Whitaker joins Bahrain International Circuit.

Bahrain International Circuit [BIC] has appointed KHP Consulting's Martin Whitaker as the track's new general manager, a position he will take up with immediate effect.

Whitaker will continue to work closely with KHP Consulting, the international sports marketing agency, in its ongoing work with the Bahrain International Circuit, promoters of the first ever FIA Formula One World Championship race in the Middle East.

Following the successful organisation of the inaugural Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix in April this year, BIC's board of directors was keen to promote and position Bahrain's state-of-the-art circuit as the leading venue for motor sport in the region. The long-term relationship that BIC has developed with KHP Consulting, which has been working with Formula One promoters for over 20 years, combined with Whitaker's strong working knowledge of the motor sport industry, made him the ideal candidate.

He was an integral part of the KHP Consulting team whose remit covered key promotional and organisational roles at the Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix, and led the team that helped make the first race in April of this year such a success. Whitaker has worked both at the FIA and FOM, respectively the legislative and commercial arms of Formula One. He was also director of motorsport for the Ford Motor Company as well as covering senior roles at McLaren Racing and at the RAC Motor Sports Association, UK's governing body of motor sport. This, together with a career in journalism, made him uniquely qualified to create a strong team at BIC and secure its competitive and commercial future.

Katja Heim, KHP's managing director, said: "We are delighted that Martin is going to be leading the team at BIC as it goes into such an important stage of its commercial and competitive growth. We look forward to building on the success of the first Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix with BIC as Martin joins the team in Bahrain on a permanent basis.

"Our joint focus now is on developing an even better Grand Prix in 2005 and helping to formulate new events and partners for the circuit as well as creating greater awareness for this prestigious venue."