Aston Martin racing driver Ahmad Al Harthy confirmed his eagerly anticipated 2014 motorsport programme this morning, Tuesday, 25th March, at a press conference in his home city of Muscat - the 32-year-old announcing he will contest a dual campaign for the second year running by racing in the Avon Tyres British GT Championship and Blancpain Endurance Series.In front of a specially invited crowd of dignitaries, the successful Arabian sportsman launched his second season of endurance racing at the Aston Martin Oman showroom in the Al Khuwair coastal district of the nation’s capital.As well as revealing his two championship challenges with the UK-based Motorbase Performance squad, Ahmad also announced his driving partners for the year and unveiled an impressive portfolio of home-grown sponsors:• Oman Air remains a significant sponsor for the sixth successive year• Continued Government support from the Ministry of Sports Affairs and Ministry of Tourism• National Bank of Oman extends its long-standing partnership in both championships• Telecommunications provider Nawras also remains a key commercial partner• New-for-2014 backing from the Al Hashar Group of Companies (Aston Martin Oman)For his second season in the Avon Tyres British GT Championship, which begins in late April, Ahmad will be partnered once again by top British driver Michael Caine (Newmarket, UK), the 2012 category champion. For the pan-European Blancpain Endurance Series, which will commence on 12th/13 April at Monza in Italy, the team-mates will be joined by rapid Briton Stephen Jelley (Leicester, UK).“Today is the day when all of the hard work from the last few months, from everyone involved in this hugely exciting project, has come to fruition – it’s amazing to be able to officially confirm the Oman Racing Team will be back in both the Blancpain Endurance Series and British GT Championship in 2014”, said Ahmad, “Equally, we are thrilled to be working with Motorbase Performance.“Without the continued backing of Oman Air, the Ministry of Sports Affairs, Ministry of Tourism, National Bank of Oman and Nawras, none of this would be achievable and I am so grateful for their truly incredible support. All of the success we have enjoyed over the last few seasons has only been possible thanks to their outstanding commitment.”He added: “With our move to Aston Martin already confirmed, we also welcome the Al Hashar Group onboard as part of our commercial portfolio. It’s going to be an absolute honour for me to represent such a prestigious and world-renowned brand as Aston Martin on the racetrack.”Key Omani support set to propel Oman Racing Team to more success in 2014As one of Oman’s most successful sporting exports, Ahmad and the Oman Racing Team have been key ambassadors for the prestigious blue chip companies which form the commercial foundation on which the ambitious 2014 motor racing programme is built.Looking ahead to the new season, Oman Air’s GM of marketing Mohammed Al Shikely said: “We are delighted to remain a major partner to the Oman Racing Team for the British GT Championship and thrilled to add our support to the Blancpain Endurance Series campaign which will see Ahmad race in the UK, France, Italy and Germany. Europe and the UK are key territories for Oman Air and our brand positioning seeks to continue its expansion in these important markets.”Speaking for the Oman Ministry of Sports Affairs, Ahmed Al Jahdhami commented: “Ahmad is an incredible success story, he has flown the flag for Oman with honour at all times and his talents in motor racing have helped to promote the Sultanate to a wide international audience. On behalf of the Ministry of Sports Affairs, we are incredibly proud of our continued association.”Khalid Al Zadjali, Director of Tourism Events at the Ministry of Tourism added: “We have long supported Ahmad’s racing and he is an integral part of the international promotion of Oman and everything our great country has to offer. By partnering with the Oman Racing Team once again, we will be able to showcase Oman to the fullest – for tourism, business and investments.”Mr Moosa Al Jadidi, Deputy General Manager and Deputy Head of Retail and Private Banking at the National Bank of Oman said: “Ahmad is a long standing ambassador of National Bank of Oman and fully represents everything the bank stands for and believes in. Our key aims are to continually strive to promote responsible banking and corporate citizenship. Our connection to a successful sporting role model, such as Ahmad, allows us to spread our message to a wide and diverse audience.”Commenting on behalf of Nawras, Mutassim Al Zadjali stated: “Ahmad has developed a huge profile in Oman and he has helped to promote Nawras on numerous levels through his hugely successful motor racing career. We are proud to continue our association through 2014 and looking forward to seeing what can be achieved on track in British GT and the Blancpain Endurance Series.”Sheikh Al Muhannad Al Hashar, Chairman of new commercial partner Al Hashar Group of Companies said: “It is with a great deal of pleasure the Al Hashar Group/Aston Martin Oman confirm our support of Ahmad and the Oman Racing Team. We’re delighted Ahmad will be driving an Aston Martin this year in international competition and we’re all looking forward to enjoying some notable success.”Al Harthy relishing first race of 2014 at MonzaWith a busy schedule of racing once again in 2014, Ahmad will be in competitive action between April and September in his dovetailed championships. The Blancpain Endurance Series is the first of the two categories to commence over the weekend 12th/13th April at Monza in Italy before a visit to Silverstone Grand Prix Circuit in the UK on 23rd/24th/25th May.Round three of Blancpain will take place at Paul Ricard in the south of France, on 27th/28th June, with the championship’s flagship event, the Total 24 Hours of Spa, running on 26th/27th July at the famous Spa-Francorchamps Circuit in Belgium. The season finale is scheduled for 20th/21st September at the Nurburgring in Germany.The Avon Tyres British GT Championship begins on 19th/20th/21st April at Oulton Park and then visits Rockingham and Silverstone in May. Snetterton will host the fourth event of the season in June before the category’s sole international race meeting at Spa in Belgium in mid-July. Brands Hatch and Donington Park round-out the calendar with events in August and September respectively.