Team Bahrain duo of Salman bin Rashid Al Khalifa and Mohammed Mattar have welcomed the presence and added competition of Qatar racing legend Nasser bin Saleh Al Attiyah, who is set to make his series debut for Team QMMF (Qatar Motor & Motorcycling Federation) in Round 4 of the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Middle East at the Losail International Circuit this weekend.
Team Bahrain, who have so far had a challenging season are looking forward to the fresh prospect of lining-up against as well as gaining knowledge from the world-renowned Qatari rally driver.
“I have followed his career very closely and he is of the highest calibre of motorsport drivers and it is fantastic to have Al Attiyah on the grid. It will take him some time to get used to the new Porsche 911 GT3 Cup but once he does he will be threat and will be challenging in the top half of the table,” speaking ahead of Round 4, Salman bin Rashid said
An all-round sporting talent who won bronze in the men’s skeet event at the London Olympics in 2012 and has competed in five Olympic Games, Al Attiyah is set to test himself for the first time in a Porsche adding to his successful career in rally driving. The Qatari is a Dakar Rally champion and recently finished third in the annual off-road endurance race as well as a nine-time FIA Middle East Rally Championship winner.
In his first outing in the new Porsche 911 GT3 Cup, Al Attiyah recorded respectable times around the Losail International Circuit, but is adamant that he will improve his time as he adjusts to the Porsche and the whole new concept of driving.
“It is a great feeling to be associated with this leading series and it will be a totally different challenge for me. All my life I have competed in rally and have won many championships and the greatest rally race of them all, the arduous Dakar rally. But this will be a totally different challenge, it is the leading series in the region, with quality drivers competing, I would like to thank the support of QMMF and for the opportunity. I am so looking forward to it and testing myself against the best,” looking forward to his first competitive action, Al Attiyah said.
The previous round under the lights saw the region’s leading drivers encounter tough conditions in Qatar as it heads towards the business end of the season where every points counts. Reigning champion Clemens Schmid of Al Nabooda Racing, currently leads the championship by 27 points, will be targeting two victories as he closes in on his second title.
Mattar and bin Rashid will be looking for a strong Round 4. After coming runner-up in the Silver Michelin category, Mattar will be determined to fight his way up through the standings.
“It has not been the greatest of season as far as performance and results are concerned. But I have put the disappointment behind me and am looking ahead and finishing on a strong note. The previous round here was tough with the conditions but, taking away the elements, I mean business this weekend and looking for two strong races,”speaking ahead of Round 4, Mattar said.