All set for GT3

Manama : The Bahrain International Circuit (BIC) is playing host to the region’s top drivers in the penultimate round of Season 8 of the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Middle East, which could be the make or break weekend in the battle for championship titles. Bahraini driver Shaikh Isa Salman Al Khalifa will be looking forward to returning to his home circuit for Round 5 with the first race today at 4.30pm with a 30 minute time limit and again tomorrow for race two at 3.35pm, also with a 30 minute time limit. The young driver made his debut in Challenge here in Round 1 four months ago and hasn’t looked back since. After a further six races in the region’s most professional and competitive series, Shaikh Isa Salman has continued to impress as he grows more and more comfortable with the car and gains valuable experience of racing amongst such a competitive grid. After finishing in 2nd place in the Bronze category in his first ever race in the series here at Sakhir circuit, he then went on to win his category in Race 2 and continues this form and currently sits in ninth place overall in the championship standings and second in the bronze category going into the final rounds. Speaking ahead of his return to Bahrain, Shaikh Isa Salman said; “It is great to be returning to my home country for the remaining rounds and since the opening round last year, I feel that I have developed so much already and I am really starting to see the differences in my performances and aim to close the gap between the top spot and myself in my category and going into the final round in the best possible position.” Season 8 has been keenly contested by new local talent, seasoned drivers and international racers from Bahrain, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Oman and Europe. Previous rounds have been held in Bahrain, two in Dubai, followed by Abu Dhabi with the sixth and final round also in Bahrain as support races to the 2017 Formula One Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix from April 14 to 16.