Dubai: Al Nabooda Racing’s Clemens Schmid will finish the year at the top of Drivers’ Championship of Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Middle East after he claimed the second race of Round 2 at Dubai Autodrome this weekend.
Zaid Ashkanani, defending champion from Kuwait, finished in second place ahead of Emirati driver Shaikh Hasher Al Maktoum of Skydive Dubai Falcons, his second podium of the weekend.
After a poor start cost him valuable points in Race 1, Schmid made amends in Race 2 as he bolted off the line from second place on the grid and was ahead of Ashkanani as they approached turn one. As the race progressed, the UAE-based driver held off the speedy Kuwaiti throughout to ensure he bounced straight back following a fifth place finish in Race 1 one day earlier, securing vital championship points in the process.
Speaking after his victory over Ashkanani by 0.586 seconds, Schmid said: “It definitely wasn’t an easy race, although I had a good start and got out in front. Leading from the front can often be difficult as the there is no room for error and Zaid (Ashkanani) was right behind me the whole way.
“After yesterday’s disappointing results, I was keen to do better, but I was pushed all the way by the competition. Obviously I’m delighted to get the win in front of the home fans and secure those crucial points for myself and the team. It’s a great end to a great weekend of racing.”
For Skydive Dubai, it was mixed fortunes in Race 2, although the duo will consider the race weekend a strong development and ultimately a success especially in the race for the team championship. Following Saeed Al Mehairi’s historic victory in Race 1, the Emirati was unable to replicate his form in the second outing, qualifying in eighth position and eventually finishing the race in fifth. His teammate Shaikh Hasher managed to produce a more consistent performance however, qualifying in fifth and finishing in third just as he did in the previous race.
