Omani motor racing star Ahmad Al Harthy secured an excellent second place Pro-Am 1 finish during the seventh round of the 2011 Porsche Carrera Cup GB Championship at Oulton Park Island Circuit, Saturday, 4th June, to bring his superb tally of podiums to five for the year.
In addition to yet another rostrum visit - which means the Oman Air Racing Team driver has now collected silverware at Brands Hatch, Donington Park, Thruxton and Oulton Park this season - he also posted the fastest Pro-Am 1 lap for the first time in his career to gain an extra bonus point.
"I'm delighted to be on the podium again and even happier to have set fastest lap for the first time in Porsche GB", said Ahmad, "We had a very solid race today, our pace was great and I think if we can carry this through to tomorrow we have a chance to fight for the win. All of the support I have been getting back home in Oman has been fantastic - these results are for them."
Qualifying went very well indeed for the 29-year-old, a best time of 1m23.400 seconds (96.08mph) placing him second fastest in Pro-Am 1 and less than 0.2 seconds shy of pole position which was taken by points leader Jonas Gelzinis.
Thanks to Ahmad's renowned consistency though, his second fastest lap of 1m23.433 seconds meant another first for his ever-improving Porsche career - this time a maiden Pro-Am 1 pole position for Sunday's eighth round. Making a great getaway at the start of this afternoon's 18-lap encounter, the Oman Air, Nawras, National Bank of Oman, Brand Oman, Oman Ministry of Sports Affairs and Oman Ministry of Tourism-backed racer never relinquished second position and delivered searing pace throughout.
On lap three he posted the quickest Pro-Am 1 time of the race, 1m24.225 seconds (95.14mph), and went on to finish over four seconds clear of his nearest Pro-Am 1 rival and less than four seconds shy of Gelzinis.
"I had a great start, I was actually away better than the car in front but I had to protect my position into the first corner", explained Ahmad, "The opening lap was very good, I pulled away nicely and then I was able to set some very good times. "Everything started well today with a very strong qualifying, to be on pole for Sunday's race for the first time is a great feeling. As always I want to thank my incredible sponsors for their support and dedication, hopefully we can all enjoy another strong day tomorrow."
Round eight of the 2011 Porsche Carrera Cup GB Championship will take place at 15.50 , Sunday, 5th June, with Ahmad starting on Pro-Am 1 pole position for the first time. Receiving live television coverage in the UK on Freeview, digital satellite and cable channel ITV4, and also ITV4 HD, the racing will also be available globally with live streaming online at itv.com/touringcars
In other news, the Oman Air Racing Team is celebrating after a successful outcome to their appeal against a protest lodged by a rival squad following round five at Thruxton. Some bodywork trim was missing from Ahmad's car during the race in question, in which he finished fourth, and despite contrary claims this offered zero performance gain - a point upheld by championship officials.
