Clemens Schmid of Al Nabooda Racing continued his title push in the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Middle East by winning the opening race of Round 4 at Losail International Circuit.
The UAE-based driver collected maximum points after closest rival Zaid Ashkanani of Kuwait was hit by a 20sec penalty for a jump start while on pole position.
Despite crossing the finish line in first place, Ashkanani was pushed down to fourth.
Former champion Abdulaziz Al Faisal of Saudi Falcons was promoted to second while Fahad Algosaibi, also of Saudi Arabia, completed the podium.
The result sees Schmid extend his lead in the championship to 33 points.
In a sporting gesture after the win, reigning champion Schmid said: “The real winner today was Zaid Ashkanani, but motorsport can be cruel. Luck has gone my way and I am very pleased to have got maximum points for Al Nabooda Racing.
“It was an unfortunate error from Zaid and it can happen to any driver. He wanted to get off to a good start.
“I’m just pleased to have extended my lead in the championship with a solid drive. It’s the result I wanted as I move further ahead at a critical time in the season.”
The most intense battle for points and track position saw the UAE’s Skydive Dubai Falcons produce their most courageous performances yet.
The duo of Sheikh Hasher Al Maktoum and Saeed Al Mehairi grew with confidence throughout practice and qualifying before going head-to-head and overcoming Team Bahrain’s former champion Salman bin Rashid Al Khalifa and Mohammed Matter.
Sheikh Hasher claimed a credible fifth moving up from seventh on the grid with Al Mehairi in sixth, adding further valuable team points for the Emirati debutants.
STANDINGS: AFTER 7 RACES
1. Clemens Schmid 171pts
2. Zaid Ashkanani 138
3. Abdulaziz Al Faisal 135
4. Hasher Al Maktoum 120
5. Karim Al Azhari 108
TEAMS
1. Al Nabooda Racing (UAE ) 275pts
2. Saudi Falcons (KSA) 237
3. Skydive Dubai Falcons (UAE ) 211
4. BuzaidGT (KUW) 206
5. Team Bahrain (BA H) 152
6. Milon Racing (GER) 93
