Dubai. Saudi Arabia’s demanding Reem International Circuit will provide arguably the most difficult test of the season in the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Middle East next month, and two of the visiting drivers can’t wait for the experience.
Oman’s Ahmad Al Harthy and the UAE’s Karim Al Azhari will have different targets when the Porsche one-make series returns to the Kingdom for Rounds 7 and 8 on February 15-16, although both are relishing the battle against Saudi’s top drivers on their home territory.
Prince Abdulaziz Al Faisal leads the 12-round championship at the half way point from fellow-Saudi Bandar Alesayi, and while Azhari has modest ambitions at present as he looks forward to his debut in the series, fourth-placed Al Harthy is determined not to let the top two monopolise the title race.
The Omani was quickly up to speed in his first GT3 Cup season, winning Round 4 in Abu Dhabi, and he has not allowed a spin-off followed by a crash in the next two rounds in the UAE capital to break his self belief.
“I just put that down to racing, and forgot about it straight away,” said Al Harthy. “There was nothing that I could do about it, and now I’m just looking forward to going back to Reem where I’ve raced once before.
“It’s a very challenging circuit and in some ways it suits my driving style because it’s got some very technical, fast flowing corners. It’s one of the hardest tracks to race at for sure, but I’m in a strong frame of mind and looking forward to going back there.
“There’s limited time for testing at the circuit and of course the Saudi drivers have the advantage of having had a lot of track time there.
“But I’ve had one of biggest race wins of my career this season and I’m developing as a driver. The team is working on many areas to improve my driving and it’s a very positive experience.”
Al Azhari has the toughest test as he will be experiencing the Reem circuit for the first time as he enters the series with Dubai-based Al Nabooda Racing.
“For me it’s an exciting additional challenge to be tackling circuits where I haven’t raced before,” he said. “The Porsche GT3 Cup series is going to be a learning curve for me. It’s exciting to be finally doing this.
“It’s proven to be the most exciting and impressive championship in the Middle East. Considering they started from scratch less than three years ago, they’ve done a fabulous job.”
Championship positions after Round 6
1. Abdulaziz Al Faisal (KSA) Saudi Falcons 110pts
2. Bandar Alesayi (KSA) Saudi GT Racing 102pts
3. Stephane Lemeret (BEL) Al Nabooda Racing 86pts
4. Ahmad Al Harthy (OM) Oman Air Racing 80pts
5. Saeed Al Mouri KSA) Saudi Falcons 72pts
6. Saddon Al Kuwari (QA) 51pts
7. Clemens Schmid (AUT) 50pts
8. Hans Guido Riegel (GER) Haribo Racing 39pts
8. Armin Schmid CH Team TCE 39pts
10. Fawaz Algosaibi (KSA) Saudi GT Racing 30pts
10. Hannes Waimer (GER) Team TCE 30pts
Michelin Silver Trophy
1. Saddon Al Kuwari (QA) 51pts
2. Hans Guido Riegel (GER) Haribo Racing 39pts
2. Armin Schmid CH Team TCE 39pts
4. Mark Thomas (CAN) 27pts
Mobil 1 Trophy
1. Fawaz Algosaibi (KSA) Saudi GT Racing 30pts
1. Hannes Waimer (GER) 30pts
3. Rob Frijns (NL) Frins Structural Steel 22pts
4. Manfred Ender (AUT) Frins Structural Steel 13pts
5. Cengiz J.Oguzhan (TUR) 9pts
6. Jaber Al Khalifa (BAH) 7pts
Captions:
1. Ahmad Al Harthy is eager to prevent a Saudi monopoly in the Porsche GT3 Cup title
race.
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2. Karim Al Azhari can’t wait to make his series debut in the Al Nabooda Racing
Porsche GT3 Cup car