SOME of the biggest names in drag racing will compete at Bahrain International Circuit (BIC) this week in the 2016-2017 Bahrain Drag Racing Championship.
Multi-titled drag racing legends such as Gary White, Rickie Smith, Steve Jackson, Pat Musi and Lizzy Musi are just a handful of the more popular names that have come from the United States to battle it out at the world-class, NHRA-sanctioned quarter-mile drag strip of BIC.
They all will be racing in a highly competitive Pro Mod category, which will be headlining all of the action as the new season gets underway with round one this week.
Teams have had two days of testing at BIC on Tuesday and Wednesday, and tonight get back to the thick of things in qualifying. Race Day will be tomorrow and there will be plenty to fight for, especially between the legendary icons of drag racing.
“Every year, the first race is always very exciting, this year the Pro Mod class is very exciting. Our team has got a new Lexus, which will be driven by my teammate Khaled Mohammed, and just to be associated with that car is amazing,” E K Kanoo Racing Team driver Gary White said.
Bahrain1Racing Team will be one of the E K Kanoo team’s chief rivals. One of the central figures spearheading their campaign – but who will not be getting into a car – is 11-time world champion Rickie Smith.
Smith will be hoping to transfer his 30 years of expertise into a winning formula for Bahrain1Racing drivers Steve Jackson and Khaled Al Belooshi, both of whom will also be racing in the packed Pro Mod category.
“It’s going to be a hardcore class to run. It’ll be fast! There are some really good drivers entered, so I’ve come to help get our cars right and get them as fast as we can,” Smith added.
Steve Jackson, also known as ‘Stevie Fast’, says he is ready for the stiff challenge ahead.
“These are some of the best racers we’re going to be competing against and when you beat them – if you beat them – you’ve done something special. I’m excited about it,” he said.
Al Belooshi also spoke out of his team’s preparations.
“The team is working very hard to put Bahrain1Racing back in the game. We’re very excited to come here; there are a lot of big teams showing up for this first race, and we are hoping to do well,” Al Belooshi said.
At Al Anabi Racing, it’s a family affair with drag racing icon Pat Musi directing the team and his daughter Lizzy Musi being one of their top-class drivers, also entered in the Pro Mod.
To add to that, 17-time NHRA champion Frank Manzo is the team’s crew chief, making for another legendary name in the mix.
“The car is running well. We’re looking forward to the opportunity to go out there and beat some of these guys in the Pro Mod,” Pat said.
Lizzy is making motorsport history in the first round as she becomes the first-ever woman drag racer to compete in the Bahrain championship’s Pro Mod category. She is upbeat about getting out on the strip and showing what she can do.
“It’s my first time in Bahrain and it’s very nice here,” Lizzy explained.
“The racing facilities are great, better than in the States. They’ve done a great job on race track and I really love it here.
“It’s great to be a part of this team. It’s pretty cool to be the first woman in the Pro Mod category here. In the States, there are some other lady drivers and I’ve done pretty well against them. Hopefully we carry over some momentum,” she added
All are welcome to attend the season-opening round’s Qualifying on Thursday and Race Day on Friday.
Tickets can be purchased at the gate. Tickets are BD5 for both days at the Start Line Grandstand, while tickets are BD3 for both days at the Batelco Grandstand. Children aged up to 12 years old can attend for half the price.
The 2016/2017 season is set to feature five rounds, to be held until March next year. Round two is set from December 20 to 23. Round three will be the first of the new calendar year, set from January 3 to 6. The fourth round follows from February 21 to 23, and then the season finale will take place from February 28 to March 3.