Defending champion wins Round 6 as Bahraini snatches second from Al Qubaisi on dramatic last lap in Saudi

Prince Abdulaziz scores Porsche GT3 Cup win as Salman retains series lead

Riyadh.  Saudi Arabia’s Prince Abdulaziz Al Faisal cruised to a comfortable victory in Round 6 of the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Middle East today while Bahrain’s Sheikh Salman bin Rashid Al Khalifa retained his championship lead in dramatic style at Reem International Circuit outside Riyadh.

After claiming pole position for the second day in succession, Prince Abdulaziz led from start to finish and eventually won by 18 seconds to atone for his setback 24 hours earlier when the defending champion could only manage fourth place.

But the real drama unfolded behind him as Sheikh Salman survived a spin on the first corner which dropped him to fifth position and eventually snatched second place from Abu Dhabi’s Khaled Al Qubaisi in spectacular fashion on the final lap.

That was the climax of a breathtaking race-long battle for the podium places which changed hands several times as Salman, Al Qubaisi, teenager Fahad Algosaibi and Saudi’s Bandar Alesayi fought for every inch on the twisting Reem circuit.

After climbing from third to second place with a brilliant start, Al Qubaisi held on to that position until half way through the 18th and final lap when first Alesayi threatened to move past him before Sheikh Salman squeezed ahead of them both.

He now takes home a six-point lead over Prince Abdulaziz to carry into Rounds 7 and 8 at Bahrain International Circuit on February 18-19.

Round 6 results

1. Abdulaziz Al Faisal (KSA) Al Faisal Racing Team               25:45.678

2. Salman Bin Rashid Al Khalifa (BAH)                                  26:03.750

3. Khaled Al Qubaisi (UAE) tolimit Arabia                               26:04.580

4. Bandar Alesayi (KSA)                                                         26:04.711

5. Fahad Algosaibi (KSA) ClassicArabia Racing                       26:04.926

6. Hamad Al Khalifa (BAH)                                                      26:23.995

7. Musaed Al Murar (UAE) tolimit arabia                                 26:26.505

8. Ibrahim Salloum (UAE) Abu Dhabi Falcon Racing 26:36.538

9. Johannes Waimer (GER)                                                    26:41.363

10. Bandar Alireza (KSA)                                                        26:50.050

11. Alain Muraour (F)                                                              26:09.995 (- 1 lap)

Championship positions after six rounds

1. Salman Bin Rashid Al Khalifa (BAH)                                  110pts

2. Abdulaziz Al Faisal (KSA) Al Faisal Racing Team               104pts

3. Khaled Al Qubaisi (UAE) tolimit Arabia                               98pts

4. Fahad Algosaibi (KSA) ClassicArabia Racing                      85pts

5. Bandar Alesayi (KSA)                                                         80pts

6. Musaed Al Murar (UAE) tolimit arabia                                 57pts

7. Ibrahim Salloum (UAE) Abu Dhabi Falcon Racing 49pts

8. Johannes Waimer (GER)                                                   37pts

9. Fawaz Algosaibi (KSA) ClassicArabia Racing                     27pts

11. Alain Muraour (F)                                                              25pts

Mobil 1 Trophy (Over 45s)

1. Johannes Waimer (GER)                                                   110pts

2. Alain Muraour (F)                                                                92pts

3. Fawaz Algosaibi (KSA) ClassicArabia Racing                     74pts

Tag Cloud

Alonso Barrichello Bassinaud Brawn GP BTCC Button Clark Rodgers DTM elf F1 F3 Euro Series Ferrari FIA Formula 1 Formula 2 Goodies Speed Shop GP2 GP3 Grosjean Hamilton Honest Engines Tallahassee Fla Indy 500 Indycar kimi Laguna Seca Le Mans McLaren Mercedes Michelin Mondial Monza Motorsports NASCAR Nasir Podcast Red Bull Renault Schumacher Shell Total USF1 Vettel Webber Weekly WSR