Saturday 18 / May / 2024
Dubai: Expo 2020 in Dubai provided the glittering venue this week for the official launch of Oman Racing’s Asian Le Mans Series programme – with driver Ahmad Al Harthy unveiling the team’s Aston Martin Vantage GT3 car to the world at the Oman Pavilion.
Joined by dignitaries from his key sponsors Omantel, OQ and MHD-ITICS, Oman’s most successful international racing driver had the honour of revealing Oman Racing’s new motorsport livery as well as detailing his upcoming involvement in this month’s Middle East-based ALMS.
Also in attendance at the prestigious event on Wednesday evening were Sheikh Salim Al Katheeri, Chairman of the Sultanate of Oman Commercial Office in Dubai, and Brigadier Jamal Al Tai, Deputy Chairman of Oman Automobile Association.
Proudly flying the flag for Oman, as he has been so successfully doing since beginning his car racing career well over 15 years ago, multiple motor racing champion Al Harthy will head into the hugely competitive ALMS determined to challenge for honours alongside British team-mates Sam De Haan and Aston Martin factory driver Charlie Eastwood.
The trio will share the No.69 Oman Racing Aston Martin Vantage GT3 which will once again be prepared and engineered by Tom Ferrier’s TF Sport squad, the UK-based team which has partnered so fruitfully with Oman Racing since 2017.
At Expo 2020 on Wednesday, specially invited guests and partners were able to tour the Oman Pavilion before watching a video package of highlights centred around Al Harthy’s superb racing career and his many achievements – not least in promoting Oman on a world stage.
Following comments from key partners and a wider introduction and welcome from Al Harthy himself, where he outlined his Asian Le Mans Series plans, the guests headed outside the Pavilion to watch the official unveiling of the race car.
Since moving to the Middle East last year due to the ongoing COVID-19 travel restrictions in the Far East, the ALMS has gone from strength to strength and the already prestigious endurance racing championship is expecting to feature a combined grid of at least 34 cars across all classes.
Beginning at Dubai Autodrome with round one taking place on Saturday, 12th February, and round two following on Sunday, 13th February, the championship will then move to Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi for round three on Saturday, 19th February, and round four on Sunday, 20th February.
World Expo is, of course, one of the longest standing and biggest global events with Expo 2020 having opened in Dubai back in October and reaching its conclusion at the end of March. The event was postponed from its intended 2020 launch due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Ahmad Al Harthys said:“What an amazing honour it has been to launch Oman Racing’s Asian Le Mans Series programme at Expo 2020, especially at the Oman Pavilion. I must say the biggest thank you to Oman’s General Commissioner and the Head of Oman Pavilion, His Excellency Mohsin Al Balushi, and also to my incredible partners Omantel, OQ and MHD-ITICS who have made the coming season possible.
“We are all so proud to be representing Oman in the ALMS, racing in Dubai and Abu Dhabi over the next few weeks, and on behalf of the whole team I can say we are as determined as ever to deliver the very best performances possible. It’s an extremely important and high-profile championship in GT endurance racing, providing the perfect opportunity to fly the flag for Oman.”
Mohsin Al Balushi – Oman’s General Commissioner at Expo 2020, said, :“Ahmad is a wonderful ambassador for Oman and it has been our absolute pleasure to facilitate the launch of his and Oman Racing’s Asian Le Mans Series programme here at Expo 2020. His success on the international stage, over many years, is something of great pride to the Omani people. On behalf of all involved with the Oman Pavilion we are delighted to have supported the launch.
“For more than 170 years, World Expos have offered a platform to showcase the innovations which help to shape and develop the world in which we live. Being part of Expo 2020 is hugely important for Oman as we continually develop our trade, business, innovation and tourism and share our culture and traditions with the world.”
Saba Said Al Busaidi – Senior Manager Corporate Affairs at Omantel, said:“Omantel is again extremely pleased to be a key partner of Oman Racing for the coming year, continuing the incredibly positive and very successful relationship we have enjoyed with Ahmad throughout his sporting career. We are proud to have been part of the official launch at Expo 2020 at the Oman Pavilion, and looking forward to another year of success on and off the race track.”
Al Mutasim Al Sariri – Head of External Affairs Management and CSI at OQ, said: “Driven by OQ’s stern commitment to support Omani talents, we are delighted to support Ahmad and Oman Racing on their mission to represent Oman in the international racing arena – especially for the GT super cars. Committed to excellence and thinking big, OQ is proud to be an international success story within the integrated energy sector just as Oman Racing continues to be in motorsport.”
Honourable Lujaina Mohsin Haider Darwish – Chairperson of Infrastructure, Technology, Industrial and Consumer Solutions (ITICS) at Mohsin Haider Darwish LLC, added: “Ahmad Al Harthy has always been an exemplary Omani talent on the motor racing circuit and one we are proud to associate ourselves with and stand behind. He has continued to raise the Oman flag proudly wherever he races around the globe. Moreover, owing to the team's prominence, having our brand adorn his new car will help showcase our brand values and promote MHD-ITICS on an international scale.”
While the ALMS season will mark the official beginning of Al Harthy’s motor racing year, he did actually make his first competitive outing of 2022 during the Hankook 24H Dubai a couple of weeks ago when drafted in to race an Aston Martin Vantage GT3 for Duel Racing with TF Sport.
