Al Harthy Bidding For Porsche Podium Return At Knockhill

Knockhill Circuit in Scotland, one of the most unique race tracks on the 2011 Porsche Carrera Cup GB calendar, will provide the latest challenge for Oman Air Racing Team driver Ahmad Al Harthy this coming weekend, 3rd/4th September - and he's aiming for nothing less than two Pro-Am 1 podiums.Heading to the tight and twisty 1.3-mile Fife circuit third in the Pro-Am 1 class points standings, the second year Porsche racer has high hopes of a front-running performance at a track he thoroughly enjoyed during his debut season in the championship in 2010.Securing a top three Pro-Am 1 finish last year, having been forced to battle his way back superbly through the field following an enforced spin due to coolant on the track surface, the Muscat-based driver proved how quickly he's able to get up-to-speed when visiting a new venue.Knockhill always provides unpredictable action, especially as it has its own micro-climate which can bring swift changes in weather - and therefore plenty of rain! Throughout his career though, and somewhat surprisingly considering he was born and continues to live in the baking hot Middle East, Ahmad has long been a wet-weather specialist.So, with a full year of experience now under his belt in his Oman Air, Nawras, National Bank of Oman, Brand Oman, Oman Ministry of Sports Affairs and Oman Ministry of Tourism-sponsored car, the 29-year-old is confident he can challenge for two podiums at least on his return to Scotland."I'm feeling confident we can go well at Knockhill, last year we climbed the podium after having to fight our way back through in the second race of the weekend so I know we have the pace there to challenge hard", said Ahmad, "I enjoy the circuit, there's always a great crowd there, and it's the sort of place where you never quite know what the weather will bring so that's an exciting challenge."Although managing to hold on to his top three placing in the Pro-Am 1 standings last time out at the new Snetterton 300 Circuit in Norfolk, the Omani racer certainly wasn't helped by robust contact in both encounters. Even so, Ahmad remained relaxed about the situation knowing there was nothing he could have done differently.He added: "Snetterton was very disappointing as we'd shown good pace and were racing very well until the contact on each occasion. There was no blame on our side at all but that doesn't matter anyway, it's in the past now and I'm focused on being back on the podium at Knockhill."Following free practice this coming Friday, 2nd September, qualifying for rounds 12 and 13 of the Porsche Carrera Cup GB Championship will get underway at 13.50 on Saturday, 3rd September. Both races will be contested on Sunday, 4th September, at 10.50 and 16.10 respectively and will be screened live in the UK on Freeview, digital satellite and cable channel ITV4 and in High Definition on ITV4 HD. Global audiences will be able to keep up with the action online at itv.com/touringcarsProvisional 2011 Porsche Carrera Cup GB Championship 'Pro-Am 1' Standings (after Rd11):1st Jonas Gelzinis, 121pts; 2nd Rory Butcher, 73pts; 3rd Ahmad Al Harthy, 51pts

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