Dubai: Fahad Algosaibi produced another sensational performance as he finished in second place in Race 1 of Round 5 in the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Middle East having led for large parts of the race at the Dubai Autodrome. Bandar Alesayi also secured valuable points for Classic Arabia as he claimed third place in the Silver Category to complete a successful day for the KSA drivers.
The drivers took to the track in full knowledge that the Round 5 weekend could be the most critical yet as the penultimate of Season 6. With the slightest margins between every spot in both the drivers’ and teams’ competitions, each race represents a crucial opportunity to gain points in the race to victory.
With dirty and dusty conditions threatening to impede the majority of the drivers taking part, Fahad Algosaibi managed to produce a scintillating drive overtaking championship leader Clemens Schmid in the second lap to lead the race. This was the case up until the sixth lap where Algosaibi ran wide and was forced to slow in the dirty track allowing Schmid to regain top spot. Algosaibi recovered well however and maintained a good pace for the rest of the race to finish second overall and first in the Silver category.
“Myself, Clemens or Zaid could have won it to be honest so congratulations to Clemens. It was so dirty on the track and it caused me to slow down slightly allowing Clemens to overtake me. I’m really happy with the result though and having missed half the season already competing for the top spots really does give me so much confidence. It was so much fun. Clemens put a lot of pressure on me, especially at the corners, where he eventually over took me because I collected a lot of dust which slowed me down considerably. The sandstorm last week still hadn’t really cleared as the track was carrying some residue and I’m just happy to have come away with second place and really looking forward to the Race 2 challenge,” speaking after Race 1 of Round 5 in Dubai, Algosaibi, said.
Algosaibi’s Classic Arabia teammate and fellow KSA driver Bander Alesayi ensured it was a day to remember for the Saudi team as he claimed sixth overall and third in the Silver Category guaranteeing more valuable points as the battle for supremacy continues ahead of Race 2 on Monday.
In blustery conditions Race 1 of Round 5 got off to a flying start with Clemens Schmid taking an early lead from first with Zaid Ashkanani close behind. Sheikh Hasher Al Maktoum of the Skydive Dubai Falcons will feel he suffered most from the start as Fahad Algosaibi and Ahmad Al Harthy immediately closed on his third position, the three steaming towards the first corner side by side by side. Powerful moves saw Algosaibi steal third with Al Harthy fourth and the Skydive duo including Saeed Al Mehairi fifth and sixth in the first lap.
Up front Ashkanani pressured Schmid hard with the front three, including Algosaibi powering away from the pack. Lap three saw championship leader Schmid drop down to third as Algosaibi led with Ashkanani close behind pressuring for the top spot. So often the scene of drama the third-to-last corner saw both Al Nabooda Racing cars lock up with Schmid recovering well while his teammate Ahmad Al Harthy dropped down to fifth.
After leading for a number of laps Fahad Algosaibi was forced from first to third with Zaid Ashkanani securing the lead ahead of Clemens Schmid. Huge pressure from Schmid forced a mistake as Ashkanani gave up his lead and slipped down to third, but it was Algosaibi who snatched the lead ahead of Schmid. The Al Nabooda man was on a mission for the win and eventually squeezed past to take lead.
Further down the pack in the closing stages Ahmad Al Harthy was forced from the track and unable to return in a scene which also cost Sheikh Hasher Al Maktoum five places as he fell down to ninth.
The Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Middle East returns for Race 2 of Round 5 tomorrow ahead of the final and most decisive round of racing at the Bahrain International Circuit in April as the support race for the F1 Bahrain Grand Prix.