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  About the Qatar MotoGP
Qatar GP 12 April 2009, Doha, Qatar
   

Qatar was awarded the race in November 2003, and in December they started construction of the circuit and all its facilities.

Losail Internationa circuit Doha QatarFrankly, in 2004 we were worried... But they set our minds at ease and the facility, while not 100% complete, was in great shape for a super opening race in Oct 2004. The 2005 race was flawless; but as in 2004 was a bit hot. For 2006, the final year of the 990cc bikes, the event was moved to the front of the calendar (round 2) to April under perfect weather conditions and not too hot, setting the stage for a great Rossi victory and Nicky Hayden taking what was to be a prophetic 2nd.

A venue of firsts, 2007 saw it move to the now-traditional #1 slot; and the first race of the new 800cc bikes. This was the event that Casey Stoner set the MotoGP world on its ear; blasting past Rossi to clinch the race and ultimately the championship on his un-stoppable Ducati. We will never forget the image of him coming down that huge main straight...

2008 saw the introduction of the spectacular night race. This was better than we had even hoped: the bikes were spectacular under the lights (equivalent to the lighting of a small city!) and there were no adverse affects on the racing; apart from some issues with the cold desert night air leaving the surface colder than expected. (Bring a sweater, but not gravely required).

Stoner once again proved how much he likes this track with a repeat performance of 2007. Unfortunately the rest of the season did not go quite the same way... Rossi took a disappointing 5th, getting passed in the finale by rookie Dovizioso!

The circuit is 5.4km, making it the third longest in the GP tournament. The longest straight is 1.068km, which should have the racers hitting 330kph! The seventh turn (of a total of 16 curves) - a long sweeper - will allow speeds of up to 250kph, so should be pretty spectacular.

It now hosts WSB as well as several other local events. See the official circuit web site here.

Getting there

The route to the circuit from the airport: drive through Al-Matar St. Take right on Toyota Tower then keep going through C-Ring road, keep driving along Corniche road all the way until reaching the Sheraton Hotel then take a left towards City Centre, drive to Al-Whada St, take a right to Istigl St, keep straight then take a left going to the Doha golf club. Take a right on the roundabout going north to Al-Khor highway till you get to Losail International Racetrack

Parking is plentiful and easy. There are infrequent shuttle services between the paddock and grandstands but no connecting bridge or tunnel.

See also our map and directions

The races

The races will be:

  • 125cc 18 laps/96.84 km
  • 250cc 20 laps/107.6 km
  • MotoGP 22 laps/118.3 km

The unofficial programme is expected to be: (subject to verification)

FRIDAY

Class Free Practice Qualifying Practice
125 cc 18:00 - 18:45 22:05 - 22:35
MotoGP 19:00 - 20:00 22:50 - 23:50 (free practice)
250 cc 20:15 - 21:15 00:05 - 00:50
 

SATURDAY

Class Free Practice Qualifying Practice
125 cc 18:00 - 18:45 22:05 - 22:35
MotoGP 19:00 - 20:00 22:50 - 23:50
250 cc 20:15 - 21:15 00:05 - 00:50
     

SUNDAY

Class Warm Up     Race  
125 cc 17:40 - 18:00     20:00 (18 laps)  
250 cc 18:10 - 18:30     21:15 (20 laps)  
MotoGP 18:40 - 19:05     23:00 (22 laps)  

Download our provisional weekend programme here.

 

   

Qatar Grand Prix race results 2004 - 2008.


Especially memorable races are footnoted.
Year Pos MotoGP 250 125
2004
2/Oct
1st Sete Gibernau (ES) Movistar Honda1 Sebastian Porto (ARG) Aprilia Jorge Lorenzo (ES) Derbi2
2nd Colin Edwards (US) Movistar Honda Dani Pedrosa (ES) Honda Andrea Dovizioso (IT) Honda
3rd Ruben Xaus (ES) D'Antin Ducati Hiroshi Aoyama (JP) Honda Alvaro Bautista (ES) Aprilia
2005
1/Oct
1st Valentino Rossi (IT) Gauloises Yamaha Casey Stoner (AU) Carrera - LCR Aprilia Gabor Talmacsi (HU) Red Bull KTM3
2nd Marco Melandri (IT) Movistar Honda Jorge Lorenzo (ES) Fortuna Honda Mika Kallio (FI) Red Bull KTM
3rd Nicky Hayden (US) Repsol Honda Andrea Dovizioso (IT) Team Scot Honda Marco Simoncelli (IT) Nocable.it Aprilia
2006
8/Apr
1st Valentino Rossi (IT) Camel Yamaha Jorge Lorenzo (ES) Fortuna Aprilia Alvaro Bautista (ES) MVA Aspar Aprilia
2nd Nicky Hayden (US) Repsol Honda Andrea Dovizioso (IT) Humangest Aprilia Mika Kallio (FI) Red Bull KTM
3rd Loris Capirossi (IT) Ducati Marlboro Roberto Locatelli (IT) Team Toth Aprilia Sergio Gadea (ES) MVA Aspar Aprilia
2007
10/Mar
1st Casey Stoner (AU) Ducati Marlboro Jorge Lorenzo (ES) Fortuna Aprilia Hector Faubel (ES) Bancaja Aspar Aprilia
2nd Valentino Rossi (IT) Fiat Yamaha Alex de Angelis (RSM) Master-MVA Aprilia Gabor Talmacsi (HU) Bancaja Aspar Aprilia
3rd Dani Pedrosa (ES) Repsol Honda Hector Barbera (ES) Team Toth Aprilia Lukas Pesek (CZ) Valsir Seedorf Derbi
2008
9/Mar
Night
1st Casey Stoner (AU) Ducati Marlboro Mattia Pasini (IT) Polaris World Aprilia4 Sergio Gadea (ES) Bancaja Aspar Aprilia
2nd Jorge Lorenzo (ES) Fiat Yamaha Hector Barbera (ES) Team Toth Aprilia Joan Olive (ES) Belson Derbi
3rd Dani Pedrosa (ES) Repsol Honda Mika Kallio (FI) Red Bull KTM Stefan Bradl (DE) Grizzly Gas Kiefer Aprilia
1The (in)famous race where Rossi is relegated to the back of the start grid, alleged to have improved his start position. Vows Gibernau will never win another race. This proves true.
2Wins by less than 1/1000th of second, the closest race of GP history
3Wins by just 0.017, ultimately depriving teammate Kallio of world championship
3Stunning last lap pass gives Pasini victory on his maiden 250cc race
       
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