WHEN...
Event starts on: 07/03/2008; Main Event on: 09/03/2008

WHERE...
Losail International Circuit, Doha, Qatar (see also travel hints below)

Interactive map of region

TRAVEL HINTS...

GETTING HERE
Fly to Doha. A few people do drive from Saudi Arabia or Kuwait, if you are one of these, you don't need our advice!

Qatar Airways is one of the worlds fastest growing airlines, and direct flights to Doha are increasingly common. Otherwise target Dubai for relatively inexpensive fares, and then there are many shuttle flights to Doha. An odd approach that worked out well for us a few years ago is to fly to Cairo then catch an inexpensive Egypt Air flight to Doha.

Let us know your flight details and we can arrange airport pickup -- this is complimentary on our deluxe & superior packages, a small charge on the classic.

VISAS
Visa regulations have recently been liberalised and it is now much easier to enter the country. Nationals of the following 33 countries can now receive a visit- visa on arrival for a period of two weeks:

USA , Britain , France , Italy , Germany , Canada , Australia , New Zealand , Japan , Netherlands , Belgium , Luxemburg , Switzerland , Austria , Sweden , Norway , Denmark , Portugal , Ireland , Greece , Finland , Spain , Monaco , The Vatican, Iceland , Andorra , San Marino , Liechtenstein , Brunei , Singapore , Malaysia , Hong Kong , and South Korea .

Visas cost 100 QAR (about US$28 , EUR 18, GBP14, AUD 31)

For citizens of other countries; or if you want to save having to queue at the airport, you will need to apply on line
http://www.e.gov.qa/eGovPortal/visaservice/visaservicedetails.jsp

It is not obvious from the web site, but you will need to register first, then you can apply for the visa. To apply, after you log in, click on 'visit visa/apply online' in upper left corner. The application form is diabolical - you need to select 'Joint Tourist Visa'; and if you do not have any dependants leave this section blank (even though it says it is required)

We can help if you need Hotel confirmation - please ask us. If so, please provide us with full names, sex, nationality of each traveller.

ALCOHOL
NO ALCOHOL MAY BE BROUGHT INTO THE COUNTRY, EVEN FOR PERSONAL CONSUMPTION. It will be confiscated, and if you ask, they will give you a voucher enabling you to reclaim it on your way out. However you reclaim the bottle air side, which means you do not have the opportunity to check it in your luggage, so if you change planes at another airport, it will be confiscated AGAIN, but this time as a liquid in your hand luggage!

Drink is available in the international hotels (all our hotels) and in the VIP Village at the track.

WEATHER
In early March the day time is warm but not too hot, low of about 17c to high of 27c. The evening can get surprisingly chilly, so you want to bring a sweater or jacket to the track in the evening! Leave your umbrella home :-)

TOURISM INFORMATION
See http://www.experienceqatar.com/ for the official tourism gateway. The site hasn't changed since 2004, and the events section scarily doesn't mention the MotoGP; but there is some basic info about the place.