Bahrain’s Sheikh Salman Bin Rashid Al Khalifah, determined to bounce back from his disappointing start to the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Middle East last month, set the early pace as the series returned to action in Saudi Arabia today.
Warming up for this afternoon’s third round of the series at Reem International Circuit outside Riyadh, Sheikh Salman was fastest in official practice this morning with a time of 1:16:856.
He was followed by the joint championship leaders, Saudi’s Prince Abdulaziz Al Faizal in 1:17:304 and his cousin and team-mate, Prince Khalid Al Faisal, with a time of 1:17:637.
It was the perfect response by Sheikh Salman who started as favourite to win the new Porsche one-make series, sponsored by Michelin and Mobil 1, but could manage only a fourth place finish from the first two rounds in Bahrain.
Lying third in the championship, Saudi’s Bandar Alireza was fourth fastest in 1:17:737 ahead of team-mate Bandar Al Esayi in 1:17:753 and 16-year old Fahad Al Ghosaibi, 1:17:760, who goes to school in Bahrain and is the youngest driver to compete in a Porsche worldwide.
Making a guest appearance in the series as Saudi Arabia stages its first ever international circuit racing event, Lebanon’s Nabil “Billy” Karam was well off the pace and admitted he will need time to adjust to the Porsche GT3 Cup Car and the very demanding Reem circuit.
Round 3 Official practice results
1. Salman Bin Rashid Al Khalifa (BAH) 1:16:856
2. Abdulaziz Al Faisal (KSA), Al Faisal Racing Team 1:17:304
3. Khalid Al Faisal (KSA), Al Faisal Racing Team 1:17:637
4. Bandar Alireza (KSA), Reem Racing Team 1:17:737
5. Bandar Alesayi (KSA), Reem Racing Team 1:17:753
6. Fahad Algosaibi (KSA), Algosaibi Travel Racing 1:17:760
7. Faisal Binladen (KSA), Reem Racing Team 1:18:346
8. Raed Abuzenadah (KSA), Reem Racing Team 1:18:752
9. Khaled Al Qubaisi (UAE), Tolimit Racing 1:18:981
10. Nabil Karam (RL) Karam Rally Team 1:19:865
11. Jaap Vaandrager (NL) 1:20:345
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