Bahrain’s Jaber wins bronze

Team Bahrain’s Jaber Al Khalifa won the bronze category in the opening race of Round Two of the 7th Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Middle East following a solid tenth placed performance at Al Reem International Circuit in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

After two strong podium performances in the opening round in Bahrain during the FIA World Endurance Championship, Jaber was keen to continue his form in the first of two weekend races as the region’s leading one-make series made its long awaited return to Saudi Arabia for the first time in over two years.

Jaber started the season alongside teammate and bright new hope for Bahraini racing, Isa Al Khalifa. But in Saudi Arabia Jaber Al Khalifa faced a tough task of taking on the best drivers in the region without his young wingman for the sixth annual Saudi Racing
Festival.

He qualified in tenth place earlier in the day setting a very quick time on the wind swept Saudi track and a credible display considering the star driver’s limited time on the highly technical circuit over recent years.

After the race Jaber said: “It was tough out there for me today but it’s always a good feeling to be on the podium. The standard is always improving from some amazing young drivers. It’s incredible to see just how far this championship has grown and developed. It really is without doubt the best in the region where only the top drivers compete.”

The race was won by Dubai’s Al Nabooda Racing who claiming first place as Jeffrey Schmidt secured his third straight victory in the first three races of the season, with Kuwaiti teammate Zaid Ashkanani (+0.893 seconds) behind in second place.

Schmidt (75 points) leads the standings after three races, followed by Ireland’s Ryan Cullen (63) of Cullen Motorsport with Ashkanani (61) third.