Visited Qatar MotoGP qualifying yesterday. A circuit which has a grandstand and no access to the rest for the paying public. A grandstand that seats about 3500 in total. Which would have been lucky to have had 10% of that in yesterday!!
In comparision a Spanish MotoGP race would draw 200,000.
Oh and besides being hugely sponsored by the Qatari goverment is also the Marlboro Qatar Motorcycle Grand Prix.
Welcome to the commercial world where races aren't where you really want them to be!!!