The weekend’s first race ended in disappointment for the youngster from Team BuzaidGT who qualified in 3rd but was forced out following a collision. However, the 19 year old showed the previous day’s events to be a distant memory as he motored to position 1 on the grid ahead of reigning champion Clemens Schmid of Al Nabooda and Saudi Falcons duo, Abdulaziz AlFaisal and Faisal Bin Laden.
The qualifying times have set up a mouthwatering finale to round 2 of the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Middle East weekend in Dubai as Zaid Ashkanani looks to assert himself as a true challenger to Schmid’s recent dominance of the competition. Meanwhile two-time former champion Abdulaziz AlFaisal’s return to form could not have come at a better time for the Saudi Falcons.
“I’m absolutely delighted with my first pole position; it shows we’re really moving in the right direction. Being forced out of the race yesterday was a big disappointment but I have a fantastic opportunity to bounce back today. I expect racing to be really tight especially with Clemens and Abdulaziz breathing down my neck,” Ashkanani while commenting on his new high in his Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Middle East career.
“Race 2 will see the end of what has been an action packed weekend of racing drama. Clemens Schmid of Al Nabooda Racing continued his winning streak by claiming victory in the first of two races at the Dubai Autodrome.
“Today wasn’t as good as yesterday and I’m a little disappointed. My focus now will be on pushing to overtake Zaid as early as possible; on the first corner is my plan. If not I’ll certainly be looking for any opportunity to get past him. A rare mistake in qualifying for race 2 of the second round however means the Austrian will go from second.”
“Our times are definitely looking better so we can take a lot of positivity from that; we’re getting closer to where we want to be. Predicting today’s race is not going to be easy; I expect it to go right down to the wire,” according to Saudi Falcons Abdulaziz Al Faisal who secured the 3rd place qualification shows a marked improvement in season five of the series.