Defending champions can't wait for Dubai home action in Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Middle East

Al Nabooda Racing say fighter Al Harthy can help land another GT3 Cup title

Al Nabooda Racing are confident that Ahmad Al Harthy can form a winning partnership with Clemens Schmid as they look forward to action on home territory in the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Middle East.

The defending champions are joint second in the GT3 Cup team title race following the opening race weekend of the 2014-15 season at Bahrain International Circuit, with the next two rounds taking place at Dubai Autodrome on 5-6 December.

And the Dubai outfit say that, despite running out of luck in Bahrain, Al Harthy has already shown the qualities which can help take them to a third successive Porsche team crown this season.

“We have to remember that he was driving a GT3 Cup car for the first time in over two years, but he was quickly on the pace at the weekend and was very unfortunate not to start the season with a podium finish,” said team manager Vijay Rao.

“He has quickly struck up a good relationship with Clemens and the rest of the team, has shown he’s a fighter, and he’ll get better and better as the season progresses.”

Al Harthy was holding third place well into Round 1 of the Porsche GT3 Cup series in Bahrain, but eventually went out following a collision with Saudi driver Bandar Alesayi.
To the surprise of the team, and Alesayi, Al Harthy was given a five-place grid penalty by the race stewards, meaning he started Round 2 in 14th position.

But the Omani driver fought his way through the field to finish sixth, while Schmid rounded off a superb weekend by clinching back-to-back race wins to take an immediate lead in the drivers’ standings.

The young Austrian driver has now won16 of the last 26 Porsche GT3 Cup races he has contested since joining Al Nabooda Racing.

Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Middle East - team standings:

1. BuZaid GT / BuCharlie GT (KUW) 84pts
2. Sky Dive Dubai Falcons (UAE)  65
2. Al Nabooda Racing (UAE)  65
4. Team Bahrain (BAH)    57
5. ClassicArabia Racing (KSA)  35

Drivers’ championship standings:

1. Clemens Schmid (UAE)   50pts
2. Zaid Ashkanani (KUW)   44
3. Hasher Al Maktoum (UAE)   42
4. Charlie Frijns (NED)    40
5. Mohammed Mattar (BAH)   29
6. Raed Raffii (BAH)    28
14. Ahmad Al Harthy (OM)   15