Motor Sports – PowerUp City Magazine

Bahrain’s Drag Racing Legacy Roars Into a Defining Fourth Round

Cyphrine Labrillazo — Fri, 16 Jan 2026 08:00:35 +0000

Long before winter nights at the Bahrain International Circuit filled with the echo of turbocharged engines and the sharp scent of burning rubber, drag racing in Bahrain was a niche pursuit, raw, mechanical, and driven largely by underground enthusiasm. Over the years, it has grown into one of the Kingdom’s most anticipated motorsport fixtures, combining international sanctioning with a deeply local following.

The Bahrain Drag Racing Championship, now a cornerstone of the circuit’s annual calendar, has evolved alongside Bahrain’s broader motorsport ambitions. What began as straightforward quarter-mile competition has transformed into a professionally structured, NHRA-sanctioned championship, attracting competitors from across the GCC and delivering a spectator experience that balances precision racing with pure adrenaline.

That evolution was on full display during Round 4 of the 2025–2026 Bahrain Drag Racing Championship, staged from Jan. 13 to Jan. 16 at Bahrain International Circuit.

From Local Passion to International Standard

Early drag racing meets in Bahrain were defined by raw speed and mechanical bravado. Today, the sport is shaped by discipline, data, and margins measured in thousandths of a second. Operating under the NHRA Worldwide Network, Bahrain’s drag strip follows international class structures and safety standards, placing local competition firmly within a global framework.

Across the four-day fourth round, that professionalism was evident from the opening qualifying runs. Cars and bikes were pushed hard early, as teams sought to secure favorable positions before the elimination stages intensified.

A throwback from 2019/2020 Bahrain Drag Racing Championship. Photo Courtesy of Bahrain News Agency

Four Days That Set the Tone

Round 4 unfolded as more than a single race weekend. Beginning on Jan. 13, the paddock filled with regional contenders balancing setup experimentation with championship strategy. By Jan. 14 and 15, qualifying and elimination rounds sharpened, with tighter reaction times and cleaner launches emerging as defining factors.

As cooler evening conditions settled in, performances became increasingly precise. Several classes saw late-round eliminations decided by minimal margins, reinforcing the importance of consistency rather than outright aggression.

By Jan. 16, the championship picture had grown clearer. Teams with reliable setups and disciplined execution emerged stronger, while others were left reassessing their approach ahead of the final round in March.

Photos from https://www.instagram.com/bah_int_circuit/

The Experience That Keeps Fans Coming Back

What continues to distinguish drag racing at BIC is its immediacy. Spectators stand close enough to feel the vibration of launches and hear gear changes without filters. The paddock remains accessible and conversational, where crew members exchange insights and fans observe the technical realities behind each run.

For those who have followed the championship across seasons, this fourth round felt pivotal. Early-season curiosity gave way to mid-season clarity, as contenders began separating themselves through composure and preparation rather than spectacle.

“The appeal of drag racing here remains its closeness, nothing stands between the fan and the run.”

BDRC Fan

McLaren to Auction F1 2026 Car in Abu Dhabi – Before It Even Races

PowerUpAdmin — Thu, 14 Aug 2025 07:32:00 +0000

In a groundbreaking move, McLaren Racing will auction off one of its yet-to-race Formula 1 2026 machines at RM Sotheby’s Abu Dhabi in December 2025. It’s the first time in F1 history that a team has offered a future race car to the public before it even turns a wheel in competition.

For motorsport fans in Bahrain and across the Gulf, the sale underscores the region’s rising status as a global hub for racing, supercars, and luxury collectibles.

A World-First Auction

Formula 1 teams usually hold onto their cars for years—both to protect intellectual property and to reuse the machines for testing or marketing. McLaren, however, is breaking tradition by offering bidders a chance to secure its F1 2026 car, which will only be delivered in 2028.

Until then, the winning bidder will be given a leased 2025 McLaren show car. As with most F1 auctions, the car will arrive without its Mercedes power unit—the crown jewel of McLaren’s technical partnership.

The Machines Up for Sale

McLaren will roll three headline cars across the Abu Dhabi auction block:

Formula 1 2026 Car – debuting under the sweeping new regulations for aerodynamics and power units.

Pato O’Ward’s IndyCar – raced at the 2025 Indianapolis 500, part of motorsport’s “Triple Crown.”

2027 WEC Prototype (LMDh) – marking McLaren’s long-awaited return to endurance racing and Le Mans.

This is a rare move for McLaren, a team that typically keeps its cars in its private “heritage collection.” Many of these cars were even used as collateral during the financial squeeze of the pandemic.

Why It Matters Now

From 2026, Formula 1 introduces new regulations designed to make the sport more sustainable and competitive. With fresh aero concepts and revised hybrid engines, the landscape of the grid could change dramatically.

By pre-selling its 2026 car, McLaren is doing more than raising funds—it’s inviting wealthy collectors to secure a slice of racing history at the dawn of a new F1 era.

“This auction is an extraordinary opportunity to own a piece of racing history and bid for a car that has competed on track before its official launch,” said Zak Brown, McLaren Racing CEO. “These incredible cars will come with unprecedented VIP access to the team and action on track.”

The Gulf Connection

The decision to host the sale in Abu Dhabi is no accident. The UAE and Bahrain are now cornerstones of the global motorsport calendar:

Bahrain International Circuit (BIC) was the first Middle Eastern F1 track and now traditionally opens the F1 season.

Abu Dhabi’s Yas Marina Circuit hosts the F1 finale and has become a luxury lifestyle hub for fans.

