Omani motor racing star Ahmad Al Harthy will make his first race appearance of 2012 during the fifth event of the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Middle East this coming weekend, at the Losail International Circuit in Qatar.

Taking place on Friday, 2nd March, and Saturday, 3rd March, rounds nine and 10 of the 2011/2012 Middle East season will make history for Porsche motorsport across the globe with the introduction of the first ever Porsche GT3 night race.Just a week on from announcing the Oman Air Racing Team's return to the Porsche Carrera Cup GB Championship this year for the full 2012 campaign in the UK, 30-year-old Ahmad is delighted to confirm his participation in the Doha spectacular - the penultimate event of the Middle East series.Made possible through the support of his prestigious sponsorship portfolio, namely Oman Air, Oman Ministry of Sports Affairs, Oman Ministry of Tourism, Nawras, National Bank of Oman and Muscat Eye Laser Centre, Ahmad will form part of an expected grid of 18 cars at Losail. Should this come to fruition, it will be the largest entry in the Middle East championship since its inauguration in 2009."I'm really looking forward to being back on the grid in the Middle East series, it's very important to race in the region whenever we can", said the Muscat racer, "Thank you as always to my fantastic sponsors for making this possible, it'll be my first time racing in Qatar and my first ever night race as well so I really can't wait to enjoy the whole experience."So far in the 2011/2012 Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Middle East, Ahmad has contested six of the eight races. Prior to missing the previous event at Reem International Circuit in Saudi Arabia, the Omani was in the thick of the title battle with three podium results to his credit - including race victory during the FIA Formula One World Championship support event at Yas Marina in Abu Dhabi.

For rounds nine and 10 of Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Middle East, Ahmad is aiming for the podium once more on what will be his final outing of the campaign due to the last two races of the season clashing with the opening rounds of the Porsche Carrera Cup GB Championship in England."Obviously this weekend will be something completely new to me, a new track and a new format with the night racing, but being back in the car in racing conditions will be great preparation for the start of the UK championship which begins at the end of March", he added, "Hopefully we can sign off our time in the Middle East series with two more podiums at least."