a success
 
All the drivers swore the series was a success as the curtain looks set to come down on the end of a monumental debut season. Drivers including Mohammed Saleh, Ali Al Kobaisi, Rashid Al Jowder, Faisal Raffii, Mike Spahn, Isa Al Kooheji, Stephen Kellog, Ahmed Kozbar, Osama Al Boflasa and Carina Ghuloom each highlighted that the series was a great success and that they were proud to have been pioneer of it. They also added that the requirements and regulations made it an easy procedure to participate and prepare their cars in an economical and efficient way, and the prizes that were provided by the sponsor Batelco contributed to the increased interest. They added that they looked forward the final round and will definitely be participating in the next season as they look to preparing their cars over the break. 
 
 

Abdulla bin Isa: a successful series by all measures
Shaikh Abdulla bin Isa Al Khalifa, President of the Bahrain Motor Federation, highlighted that the Batelco 2000CC Challenge had proven it was a successful series by all measures. He also added that from the very start of the season the Challenge had recorded a significant interest from drivers and fans alike and growing support from the sponsor Batelco and Bahrain International Circuit as host for the series. He also announced that the series will continue next season and work was already in the pipelines as the championship prepares to cater to a greater number of participants. He added that the original concept of the series was drawn up as a means for motor sport enthusiasts and aspiring drivers to have the opportunity to race in at reasonable cost. 
 
 
 

Salman bin Isa: Series firmly found its place

Shaikh Salman bin Isa Al Khalifa, Chief Operating Officer at Bahrain International Circuit, stressed that the Batelco 2000CC Challenge had picked up great popularity and secured its success in its debut season, particularly with the growing interest from participating drivers. He also added that the Batelco 2000CC Challenge was open to all those wishing to join in the action, an opportunity for rising talents and young Bahraini drivers to jump on the motor sport ladder and develop their skills. He stressed that the series had firmly found its place and this was only the beginning for the championship which takes place at the Bahrain International Circuit.
 

Al Hilli thanks participants and announces the Circuit Bracket Race
 
Circuit Racing Club president, Mazen Al Hilli, thanked all the participants for making the debut season of the Batelco 2000CC Challenge a huge success. He also added that it was the constant support from Batelco and the great interest that the Bahrain Motor Federation and its president Abdulla bin Isa Al Khalifa had taken in the challenge, as well as the cooperation from the host Bahrain International Circuit which made it an even greater victory. He announced that there would be an all-new challenge taking place alongside the final round of the Batelco 2000CC Challenge and that would be the Circuit Bracket Race, as a substitute to the National Sprint Championship which came to the end of its season in the last round. He added that the all-new Championship will see drivers participating aboard their cars and bikes and will consist of two practice laps on BIC’s inner track followed by time trials. Winner will be the driver who defeats his first lap time by a small margin, whereas drivers breaking their lap time by a huge margin will lose. He stressed that anyone can participate in this championship and can sign up for only 20 dinars.
 
Fans and spectators are invited to witness the hottest action on the track this Friday 30th May for only two dinars for adults and 1 dinar for kids.
 
The current standings before the final round:
1. Salman bin Isa Al Khalifa           344 points
2. Michael Spahn                          246 points
3. Mustafa Al Khan                        216 points
4. Ali Al Kobaisi                             208 points
5. Rashid Al Jowder                       159 points
6. Mohammed Saleh                     157 points
7. Faisal Raffii                              157 points
8. Stephen Kellogg                       130 points
9. Issa Al Kooheji                         97 points
10. Osama Al Boflasa                   77 points
11. Carina Ghuloom                     37 points
12. Tariq Al Tajer                         32 points
13. Karl Tschersich                       32 points
14. Ahmed Kozbar                        0 points 
 

Round 9 of the National Racing Championship will take place of Friday 30th of May 2008.

The schedule can be downloaded from Here

You are reminded of the extreme heat conditions, and should ensure adequate consumption of liquids to avoid heat stroke and/or dehydration.

The Championship will comprise of:

Batelco 2000cc Challenge - Round 8 (FINAL ROUND)

CRC Bracket Race (NEW!)

The CRC will be running a "Circuit Bracket Race" on Friday 30th May, 2008.

Rules & regulations can be downloaded from HERE.

To discuss the event please visit CRC Forums.

To register please email us on This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

The eighth and final round of the National Racing Championship came to a spectacular finale this weekend as 20 cars and bikes participated in the National Sprints at Bahrain International Circuit.
 
Organised by the Circuit Racing Club, under the Bahrain Motor Federation, the Autocross-like championship which sidelined the Batelco 2000CC Challenge also saw Ahmed Baqer, CRC board member, hint that a surprise would be waiting for its participants at the end of the season.
 
In the A2 category, first place went to Louay Abdul Rahman, whilst Carina Abdul Rahman picked up second place and Ahmed Al Sayed took third. In the B2 category it was Fayez Al Gosaibi who clinched first, as Husam Al Saleh settled for second. The C1 saw Radie Johan take first position. In the C2 category it was Gabriella Wimmer who stole first, as Ebrahim Al Khalifa came in second and James Penland took third. As for the biking groups, the 600 group saw Ali Khalaf pick up first place and Daniel Slabbert come in second. The 1000 group had David Vandenburg finish in first whilst Mike Arora was in second and Max Young pick up third place.
 
The National Sprint Championship came to fruition at Bahrain International Circuit following significant interest from what was previously known as the autocross races which were held back in Awali. With such a prominent motor sport establishment and globally-acclaimed circuit like Bahrain International Circuit available, the choice of venue was confirmed. Any car and bike can participate in the championship which is now in its fourth year and has seen a significant participation from drivers and bikers from Bahrain and across the GCC.
 
Taking place on the inner track, drivers can get behind the steering wheel as they attempt to get the fastest time aboard their car or bike. The competition begins with 30 minutes of free sessions to become familiarised with the track and to perfect their technique as they try to get the fastest lap. Points are awarded as follows: 1. 25 points; 2. 20 points; 3. 17 points; 4. 13 points; 5. 10 points; 6. 7 points; 7. 5 points; 8. 3 points; 9. 2 points; 10. 1 point.
 
Drivers must hold a Class-D Competition license which can be obtained from the Bahrain Motor Federation. Vehicles also need to be prepared to ensure they match the safety criteria to qualify.