News
Saturday
March 7, 2026
Kat Matthews Smashes Course Record, Opens Pro Series Title Defence
Bahrain Victorious 13 carried its strong start to the 2026 season forward as Britain's Kat Matthews delivered a standout performance at Ironman New Zealand, claiming the race title with a new women's course record of 8 hours, 28 minutes and 55 seconds, more than ten minutes inside the previous mark.
Matthews exited the 3.8km swim in Lake Taupo more than two minutes down on the leaders, but quickly rewrote the race on the 180km bike leg, bridging up to the front group inside the opening 35 kilometres. Once on the run, she set a relentless pace and steadily extended her advantage, crossing the line nearly seven minutes clear of her closest rival,the perfect opening statement in her defence of the Ironman Pro Series title.
The result underlines a powerful start to the season for the Bahraini team, particularly following the announcement of its 2026 roster, which features some of the biggest names in triathlon and endurance sport, including Georgia Taylor-Brown, Cassandre Beaugrand, Marten Van Riel and Youri Keulen. The team continues to prepare for the year's marquee fixtures across the World Triathlon Championship Series and the Ironman calendar, as part of an integrated sporting project that cements Bahrain's presence on the global endurance stage , with sights set on more podiums and major international titles throughout the 2026 season.
Related News
June 3, 2026
Bahrain Hosts the Final Round of the 2026 FIA Karting World Championship
The FIA Karting has confirmed the inclusion of Bahrain International Karting Circuit in Sakhir on the 2026 FIA Karting World Championship calendar, with the Kingdom set to host the season-closing round of the World Championship in the OK and OK-Junior categories from 4 to 7 November 2026.Bahrain's hosting of this global event marks a landmark moment on the Kingdom's karting calendar, bringing together elite young drivers from around the world to compete for world championship titles in one of international karting's most competitive categories.According to the official calendar issued by the FIA Karting, Bahrain will bring the 2026 season to a close following a series of European rounds held in Italy, Spain, Belgium, Germany, and Sweden, before the spotlight turns to Sakhir for the pinnacle world championship event in the OK and OK-Junior categories.Bahrain International Karting Circuit holds a distinguished standing on the world stage, having previously hosted major world championships. The return of the FIA Karting World Championship to Bahrain for the first time since 2016 is a significant step, reflecting international confidence in the Kingdom's organisational capabilities and advanced motorsport infrastructure.The championship is expected to attract wide participation from the most prominent rising talents in global karting, in an event that further cements Bahrain's standing as one of the Middle East's foremost motorsport destinations.
May 17, 2026
Bahrain International Karting Circuit Continues Supporting Young Talent Through a Packed Racing Calendar
Bahrain International Karting Circuit (BIKC) continues to strengthen its position as one of the region's premier karting destinations, through hosting a diverse range of championships and events across its 2025/2026 season calendar, contributing to the development of emerging drivers and raising the level of competition both locally and regionally.The circuit hosts two of the Kingdom's most prominent competitions: the Bahrain Rotax Max Challenge (BRMC) and the Bahrain Karting Endurance Championship (BKEC), both of which provide valuable opportunities for drivers to gain experience and qualify for prestigious international championships. The current season saw the Bahrain Rotax Max Challenge conclude its eighth and final round on 2 May 2026, drawing strong participation from elite drivers across Bahrain and the wider region, with racing that remained fiercely competitive right down to the final metres.Bahrain International Karting Circuit stands among the world's leading facilities, featuring an FIA-CIK homologated track stretching 1.414 kilometres. It also holds the distinction of being the first circuit in the world to host a karting world championship under floodlights, further cementing Bahrain's standing on the international motorsport map.The circuit's ongoing racing calendar reaffirms Bahrain International Karting Circuit's commitment to growing the sport's grassroots, nurturing emerging talent, and establishing the Kingdom as a global sporting destination that attracts the most prestigious motorsport events and championships.
