Stephen Kellogg was once again in unbeatable form as he scored a fantastic double in round four of the 2011/2012 BIC 2,000cc Challenge, held as part of the National Racing Festival which wrapped up in thrilling fashion at Bahrain International Circuit in Sakhir.
Salah Salahuddin and Gary White set new world records as drag racers from all across the Gulf put on a brilliant show in round three of the 2011/2012 Bahrain Drag Racing Championship at ‘The Home of Motorsport in the Middle East’.
The three-day National Racing Festival began on Wednesday evening with a ‘Test and Tune’ for the drag racers and continued on Thursday with qualifying for Friday’s race day. The entire weekend was organised by the Circuit Racing Club in cooperation with the Bahrain Drag Racing Club, in cooperation with the Bahrain Motor Federation and Bahrain International Circuit, ‘The Home of Motorsport in the Middle East’.
In the BIC 2,000cc Challenge, Kellogg overcame an early surprise from Salah Salahuddin to triumph comfortably in race one before claiming race two in style, battling from the back and thwarting Tim Birkin midway through to power on to the chequered flag.
Kellogg’s two victories gave him seven wins in eight races so far this season, including six in a row along with three pole positions. It was also his third double of his fantastic campaign, which now heads into the latter half of the season with only three remaining rounds.
“Yes, it probably is,” answered Kellogg when asked if the title was now his to lose. “I’m just going to have to keep things going the way they are and continue developing the car, as everyone is constantly developing each round.
“I may now have a sizeable lead in the championship standings, but I cannot and I will not relax. I’ll only do that at the very end.”
In the first race, Salahuddin looked determined to spring up a surprise with a strong drive early on. But in the end, it was a trio of familiar faces to finish in the top three.
Kellogg (Honda CIVIC) started from pole position but Salahuddin, who was eighth on the grid, managed to brilliantly maneuver his way through the field and overtake the leader towards the end of lap one.
Salahuddin and Kellogg were then engaged in an exciting battle, until Kellogg reclaimed the advantage coming out of turn one on lap three as Salahuddin began to experience problems with his brakes.
The championship leader was then flying from there, building gaps of over 10 seconds ahead of his closest rivals before finally taking the chequered flag by 11.962 seconds from race runner-up Tim Birkin (Honda Integra).
Kellogg had a total winning time of 20 minutes 22.396 seconds in the 15-lap sprint held along Bahrain International Circuit 2.550-kilometre Inner track.
Ghuloom finished in third place 12.292s behind Kellogg, while Salahuddin, who had such a promising start, skidded out of the race midway through and could not continue.
Abdulla Al Jowder finished in fourth place, Alex Longden fifth, Hussain Karimi sixth and Ahmed Kuzbar seventh. Both Salahuddin and Raed Himmo were both not classified.
In race two which featured a reverse grid that placed Kuzbar in pole position, Kellogg and Birkin did their best to weave their way through the field in the first lap. Birkin managed to gain first place on lap two, with Kellogg not far behind in fourth.
Birkin did his best to keep Kellogg behind him for much of the next few laps, but on the seventh could not fend off a passing move on a right-hander and Kellogg captured his place up in front.
Kellogg went on to win in 20:31.024, while Birkin was a narrow 2.741s off the pace. Abdulla Al Jowder finished third 23.586s from first. Ghuloom was originally on the podium, but was later given a 15-second penalty for taking a shortcut during the first lap. Al Jowder was therefore promoted and Ghuloom demoted one position.
Longden finished fifth, Hussain Karimi sixth and Kuzbar seventh, while Himmo and Salahuddin did not compete.
Round three of the Bahrain Drag Racing Championship witnessed dozens of competitors from Bahrain and across the GCC take each other on down the quarter-mile drag strip in breathtaking speed.
But none shone brighter than Salah Salahuddin of SMS Racing and Gary White of EK Kanoo Team, who both set new World records in their respective categories.
Salahuddin (8.421 seconds) made up for his shortcomings in the 2,000cc with a brilliant win in the Street V8 class. He beat Adel Khameeri (9.125s) in the final, while Khaled Abdulkareem was third.
During the first round of racing, Salahuddin registered his new World mark by running for a time of 8.348s with a speed of 257.96kph. Salahuddin beat the previous World record of 8.390s, which he had also set previously.
White, on the other hand, set a new World record in the Outlaw Rear-Wheel-Drive (RWD) class, registering a mark of 6.46s at a staggering 347kph. Despite his new mark, White failed to capture the win in his group, as team leader Ebrahim Kanoo (7.672s) triumphed ahead of Yousif Al Zayani (8.046s), while teammate Gary White finished in third place.
Elsewhere, Hussain Abdulla clinched first place in the Street Front Wheel Drive (FWD)/RWD) as the category’s other competitors failed to show up.
In the Super Street Outlaw FWD, Ali Ahmed (9.744s) raced to victory ahead of Mohammed bin Hasher (10.169s), while Yousif Al Zayani came third.
Salman Mahmood (8.648s) then came up with the win in the Super Street RWD class. He beat Yousif Abdulla (8.877s) in the final, while Ahmed Balooshi finished third.
Talal bin Eidan (7.640s) followed suit with a win in the Super Street V8 class, overcoming Abdulla Ashati (8.161s). Meshal Abdulla came third.
Hisham Al Mulla (7.648s) then dominated the final of the Competition 7.5 class to win ahead of Mohammed Salama (10.009s). Bader Khursheed was third.
Jamal Ebrahim (6.835s) then won the Outlaw 10.5 in style, beating Hussain Al Shamari (8.590s). Mohammed Hilal came third.
In the final cars category, the ultra-competitive Pro Mod, Khalil Ebrahim (6.260s) pipped Tariq Hadi (6.606s) in the final, with Saad Al Muran claiming the last podium spot.
Further heated competition in three bikes classes also took place.
Musfer Mubarak (8.523s) won the Street Bike after beating Khalid Al Fozan (8.640s) in the finale. Khalid Ali Al Dosari was third.
Mashari Al Turki (7.071s) was also a winner, taking the Super Street Bike in front of Yaqoob Ali (7.552s) who was the runner-up. Fahad Al Hamood came third.
Mishal Al Sabr (4.130s) was then a big winner in the Pro Bike class. Mohammed Rashid (4.661s) was the runner-up and Ahmed Nasser the final podium step.