Porsche GT3 Cup: Tense battle ahead as Schmidt leads going into Round 5 at Dubai Autodrome

Jeffrey Schmidt, tops the Overall Championship Standings with just a 5-point lead over Ryan Cullen

Thurs Feb 18th 2016 – Preparations for the penultimate round of the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Middle East got underway today in blistering fashion as drivers returned to the Dubai Autodrome for practice ahead of a third back-to-back UAE race weekend. Round 5 races into action on Friday, February 19 before returning to Bahrain for the series finale in just two weeks, with everything to play for in the business end of the season.

For UAE-based drivers Jeffrey Schmidt and Zaid Ashkanani of Al Nabooda Racing, Round 5 represents a crucial opportunity for the duo to leverage a home advantage and extend their lead at the top of the Team Championship standings before Season 7 returns to Bahrain for its ultimate showdown next month. Clocking the two fastest lap times in practice today at Dubai Autodrome’s Grand Prix Circuit, the Al Nabooda pair looked in peak form going into the penultimate round of the season.

For Jeffrey Schmidt, who also tops the Overall Championship Standings with just a 5-point lead over Ryan Cullen and teammate Ashkanani a close third, the title still hangs in the balance with two rounds to go. Although racing on home soil should give the driver a boost of confidence, it has not always been smooth sailing for Schmidt at the Dubai Autodrome as it also represents the only track where he has lost a race this season. He knows just how important it will be to put in a strong performance this weekend to gain crucial points and a comfort level going into the ultimate round in Bahrain.

Speaking ahead of Round 5 at the Dubai Autodrome Al Nabooda Racing’s Jeffrey Schmidt said:

“It was a successful practice this morning. The car feels good and I managed to get the fastest lap time this morning which is always a positive ahead of qualifying. It is a slightly different track lay out from last time and the first part is still quite tricky but overall it is nice to be back here again.”

“We need to work really hard this weekend as the guys behind me in second and third are getting closer and I need to try and extend the lead going into the final round. There will be a lot of fans and sponsors here again this weekend for Al Nabooda and it would be great to be able to celebrate two victories tomorrow evening,” he added.

Both races of the penultimate round will take place at Dubai Autodrome on Friday, 19th February with all fans welcome. Widely favoured as one of the most challenging and exciting racing tracks in the Middle East, the autodrome’s 5.39KM Grand Prix Circuit will host a crucial showdown as region’s leading drivers line-up in the Porsche 911 GT3 for a day of pure racing action and intense rivalries throughout the field.

As Season 7 of the region’s leading one-make series enters its final stages, the provision of a platform for local racing talent to take developing steps in their careers has once again been a hallmark of the series. Whilst Zaid Ashkanani has affirmed his status as one of the Middle East’s most promising and most talented young drivers, new racers such as Saudi Arabia’s Saud AlFaisal and Qatar-based Charlie Frijns have been shining in a series that offers a pathway to global motor racing.

Overall Championship Standings

Team Championship Standings