Team Bahrain back in action

Manama : Team Bahrain drivers Shaikh Isa Salman Al Khalifa and Shaikh Isa Abdulla Al Khalifa were both back in action for the third round of the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Middle East. They qualified in eighth and ninth positions respectively for the opening of two races over the weekend.

Both teenage drivers have qualified as part of a strong grid of 16 international drivers who all returned to the Dubai Autodrome with clear minds and strong intentions for the remainder of Season 8 following a six-week layoff.

So far the season has been highly unpredictable, characterised by an ever-changing script with many twists and turns as no single driver has dominated the grid or their category. That changeable scene continued in qualifying for the opening race of Round 3 with Pereira, who currently sits in fourth overall, claiming his first pole position in the dying seconds of the session. Behind Pereira was Ryan Cullen who is in the second place on the grid with championship leader Charlie Frijns in third.

Shaikh Isa Abdulla just managed to edge his teammate and take the eighth spot on the grid for Race 1 after a successful testing session and will be looking to build on the promising start and aim for another podium finish at the Dubai circuit.

Speaking after qualifying he said, “It felt good to get back to the action and record some strong lap times in a competitive environment. I felt comfortable testing the car yesterday and with the qualifying times looking forward to making the most of my position in the first race of Round 3.”

Shaikh Isa Salman was less than a second behind his teammate after qualifying and starts in ninth, he said, “I am pleased with the times I set and happy my teammate secured a strong position.”

The series features a grid of 16 drivers representing 12 different nationalities from Ireland, Norway, Germany, Luxembourg, Sweden and Turkey with the best local drivers representing the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Qatar, Oman and Saudi Arabia.