Superstar Ashkanani aims for glory – Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge ME drivers head to Saudi Arabia

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KUWAIT CITY, Dec 1: Season 7 of the region’s leading one-make series returns to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for the first time in over two years between Dec 3-5, with Zaid Ashkanani of Al Nabooda Racing looking to lay down the mark in the high-octane second leg of the 2015/2016 edition of the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Middle East.

The Kuwaiti star had a mixed start to the new campaign at the curtain raiser in Bahrain, finishing ninth in the first race and third in the second race. Come this weekend, however, a revamped Ashkanani will be lining up at the Al Reem International Circuit with his eyes firmly set on challenging atop of the pack after having concluded the FIA GP3 Series in Abu Dhabi last week.

“It’s been a great experience to complete my full first season of the GP3 Series. I feel that I’ve learnt a lot and developed as a professional driver, and I’m reasonably happy with my overall position. At the same time it’s great to finally be able to fully concentrate on the GT3, and I’ll be devoting all my energy in the coming days to prepare for some exciting days of racing in the KSA. Hopefully I can make a strong start and build a decent momentum to really go for it,” Zaid Ashkanani said.

Ever since Zaid Ashkanani made his incredible Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge debut at the tender age of 18, where he claimed sixth place overall and got the coveted Rookie of the Year award, the Kuwaiti prodigy has been on an upward trajectory of adrenaline-fuelled success.

Ashkanani followed up his incredible 2012-13 entrance to the scene in emphatic fashion the year after by sensationally winning the Series only in his second attempt and becoming the youngest Middle Eastern champion of all time in the process. In February 2014 Ashkanani made history yet again, recording the fastest average speed ever, but he was unable to follow up the glory of the season before as Clemens Schmid reclaimed the throne by the slimmest of margins in the final race held at Bahrain International Circuit.

As the elite drivers are now making their way to the illustrious race course in KSA for round two of the new Season, the spotlight is on the 21-year-old who is eyeing his second Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Middle East trophy after switching to the Dubai based Al Nabooda Racing Team – favourites to win the Team Championship.

“I’m really excited for this season, and it’s a great feeling to represent Al Nabooda Racing which have truly been exemplary in their approach to the GT3 Series in the last few years. Everything has been top-notch so far, and I really hope that I can follow up Jeffrey’s [Schmidt] success and record my first win of the new campaign,” Ashkanani said.

Al Nabooda Racing made the perfect start to Season 7 of the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Middle East with Jeffrey Schmidt securing double wins in Bahrain ahead of Ryan Cullen in second and Ashkanani in the final spot on the podium.

“We got the start that we wanted in Bahrain, but we take nothing for granted and we need to be on top of our game in Saudi Arabia. For us it’s all about reclaiming the team title, and we know it’s going to be tough with not only Skydive Dubai going for it, but several other teams. It’s great for all the fans, and it keeps us on our feet,” Schmidt said, while adding:

“It’s great to have such a talented driver like Zaid in our ranks, and I’ll be expecting to go neck and neck with him throughout this whole season. Everything is set for an incredible round 2 in Saudi Arabia!”

Regarded as the purest form of racing with all drivers competing in identical fifth generation Porsche 911 GT3 Cups, the unique one-make series will consist of 12 races between November 2015 and March 2016.

The drivers will now travel to Al Reem International Circuit in Saudi Arabia for an action-packed four days of racing, before three UAE rounds in a row will kick start the New Year across January and February, closely followed by the return to Bahrain for the climactic conclusion to Season 7 in early March.

Race Schedule:

Race 3- 4th Dec 2015

Race 4- 5th Dec 2015

Al Reem International Circuit, KSA

Round 3

Race 5 – 22nd Jan 2016

Race 6 – 22nd Jan 2016

Yas Marina Circuit, UAE

Round 4

Race 7- 29th Jan 2016

Race 8- 30th Jan 2016

Dubai Autodrome, UAE

Round 5

Race 9 – 19th Feb 2016

Race10 – 19th Feb 2016

Dubai Autodrome, UAE

Round 6

Race 11 – 4th March 2016

Race 12 – 5th March 2016

Bahrain International Circuit, Bahrain

This news has been read 5599 times!