Schmidt, Ashkanani look to build on strong start as Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Middle East returns to Reem
Al Nabooda Racing aim to increase Porsche GT3 Cup lead in Saudi
Championship leaders Al Nabooda Racing will be looking to build on their winning record in Saudi Arabia when the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Middle East returns to Reem International Circuit this weekend after a gap of almost three years.
After making a splendid start to the 2015-16 season in Bahrain, Jeffrey Schmidt and Zaid Ashkanani want to increase their early lead in the Porsche GT3 Cup team title race at a venue where the Dubai outfit has good memories.
The last time the series visited Reem, in February 2013, Clemens Schmid won both races from pole position, and along with Karim Al Azhari scored one of the nine team victories that season which gave Al Nabooda Racing the first of two successive GT3 Cup championships.
“That was a very important race weekend for us because it came at crucial stage in the season when we were trying to bring the team title to Dubai for the first time,” said Al Nabooda Racing team manager Vijay Rao.
“Things were very tight, but we came away from Reem in a strong position and never looked back, and we’ll be looking for a similar performance this time. As a UAE team, we’re particularly keen to put up a good showing on UAE National Day weekend.
“Jeffrey and Zaid are both new to the team but are already working well together, and while we were very happy with results in Bahrain, we all want to build on what we achieved there.”
Celebrating their tenth anniversary this season, Al Nabooda Racing go to Saudi holding a 12-point lead in the team championship and are determined to regain the title after finishing runners up last season.
Schmidt has a four-point advantage over Irishman Ryan Cullen at the top of the driver standings. Ashkanani, the 2013-14 champion, is currently joint third and had to show his fighting qualities in Bahrain where he started the second race in seventh position but powered his way through the field to get on the podium.
The talented Kuwaiti driver is also competing in the GP3 series this season and has to make adjustments when switching from a single seater to the Porsche GT3 Cup car.
“It’s all part of his learning curve as a professional racing driver who wants to get to the top, and Zaid will get better and better as the season continues,” said Rao.
“Jeffrey has a great deal of experience in the Porsche which he wants to pass on, and the two guys are very keen to work closely together to get the best out of each other for the benefit of the team.”
Porsche GT3 Cup race action at Reem International Circuit starts at 4.00pm on Friday and Saturday following official practice and qualifying sessions earlier in the afternoon.
Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Middle East – team standings
1. Al Nabooda Racing UAE 88pts
2. Sky Dive Dubai Falcons UAE 76pts
3. Al Faisal Racing KSA 51pts
4. Team Bahrain BAH 41pts
5. Frijns Structural Steel ME NED 31pts
Drivers championship
1. Jeffrey Schmidt 50pts
2. Ryan Cullen 46pts
3. Saeed Al Mehairi 38pts
3. Hasher Al Maktoum 38pts
3. Zaid Ashkanani 38pts
6. Wolfgang Triller 28pts
7. Abdulaziz Al Faisal 26pts
8. Saud Al Faisal 25pts
9. Isa Al Khalifa 24pts
10. Magnus Öhman 22pts