Al Nabooda Racing launch their bid for a third successive team triumph in the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Middle East this weekend as Clemens Schmid and Ahmad Al Harthy look to give their new partnership a winning start at Bahrain International Circuit.
The defending champions are confident ahead of the 2014-15 season which gets under way on Friday at the home of the Bahrain F1 Grand Prix where they have dominated GT3 Cup races since entering a two-car team in the series in 2012.
Al Nabooda Racing have clinched team honours in each of the eight rounds staged at the circuit over the last two seasons, with Schmid scoring six individual victories in the process.
Schmid, the 2012-13 Porsche GT3 Cup individual champion and runner-up last season, is relishing a return to Bahrain as he targets a hat-trick of team championship wins.
“I'm really excited about the new season,” he said after sitting out last weekend’s pre-season testing in Bahrain where Al Harthy caught the eye, setting the third fastest lap time.
“I saw the test results and it seemed that Ahmad was right on the pace from the beginning. He won a Porsche GT3 Cup race in 2011 so he’s obviously a really good driver, and it's good to have him on board. I think it will be a great season.”
Asked about his hopes for the weekend as he teams up with Schmid for the first time in Al Nabooda Racing colours, Al Harthy said: “Two wins, two poles and two fastest laps would be great – but seriously, let’s wait and see.
“As a team we have to be realistic. Some race weekends can go perfectly, but it’s going to be a very competitive season and some times we will have to accept the points we get and move on to the next round.
“The Bahrain a fast, challenging circuit and because it’s an F1 track there are plenty of overtaking areas compared with others, so it’s always exciting.”
Al Nabooda Racing secured the GT3 Cup title last season with a 65-point winning margin over Saudi Falcons.
“That will be a hard act to follow,” said Vijay Rao, Team Manager and General Manager, Al Nabooda Automobiles.
“But Clemens is looking very sharp and Ahmad has put a lot of effort into testing so we’re confident they’ll form a very strong partnership.”
