PORSCHE PRO-AM 1 RACER AL HARTHY SECOND FASTEST IN OFFICIAL TESTPorsche Carrera Cup GB Championship returnee Ahmad Al Harthy enjoyed an impressive outing at a damp Silverstone National Circuit earlier this week by posting the second fastest Pro-Am 1 Class time during officially timed pre-season testing.With the new campaign less than three weeks away, the action at the1.64-mile track was the only opportunity the Porsche Carrera Cup GBcompetitors will have to test with official timing prior to the start of the2012 season at Brands Hatch at the end of the month.Lapping with a great effort of 55.630 seconds (106.06mph) in the three and ahalf hour afternoon session, his first running in the UK for five months,the Oman Air Racing Team star finished the day a mere 0.070 seconds shy ofthe top of the Pro-Am 1 times.Heading into the final hour, Ahmad was actually quickest in Pro-Am 1 withthe aforementioned lap and at that point he elected to curtail hisinvolvement in the test. During the closing stages his best time wasunfortunately pipped by the slimmest of margins but the Omani star was stillmore than happy with his day's work.In the opening morning session, the Oman Air, Oman Ministry of SportsAffairs, Oman Ministry of Tourism, Nawras, National Bank of Oman and MuscatEye Laser Centre-supported driver didn't push for lap times as he bedded-inhis Porsche 911 GT3 in readiness for the drier afternoon run."We definitely had more in the tank and I'm very happy indeed with where weended up on the timesheets", said the 30-year-old, "After going quickest inPro-Am 1 with about an hour to go, we decided to finish our running for theday as there was no point putting more and more laps on the tyres. It's ashame we were just pipped at the end, but I'm still very satisfied."Off the back of a series of tremendous performances in the Porsche GT3 CupChallenge Middle East over the winter months, including a memorable outrightrace victory during the support race to last November's FIA Formula OneWorld Championship Grand Prix in Abu Dhabi, the Muscat driver is moredetermined than ever to battle it out for Pro-Am 1 title honours in theprestigious UK series."I'm really happy to be back in Porsche Carrera Cup GB", Ahmad added, "It'salways important to be on the pace in the test sessions and it's great tobegin the year so strongly. It's going to be incredibly competitive onceagain this year, all 20 races will be very tough, but I'm really lookingforward to the racing and I can't wait for the first round."Rounds one and two of the 2012 Porsche Carrera Cup GB Championship will takeplace at Brands Hatch Indy Circuit in Kent over the weekend 31st March/ 1stApril, running as a key support event to the Dunlop MSA British Touring CarChampionship.