Dubai-UAE: In hot and challenging conditions at the Dubai Autodrome, the House of Portier Corvettes pulled off a record third double-win in a row to put them ever closer to clinching the overall title in the UAE GT Championship.

The race took place on the technical National Circuit configuration – which favours the smaller, lighter cars in the championship – and proved to be a test for the House of Portier drivers. However, the driver pairings of Karim Al Azhari and Fabien Giroix in the No.1 GTA Corvette and Mohammed Al Mutawaa and Jiri Skula in the No.24 GTB Corvette proved to be more than up to the challenge. Everything is still up for grabs in the Cytech UAE GT Championship with just one race to go in two weeks’ time at Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi.

Both cars qualified first in class ahead of strong competition from the Ginetta G50Z and Porsche 911.

The hour-long race is a tough on both drivers and the cars, but the drivers managed to keep their cool and the Corvettes – under the watchful eye of the TAM Auto Engineering team of mechanics – proved to be fastest cars out on the track. Even with maximum success penalty during the mandatory pit stop and an additional 20kg of performance equalisation ballast imposed by the organisers as per the championship regulations, the team won with a healthily margin.

After collecting another winner’s trophy to add to his collection, Karim Al Azhari was extremely happy with the performance during the race. “I’m so glad to see that House of Portier and TAM Auto Engineering are one step away from celebrating the GTA title for the second season in a row. Today’s race was amazing – especially after I overtook the Ginetta after a big battle off the start line.”

“Although we just need to finish 3rd in the final race at Yas, we want to win and take the title in style. I’d like to thank the team again for the great efforts in making this win possible,” continued Al Azhari.

The 18 year-old Emirati driver in the GTB Corvette, Mohammed Al Mutawaa, was beaming on the top step of the podium. “I am so happy – It was a very important win for the team and we need to achieve the same result at Yas in order to win the GTB title. I’m so proud of being part of the House of Portier race team with great support from TAM Auto Engineering and I’m very confident that we can win the final round in both classes.”

Team manager for TAM Auto Engineering, Motaz Abu Hijleh, had this to say of the team’s performance. “This result is another proof that we are the best team in the UAE GT Championship. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the organisers for setting up this championship and the media for their massive support. And last, but not least, a big thank you to everyone in the team – let’s do it all again at Yas Marina, then we can celebrate in style. Bring it on!”

Report submitted by Team House of Portier.