Dubai: Classic Arabia’s Fahed Algosaibi demonstrated his qualities on the track yet again by claiming third place overall and first place in the Silver Category in Race 2 of Round 5 of the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Middle East at the Dubai Autodrome.
The results set up a thrilling season finale race weekend at Bahrain International Circuit as the support races for the F1 Bahrain Grand Prix where the team and drivers championships will be decided in front of packed stands at the home of motor racing in the Middle East.
With huge expectations on the penultimate round of the series at the Dubai Autodrome the competition delivered another enthralling weekend of motor racing action featuring the region’s finest drivers. The previous results in Qatar had left it all to play for at the Motorcity track and after a thrilling first race where the lead changed at least four times and the points were spread evenly throughout the field, Race 2 was set to play the role as the most important of the battle of the season so far.
The Saudi driver has shown his ability to mix with the best since his return to the series and it was no surprise to see Algosaibi qualifying in third place next to Gold category drivers such as Clemens Schmid and Zaid Ashkanani. Had it not been for the qualities of Schmid and Ashkanani the Saudi driver might have been able to claim victory as he was a constant threat to the two throughout the race. His third place finish, coupled with fellow countryman and teammate Bander Alesayi’s fifth place finish, ensures Classic Arabia go into the next round with high hopes of a podium finish in the Team championship as they currently sit fourth.
“I’m really happy to have finished on the podium again this weekend. It’s been a really fun round here in Dubai and I just wish I was able to have kept up with the leaders. I managed to have a really good start and never lost my grid position which is always something I aim to do. I tried to push Zaid who was in second but he didn’t allow me to at any stage. Overall I’m really pleased to add more points for the team and can now look forward to the final round,” speaking after Race 2 of Round 5 in Dubai Fahad Algosaibi, said.
Less windy conditions compared with the previous day meant the drivers were able to focus on their pace during Race 2, compared to the day before when fighting the dusty track to stay on-line was hard enough.
As soon as the lights went out Schmid and Ashkanani went toe to toe down to the first corner but solid defensive moves from the series leader allowed him to hold off the assault. Further back Saeed Al Mehairi of the Skydive Dubai Falcons jumped one position and was pushing Classic Arabia’s Bandar Alesayi for fourth after a great start from the Saudi.
Lap one saw a flurry of action all across the field with Raed Raffii from Team Bahrain taking eighth from Ahmad Al Harthy as Classic Arabia’s Fahad Algosaibi pressured Zaid Ashkanani from third. Saeed Al Mehairi pushed up another position to pass Alesayi and then his own teammate in a move which officials judged to have happened while he was off the track. Failing to give the position back he incurred a two position penalty at the end of the race.
As the race wore on Al Harthy was pushing to secure vital points for his Al Nabooda team and passed Raffii to retake eighth while the front two cars pulled away from the pack and finished with a substantial gap between them and the following pack.
In the closing stages Sheikh Hasher Al Maktoum did well to hold off multiple advances from Alesayi but kept his cool to take fourth just behind Fahad Algosaibi.
The Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Middle East returns for final Round 6 at the Bahrain International Circuit in April as the support race for the F1 Bahrain Grand Prix.