Qatar unveil circuit plans for 2004 Grand Prix. (Motorcycling in Qatar)

Qatar MotoGP Track Officially Unveiled
Doha, Qatar: (Sunday 5 October 2003) The design and layout of the Qatar MotoGP racetrack is finally in place. Though construction has already started, the final design was released to the media yesterday by the The Qatar Motor & Motorcycle Federation (QMMF) Nasser bin Khalifa Al Attiyah, QMMF President, said the racetrack would be one of the biggest in the world and had been uniquely designed to provide maximum entertainment for spectators and riders. The track is 5.4km long with 16 turns, a few which will see some hard-braking. The 1.068km long straight stretching in front of the VIP stands will see riders clocking up to 330kmph. This is one of the longest straights compared to other tracks, informed Tome Alfonso, Motorcycle Consultant, of QMMF.
	A Graphic illustration of the track. Click for a bigger view.
A big range of turns have been designed for the racetrack. The third turn on the circuit would give trailing riders a good chance to catch up while the fifth one would slow down the participants as it has a very narrow curve The curved stretch after the seventh turn would be the most spectacular as riders would be able to clock 230-250kmph. Al-Attiyah said the main building will be constructed in an area of 50,000 square meters and it will house pit boxes, VIP stands, media center, control tower, the QMMF building, a medical center, the FIM medical tent, team offices, paddock management, restaurant, tyre area and a TV compound. A separate 5,000-capacity grandstand will also be constructed The 1000sq meter media center will be the biggest in the world along with Sepang. The QMMF chief said the federation has planned a 5,000-capacity grand stand at the moment but it will put on temporary stands after looking at the sale of tickets. A big TV screen will be also put up outside the venue Work on the track has already begun and asphalting could begin as early as mid-January next year. Alfonso added that the racetrack is being built according to the latest FIM regulations. The QMMF will organize a formal foundation stone laying ceremony in the last week of November. FIM President Francesco Zerbi, officials of Dorna, MotoGP promoters, five-time former world champ Mike Doohan of Australia who prepared the layout, and some of the top drivers, including world number one Valentino Rossi, are expected to attend the function The QMMF expects that construction will be completed by August 2004 and the track will then be tested by The International Roadracing Team Association (IRTA), which is responsible for the track’s safety and security, shortly before the Qatar MotoGP on 2 October 2004

Qatar MotoGP Track Officially Unveiled

Qatar MotoGP Track
Officially Unveiled