Dubai. Al Nabooda Racing believe they have taken a decisive step towards clinching another double title success in the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Middle East which is heading for a big climax at Bahrain International Circuit next month.
After an incident-packed race weekend at Dubai Autodrome, the defending champions hold an eight-point advantage in the team standings while Clemens Schmid leads the drivers’ title race by 12 points.
“This puts us in a strong position, and while things can change so quickly in racing, we feel confident that we can secure the team championship for the third year in a row,” said Al Nabooda Racing team manager Vijay Rao.
“After his back-to-back wins on our home circuit in Dubai Clemens will be looking to do the same in Bahrain, and he’ll be very hard to beat.”
Schmid’s team-mate, Ahmad Al Harthy, was battling for a podium finish in Round 9 of the GT3 Cup series last Saturday when he was unwittingly barged off the circuit and out of the race.
“It was very tough on Ahmad who has not had the best of luck in his first season with the team, but he’s a fighter and can play a crucial role for us in Bahrain,” said Rao.
Bahrain International Circuit, which hosts the final two rounds of the series on 18-19 April, has been a happy hunting ground for Al Nabooda Racing.
They clinched the team title at the circuit in both of the last two seasons, and Schmid has won seven of the last eight Porsche GT3 Cup races staged in Bahrain.
“Clemens certainly has a liking for the track, but Ahmad is looking forward to the last two rounds there as well, and we’re hoping he gets better fortunes because he works hard and deserves it.”
Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Middle East – team standings:
- Al Nabooda Racing (UAE) 351pts
- SKY DIVE Dubai Falcons (UAE) 343
- Classic Arabia Racing (KSA) 258
- Team Bahrain (BAH) 218
- Frijns Structural Steel ME (QAT) 199
Driver standings
- Clemens Schmid (UAE) 240pts
- Zaid Ashkanani (KUW) 228
- Saeed Al Mehairi (UAE) 177
- Charlie Frijns (NED) 170
- Hasher Al Maktoum (UAE) 166
- Raed Raffi (BAH) 138
- Fahad Al Gosabi (KSA) 122
- Wolfgang Triller (GER) 121
- Ahmad Al Harthy (OM) 111
- Bandar Alesayi (KSA) 101