Work on a karting track – which was planned in the initial tender phase – has been postponed but will be taken on in the second phase of development over the next five years, Calder says.
Computer simulations predict that the lap time for a Formula One car on the main circuit will be 1 minute 33.63 seconds, representing an average speed of 210.39 km per hour. Speed of up to 300 kph can be expected on the longest straight stretch (passing the grandstand). 
At the starting grid, the mean level will be 7.45 m rising to a maximum 25 m at the highest point on the track.
The circuit has been designed and constructed to incorporate the highest standards of safety as well as highly sophisticated electronics, says Calder. Its safety features will receive FIA approval and certification before handover.
The asphalt wearing course of the tracks comprises SBS (styrene butadiene styrene) polymer-modified bitumen, with a mix of imported aggregates from Malaysia and Wales. The final layer also incorporates calcined bauxite dust, to enhance the grip of the asphalt to ensure a skid-resistant surface.
“This is unique to the Bahrain racing circuit – this is the first time that such a track surface has been used at an F1 circuit,” Calder points out.
All of the various circuit options have FIA-specified kerbing on the turn approaches, entries and exits. Verges are constructed from cement stabilised sand, and run-off areas are a combination of stabilised sand, asphalt and river-washed, single-size gravel imported from Oman. The circuits are surrounded by Armco guardrail and tyre barriers, debris fencing and pedestrian fencing, together with inner and outer asphalted service roads.
The main structures at the Bahrain Racing Circuit include:

The main building structures are generally formed of insitu reinforced concrete clad in glass, aluminum sheeting or precast concrete panels. The spectacular roofs are complex, white-painted tubular structural steel structures, covered in white PTFE-coated fibreglass fabric.
The “signature” VIP Tower is a circular, glass-clad reinforced structure rising to eight floors plus basement. The ground floor contains the reception, restaurant and kitchen. The first and second floors house the circuit administration offices and the third to eighth floors have hospitality suites of varying sizes and layouts. The structure is serviced by three high-speed elevators and offers panoramic views over the circuit complex.
In addition to the permanent grandstands and hospitality suites, there will be low-cost general admission areas and high-quality Bahraini-manufactured aluminium demountable grandstands seating 20,000 spectators under canopies.
Commenting on the progress of work on the project, Calder says: “Numerous construction projects worldwide are notorious for running late – however, with this project, there is no option but to finish on time. Therefore, everyone involved in the project is concentrating efforts on achieving this target, which has resulted in the decision-making process being more streamlined, while every endeavour is being made to heighten the cooperation between the parties involved and develop a team effort.”
Calder admits that there have been changes to the original plan to take into account the site conditions and the client’s and the F1 regulation authority’s requirements and these have all been incorporated on site.
“The hallmarks of this project are planning and co-operation,” he stresses. “The approaches of the Ministry of Works and Housing, contractor, consultant and quantity surveyor have been exemplary, and without their will to succeed, no amount of pressurising could achieve the required results.
“While the large penalty clause is a factor in the contractor’s determination to complete the project on time, a larger factor is its reputation.
The project benefits greatly from the Tilke experience on several previous race circuits, from Cebarco’s extensive experience in the local market and from the WCT team’s previous experience in building the Sepang Circuit in Malaysia.
“This combined experience has ensured that we have adopted the correct sequences in construction rather than learning it the hard way,” says Calder.
“In addition, the Bahrain International Circuit Committee and later the board of the new Circuit Company, have been very supportive and have a clear understanding of how the various Ministries and agencies involved in the project – for the provision of access roads, telecommunications, drainage, electricity, etc. - would interface with each other, all of which directly impact the success of the project,” he adds. Other agencies such as immigration, leisure, traffic and tourism will also play a major role in a project of this size.
“The Racing Circuit board, under the chairmanship of HE Shaikh Fawaz bin Mohammed Al Khalifa, has formed a number of task teams to coordinate the efforts of all the Bahrain agencies which will contribute to the success of the circuit and particularly of the F1 event. This will ensure that they understand and respond to the biggest sports or social event the Middle East has ever seen and the biggest international event that is to be staged in the region,” he says.
With the structural work now complete, the contractor is working on the major challenge of ensuring that all the mechanical and electrical services are up and running smoothly as well as the furniture and fittings are in place in time for handover.
Boundary fencing work is in progress and car-park and landscaped areas are currently being completed.
During the F1 event, six or seven access lanes to and from the site will be available and traffic will be managed on a “tidal-flow basis” for morning and evenings.
The complex provides parking facilities for 20,000 vehicles with satellite car-parks to be developed close by.  There will also be a helicopter service to the circuit from Manama.
Among other works serving the site, Bahrain Telecommunications Company (Batelco) is currently installing the basic infrastructure for its GSM network.  The site has been hooked up to the country’s power grid while the water supply will be connected early this month. 
The roads directorate is working on a BD4 million project to provide access roads to the site.  Under the first phase of the project, the best access that can be provided within the time-frame available will be laid out and this is expected to be in place by the end of February. 
Bahrain stands to reap major returns on its investment in staging the event, which will come in the development of commerce, business and tourism.
With the all-systems-go approach, the dedicated team that has been entrusted with the responsibility of putting Bahrain firmly on the global map for Formula One, is leaving no stone unturned in ensuring the timely completion of the landmark facility to standards which will exceed the expectations of the global motor racing community.