THE Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Middle East returns to the Bahrain International Circuit (BIC) for the championship’s opening rounds on Friday and Saturday.
The series, now entering its fourth season, features leading drivers and some of the most promising home-grown talent from the region, racing over 12 rounds across six weekends until March 2013, with the BIC confirmed as a host for the opening and closing rounds of the championship.
Created to inspire a new generation of Arab racing drivers and offer a platform into the world of international GT and sports car racing, the one-make series has already proved vastly popular amongst local drivers and fans alike.
BIC chief executive Shaikh Salman bin Isa Al Khalifa said: "This category of motorsport has a proven track record and pedigree in producing drivers that truly compete in major international race series."
Walter Lechner, manager of the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Middle East, added: ìThose who finish on the podium in Bahrain will have certainly earned it.î
Drivers predicted to challenge for the points include Clemens Schmid of Dubai-based Al Nabooda Racing and defending Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Middle East champion Abdulaziz Turki Al Faisal.
The weekend’s events get underway on Friday with qualifying runs followed by Round 1 in the afternoon on the BIC’s inner track (2.5643km). The format is repeated on Saturday for Round 2.
Also set for an exciting showcase is the BIC 2,000cc Challenge. The Bahrain-based series held its opening meeting in September in support of the Six Hours of Bahrain, FIA World Endurance Championship event.
Organised by the Circuit Racing Club in co-operation with the Bahrain Motor Federation and BIC, the calendar consists of eight rounds and a tight field that is led by defending champion Stephen Kellogg.
Tickets to the Kick-Off National Racing weekend cost BD2 for adults for both days and BD1 for children. They will be available at the gate.
