Schmid said: “The rolling start helped me a lot today as I knew I had the pace to catch the front two. It was unusual being third on the grid but it was a good challenge for me.,...

Losail, Qatar, Sat Feb 1st, 2013 – Clemens Schmid of Al Nabooda Racing secured a convincing win in-front of over 2,000 fans under the bright lights of the Losail International Circuit in Race 2 of Round 4 in the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Middle East.

Starting third on the grid, Schmid produced a storming opening lap after a rolling start to first overtake the second placed Charlie Frijns into the first corner and then repeated the exact same move one lap later to undo Saudi Fahad Algosaibi who had started on pole.

Once ahead UAE resident Schmid stayed ahead and extended his lead in the race over two of the youngest drivers on the grid as Algosaibi and Frijns finished second and third respectively. In claiming maximum points Schmid further extended his lead at the top of table to 39 points after back to back Round 4 victories in Qatar.

Speaking after his 4.339 second victory, an elated Schmid said: “The rolling start helped me a lot today as I knew I had the pace to catch the front two. It was unusual being third on the grid but it was a good challenge for me. Once I was in front I managed to control the pace and create a gap. It is another step for us in maintaining our lead in the Team title and we need to continue with this winning formula.”

The starting grid for Race 2 had an unfamiliar look as the established order were forced aside by talented youngsters Algosaibi and Charlie Frijns who started on pole and second having blitzed the qualifying session with two near perfect laps.

However as nerves increased so did the tension on the grid as a rolling restart was forced following a red-flag accident on the opening lap involving Team Bahrain’s Mohammed Matter. Once the race got underway Schmid used all his experience to ease past his even younger challengers.

If any more evidence was ever needed of the Porsche’s championship ability to nurture and develop emerging racing talent in the Middle East then Round 4 proved it at every level. From those young drivers starting out on their racing journey such as the second and third placed Algosaibi and Frijns to Qatar racing legend Nasser bin Saleh Al Attiyah whose GT3 debut in Round 4 added a new chapter to his outstanding motorsport career.

Al Attiyah demonstrated his natural talent backing up his win of the Silver Michelin category in Race 1 by repeating the feat in Race 2 and finishing a commendable 10th overall.

Speaking after the race second placed rising star Algosaibi said: “It was an amazing feeling to start on pole but Schmid showed his class and overtook me on the first corner and full marks to him. I tried valiantly to catch him but the gap grew and I concentrated on holding onto second which thankfully I managed to do and cap off a great weekend. I am looking forward to Dubai and hopefully I can match the results I achieved in Qatar.”

Skydive Dubai Falcons duo of Sheikh Hasher Al Maktoum and Saeed Al Mehairi were once again determined to be amongst the top six and involved in an epic tussle with Al Nabooda Racings Karim Al Azhari and Salman bin Rashid of Team Bahrain. Al Mehairi demonstrated his growing, claiming eight moving up from tenth while a gutsy fight back from team mate Al Maktoum who started in last place from the pits, bodes well for the next round in Dubai.

After the Race 2 UAE’s Al Mehairi said: “The race was really tough, even though we wanted to do better and gain more positions, but I improved on my starting position so I have to be satisfied. The next race is in Dubai, a track I know really well and will be in-front of our home fans and we will look to have a positive outcome.

The Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge returns on 14th and 15th February for Round 5 at the Dubai Autodrome.