Cybarco Bahrain and its Malaysian joint venture partner WCT has been awarded the contract for the construction of Bahrain's Formula One race track

Work on the project, estimated to be worth between BD50 million ($132.66 million) and BD60 million, is due to start this month.

WCT built the Formula One circuit in Sepang, Malaysia.

Ten companies were considered for the contract but Cybarco WCT is reported to have secured it because they fulfilled all the technical and financial requirements.

Crown Prince and BDF Commander-in-Chief Shaikh Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa and Britain's Prince Andrew, Duke of York, turned the soil at a ground-breaking ceremony at the site in Sakhir.

Work is expected to be completed in March 2004 and the first Formula One race will be held later that year.