Manama: Ryan Cullen secured the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Middle East championship with victory in the final race of the six-stage season in Manama on Sunday, ahead of the F1 Bahrain Grand Prix.
The Irishman crossed the line ahead of Luxembourg’s Dylan Pereira and Holland’s Charlie Frijns for his eighth victory of the season, it followed his third-place finish behind Al Faisal Al Zubair and Frijns in the weekend’s opening race on Saturday. Frijns finished second in the overall series ahead of Pereira who leapfrogged Britain’s Tom Oliphant for third.
“I sealed the championship yesterday [Saturday] but it feels so good to finish the season with a win,” said Cullen. “There was less pressure today [Sunday] and I wanted to be able to go out and enjoy myself.”
Pereira took an early lead after overtaking Frijns on the first corner, but Cullen came from behind to win.
“I didn’t have the best of starts but after turn one I managed to keep the pressure on both Dylan and Charlie in front of me. I waited patiently as I didn’t want to do anything too silly but as soon as I saw my opportunity I made a move and managed to overtake both cars at the same time.
“It’s been a special weekend for me, I started my championship here in November with a win and now I’ve finished on the top step again five months later. I’m going away from the Middle East with huge confidence and will be looking to make the most of this form in Europe this summer.”
Al Zubair won the silver category and took the GCC Rookie Award.