Losail International Circuit

Motorsport venue
Name = Losail International Circuit
Location = Doha, Qatar
Time = GMT +3


Events = MotoGP, SBK
Length_km = 5.4
Length_mi = 3.375
Turns = 16
Record_time = 1:56.528 - MotoGP Track Record
Record_driver = Casey Stoner
Record_team = Ducati
Record_year = 2007

Losail International Circuit is a motor racing circuit located just outside Doha in the Persian Gulf State of Qatar.

Built in just under a year by 1000 workers at the cost of $USD58million, the track opened in 2004 to the inaugural Marlboro Grand Prix of Qatar, won by Sete Gibernau. In addition the circuit hosted the 2006 Grand Prix Masters of Qatar won by Nigel Mansell.

The track is 5.4 km in length, with a main straight of just over a kilometre at 1,068 metres. It is surrounded by artificial grass to stop the sand encroaching too much onto the track.

In 2007, Losail added permanent outdoor lighting for night races. The lighting of the Losail Circuit by Musco Lighting is the largest permanent venue sports lighting project in the world. The first night race in MotoGP history was the Commercialbank Grand Prix of Qatar in March 2008.

Racing History

2008 MotoGP of Qatar

*Winner - Casey Stoner, Ducati, Av Speed = 166.665 km/h
*Pole Position - Jorge Lorenzo - Yamaha Time = 1'55.002 Av Speed = 168.414 km/h
*Fastest Lap - Casey Stoner, Ducati, Time = 1'56.528 Av Speed = 166.208 km/h

2006 MotoGP of Qatar

*Winner - Valentino Rossi, Yamaha, Av Speed = 163.742 km/h
*Pole Position - Casey Stoner, Honda LCR, Time = 1'55.683
*Fastest Lap - Valentino Rossi, Yamaha, Time = 1'57.305, Av Speed = 165.108 km/h

2005 MotoGP of Qatar

*Winner - Valentino Rossi, Yamaha, Av Speed = 163.020 km/h
*Pole Position - Loris Capirossi, Ducati, Time = 1'56.917
*Fastest Lap - Nicky Hayden, Honda, Time = 1'57.903, Av Speed = 164.270 km/h

2004 MotoGP of Qatar

*Winner: Sete Gibernau, Honda, Av Speed = 161.293 km/h
*Pole Position - Carlos Checa, Yamaha, Time = 1'58.988

External links

* [http://www.circuitlosail.com Official website]
* [http://www.motogp.com/en/motogp/motogp_calendar.htm?menu=calendar&event_id_1=3436&event_id_2=3437&event_id_3=3438&year_selected=2006 MotoGP calendar brief on Losail]
* [http://www.trackpedia.com/wiki/Losail_International_Circuit Trackpedia's guide to driving the Losail International Circuit]
* [http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&q=Qatar&ie=UTF8&oe=UTF-8&z=16&ll=25.490137,51.452644&spn=0.010324,0.021501&t=k&om=1 Google maps satellite view of Losail International Circuit]