Abu Dhabi: The UAE’s local motorsport enthusiasts were treated to two full days of close-fought, nail-biting racing action last weekend at Yas Marina Circuit, according to organisers.
On both Friday and Saturday, new and familiar faces among the 10 UAE-based drivers lined up on the grid as the circuit welcomed back its homegrown, single-make championship, the TRD 86 Cup, for the first round in its second season.
As expected, last year’s reigning champion Karim Al Azhari started the weekend well, and stormed to first across the finish line on Friday with a time of 21 minutes and 50.624 seconds, pipping his close rival Shihab Al Faheem by less than half a second (0.432 seconds), with Ahmad Al Melaihi taking third 16.034 seconds later.
However, Al Azhari’s luck didn’t extend to Saturday’s race, as he came eighth in a time of 23:22.851 seconds. Shihab Al Faheem bettered his performance from the day before and came first with a time of 22:03.376, leaving him at the top of the driver standings ahead of Round 2 in December. A new entrant, Gregory Pain, finished second, clocking in 8.170 seconds later, followed by Mohammad Abdul Ghaffar in third, with a time of 22:39.456 seconds.
“It’s great to be back at Yas Marina Circuit competing for the TRD 86 Cup,” said Al Faheem. “This is my first win ever and it feels great. My team have worked so hard and we are glad for the fantastic win.
“The competition has evolved with lots of familiar faces from last year and I am happy to be racing with great drivers.”
Speaking from the race, Al Tareq Al Ameri, Chief Executive Officer of Yas Marina Circuit, said: “We have fulfilled our intention of growing an accessible and affordable motor-racing competition through Yas Motor Racing Club, and we are very pleased to see new faces on the grid as we enter our second season.
“The championship always throws up surprises as this weekend has demonstrated and we are looking forward to seeing how the championship will play out over the next five exciting rounds.”
In addition to the second season of the TRD 86 Cup, Yas Racing Series also saw the return of the NGK Series, which provided action over two races.
Race One saw Leon Price take the chequered flag, finishing in 20 minutes, 54.371 seconds, with Thani Hanna following 33.014 seconds later, edging out Tom Bale by 0.228 seconds for third.
Race Two produced a reverse in finishing positions that saw Tom Bale win (20 mins and 35.629 seconds) and Hanni finish runner-up 35.574 seconds behind, with Richard Ardolino crossing the line 0.14 seconds later.
