Oman Air Racing Team driver Ahmad Al Harthy made a very welcome return to the Porsche Carrera Cup GB Championship Pro-Am 1 podium at Knockhill in Scotland on Sunday, 4th September, with third position in both of the weekend's races - taking his season's tally to eight rostrum visits.Qualifying fourth fastest for each encounter at the 1.3-mile track, Ahmad was determined to make a long overdue return to the podium - having last claimed silverware at Oulton Park in June - and he made good on his pre-race promise with two fantastic performances.Always demanding the utmost commitment without a moment to relax, the Fife venue provides one of the sternest tests of the season but the 30-year-old certainly rose to the challenge and concluded the seventh race meeting of the campaign able to consolidate third in the Pro-Am 1 points standings."We had very good race pace this weekend, we managed to close the gap to the guys ahead and had some really close, wheel-to-wheel battles", explained Ahmad, "In both races, especially the second one, you had to defend hard but you also needed to attack as well - due to the nature of the track everything was so close."I'm extremely delighted to be back on the podium, it's been a while since we've done this as we've had some bad luck recently. I'm so proud of everyone involved, the guys at the team and all of my incredible sponsors and supporters. It's been nice to fly the Omani flag in a new country!"At the beginning of race one, round 12, the Oman Air, Nawras, National Bank of Oman, Brand Oman, Oman Ministry of Sports Affairs and Oman Ministry of Tourism-sponsored driver got away cleanly from the grid but slightly outbraked himself at the hairpin and slipped to fifth in Pro-Am 1 as a result. Soon after though, a spin for points leader Jonas Gelzinis promoted the Muscat driver back into fourth in class and after a short Safety Car period, between laps seven and 10, Ahmad then began to mount a challenge for third place.Piling on the pressure to George Richardson ahead, there was nothing between the two drivers and Ahmad was actually held up as he searched for a way past. On lap 15, a moment for local driver Rory Butcher elevated Ahmad into third in Pro-Am 1 and although Butcher got back ahead shortly after the Omani ace wouldn't be beaten and he sliced his way back past the Scotsman on lap 18.Under huge pressure for the remainder of the race, Ahmad defended well and saw off both Butcher and Gelzinis to post a very hard-earned and satisfying podium - all the more rewarding as he could easily have lost third place following some confusion on the pitwall regarding the last lap board.In round 13, Ahmad was embroiled in an equally frenetic and action-packed battle with Gelzinis and Scottish driver Derek Pierce that again resulted in a fantastic third place finish. Holding fourth in class early on, the Omani pressured Pierce more and more as the race wore on and at two-thirds distance he made his move with an excellent pass.Pierce tried to fight back but Ahmad maintained superb composure as he defended well but also looked to try and attack Gelzinis ahead for second in Pro-Am 1. In the end, on lap 32, he claimed his second top three finish of the weekend to cap-off a highly successful visit to Knockhill.There are just two weeks to wait for rounds 14 and 15 of the Porsche Carrera Cup GB Championship with the eighth race meeting of the year set to take place on 17th/18th September at Rockingham, near Corby, in Northamptonshire. Provisional 2011 Porsche Carrera Cup GB Championship 'Pro-Am 1' Standings (after Rd13):1st Jonas Gelzinis, 129pts; 2nd Rory Butcher, 81pts; 3rd Ahmad Al Harthy, 60pts