And miles to go...

Manama 

Team Bahrain’s Raed Raffii has been reflecting on his strong performances in the sixth season of the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Middle East after being recognised at the official end of season awards ceremony held in Bahrain recently.

Raffii ended the season on a genuine high as he managed to clinch third overall on home soil in the silver category by a single point at the Bahrain International Circuit in the final round during the Formula 1 weekend last month in Sakhir.

Since collecting his trophy at the ceremony, Raffii has been inspired by the progress of GT3 drivers and the growing status of the Middle East championship.

Looking to the future Raffii said: “Every driver wants to reach the pinnacle of their sport. Recent results on the biggest stage in motorsport prove that a platform to achieving such a goal exists through Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Middle East.”

“Barcelona recently hosted Formula 1, GP2, GP3 and the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup at the Circuit de Catalunya. That might seem out of reach for drivers in the region. But a direct connection to the Middle East is clear for all to see as Michael Ammermüller won the opening round of Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup for Lechner Racing Middle East.

“For drivers in the region that’s very exciting with Walter Lechner runs our championship and Michael spending time in our region coaching and mentoring the drivers so we really are learning from the best.”

“When you add to this the result of our former Porsche champion Zaid Ashkanani who came eleventh in his debut GP3 race, it proves it can be a gateway to the highest level of motorsport and highlights just how competitive drivers from the Middle East are getting.”

Raffii continued: “I knew this season would be a real challenge for me and extremely professional so every point needs to be earned. But getting my trophy at the end of season made all the hard work feel worthwhile and there is no other championship to rival the Porsche series. So collecting silverware as well as seeing Walter Lechner’s team winning in Barcelona has really motivated me.”

Raffii (169 points) finished sixth in the overall driving standings and third in the silver category, trailing the winner Saeed Al Mehairi (217) of Skydive Dubai Falcons teammate Shaikh Hasher Al Maktoum (210) in second with Saudi Arabia’s Fahad Algosaibi (168) fourth.

Manager of the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Middle East, Walter Lechner said: “Over time a world-class racing series in the Middle East has been built and it is something to be proud of. It’s now a championship filled with home-grown racing talent and those who race in the Challenge feel part of the success story locally and can see opportunities to advance in the sport."