Motorsports Mondial

Saudi champion hits back to score GT3 Cup victory

Bahrain. Saudi Arabia’s Prince Adulaziz Al Faisal underlined his determination to clinch a second successive title triumph in the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Middle East by winning Round 4 at Bahrain International Circuit today.

Hindered by gearbox problems 24 hours earlier when he finished fifth in the previous round, the defending champion was in brilliant form today, starting from pole position and moving into a six seconds lead from Abu Dhabi’s Khaled Al Qubaisi at the half way mark.

Again highlighting the great progress he has made since last season, Al Qubaisi piled on the pressure in the closing laps but Al Faisal held on to win by 0.671 seconds.

Teenager Fahad Algosaibi took the other podium place, with Bahrain’s Round 3 winner Sheikh Salman Bin Rashid Al Khalifa having to settle for fourth position on this occasion. His consolation was that he still leads the 12-round championship by two points

The top six was completed by Saudi’s Bandar Alesayi and Al Qubaisi’s Abu Dhabi team-mate, Musaed Al Murar (UAE) who was the top rookie for the fourth race in a row.

Round 4 results

1. Abdulaziz Al Faisal (KSA) Al Faisal Racing Team              22:41.822

2. Khaled Al Qubaisi (UAE) tolimit Arabia                              22:42.492

3. Fahad Algosaibi (KSA) ClassicArabia Racing                    22:43.732

4. Salman Bin Rashid Al Khalifa (BAH)                                 22:47.873

5. Bandar Alesayi (KSA)                                                         22:49.669

6. Musaed Al Murar (UAE) tolimit arabia                               22:58.255

7. Ibrahim Salloum (UAE) Abu Dhabi Falcon Racing            23:24.728

8. Johannes Waimer (GER)                                                     23:37.478

9. Fawaz Algosaibi (KSA) ClassicArabia Racing                   23:38.440

10. Alain Muraour (F)                                                              22:49.001 1 lap

Championship positions after four rounds:

1. Salman Bin Rashid Al Khalifa (BAH)                                 72pts

2. Abdulaziz Al Faisal (KSA) Al Faisal Racing Team             70pts

3. Khaled Al Qubaisi (UAE) tolimit Arabia                              64pts

4. Fahad Algosaibi (KSA) ClassicArabia Racing                    57pts

5. Bandar Alesayi (KSA)                                                         54pts

6. Musaed Al Murar (UAE) tolimit arabia                               39pts

7. Ibrahim Salloum (UAE) Abu Dhabi Falcon Racing            34pts

8. Fawaz Algosaibi (KSA) ClassicArabia Racing                   27pts

9. Faisal Binladen (KSA) Saudi Falcon Racing                      22pts

10. Johannes Waimer (GER)                                                   15pts