BIC, Sakhir – Bahrain International Circuit (BIC) begins today (Ed’s note: Thursday, December 20) a three-day countdown to the first weekly raffle draw under the Early Bird Discount on tickets to the 2013 FORMULA 1™ GULF AIR BAHRAIN GRAND PRIX. On Sunday (December 23), all those who have already purchased their tickets to next year’s Formula One™ extravaganza will have a chance to win one of several fantastic prizes. Up for the taking will be iPhones, iPads, BIC Xperience packages and return air tickets to Dubai. This first weekly draw will take place at BIC at 12noon on Sunday. A representative from the Ministry of Industry and Commerce will be on hand to witness the proceedings. Winners will be contacted immediately by BIC and they will be able to pick up their prizes at the BIC stand in Bahrain City Centre. Other weekly draws will be held each Sunday until the end of the Early Bird promotional period on January 31, 2013. A grand raffle will then take place at this time, and all those who have purchased their race tickets will have the fantastic opportunity to win a brand new car! Even those who may have already won at a weekly draw will be eligible for the shot to come away with the grand prize. This special treat has been made possible only by BIC, “The Home of Motorsport in the Middle East”. BIC’s Early Bird Discount offers the best value for money with a 15 per cent reduction on all ticket prices to the 2013 FORMULA 1™ GULF AIR BAHRAIN GRAND PRIX. Tickets are being sold exclusively at the BIC stands in Bahrain City Centre and Seef Mall. Tickets can be bought for seats along BIC’s Main Grandstand, Batelco Grandstand, Turn One Grandstand, University Grandstand and Victory Grandstand. After the 15 per cent discount, tickets to the Main Grandstand are now BD153 for all three days of the Grand Prix™. The Main Grandstand offers an ideal view of the start and the finish, the circuit’s main straight, the Formula One™ Pit Lane, and the winners’ podium. A ticket for Race Day alone costs BD132 under the Early Bird Discount. Tickets to the Batelco Grandstand, which overlooks the inner circuit and the Support Race Pit Lanes, are BD102 for all three days and BD89 for Race Day alone. At the Turn One Grandstand, where the field of more than 20 Formula One™ cars can be seen trying to squeeze past one another while hoping to remain unscathed, tickets are BD68 apiece for the weekend and BD60 for Race Day alone. For the University Grandstand, located just after the first couple of turns, tickets cost BD55 over three days while a Race Day pass costs BD47. Finally, the Victory Grandstand overlooks the circuit’s final turn. Tickets cost BD43 for the entire Grand Prix weekend and BD34 for Race Day. All three-day ticket holders will be able to enjoy exclusive activities with their passes, such as a Pit Lane Walk on the Thursday afternoon of the Grand Prix. The Early Bird Discount also covers Friday Roaming Tickets, which gives the holder the opportunity to move around the circuit freely and watch the Formula One™ practices from any of the strategically located Grandstands. After the 15 per cent reduction, the Roaming Ticket costs BD55. The 2013 FORMULA 1 GULF AIR BAHRAIN GRAND PRIX will be held on April 19-20-21 at BIC as the fourth round of next year’s FIA Formula One World Championship™. Apart from Formula One™ racing, there will a full on-track programme including a series of leading support categories plus plenty of off-the-track entertainment for the enjoyment of the whole family. For more information on tickets or on the 2013 FORMULA 1 GULF AIR BAHRAIN GRAND PRIX, visit Bahrain International Circuit’s official website, www.bahraingp.com, or call the circuit hotline on +973-17-450000.