BIC, Al Sakhir: Clemens Schmid and Zaid Ashkanani are headed for an exciting title showdown in the sixth and final round of the 2014/2015 Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Middle East.
The meeting is set to be held as part of the action-packed support programme to the upcoming Formula One Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix.
Only 12 points separate championship leader Schmid (240) from defending champion Ashkanani (228), and with 25 points going to the winner of each of the two races in the season finale, there is certainly all still to play for.
Schmid has been in fine form all season long, having won seven of the 10 races thus far. His success includes a double in the previous round in Dubai, and he will be hoping to carry his momentum into the title-decider.
The race for the crown is headed down the wire for a second straight season, with Ashkanani claiming the championship by the narrowest of margins last year. The stage is set for a similar and possibly even more thrilling ending this time around, with Schmid in prime position to finish on top.
Ashkanani heads into the last round having won two races previously, and he will be hoping to add to his tally with the two most important events of the season.
Currently ranked third in the overall drivers’ championship is Saeed Al Mehairi with 177 points, while Charlie Frijns is fourth on 170 markers.
Also still up for the taking is the Teams ‘ Championship.
Al Nabooda Racing and Sky Dive Dubai Falcons are the contenders. There are only eight points between them in on the leader board, with Al Nabooda, comprising Schmid and Ahmad Al Harthy, in first on 351 points. Dubai Falcons is made up of Al Mehairi and Sheikh Hasher Al Maktoum.
Team Bahrain is in fifth position and out of contention.
Meanwhile, the drivers’ Silver category is being led by Al Mehairi and Sheikh Hasher.
Raed Raffii of Team Bahrain is in third with 138 points, 16 ahead of Fahad Algosaibi. Raffii’s Team Bahrain partner Mohammed Mattar, who rounds out the standings.
The drivers’ Bronze category is led by Wolfgang Triller with 121 points. Rob Frijns is in second position with 90 markers, and Magnus Othman third on 74 points.
Team Bahrain aces Bahrainis Shaikh Jaber Al Khalifa and Shaikh Hamad Al Khalifa also competed in the Bronze class at some point during the season.
A grid of 19 cars are currently featured n the provisional entry list for the final round. Schmid and Ashkanani lead the way.
The Porsche GT3 Cup is one of two championships being held in support of this year’s Bahrain Grand Prix. The other is the GP2 Series.