Before I get into my analysis of this track, getting it downloaded and patched was a bit of work. I ended up using this download:

http://www.f1gaming.de/downloads/rfactor/strecken/CTDP_Bahrain_F1-2005_Track_for_rFactor.rar

Patch 1:
Out of the box, the track surface is very bad in places and causes violent shakes in certain corners. This patch will fix that for the most part.

http://trd3.net/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=47&Itemid=2

The site is in Spanish. An English translation is available through this link:

http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=es&u=http://trd3.net/index.php%3Foption%3Dcom_content%26task%3Dview%26id%3D47%26Itemid%3D2&sa=X&oi=translate&resnum=1&ct=result&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dhttp://trd3.net/index.php%253Foption%253Dcom_content%2526task%253Dview%2526id%253D47%2526Itemid%253D2%26hl%3Den%26rls%3DGGLJ,GGLJ:2006-41,GGLJ:en

This patch is installed by extracting the rar file and running the included executable.

Patch 2:
I also upgraded the cameras because the default spectator view didn't show much of the track because it was too tight on the car. The link for the upgraded cameras is available on the rFactorCentral.com page http://www.rfactorcentral.com/detail.cfm?ID=Bahrain%20International. It is the Bahrain Alternative Cameras by GTEvo link.

To install this, I extracted the rar file, and copied the file 1Shakir.cam to the C:\Program Files\rFactor\GameData\Locations\Bahrain\Shakir folder. Your install folder might be different. I then renamed the existing Shakir.cam file to Shakir_orig.com, and then renamed 1Shakir.com to Shakir.cam.

Fire up rFactor and you should see the track in the "CTDP F1 Tracks" folder.

On to the post ...

You really get the impression that this is a circuit plopped down in the middle of the desert. Like Sepang, it is a purpose-built track with lots of run-off area. It has some mild elevation changes that are placed in areas that making driving a challenge. The turn-in for corner 7 is very difficult to see due to elevation changes as is the braking point and entry for corner 9. Corner 13 is a high-speed uphill leading quickly into the braking zone for 14. The uphill is blind and landing on the wrong side of the track can really mess you up for entry into 14.

On first impression, you can almost break this track into two primary sectors. The first would include corners 1 through 10, the second corners 11 through 15.

The 1-10 sector looks more technical. It has three very tight right-handers, one of which funnels into a left-hander, a high-speed bus-stop-style section, and the long braking zone going into corner 10.

The 11-15 sector may be as technical due to elevation changes, but it is much faster with longer sweeping corners.

For timing, the sectors for this track are:

Sector 1: Corners 1, 2, 3, 4, ends at entry to corner 5
Sector 2: Corners 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, ends at Vodafone sign between 13 and 14
Sector 3: Corners 14, 15

Attached is a hotlap from the AI, as well as a screen shot of most corners.

AI Hotlap, In Car

AI Hotlap, Overview
Note: I had to use the tracking camera on this because the spectator camera that ships with the track does not show much of the track. I have since downloaded the updated spectator camera.

This lap was completed in 2:02.323 (122.323 seconds).

The gear, RPM, MPH, and time between corners are measured at the point the RPMs begin to increase when exiting a corner. The screen shots are also from the point of acceleration from the corner.

Let's take a look at a lap.

Corners 1, 2, and 3

Image 1: Corner 1 Midpoint

Image 2: Corner 2 Midpoint

Corner 1 is a tight right-hander leading quickly into corner 2 which is a mild left-hander. Corner 3 is a mild right-hander that is taken under full acceleration.

Corner 1: 1st gear, 3331 RPM, 21 MPH
10.400 seconds from start
23.856 seconds from corner 15
3.767 seconds to corner 2

Corner 2: 3rd gear, 4925 RPM, 65 MPH
14.167 seconds from start
3.767 seconds from corner 1
15.5 seconds to corner 4

Corner 4

Image 3: Corner 4 Midpoint

Corner 4 is another tight right-hander.

2nd gear, 4735 RPM, 48 MPH
29.667 seconds from start
15.5 seconds from corner 2
9.3 seconds to corner 6

Corners 5, 6, and 7

Image 4: Corner 6 Midpoint

Image 5: Corner 7 Midpoint

Corner 5 is a quick left-hander that muddles the braking zone for corner 6. Corner 6 is a quick right-hander leading directly to corner 7 which is a quick left-hander. Almost looks like a high-speed bus stop.

Corner 5: braking

Corner 6: 4th gear, 5479 RPM, 91 MPH
38.967 seconds from start
9.3 seconds from corner 4
2.2 seconds to corner 7

Corner 7: 4th gear, 5851 RPM, 97 MPH
41.167 seconds from start
2.2 seconds from corner 6
7.066 seconds to corner 8

Corner 8

Image 6: Corner 5 Midpoint

Corner 8 is another tight right-hander.

2nd gear, 4166 RPM, 45 MPH
48.233 seconds from start
7.066 seconds from corner 7
13.067 seconds to corner 10

Corners 9 and 10

Image 7: Corner 10 Midpoint

Corner 9 is a sweeping left-hander leading directly into corner 10 which is a tight left-hander.

Corner 9: appears to be a braking zone leading into corner 10.

Corner 10: 2nd gear, 3993 RPM, 41 MPH
61.3 seconds from start
13.067 seconds from corner 8
15.6 seconds to corner 11

Corners 11, 12, and 13

Image 8: Corner 11 Midpoint

Corner 11 is a moderate-speed left hander leading into a long corridor with corners 12 and 13. Corner 12 looks to be an acceleration zone while corner 13 may be more measured but acceleration appears to continue before landing at the top of a hill and into the braking zone for corner 14.

Corner 11: 3rd gear, 5383 RPM, 72 MPH
76.9 seconds from start
15.6 seconds from corner 10
15.5 seconds to corner 14

Corner 12: accelerating

Corner 13: accelerating

Corner 14

Image 9: Corner 14 Midpoint

Corner 14 is another fairly high-speed right-hander leading onto the second-longest straight on the track.

3rd gear, 4836 RPM, 62 MPH
92.4 seconds from start
15.5 seconds from corner 11
16.467 seconds to corner 15

Corner 15

Image 10: Corner 15 Midpoint

Corner 15 is another right-hander and leads onto the front straight. A bit tighter than 14 but nowhere near as tight as 1, 4, or 8.

2nd gear, 5320 RPM, 57 MPH
108.867 seconds from start
16.467 seconds from corner 14
23.856 seconds to corner 1
13.456 seconds to start/finish line