Abu Dhabi: Defending champion Prince Abdul Aziz Al Faisal of Saudi Arabia was third fastest in the official practice session ahead of his title defence in the 2010-11 Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Middle East championship which roars to life today as one of the support races to the Formula One finale.
The first round of the new 2010-11 season starts today as the second edition of the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Middle East joins a busy motor racing calendar.
One-make series
Based on the highly successful Porsche formula for one-make series racing, the GT3 Cup Challenge Middle East championship aims to give the Arab world's most promising circuit racing drivers an ideal opportunity to further their international experience.
In yesterday's practice session, which started after a heavy down pour of rain, Bahrain's Shaikh Salman Bin Rashid Al Khalifa set the fastest time. Al Faisal's lap was slower than compatriot Bandar Alesayi's. The rain made it quite difficult for the 14 GT3 drivers who geared up for the new season on the Yas Marina Circuit and Al Khalifa topped the standings with a time of 2:35.694. The Bahraini was almost a full second quicker than Alesayi who timed 2:36.607. Alesayi skidded off into a barrier soon after his effort but was unhurt.
Al Faisal was third at 2:37.223 with Abu Dhabi's Khalid Al Qubaisi fourth at 2:37.937. Saudi teenager Fahd Al Gosaibi was fifth with a time of 2:38.493.
Official practice times:
1. Shaikh Salman Bin Rashid Al Khalifa (BAH) 2:35.694 2. Bandar Alesayi (KSA) 2:36.607 3. Shaikh Abdul Aziz Al Faisal (KSA) 2:37.223. 4. Khalid Al Qubaisi (UAE) tolimit arabia 2:37.937 5. Fahad Al Gosaibi (KSA) ClassicArabia Racing 2:38.493 6. Musaed Al Murar (UAE) to limit Arabia 2:40.293 7. Faisal Bin Laden (KSA) Saudi Falcon Racing 2:42:447 8. Ebrahim Salloum (UAE) AD Falcon Racing 2:42:923
9. Khalid Al Mudhaf (KWT) G-FORCE X Racing 2:44.518 10. Fawaz Al Gosaibi (KSA) ClassicArabia Racing 2:44.719 11. Alain Muraour (Fra) 2:45.295 12. Oscar Slingerland (NL) Speedlover NL 2:46.952 13. Johannes Waimer (GER) 2:49.987 14. Hans Guido Riegel (GER) PAEONIA Racing 2:50.017
