Humaid looks to put the Mazda Lola Coupe on the podium in Ohio
Emirati’s Mazda Lola Coupé gears up for the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Challenge
Humaid Al Masaood will be looking to build on an impressive start to his participation in the American Le Mans Series (ALMS) as the Oryx Racing team heads to Ohio for round six this weekend. Following on from podium finishes recorded in his opening two races, the Abu Dhabi-based racer is hoping for a similar success story on the Lexington based permanent road track.
Al Masaood and teammate Steve Kane will be looking to emulate last year’s victory on the same circuit by their sister Dyson Racing car which currently leads the overall championship. Oryx Racing is looking to build on its third place success in Canada on a track that is recognized as the most competitive course in the US.
The Emirati is in buoyant mood ahead of the latest ALMS installment. “To finish third in both races so far is a great achievement, but now the focus turns to Ohio where we aim to improve again and target the Championship leaders,” said Al Masaood. “This track will suit us more than Mosport did and we will be looking to take advantage of the 3.5km, 15 turn circuit and post a strong finishing position.”
Al Masaood’s contribution to the ALMS continues in impressive fashion as he continues to set the benchmark for Middle East motorsport. Racing against some of the world’s top sportscar drivers, he is the first Emirati to take part in top-flight international sports car racing and has drawn global attention with successive podium triumphs.
Al Masaood and Kane are contesting the final seven rounds of this year’s ten race ALMS and have recorded successive third place finishes in their first two races at Lime Rock and Mosport. Their Mazda Lola Coupé LMP1 category car is fitted with a turbocharged Mazda MZR-R engine, which delivers over 500 bhp and over 400 lb-ft of torque, powering it from 0-100 km/h in 3.2 seconds and on to a top speed of 320 km/h.
LMP1 cars are regarded as the leaders of sports prototype racing, and are the front running cars in the Intercontinental Le Mans Cup, the European and American Le Mans Series and the legendary Le Mans 24 hour race.
Motorsport fans can find all the latest news on the Oryx Racing team’s participation in the 2011 ALMS by visiting www.oryxracing.com or www.americanlemans.com.
