Doha: Qatar Motor and Motorcycle Federation (QMMF) and Losail International Circuit are ready for the opening round of the new season for Qatar Superbike and Qatar Challenge. This weekend, under the floodlights of the Qatari track, the first round for both championships will take place with some changes regarding last season.
This year, the two categories in the Qatar Superbike will ride separately and only the free practice will be merged, so the Qualifying session and the Races will be divided into the different categories. The other change is that all the car activity of Qatar Challenge will be focused in one day, on Friday, when the practice, warm up and race will take place all in the same day.
In the Superbike category of Qatar Superbike Championship, the defendant champion and fifth times winner of the QSBK, will try to clinch again the title with the Kawasaki ZX10R in the QMMF Team.
“It’s a great feeling to return to Qatar and race for my 6th straight title. It’s going to be another tough season and I’m looking forward to it,” said Cadlin.
“Unfortunately I haven’t tested the bike like the other riders and it’s been about 5 months since I’ve ridden, but it has given me a good break at home in Australia. I have put in a massive effort in my physical condition in that time and I feel 100%. I’m going into this season full of enthusiasm and confident.”
For sure that Alex Cudlin will have again a tough battle with the Qatari riders Mishal Al Naimi and Nasser Al Malki who finished second and third respectively in the last season.
The German rider Nina Prinz, also riding a Kawasaki ZX10R who finished fourth in the standings last season, will start her third full season with the QMMF Team.
“This season will be my third full season for me and it is always a pleasure for me to be back in Qatar. For the coming season I will give my best and hope for good results,” said Prinz.
The Qatari rider Saeed Al Sulati, who ended in sixth position last championship, feels very confident with his bike and hopes to have a good season: “I feel very confident for the start of the season and my goal this season is to try and be on the podium as much as we can and try to fight for the win , so definitely I will give all my best. Thanks to QMMF President for believing in me and supporting me and all the riders as well.”
Due to the large number of Supersport category entries, SSP will ride separate from SBK and there will be for sure an exciting fight for the supersport title with experienced riders from last year taking part and new coming riders, such as the young Qatari rider Abdulla Naief Al Qubaisi, who will participate in the SSP category with full support of Qatar Motor and Motorcycle Federation (QMMF). The 15 years old rider has been selected to be a candidate in the Shell Advance Asia Talent Cup 2016.
Regarding the Qatar Challenge, it is also expected a higher competition among all the drivers that will take part in the championship.
The winner of last season, the British Honda driver Mark Holroyd is really looking forward to the start of the season.
“I am excited and proud to be defending my title as Qatar Challenge Champion with Team Ooredoo in this 2015-2016 season.” Thanks to the QMMF’s efforts and support.”
On Friday, there will be free practices and qualifying practices for the bikes, starting at 16:45 and the car activity will start at 20:00 with the Free Practice for QCH.
The car race is scheduled on Friday at 23:30. On Saturday, there will be the four races for the bikes, two for each category, with the first race at 18:00 and the last one at 22:00. The Main grandstand is open to the public.
Nasser bin Khalifa Al Attiyah, QMMF President and LIC General Manager is really looking forward for the start of a new season of Qatar SuperBike and Qatar Challenge.
“I am very happy to start the new season, last year we finished the season in a very high performance and a great level of quality between all the riders and drivers. For sure this season, both championships will be stronger as we have more entries and will give bigger challenge to all the participants,” said the QMMF President.
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