TRIBUTE:

Losail International Circuit is a motor racing circuit located just outside Doha in the Persian Gulf State of Qatar.

Built in just under a year by 1000 workers at the cost of $USD58million, the track opened in 2004 to the inaugural Marlboro Grand Prix of Qatar, won by Sete Gibernau. In addition the circuit hosted the 2006 Grand Prix Masters of Qatar won by Nigel Mansell.

The track is 5.4 km in length, with a main straight of just over a kilometre at 1,068 metres. It is surrounded by artificial grass to stop the sand encroaching too much onto the track.

In 2007, Losail added permanent outdoor lighting for night races. The lighting of the Losail Circuit by Musco Lighting is the largest permanent venue sports lighting project in the world. The first night race in MotoGP history will be the Commercialbank Grand Prix of Qatar in March 2008

2007 MotoGP of Qatar

* Winner - Casey Stoner, Ducati Motor Holding, Av Speed = 164.975 km/h
* Pole Position - Valentino Rossi - Yamaha Motor Company Time = 1'55.002 Av Speed = 168.414 km/h
* Fastest Lap - Casey Stoner, Ducati, Time = 1'56.528 Av Speed = 166.208 km/h

Loris Capirossi (born April 4, 1973) is an Italian Grand Prix motorcycle road racer, who currently rides for the factory Suzuki MotoGP team. He is a former 250cc World Champion for Aprilia.