June 4, 2026
A Packed Calendar Strengthens Bahrain's Standing in Karting During the 2025–2026 Season
Bahrain International Circuit for Karting continues to host a series of competitive championships and events throughout a packed 2025–2026 season, featuring a rich program of races and activities catering to drivers of all age groups and levels.Leading the season was the Bahrain Rotax Max Challenge, which concluded with its eighth and final round on 2 May 2026 to strong participation from prominent local and regional competitors. The season also saw the continuation of the Bahrain Karting Endurance Championship (BKEC), which ranks among the Kingdom's most prestigious endurance karting competitions.Through these events, Bahrain International Karting Circuit reaffirms its commitment to developing young talent and honing drivers' skills, by providing a competitive environment that meets the highest international standards on an FIA-CIK homologated track. The circuit, located in the Sakhir area, stands as one of the world's premier karting facilities, having hosted numerous international and regional championships over the years and playing a role in producing talents who have gone on to compete across various motorsport categories.The circuit also continues to offer a diverse range of programmes and activities aimed at expanding the reach of karting in Bahrain and attracting greater participation and audiences. The varied programme of the 2025–2026 season reflects Bahrain International Karting Circuit's dedication to supporting grassroots motorsport and reinforcing the Kingdom's standing as a leading karting destination in the Middle East.
June 3, 2026
Bahrain Hosts the Final Round of the 2026 FIA Karting World Championship
The FIA Karting has confirmed the inclusion of Bahrain International Karting Circuit in Sakhir on the 2026 FIA Karting World Championship calendar, with the Kingdom set to host the season-closing round of the World Championship in the OK and OK-Junior categories from 4 to 7 November 2026.Bahrain's hosting of this global event marks a landmark moment on the Kingdom's karting calendar, bringing together elite young drivers from around the world to compete for world championship titles in one of international karting's most competitive categories.According to the official calendar issued by the FIA Karting, Bahrain will bring the 2026 season to a close following a series of European rounds held in Italy, Spain, Belgium, Germany, and Sweden, before the spotlight turns to Sakhir for the pinnacle world championship event in the OK and OK-Junior categories.Bahrain International Karting Circuit holds a distinguished standing on the world stage, having previously hosted major world championships. The return of the FIA Karting World Championship to Bahrain for the first time since 2016 is a significant step, reflecting international confidence in the Kingdom's organisational capabilities and advanced motorsport infrastructure.The championship is expected to attract wide participation from the most prominent rising talents in global karting, in an event that further cements Bahrain's standing as one of the Middle East's foremost motorsport destinations.
May 17, 2026
Bahrain International Karting Circuit Continues Supporting Young Talent Through a Packed Racing Calendar
Bahrain International Karting Circuit (BIKC) continues to strengthen its position as one of the region's premier karting destinations, through hosting a diverse range of championships and events across its 2025/2026 season calendar, contributing to the development of emerging drivers and raising the level of competition both locally and regionally.The circuit hosts two of the Kingdom's most prominent competitions: the Bahrain Rotax Max Challenge (BRMC) and the Bahrain Karting Endurance Championship (BKEC), both of which provide valuable opportunities for drivers to gain experience and qualify for prestigious international championships. The current season saw the Bahrain Rotax Max Challenge conclude its eighth and final round on 2 May 2026, drawing strong participation from elite drivers across Bahrain and the wider region, with racing that remained fiercely competitive right down to the final metres.Bahrain International Karting Circuit stands among the world's leading facilities, featuring an FIA-CIK homologated track stretching 1.414 kilometres. It also holds the distinction of being the first circuit in the world to host a karting world championship under floodlights, further cementing Bahrain's standing on the international motorsport map.The circuit's ongoing racing calendar reaffirms Bahrain International Karting Circuit's commitment to growing the sport's grassroots, nurturing emerging talent, and establishing the Kingdom as a global sporting destination that attracts the most prestigious motorsport events and championships.
