Abdul Aziz clinches bike race in thriller

Dubai: The showdown to the final rounds of the EMSF UAE National Superstock Bike Championship 2006 gained pace last weekend.

Saudi-based crowd favourite Abdul Aziz turned in a sterling performance in an attempt to wrest the leadership position from Yamaha rider Grant Yake at the Dubai Autodrome, where Rounds 11 and 12 of the championship were held.

The event witnessed some of the most amazing riding so far in the championship with Abdul Aziz and Yake pushing hard for the coveted trophy.

Going into the weekend races, Yake led the championship with 87 points followed by Abdul Aziz with 67 and Andy Flint with 66. Honda rider Jonnie Pienaar was fourth with 65 points.

In the first race of the day, Yake crossed the finish line 10.237 seconds ahead of Kawasaki rider Abdul Aziz. The podium topper added an extra point for securing pole position and another for recording the fastest lap of 2:16.371.

Abdul Aziz claimed eight points for finishing second while Pienaar came in third. Suzuki rider Flint, the one-time series leader, had to be content with the fourth position. Luke Howard, riding a Suzuki, crashed on the third lap and did not finish the race.

The second race of the day, however, was by far the best yet of the inaugural championship.

Abdul Aziz, who was exerting pressure on Yake for six laps with just 0.2 seconds separating them, made a final push with a daring overtaking manoeuvre, taking the inside line of the last corner of the final lap.

In the process, the Saudi rider secured yet another lap record of 2:16.271 adding 11 championship points to his tally, bringing him closer to series leader Yake, who finished second.

The race saw a much improved Rod Scott fighting neck-and-neck with Pienaar and Flint for a podium place.

Scott eventually had to be content with fourth position after being eased out by Piennar, who secured third by a tiny margin of 0.493 seconds. Yake retains his leadership position having ended the day with 101 points; Abdul Aziz and Flint are in second and third positions having secured 85 and 74 points respectively.

Abdul Aziz still stands an outside chance of overhauling Yake going into the finals rounds of the championship on May 19. With the countdown having begun in earnest for next weekend's finale, the championship is poised for a thrilling finish.

Standings:
(After rounds 11 & 12)

1 . Grant Yake 101; 2. Abdul Aziz 85; 3. Andy Flint 74; 4. Johnnie Pienaar 72.