Bahraini drivers back on track

Manama : Yas Marina Circuit welcomed local and international drivers as the region’s highly competitive Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Middle East prepared for its final round of the season in the UAE this weekend.

After back-to-back rounds in Dubai, drivers and their Porsche 911 GT3 Cup cars made their way to the capital to continue the exhilarating racing series, testing the celebrated track ahead of vital races on Friday and Saturday over the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix circuit handling 21 terrific turns over 5.54 km.

Season eight is shaping up to be the most tightly fought contest yet, every race, corner and second is vital to each drivers overall standing in the series. Facing the challenging Yas Marina Circuit and Formula 1 configuration, the races this weekend are a turning point in the season for all drivers. Team Bahrain drivers Shaikh Isa Salman Al Khalifa and Shaikh Isa Abdulla Al Khalifa will be looking to add further points to the Rookies standings, with both currently placed second and third in the table.

Qualifying in 12th, Shaikh Isa Salman headed into Race 1 of Round 4 top of the Bronze category and eighth overall in the drivers table.

With just three points separating him and second place in the Bronze standings, he will be looking to add vital points to the board and secure his lead.

He said, “I’ve always wanted to race on this track and now I get the chance to, on the full Grand Prix circuit too. I’m having a blast with my car, it’s turning well and the mechanics are doing so much with it.”

“My aim for this weekend is to get as high as I can in the overall standings as well as keeping my pace and not make mistakes.”

Fellow Team Bahrain driver Shaikh Isa Abdulla will start from 10th position on the grid, also racing Yas Marina Circuit for the first time. 

Commenting on the track, he said, “It is very similar to my home track the Bahrain International Circuit. When I first went out it was a different experience that I needed to get used to, lots of slow corners and tricky breaking. The track is similar to Bahrain, but hard to learn and once comfortable my car was doing well and improving all the time.”

Also back representing Bahrain is Hamad Al Khalifa, who will feature 16th on the grid today after qualifying and will be seen in the remaining rounds left in Season 8: “I haven’t raced on this track in six years, so it’s kind of new to me. I drove in the Bahrain rounds, missed the two in Dubai, but I’m back again and will see out the season. We have a long way to go, so I’m hoping to catch up with the group today and tomorrow. It’s all about enjoying it and doing the best I can.”

Walter Lechner, the owner of Lechner Racing, and founder and manager of the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Middle East said, “We are at a very interesting stage of the season, this weekend could determine which way the championship is going to go for the remaining rounds, Ryan Cullen could extend his lead out in front or we could see another surprise in results.”

Topping the championship standings and after extending his lead in Round 3 at Dubai Autodrome, Ryan Cullen will be hoping to put even more points between him and Qatar-based driver Charlie Frijns, who current sits in close second. With only 20 points separating drivers from third to sixth place, the addition of guest driver Charlie Eastwood, a Porsche Carrera Cup driver from the UK, will make securing maximum points in Abu Dhabi even tougher.

An international grid of 17 professional, amateur and rookie drivers representing 11 countries - Ireland, Norway, Germany, Luxembourg, Sweden and Turkey will face stiff opposition from local drivers representing the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Qatar, Oman and Saudi Arabia.