Doha: Kuwait’s Zaid Ashkanani was unbeatable as he led from start to finish in Race 1 of Round 4 of the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge at Losail International Circuit in Doha, yesterday, cutting the gap to series leader Clemens Schmid to just 8 points at the top of the Drivers’ Standings and securing him his first win of the season.
After reaching the half way mark of Season 6 at Losail International Circuit at the end of January following three rounds and six races, Race 1 of Round 4 represented the start of the second half of the season with the drivers being tested on the floodlit track.
Despite practicing in daylight, the racers qualified and competed in night conditions making Qatar one of the most technically challenging races in the series.
After posting a blistering time in qualifying defending champion Ashkanani showed his class to hold on to his lead despite early pressure from current championship leader Schmid.
Securing the success for the Kuwaiti was a quick start that allowed him to close off any gaps as well as the correct technical setup from his crew which saw him only pull further and further away from his nearest challengers as the race went on.
The win means Ashkanani now sits eight points behind Schmid in the overall championship with five more races to go in the season.
Speaking after his first victory of the season Ashkanani said: “I have a great car so the Porsche 911 GT3 Cup is the biggest winner here. It’s really consistent and this is one of the biggest factors in helping me succeed but I could not be happier but it wasn’t easy.”
After qualifying in first place, the start of the race was going to be crucial for defending champion Ashkanani with Schmid eyeing a good start to try and get the better of his rival on the first corner. As soon as the lights went Ashkanani shot off and moved to the middle of the track to defend his early lead which he held through the first corner. Following close behind was the Saudi Arabian driver Fahad Algosaibi who started third and maintained his position
Further back in the field Ahmad Al Harthy launched off the start line and up to an outstanding fourth from ninth position at the expense of Charlie Frijns and the Skydive Duo.
Close tussles during the first lap saw Sheikh Hasher Al Maktoum and Charlie Frijns drop back further as Raed Raffii worked his way through the pack and up to fourth as Al Harthy began to slip down.
Sensing an opportunity it was Al Mehairi who made the most of the racing conditions and squeezed past Raffii into fourth spot.
Some slight damage to the front of Al Maktoum’s car meant he was forced to retire at the halfway stage.
As the race continued Ashkanani only built on his lead over Schmid with Frijns pressing Al Harthy and pushing past him in the closing stages.
The drivers now look ahead to Race 2 of Round 4 which will take place in the same conditions as Race 1, under the floodlights of Losail International Circuit. Following the Qatar weekend the drivers head to Round 5.
Set to take place at Dubai Autodrome, it tees up a final showdown in Bahrain which will act as a support race to the official Bahrain Grand Prix weekend in April, signifying that the competitors are entering the most crucial part of the season.
The region’s leading drivers will line-up in the Porsche 911 GT3 Cup again as the star attractions at Losail International Circuit for Race 2 Round 4 on Friday the 6th of February.THE PENINSULA
