FG sport and Dorna will no doubt quote Losail as being one of the best in the world, Qatar has spent a fortune on the place. Not many venues in the world could afford to invest the money we have in night lighting just for the hell of it. I remember the original concept was to bring the SBK and Moto GP inline with Europe for the TV timings... then why the hell run it at 11pm at night.
As for testing Losail can be hired for around $12000 per day including staff and medical support which makes it cheap as hell. Donnington Park in the UK would want 5 or 6 times that amount. The other reason teams test here is there are no international press based here. If a new bike were tested at a euro venue it would be leaked to the biking press the same day
As a rider and having competed at a number of national and international circuits, I find Losail an amazing track, its one of the safest in the world and was designed that way, however its a very difficult track to learn having virtually no visible braking markers or turn in points. Another huge problem the teams face here is the track temperatures, we are seeing 10 degrees or more difference in track temperature between practice and race times once the sun goes down. This caused huge problems for the teams and tyre manufactures especially during the endurance race.
The Grandstand was full at the last Moto GP so its surely time to open up more of the track and provide shuttle buses to get people around to other vantage points without having to spend $1000 dollars on a VIP ticket.
Our venue is also the only event on the calendar where Champagne is not allowed on the podium even though most of the riders don't drink it anyway. The pit lane girls were also told to wear leggings this year so no flesh on show!!! Pay a visit to the official Moto GP and SBK site and you will see lots of pit lane girls featured, they are part of the ambiance that makes the whole event special. Unfortunately you wont see any of the Qatar girls in leggings. Thats not meant to be a sexist remark, im sure the girls out there love to see Rossi and Co in their leathers just as much as guys like to see the grid girls.
Please keep the responses coming... I am enjoying this thread :-)
FG sport and Dorna will no doubt quote Losail as being one of the best in the world, Qatar has spent a fortune on the place. Not many venues in the world could afford to invest the money we have in night lighting just for the hell of it. I remember the original concept was to bring the SBK and Moto GP inline with Europe for the TV timings... then why the hell run it at 11pm at night.
As for testing Losail can be hired for around $12000 per day including staff and medical support which makes it cheap as hell. Donnington Park in the UK would want 5 or 6 times that amount. The other reason teams test here is there are no international press based here. If a new bike were tested at a euro venue it would be leaked to the biking press the same day
As a rider and having competed at a number of national and international circuits, I find Losail an amazing track, its one of the safest in the world and was designed that way, however its a very difficult track to learn having virtually no visible braking markers or turn in points. Another huge problem the teams face here is the track temperatures, we are seeing 10 degrees or more difference in track temperature between practice and race times once the sun goes down. This caused huge problems for the teams and tyre manufactures especially during the endurance race.
The Grandstand was full at the last Moto GP so its surely time to open up more of the track and provide shuttle buses to get people around to other vantage points without having to spend $1000 dollars on a VIP ticket.
Our venue is also the only event on the calendar where Champagne is not allowed on the podium even though most of the riders don't drink it anyway. The pit lane girls were also told to wear leggings this year so no flesh on show!!! Pay a visit to the official Moto GP and SBK site and you will see lots of pit lane girls featured, they are part of the ambiance that makes the whole event special. Unfortunately you wont see any of the Qatar girls in leggings. Thats not meant to be a sexist remark, im sure the girls out there love to see Rossi and Co in their leathers just as much as guys like to see the grid girls.
Please keep the responses coming... I am enjoying this thread :-)
Nidge