From a press release issued by Ducati Corse:

MAMOLA INAUGURATES LOSAIL ABOARD DUCATI MARLBORO TEAM TWO-SEATER

Qatar’s brand-new Losail MotoGP circuit was inaugurated today with a ceremony that included an amazing fireworks display and a riding demo by former GP winner Randy Mamola aboard the Ducati Marlboro Team two-seater.

Later this year Losail, which has been constructed in a record time of just 12 months, will become the first Middle Eastern venue to host a motorcyling Grand Prix in the 55-year history of the sport. The Marlboro Grand Prix of Qatar – to be hosted on Saturday, October 2 – is the 13th round of the 16-race 2004 MotoGP World Championship.

Today’s ceremony at the track situated outside the capital Doha was attended by several members of the Ducati Marlboro Team who were given the warmest of welcomes, an indication of the huge enthusiasm shown for MotoGP by the Middle East.

“I’m astonished by the wonderful welcome the country has given us, it’s great to be here as a representative of our sport,” said Mamola, who became the first rider to try the track on a MotoGP bike. “There’s no doubt in my mind that our sport needs to be racing in the Middle East. To be the first rider to try the circuit on a MotoGP bike is a great honour for me and the rest of the Ducati Marlboro Team. I’m very impressed, the track is really great to ride. There are some interesting corners similar to those at various different European tracks and there are plenty of good overtaking points.”

Amongst the other special guests attending today’s event were the prime minister of Qatar Abdulah Bin Khalifa Al Thini, FIM president Francesco Zerbi and Dorna president Carmelo Ezpeleta.

The Losail circuit is 5.4km long and 14 metres wide. Its main straight is 1.068km, 20m longer than Catalunya’s, making it the second longest in MotoGP after Mugello. The track has been constructed from special asphalt designed to withstand the high temperatures experienced in the region. During the 12 months of its construction the Losail project has employed between 800 and 1000 people. Construction costs have totalled $52m US dollars.