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Shaikh Salman bin Isa bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa enjoyed a double podium in the two races of the penultimate round of the Batelco-sponsored 2000CC Challenge this weekend at the Bahrain International Circuit in Sakhir.
Going head-to-head against main opponent Mustafa Al Khan, Shaikh Salman maintained his lead with two first place finishes in the event which was organised by the Circuit Racing Club under the umbrella of the Bahrain Motor Federation.
Shaikh Salman expressed delight on winning his 12th race of the season adding that it was a superb response to the challenges and competition from Al Khan. He added that he was looking forward to the final round of the season later this month where he hoped to pick up more victories.
The seventh round saw 12 drivers lining up the grid, and participation from Bahraini driver Ahmed Kozbar in the most recent addition to the Challenge, a Ford Focus Zetec 2.0. Unfortunately for Kozbar, he was forced to pull out of the round after facing technical difficulties during the qualifiers.
Shaikh Salman started on pole in the first race of the 10-lap event as he managed to edge out Al Khan with a 2.317 second gap.
But the race took a turn for Essa Al Kooheji and Mike Spahn after they collided, Al Kooheji had to withdraw from the race following severe damage to his car. Meanwhile, Ali Al Kobaisi's third place result was annulled due to car's weight restrictions which put Mohammed Saleh in third instead. The fastest lap was recorded by Shaikh Salman in a time of one minute 22.310 seconds.
The second race was the most thrilling and nail-biting of the season as Al Khan stole the lead at the start and held on to it for several laps before Shaikh Salman managed to glide into first place with a 1.435 second lead.
Al Khan, however, clinched the fastest lap in a time of 1:22.066.
Results
Race 1: 1. Shaikh Salman bin Isa bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa; 2. Mustafa Al Khan; 3. Mohammed Saleh; 4. Mike Spahn; 5. Rashed Al Jowder; 6. Osama Al Boflasa; 7. Karl Tschersich; 8. Faisal Raffii; 9. Carina Ghuloom.
Ahmed Kozbar had to sit out of the race whilst Essa Al Kooheji was forced to withdraw as Ali Al Kobaisi's result was annulled.
Race 2: 1. Shaikh Salman bin Isa bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa; 2. Mustafa Al Khan; 3. Ali Al Kobaisi; 4. Mohammed Saleh; 5. Mike Spahn; 6. Essa Al Kooheji; 7. Karl Tschersich; 8. Rashed Al Jowder; 9. Osama Al Boflasa; 10. Faisal Raffii; 11. Carina Ghuloom.
