Unless you are one of those lucky folk whose hometown hosts a GP race, getting to see one live involves a fair bit of planning, and quite a bit of cash. Now that the (provisional) F1 calendar for 2009 has been announced, it is a good time to start planning next year’s holiday, and maybe catch a race while you are away. This time we take a look at the Bahrain round of the Championship, and provide some handy hints for those wishing to travel to this event.

Things to know before you go:

• The official language is Arabic, but you will find English catered for.
• Most nationalities will require a visa to enter Bahrain, see http://www.e.gov.bh (select English page) for individual requirements. However the Government has in the past offered special ‘F1’ visas. All that is needed is a valid F1 ticket or proof of purchase, a valid passport for the duration of stay in Bahrain, and a return airline ticket. The visa is provided free of charge, so log on to www.f1visa.gov.bh for information on how to obtain this special visa.
• The event is currently hosted at the Bahrain International Circuit, in Sakhir, which is approximately a forty minute drive from the capital, Manama.
• Sakhir is hot, and there is extremely unlikely to be any respite from the heat during the race. Drink plenty of water.
• The circuit has hosted a round of the F1 Championship since 2004, and is a Herman Tilke designed track.
• Bahrain is a Muslim country, so please be aware of local customs, particularly if your visit coincides with the month of Ramadan.
• Unlike some nearby Muslim countries, the sale of Alcohol is permitted in Bahrain. However, caution should be exercised when drinking so as not to offend.
• Although Bahrain is quite progressive, it is recommended that you dress conservatively, particularly for women.
• If planning to hire a car in Bahrain, you must obtain an International drivers permit before you arrive. This cannot be obtained once in Bahrain, and you will be refused a rental car if you do not have it, even though you may be licensed in your home country. See your local licensing bureau for information on how to obtain this permit.
• For more tourist information see the official tourism website http://www.bahrain-tourism.com/

Buying a ticket:

The official website of the Bahrain Grand Prix is http://www.bahraingp.com.bh/ which gives information on buying a ticket, the track, as well as a little general tourist information.

There are also many other reputable websites out there that sell tickets to all events, but shop around as the prices vary widely. The Sakhir circuit boasts an eight story viewing tower overlooking the main straight, as well as a choice of five grandstands. All of the grandstands offer TV viewing. There are also two general admission areas available. These are not covered, so be prepared to be out in the sun. They also have limited or no TV viewing, so please choose carefully. In total, the circuit can accommodate up to 50,000 spectators.

Getting to Bahrain:

Manama is served by a large international airport, with direct flights from many cities with Gulf Air. The airport is located in the Al Muharraq area, which is about fifteen kms from Manama. It is very easy to fly in via other Middle Eastern destinations such as Dubai, and take a connecting flight to Bahrain. There are shuttle buses and hire cars available from the airport, as well as taxis. Taxis are metered but it is found that these are rarely used in practice. Agree on a price before your journey commences, or find a driver willing to use the meter. Speedy Motor’s have a good reputation.

As Bahrain is an island, with two main ports; Mina' Salman and Sitrah, catching a ferry from some nearby countries such as Iran is also an option. And although it is an island, there are a number of causeway bridges linking Bahrain to surrounding countries such as Saudi Arabia, so it is even possible to drive to there. There are also buses from Saudi Arabia run by the Sabatco Company.

Where to stay:

There are limited options for accommodation in the Sahkir area. Although there are plans for a “Sakhir City” to be built around the track, including hotels, shops, conference facilities etc, these are not yet completed. The best option is to stay in Manama or Juffair, and drive out to the track. Manama has a range of accommodation options to suit all budgets, but be aware that many places either increase their prices around GP time, or institute a minimum stay policy. Another option is to stay in a nearby country such as Dubai and commute daily to the track.

Another thing to keep in mind is that in the Muslim tradition, Friday is the ‘weekend’. If arriving on Thursday it is advisable to have accommodation pre-arranged as many people in nearby countries take advantage of Bahraini Alcohol laws, and drive in for a weekend getaway. Many hotels also offer an airport shuttle, so remember to ask at the time of booking. Bahrain is only 48 km long and 16 km wide, so no matter where you choose to stay, you will still be close to the track.

Getting to the track:

There is no rail transport in Bahrain, but it is serviced by a comprehensive bus network. Buses are available from Manama to Sakhir. Many hotels also offer a shuttle service to the track as part of their accommodation packages, so check when you are booking. If you have a hire car, the road to Sakhir is well signposted and there is plenty of car parking available. The other alternative is to take a taxi to Sakhir.

At the track:

This is a three day event, with the festivities kicking off on the Friday. There are a few support categories such as GP2 Asia and the Speedcar series to entertain you when the F1 cars are not on track. Located behind the main start/finish line grandstand, is the vending area. The Vending Area is the centre for refreshment, entertainment and merchandise.

Also located in this area are an authentic Bedouin tent and traditional Dhow, a Bahraini fishing boat, giving a taste of the traditions and rich culture of this part of the Gulf. In the past, some drivers have done autograph sessions on the Dhow, so grab yourself a program to see what’s happening in the area.

What to bring:

I have been unable to find any information anywhere relating to whether or not you can bring your own food and drink to the track. If anyone is aware of the rules, please post a comment below to assist other racegoers. In any case, food and drink are readily available in the vending area.

Although all of the grandstands are covered, you must also bring sunscreen and a hat. The weather will be warm –albeit dry heat - so it is imperative that you keep your fluids up. The last thing you want is to suffer from dehydration and miss the F1 action!

Kangaroo TV sets are also available for hire at the track. A good camera is also a must as you don’t want to miss taking shots of the F1 cars out on the track.

And finally, enjoy!