Sunday 17 / November / 2024
Muscat: Making a ‘perfect return to the championship’, Omani star Al Faisal Al Zubair clinched the third place while compatriot and debutant Khalid Al Wahaibi topped the competition in the Bronze category in the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Middle East in Bahrain.
The first race of the Season 9 saw Kuwait’s driver Zaid Ashkanani delivering a flawless drive from pole to chequered flag, taking the opening win of the season and the first victory ever in a new generation GT3 Cup car in the region.
Under the lights at Bahrain International Circuit, Ashkanani returned to the championship he won back in 2014 to be troubled only by British driver Tom Oliphant. Clocking some quick laps, Oliphant attempted to reduce the gap Askhanani created, but the Kuwaiti showed his fellow Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup driver some impressive defence skills to race away and take the win.
Oman’s Al Faisal Al Zubair was back for a second consecutive season, and showed how much he’s learnt from his summer competing in the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup.
Although the Omani teenager saw his quickest lap time deleted due to a track limits infringement, he powered off the grid from his fourth-place start and was a contender for second by the first turn.
He found himself in a battle with Tom Oliphant, Charlie Frijns and Fahad Al Gosaibi for second throughout lap one, but showed confidence to push ahead and take third which he maintained to the finish.
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Khalid Al Wahaibi, new to the championship this season, started the race from 14th on the grid, he rose five places in the first six laps to take ninth place.
He held off Isa Al Khalifa until the chequered flag for his first podium place with an impressive first in the Bronze category and ninth overall.
Al Zubair and Al Wahaibi were two of a total seven regional drivers in the race, who all thrived in the new GT3 Cup car to excite the local crowd.
The first race of the new season showcased why Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Middle East is the leading motorsport series in the region, marking the start of a bright new chapter for regional racing.
Speaking after the win, Zaid Ashkanani said: “It was the perfect return to the championship for me; qualifying in pole position and a strong start allowed me to create a good gap early on. There was a battle going on behind me for second place, so I used this to extend the lead further. Once out in front I knew that I had to concentrate on making no mistakes and getting the car across the line. Tom Oliphant managed to close the gap and put me under a bit of pressure towards the end, but I managed to keep my cool and finish with the win.”
Meanwhile, Al Faisal Al Zubair commented: “I continued to push and managed to further extend my lead in front of Fahad, I wanted to stay on the safe side and I knew that a podium finish in the first race was going to be a good result for me. I need to think long term this year. I have goals and targets that I need to reach and I will continue to race hard but also smart.”
After the race Walter Lechner, the owner of Lechner Racing, and founder and manager of the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Middle East said: “It’s great to get Season 9 of the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Middle East underway, and what a fantastic start to the championship. The debut of the new Porsche GT3 Cup car did not disappoint and every one of the drivers pushed the car to its limit.
“It’s always pleasing to see all cars arrive back to the garages untroubled, especially with so many close battles throughout the race. It is amazing for the championship to launch here in Bahrain as part of the WEC weekend, and to see 17 cars and drivers from so many different parts of the world is a testament to our championship. We look forward to Race 2 and hope to see more of the same action throughout the season.”
The Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Middle East will consist of six race weekends with 12 races over a period of six months. Drivers will compete across the region with confirmed circuits including Dubai Autodrome, Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi and Bahrain International Circuit.
Season 9 sees drivers hailing from Germany, Great Britain, Netherlands, Sweden as well as returning and new local stars from the Middle East region representing Bahrain, Oman, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait.
The championship started on Friday as part of the FIA World Endurance Championship weekend at the Bahrain International Circuit and comes to a thrilling conclusion by supporting official 2018 Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix weekend.
