MotoGP 2009 Qatar Grand Prix

Hi Nidge,

I am from Bahrain and have attendend every F1GP here, however I love MotoGP much more than F1 and as a big supporter of Sete Gibernau I have to see his comeback live and bought tickets for the Losail race. However, what should I expect? Id like you to email me on [email protected] (or anyone else on that matter). thanks

Hi All

I am sellng my Ducati ST3 ABS, (I dont want to sell her, but I am leaving Qatar etc etc)

Its a beauty with very low KM on the clock, perfect bike for Qatar. Does any one know who might be interested in buying it????

Negative responses upset me. I think Losail Circuit hosts one of the best races! It is quiet and relaxing. Motorcycle racing is new to the region, so - we need positive vibes.

Coming from Abu Dhabi might be worth it and cheap places to stay, maybe if you call a travel agency in Qatar - think they can help. If you want, I might be able to pass on some numbers to you in PM.

Plus, you cannot compare any race to Valencia. It is the championship finale! Duh - it is the best!

Yalla Sallam from Rome :D

well its nothing compared to Valencia to be honest. Not nearly as many people. But it gets kinda fun after the race. And Qatar actually has a pretty cool bike scene if you know where to go. Some bike nights are actually quiet exciting and you/someone you know has a bike, its quiet a time.

I will be in Valencia for the World Superbikes early April too so yeah I may end up with high expectations after going to that. I don't really want to go to Losail if the viewing is crap if you know what I mean.

@ motogirl, too early for to decide at the moment. Stay in touch tho, we can get you something nice come showtime.

Losail is a good circuit and all but once you see motogp/wsbk races in places like France, england and Australia, you just develop a expectations and sadly losail is not even close to those.

Hi there, I am from New Zealand coming to stay in Abu Dhabi in April next year with family who are working over there and I want to go to Losail to see the MotoGP. I have been looking at flights to Qatar from Abu Dhabi and it seems really expensive and so does accommodation or is that just what it costs all the time. Anyway just wanted to find out from anyone there where is a cheap good place to stay and from the posts above is it worth going to watch it. I am really keen to see the night race. And any tips on whether I should go on the Saturday as well or just the Sunday... any helpful pointers would be greatly appreciated. Cheers

What do u have available in Qatar that can attract tourists?

I have been here for a couple of months and noticed that the major reason pple come to Qatar is for work.

I really think, you should first promote this event among the residents, and get their attention.

Also, Qatar sometimes builds things not bc they have been planned for, or as a major investment, simply bc they saw it somewhere and liked it.

We have the money, let us do it, (we want it better then any other similar "thing" existing there).

Qatar wants to open itself to the world, but I believe they are still hesitant, afraid of accepting the change and loosing the grip.

Yes the man is back as the champion...He is the only one rider who deserves that place right now.. His talent is amazing , i didn't leave any race watching live on TV and in qatar i saw all races straight, I am a great fan of MOTO GP and Rossi

I was a viewer last year for the GP in Qatar, this is just a bad one ... just only the main grand stand on the straight , there is no other things special on this track and on the event...

Losail International Circuit signed for MotoGP until 2016. As long as Dorna is getting their money, they don't care what they do or how the Federation approaches the event.

As I said, I'm sure the Federation would appreciate your feedback anytime.

Qatar is not the most tourist-friendly place on earth to visit for a GP. Perhaps if it was easier to get a visit visa, they might see the stands fill up just a bit more.

Just compare the ease of visiting Bahrain for the Formula 1 Grand Prix - the ministry sets up a special website where visitors can apply for a special race class of visa. Everything is geared up and open for tourism - and they flock here in droves to see our F1 GP.

That is the professional approach to hosting events of that sort.

That is the difference, and the main reason why the Losail Motor GP will never rival the success of neighbouring events as long as Qatar does not open it's doors to tourism. (See thread elsewhere about 2-year wait for ex-residents revisiting - for instance!!)

Think of this - China has just disappeared from the list of venues. Unless Qatar is prepared to do something about its appalling attendance rate at the Motor GP - a similar fate awaits Losail.

I heard they're testing Bugattis at Losail now? :O

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

I'd like to give one example. The guy in charge of cleaning and painting the track requests to buy a truck with the facilities to do the job. The Qatari head of the management rejected the request, saying that there are enough laborers who can do the job by hand. That's what I meant with "not being professional".