The Gulf is home to some of the world’s most enthusiastic supercar collectors, from rare Bugattis to hyper-limited Koenigseggs.

For collectors in Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia, the McLaren auction is not just about a car—it’s about status, access, and aligning with motorsport heritage.

McLaren’s Triple Crown Dream

Beyond F1, McLaren is chasing motorsport’s legendary Triple Crown—winning the Monaco Grand Prix, the Indianapolis 500, and the 24 Hours of Le Mans. With victories already at Monaco and Indy, the endurance racing comeback in 2027 is aimed squarely at completing the set.

That’s why the Abu Dhabi auction will also feature the 2027-spec LMDh prototype, McLaren’s new Le Mans challenger, alongside O’Ward’s IndyCar.

Quick Guide

Event: RM Sotheby’s Auction, Abu Dhabi, December 2025

Headline Car: McLaren F1 2026 (delivery in 2028, minus engine)

Other Cars: Pato O’Ward’s IndyCar & McLaren’s 2027 Le Mans Prototype

VIP Access: Trackside hospitality and team integration for winning bidders

Regional Impact: Reflects GCC’s growing role in motorsport & collector markets

#PowerUpCity #McLarenAuction #F126 #BahrainMotorsport #GCCSupercars

Auto Shanghai 2025 Wasn’t Just a Car Show — It Was a Wake-Up Call China’s automotive industry is no longer catching up. It’s taking over.

PowerUpAdmin — Sat, 12 Jul 2025 12:48:22 +0000

Walk into Auto Shanghai 2025 Auto Shanghai – Leading Exhibition in Automotive Industry and you don’t feel like you’re at another car show. You feel like you’ve stumbled into the control centre of the global automotive future — only it’s not coming out of Stuttgart, Detroit, or Tokyo. It’s coming from Shenzhen, Hangzhou, Chongqing, and beyond.

More than 1,400 vehicles from 26 countries, 93 global debuts, and over 1 million visitors — this year’s Auto Shanghai didn’t just raise the bar; it flipped the table. It signaled that China’s carmakers are no longer playing catch-up. They’re playing to win. And they’re rewriting the rules of what’s possible in electrification, range, luxury, price, and — perhaps most alarming to the West — volume.

The Numbers That Should Terrify Tesla

China’s BYD unveiled charging tech capable of delivering 259 miles in 5 minutes — 1,000 kW of charging power. Not to be outdone, CATL presented a system capable of 1,300 kW, pushing 320+ miles in the same window. That’s nearly four times faster than anything available in Europe today.

Western rivals? Porsche’s Taycan caps out at 320 kW.

BYD’s scale is just as aggressive: it sold over 3 million vehicles in 2024 and plans to double its overseas deliveries from 417,000 to 800,000 this year. In Australia, BYD outsold Tesla in 2024. In the UK, it’s already nibbling at VW’s lunch.

New Faces, Familiar Threats

One of the hits of this year’s Shanghai show was the Jetour G900, a range-extended electric SUV with two rear-mounted turbines for use as a boat. Yes, a boat. Photograph: Getty Images

You might not know these names — Denza, Jetour, Xpeng, Jaecoo, Luxeed, AITO, Changan, iCar — but you will. These aren’t half-finished knockoffs anymore. These are original designs, powered by serious investment, and led by former Audi, Ferrari, Bentley and Rolls-Royce executives.

Among the standouts:

Jetour G900: A hybrid SUV that can convert into a boat.

Huawei Maextro S800: A tech-stuffed Maybach rival.

Denza Z9GT: An electric grand tourer gunning for Porsche.

Chery iCar C23: A rugged EV off-roader priced under $15,000, UK-bound in 2026.

Deepal E07: A sub-$30,000 Tesla Cybertruck alternative… that actually works.

From Copycats to Category Kings

Just a decade ago, Chinese brands were laughed out of Geneva for cloning the Evoque and mimicking McLaren. In 2025, they’ve flipped the game — and the roles. Land Rover’s copycat victory against the Landwind X7 is now a historical footnote. Jaguar Land Rover didn’t even attend Shanghai this year.

Instead, Western brands like Audi arrived with tail between legs. They launched AUDI, a China-only sub-brand with a new badge and no rings — their attempt to localise and survive.

In Shanghai, BYD-owned Denza showed off its electric Porsche 911 rival. Photograph: Getty Images

The significance of Auto Shanghai 2025 isn’t limited to China. It’s a signal to the UK, Europe, Australia, and emerging markets that the Chinese auto invasion isn’t coming — it’s here.

Western carmakers are years behind on:

Affordable EVs: China is already hitting sub-€20K price points with decent range.

Charging speed: No equivalent exists in Europe or North America.

Design talent: Chinese OEMs are hiring Ferrari, Bentley, and Audi veterans.

The Road Ahead

With government backing, aggressive R&D, and a global hiring spree, China’s automakers are positioning themselves not just to compete — but to dominate.

Meanwhile, the US offers few real challengers beyond Tesla. Lucid and Rivian bleed cash. Faraday Future fizzled. Legacy players like GM and Ford are still playing internal politics and navigating slow EV transitions.

Europe? VW is delayed, Renault is reorganising, and the ID.1 won’t hit showrooms until 2027. Too late.

Songsan filled its Shanghai stand with cars inspired by late- ’50s Americana. Photograph: Zhe Ji/Getty Images

Auto Shanghai 2025 was a showcase. But it was also a warning. One that the West — preoccupied with margin protection, branding exercises, and slow rollouts — can’t afford to ignore any longer.

If you’re still asking whether China can compete, you’ve already lost the lead.

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