Manama: The winning drivers of last season’s Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Middle East were honoured at the ‘Night of Champions’ award ceremony at the Bahrain International Circuit ahead of the new season on Saturday.
Last season’s champion Ryan Cullen of Ireland, Oman’s silver category winner Al Faisal Al Zubair and bronze category champion Magnus Ohman of Sweden, were all presented with their trophies.
Al Zubair also picked up the Rookie Championship trophy, while father and son Rob and Charlie Frijns were presented with the Team Championship title.
Series founder and manager Walter Lechner said: “What a wonderful way to look forward to the new season by celebrating all the achievements of the past.
“It’s a proud moment to see last season’s champions return and share an occasion with eager fresh new drivers just starting out on their journey.
“Every single driver should be congratulated for the contribution they have made to motorsport in the Middle East and a series that is growing year-on-year.
“Already you can feel the energy and excitement build as the countdown to the opening race on November 17 in Bahrain. We’ve a bigger grid and more nations represented than ever before, so I’m sure the scenes of celebration tonight will have inspired the new breed of drivers awaiting the start of Season Nine.”
Season eight champion Cullen, who returns to the series as a coach this season, said: “It’s very special to return to the region especially after a successful summer driving in the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup. Victory in my first championship has finally sunk in and I believe my strong performances since were built upon the learning experiences, confidence and preparation gained by racing in the Middle East. Hopefully I can pass this onto others.”
The new season consists of six race weekends and 12 races over six months with an expanded grid featuring new drivers from South Africa, Scotland, Oman and Germany. Drivers from nine different countries will compete across Dubai Autodrome, Yas Marina and the Bahrain International Circuit.
