MOTORSPORT – Bahrain International Circuit (BIC) hosts today the opening round of National Race Day this 2026-27 season in Sakhir.
The event features the Bahrain Touring Car Challenge (BTCC) and Bahrain Time Attack, making for a full day of exciting circuit racing. Action will take place along BIC’s 2.55-kilometre Inner Track.
The BTCC is one of the region’s longest-running national racing championships.
It continues its legacy in its current format, having previously been known as the BIC 2,000cc Challenge.
Bahrain Time Attack, meanwhile, is a race against the clock, with the final classification determined by the times participants record as they negotiate the track from start to finish.
Today’s event is organised by BIC in cooperation with the Bahrain Motor Federation, the Circuit Racing Commission, and the Auto X and Drift Commission.
Racing is scheduled to begin at 9.25am and conclude under the lights at around 6pm, followed by the podium ceremonies.
All are invited to attend and watch both championships.
Tickets cost BD2 for adults and BD1 for children.
Fans can enjoy the action from BIC’s Beyon Grandstand, which offers excellent views of key parts of the circuit, including the Inner Straight, where the start and finish lines are located.
Tickets can be purchased online at bahraingp.com, by calling the BIC Hotline on +973 17450000, or at the gate.
Defending champion Ali Almansoori will lead the BTCC field in the season-opening round, returning in his Honda Civic.
Almansoori had a remarkable campaign last season, securing the title after winning all 14 of the championship’s races.
Today’s round will feature a 10-car field. Alongside Almansoori, Ahmed Bajnaid, Hamad Khamis, Isa Ebrahim and Moaaz Elzahrawi will also compete in Honda Civics.
Abdulaziz Talib and James Taylor will race BMW 135i cars, Andreas Buelow will drive an Audi TT, Freddie Taylor a Volkswagen Scirocco, and Isa Mahmood an Acura RSX DC5.
BTCC practice is scheduled for 11.05am, followed by qualifying at 12.25pm.
The first of the two 15-lap races will start at 2.39pm, with the second race beginning at 5.21pm.
In Bahrain Time Attack, participants will compete in six classes based on their cars’ specifications, including SU, UL, MA, SA, MB and SB.
Practice for the series is scheduled to begin at 9.25am, followed by the first heat for the SU, UL and MA classes at 11.40am.
The first heat for the SA, MB and SB classes will start at 1.35pm.
The second heat for all classes will conclude the Bahrain Time Attack programme at 3.40pm.
BIC’s 2026-27 racing calendar features seven rounds of National Race Day.
Round two is scheduled for November 13, followed by round three on November 28.
The campaign will resume in 2027 with round four on January 15, followed by round five on January 29.
The sixth and penultimate round will take place on April 2, ahead of the season finale on April 16.
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