Losail Circuit, Qatar | MotoGP 2013

The fabulous Losail International Circuit lies on the outskirts of Doha, the capital city of Qatar. Built in little over a year, the track cost $58 million USD and required round-the-clock dedication from almost 1,000 workers in order to get it ready for the inaugural event - the Marlboro Grand Prix of Qatar on the 2nd October 2004.

The track itself is a flowing layout of 5.4 kilometres, surrounded by artificial grass designed to prevent sand from the neighbouring desert from blowing onto the circuit. The main straight is over a kilometre in length and there is a good mix of medium and high-speed corners, including a couple of quick left-handers which has proved particularly popular with the riders.

In 2008 Qatar celebrated the first night time Grand Prix in history, following the construction of permanent outdoor lighting. The switch to night time racing was a success and has continued to be so, with the Qatar event now established as one of the most spectacular on the MotoGP calendar.

Circuit info

Length: 5.380 m. / 3,343 miles
Width: 12m
Left corners: 6
Right corners: 10
Longest straight: 1.068 m. / 0,664 miles
Constructed: 2004

Moto3 FP1 kicks off this Thursday morning at 5am Eastern time.



-jim

 

Rossi on the box for this one. Right behind Horhay.

 

Lorenzo
Pedrosa
Bradl
Marquez
Rossi

 

Strong statement when they haven't even started practice yet...

 

Poor girls have to wear pants in Qatar.

-jim

 

She bein' arrested for that nose?

 

Is that a direct quote from one of the five spectators?

 

Na, I'm confident Horhay will finish in front of Rossi.

 

I got warm and fuzzy just seeing this thread on the main page

 

Actually, the grandstand (note: singular) was full last year. Surprised the hell outta me.

-jim

 

Hmmm, who do I think will win? Let's see, who do I hate the most right now?

 

I like Bradl a lot - he's probably my second behind Lorenzo (even though he's on a Honduh), but I think he finishes behind Marquez, Rossi, and maybe Crutchlow.

 

Marquez has been pretty quick there... I think you should pull for the little guy in his first race... and I know you always wanna root for Rossi...

 

Marquez
Dani
Jorge

Rossi
Cal
Bradl

Nicky
Bautista
Dovi

Iannone
Smith
Spies

 

Real question:

What position would be a disappointment for Rossi fans? We should expect him to podium shouldn't we? His equipment is certainly not a handicap any longer.

 

Nah, I think he's being arrested for impersonating a chick in a Rizla outfit.

 

I'm pulling for him alright. I'm pulling for him to get bounced around by the whole field if he pulls the crap he pulled last year in Moto2. I dare him to push Crutchlow off like he did Luthi. I'd wish for him to do it agains Spies, Hayden or Edwards but sadly, he's going to be well ahead of them

- Joe

 

Ducati-

Dovi
Nicky
NiNi
Spies

I'm as big a Ben fan as any but he's a wounded duck with a hurt wing.

 

You're smoking some shizz. Marquez dnf

I'm going ...

Pedrobot
Jlo
Rossi
Crutchlow
Bradl