Saudi Falcons take to the circuit ahead of Round 8 of Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Middle East in Doha

Saudi Falcons were part of the strongest grid in the history of the Porsche GT GT3 Cup Challenge Middle East, the leading one-make series in the region, took to the Losail International Circuit ahead of preparations for Round 9 under the lights in Doha.

Reigning champion Abdulaziz AlFaisal and Faisal Binladen arrived at Losail, on the outskirts of Doha, looking to familiarise themselves with the 5.380km circuit for the penultimate weekend of racing.

Losail circuit floodlights will add a new element to proceeding but it was the windy conditions and sand on the track that welcomed drivers as final testing got under way ahead of Rounds 9 and 10.

Abdulaziz will be looking to break Al Nabooda Racings Clemens Schmid run of four wins in a row as he looks to overtake him on the overall championship standings in a pulsating two-horse race in the fourth season of the championship.

Trailing by six-points with four rounds to go, AlFaisal said: “The conditions are not as ideal as those we have encountered in the previous rounds, but it is one factor we have tackle. It will be an exciting weekend of racing, with plenty of action happening on the track. It is brilliant to race under the lights here. I will be looking to close the gap on Schmid, he is in good form, but my target is to be at the top by the end of the weekend.”

Abdulaziz’s team-mate, Binladen, who produced two outstanding rounds at Reem is looking to replicate the results at Losail.

He added: “The track is very exciting and entertaining, but the person who makes the least mistakes will win the race. I have been working hard all season, and I do not want to waste the work I have done in the previous eight rounds, near to the end of the season.”

Walter Lechner, Manager of Porsche Gt3 Cup Challenge Middle East said: “The conditions took us all by surprise. But the weather conditions are one of the factors the drivers have to tackle if they are to compete and win. The conditions were very difficult today, especially the sand on the track. Hopefully they will improve by the time the qualifying rounds and Round 9 begins. Never the less, it will be an absorbing race with plenty of action.”