Well its like most of the people have mixed opinions on Losail International Circuit. Did you know? That Losail International Circuit is considered to be one of the Best Race Tracks in the World. (As quoted by SBK - FG Sport, and DORNA - MotoGP) Our media center has been winning the best media center award from FG sport for the past 4 years now. Okie you guys talk about the Grand Stand being Empty, in europe sometimes its a dream to see the race soo closely, talk about meeting the riders if you have to have priviledge pass and so on.

Losail is still a new track which started off in 2004, unlike the circuits around the world esp the european ones. The riders just love the track, no wonder we always booked for various Teams Testing Machines & Tires. If you want us to show and to succeed show your interest, come and supporty Qatar and support MotoGP. For us having the first Night Race in the History of MotoGP was no joke, the team puts up a great effort. Anyway i agree there are lots of things that need to be worked at. But consider this fact we are the only one in GCC to host MotoGP & SBK and each year DORNA is happy to renew the contract.. Fill up the Grandstand.. and soon you shall see more viewing areas in the turns..

I know its still sad that Qatar still does not have so much of passion for Motor Sports like in Europe.. but guys we are getting there..

GO KART track soon coming up, by the way !!

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Pitstop, you know who I am :-) I am not only an avid race fan I am a competitor. Pitstop do more for motorcycle racing in Qatar than anyone, you are the unsung hero's of the bike scene here. You know the way the event is managed, I only wish QMMF would give the event management to yourselves with the supporting budget of course !!!

We have the 8hr endurance coming in November and no doubt will will have to deal with the usual problems of poor communication for scruitineering, practice sessions and over zealous security, it seams the race teams cant get suffient passes to run a team effort yet the team garages seam to be full of specators who have no interest in the sport but have access all area passes because they know someone...

As always, I will be there giving my support and telling everyone they should be there....but QMMF need to improve things to make it a world class event.

Nidge

That isn't true. Maybe the Federation isn't giving it its 100%, but they are trying their best.

I wouldn't miss the MotoGP - ever!

And amnesia, yes the Federation should think about doing something in the public area of the grand stand. Maybe you can e-mail them your thoughts. I'm sure they would appreciate it.

Nidge is right. It is the unprofessional way the whole thing is done. It's typical: we set it up and that's it. It is not even maintained properly as I know from somebody who works at Losail.

I dont care I'm really looking forward to attending the MotoGp at Losail. Yaaaaiiii!!!

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Where is IMI when u need him 4 things like des...!!! IMI, report in as soon as possible...!!! Games has began...!!!

@pitstop, I personally think it's because there isn't anything built near by.

If there were more social areas it would encourage people to go to the track.

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Mr. Q's Blog - A Qatari's view on Qatar.

I've been attending each and every race at Losail Circuit - National and International Championships and it upsets me to see the grand stand as empty as they are. The grand stand seats 5000 people and it never fills up. Why would they invest in having more stands built up around the track if the main one is empty?

The Grand Prix in Qatar lacks a lot of things - true, but if you were a true fan then you would attend and be grateful that you can watch a MOTOGP race Live, in Qatar.

@nidge, that's why more people need to get off of their arses and actually go to the events.

They're not going to make a fantastic parade hoping that people will come.

People need to go, set an atmosphere and show interest, THEN it booms.

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Mr. Q's Blog - A Qatari's view on Qatar.

I totally agree with Nigde....I don't even find it worth 30QR!!!!!!

~noms~

"Before God we are all equally wise ' and equally foolish" - Albert Einstein

Its only worth 30QR to watch, Losail is without a shadow of a doubt the WORST international motorsporting event on the calander. 16 turns and only one public grandstand on the main straight trying to get a glimpse of a rider at 300kmh. Add to this no commentary, unreliable TV coverage, lack of programs, no mid race entertainment the whole event is a shambles and QMMF should be removed from the race calender. Pay a visit to any European GP and you will see the difference.... and yes they are more expensive but you get what you pay for.

It has the potential to be one of the best events in the world... its just as usual, Qatar cant be bothered to go the extra mile because they think no one will care.

to book, for all the ones who miss this year GP its a awesome event that you can attend and just think about all the fans paying tickets, visas and hotels just to watch it live and you just have to pay around Qr 30.

Dont miss it next year!!!

The Venezuelan Sensation!!!