AlFaisal brothers make competitive debut in Race 1 qualifying as Season 7 of Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Middle East starts in Bahrain

Saudi Arabia’s AlFaisal Racing duo of Abdulaziz AlFaisal and his brother Saud, took to the track for Race 1 qualifying in the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Middle East Season 7 opener at the Bahrain International Circuit, Sakhir posting exciting times which suggest the team could compete for victory in the team championship. 

Held as part of the prestigious FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) final weekend the region’s leading drivers took pride of place as the first cars out on the stunning 5.40 km grand-prix configured track.     

On a sun-drenched morning filled with excitement, adrenaline and a few nerves amongst the 15 drivers taking to the track, two-time former champion Abdulaziz AlFaisal secured sixth position in the gold class which his brother Saud Was seventh overall but second in his silver category.

During a frantic quick-fire qualifying session lasting only 30 minutes, Qatar-based Charlie Frijns stole the show, clinching pole for the first race in the twelve race series with a time of 2:04.549. In close pursuit also signalling his intent as a serious title contender debutant Jeffrey Schmidt secured second, only 0.281 seconds behind.

After qualifying in sixth for Race 1 Abdulaziz AlFaisal said: “It’s not the greatest place to start but I’ll be looking to use all my experience to capitalise on opportunities and move up a few spots in the race. What is encouraging is the pace we managed as a team and that with Saud starting strongly, we are hoping to be in the fight for the team title from the very start.” 

After securing seventh overall in qualifying for Race 1 Saud AlFaisal said: “I am pretty happy to be honest. I haven’t had a huge amount of time in the car but Abdulaziz has passed on a huge amount of information and learnings and it’s great to have put them to good use. I’m excited for the start of Race 1 as it’s going to be a real thrill and I’m looking forward to a competitive season.” 

The second row of the grid comprised of championship newcomer Ryan Cullen from Ireland and Al Nabooda Racing’s Zaid Ashkanani with less than a second splitting the first six drivers on the grid. A clear indication that Season 7 is poised to be more competitive than any in the history of the championship with as many as six drivers all in with a real chance of winning the most prized title in Middle East racing.    

Manager of the Middle East championship, Walter Lechner of Lechner Racing added: “This morning is a beautiful testimony to far this championship has come in our seven years of racing in the region, how far the drivers have come and why the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Middle East is so vital to the future of the sport. 

“This championship and our drivers are sharing centre stage with the world’s leading endurance racers as well as the stars of GP2 and GP3. We’re proud to be in the spotlight as the only professional championship of its kind in the Middle East and sitting at the heartbeat of world motorsport. To have fifteen on the grid, ultra-competitive times and two races ahead of us this week, it’s the perfect start to our new season.”     

Regarded as the purest form of racing with all drivers competing in identical fifth generation Porsche 911 GT3 Cups, the unique one-make series will consist of 12 races between November 2015 and March 2016. 

Round 1 of Season 7 of the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Middle East takes place at Bahrain International Circuit on the 20th and 21st of November 2015. On Friday 20th the first race of the championship starts at 18:10. The second race of the opening round is scheduled for 12:00 on Saturday 21st November.