Paul Ricard in the south of France will host the longest race of the Blancpain Endurance Series season so far this coming Saturday, 20th June, where Ahmad Al Harthy is eyeing a change in fortune for the Oman Racing Team.
While the successful squad is enjoying a strong season in the Avon Tyres British GT Championship, where Ahmad and team-mate Daniel Lloyd are currently fifth in the driver standings and lead the ‘Silver Cup’ classification, their Blancpain campaign has been less than straightforward up to now.
Even so, the team’s pace with its Aston Martin V12 Vantage GT3 has been clear and at Paul Ricard this weekend there will be a very strong determination from the duo, who will be partnered by Endurance Series team-mate Jonny Adam, to chalk-up a first points-scoring top 10 finish of 2015.
At six hours in duration, the Paul Ricard 1,000km on Saturday will be double the length of the first two rounds of the Blancpain season and will therefore provide an even greater challenge for the 60-plus car grid.
Added to that, the race will begin at 17.00 (local time) so the chequered flag won’t fall until darkness has blanketed the Le Castellet venue, providing another variable for the drivers to get to grips with and a challenge Ahmad is relishing.
“It’s true we haven’t had the season we wanted up to now in Blancpain but we know we can turn things around at Paul Ricard”, said the Aston Martin Middle East and North Africa ambassador, “The pace has been there, we proved that at Monza and Silverstone, but a variety of things have gone against us unfortunately.
“Our car is working very well, the Aston has been a pleasure to drive all year in Blancpain and also British GT, and the team has been doing a fantastic job. Sometimes motor racing is like this, you have all of the pieces of the jigsaw in place and just need a bit of good fortune! I’m confident we can have a strong weekend at Paul Ricard.”
Last year during the corresponding event, the Oman Racing Team – which is backed by Oman Air, Oman Ministry of Sports Affairs, Ooredoo, National Bank of Oman and Al Hashar Group – secured a top 10 Pro Cup result. So far in the 2015 Blancpain season, Ahmad and team-mates Lloyd and Adam have a best finish of 15th position in the headline Pro Cup from last month’s visit to Silverstone.
Practice and pre-qualifying at Paul Ricard will take place on Friday, 19th June, with final qualifying following on Saturday, 20th June, at 10.05 (local time).
Round three of the 2015 season will get underway at 17.00 (local time) on Saturday with live coverage on Motors TV and online at the Blancpain Endurance Series website www.blancpain-gt-series.com/live
