When the Chevrolet Supercars take to the grid in support of this year’s F1 Grand Prix there will be added interest for local fans, many of the cars have been built at the BIC by young Bahraini mechanics.
The cars are provided by title sponsor Chevrolet Motorsport and a team of nine full time mechanics and engineers have been working since last June to transform them from the normal road vehicles into super speed machines.
Neil Harker, engineering manager at the BIC, from Sitra, said: “The engineering programme at the BIC works on building the vehicles received from Chevrolet. Everything we do is in-house. We have a crew of nine talented young Bahrainis. The project started on June 15 last year with the aim to have 20 cars ready before the season starts.
“The purpose of the engineering programme is not just to build Chevrolet cars but also to train the local lads on engineering skills. They have all been on welding and fabrication courses at the Bahrain Training Institute (BTI) and are fully qualified in many other mechanical features such as suspension modification and brake set-up.
“All that I have met are petrol heads and love motorsports and fast cars. So what we would actually train is for them to be race car mechanics. You still use the basic mechanical knowledge given to you but also we do a lot more in the car set-up, suspension, brakes and safety is paramount. Everything must be done correctly and there is no room for error.
Ali Hussain Mohammed, 26, an auto-mechanic, from Bani Jamra, said: “I am a huge motorsport enthusiast. I have a passion for it and this is a dream of mine to build a car from scratch. Any mechanic who loves cars would wish to be a part of a programme such as this.
“To me the best part of the programme was to be able to work on everything. But honestly, this is something I have always wanted the chance to do and now I can.
“When I see the car I built on the track it is just an amazing feeling. You feel satisfied with your accomplishment.”
The world-class Chevrolet Supercars Middle East Championship will run on globally-renowned tracks across the region, including Bahrain International Circuit, Dubai Autodrome, the recently launched circuit in Riyadh - REEM International Circuit and hopefully Losail International Circuit in Qatar. The format of the season will include two races per round and will run from November through to April 2010.
Sherif Al Mahdy, sporting championship manager, said: “There are many drivers competing in the exhibition race from Bahrain, Saudi, UAE, UK, France, Holland and Argentina. We are extremely proud of this.
| 
|