Porsche GT3 returns

Manama : This weekend the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Middle East returns to the Bahrain (BIC) International Circuit for the penultimate round of Season 8 with the championship’s manager calling for drivers to stay cool and calm behind the wheel.

Over four dramatic rounds of world-class racing Walter Lechner, the series organiser and motorsport legend, has witnessed the pressure grow with every race as the chance to seize silverware comes closer to the grasp of several drivers.

Two rounds remain in the most competitive season in the championship’s long and prestigious history, with a bigger and more international grid resulting in every category in the drivers standings wide open with a small number of points separating those holding the top positions.

Speaking ahead of Round 5, Bahraini driver Shaikh Isa Salman Al Khalifa said: “It feels amazing to have started my debut season in the championship here in Bahrain and now returning back again after four rounds of competitive action. I feel like I have learnt so much already this season and back to my favourite circuit will be a great way to end the campaign. Initially for me the season was to experience racing at a higher level and get used to the GT3 Cup car, I progressed quicker than expected and achieve some great results. I am 10 points away from leading my category and I will be hoping to close this gap and lift the first place trophy in my first season.”

In the race for the overall driver’s title the consistency of Ryan Cullen (188 points) has seen the Irishman open up a gap of 23 points over second placed Charlie Frijns (165) of Qatar and Britain’s Tom Oliphant (152) in third.

In the final four races, 100 points can be won with 60 points separating the top four drivers in the overall championship. 30 points split the top three drivers in the silver category, and 22 points between the top three drivers in the bronze category.

Remarkably five of the top ten drivers in the overall standings are making their Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Middle East debut and five of those newcomers are aged twenty-five years or younger, demonstrating that the power of the platform’s formula to help young careers in motorsport progress is clearly working.

Round Race nine of the series starts at 4.30pm tomorrow and the tenth on Saturday at 3.35pm with both races having a 30-minute time limit.

The unique series consists of 12 races between November 2016 and April 2017 with the season season concluding with the final two races scheduled for the Bahrain Grand Pix weekend from April 14 to 16.