MANAMA, Bahrain — Organizers of Sunday’s Bahrain Grand Prix said protests against the race and violent unrest across the Gulf nation do not pose a threat to the premier international event in the kingdom.
Anti-government groups have stepped up protests against the race in attempts to embarrass authorities, but the demonstrations have been mostly isolated to areas that are hotbeds of opposition to the ruling royal family. Rights groups also are using the race to criticize Bahrain’s arrests and other security crackdowns.
Zayed Alzayani, the chairman of the Bahrain International Circuit, said security measures in place this week at the circuit were no different than in past races. Police vehicles dotted the road leading to the circuit and there were several checkpoints before the track.
“We don’t feel there is a direct threat to the track nor have we received any threats to the track,” Alzayani said. “But we take everything into account. For us, we want to produce an event that is memorable for those who attended.”
Alzayani insisted that Sunday’s race, which is the biggest event in the Gulf nation and generates as much $220 million, is a unifying force in the country and that a majority of Bahrainis were backing it. He said ticket sales were up 20 percent over last year with 25,000 fans expected at the race. – huffington
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