Omani racing driver Ahmad Al Harthy will embark on a career-first this coming weekend, 27th/28th July, when he lines up on the grid at Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium for his maiden 24 hour race during the fourthand penultimateround of the 2013 Blancpain Endurance Series.The annual Total 24 Hours of Spa, which is celebrating its 65th anniversary this year, is a major event on the global GT racing calendar. Attracting more than 70 provisional entries, the hugely popular endurance race is one of the biggest in the world with GT3 cars from premium manufacturers such as Porsche, Ferrari, Lamborghini, Mercedes-Benz, McLaren and Aston Martin.Partnering Miro Konpka in the ARC Bratislava-NBO Racing Team Porsche 997 GT3R, Ahmad and his Slovakian team-mate go into the Spa event fourth in the GTR Class driver and team championship battles. For the lengthy 24 Hour race, the squad will expand to four drivers with the identities of the two new team-mates yet to be officially confirmed.I really cant wait for this weekend, its such a massive event for me, all the supporters back home in Oman and all of my amazing sponsors, said Ahmad, Weve never been involved in anything close to a 24 Hour race so its going to be a huge challenge. There is so much to focus on, you need immense concentration and youve got to have your fitness at peak levelsmentally and physically.I know the guys at the NBO Racing Team will give us a great car, a very competitive car, and the Porsche is renowned for being very strong in 24 Hour endurance races. Its going to be great racing as part of a four driver line-up for the first time in my career, I cant wait to get started!Although only in his first season in endurance racing, Muscat-based Ahmad has already enjoyed great success with GTR Class victory in Blancpain during round two at Silverstone Grand Prix Circuit. In his dovetailed Avon Tyres British GT Championship campaign, the 31-year-old has taken outright success with UK team-mate Michael Caine after winning round five at Snetterton 300 Circuit.While the intense challenge of a 24 Hour race is something unbelievably difficult to prepare for, particularly as the longest duration Ahmad has competed in up-to-now is 180 minutes, the National Bank of Oman, Nawras, Oman Ministry of Tourism and Oman Ministry of Sports Affairs-supported driver is determined to make the biggest impact possible on such a grand stage.You can never go into a long endurance race, particularly a 24 Hour one, and make too many plans about what will happenthere are so many variables, added Ahmad, Obviously though, were aiming to do the best we can and we intend to push for another GTR Class podium. Its going to be a very tough challenge, but well give it everything we have.Unsurprisingly, the build-up to the big race begins early with pre-event scrutineering checks starting tomorrow, Tuesday, 23rd July, and continuing into Wednesday, 24th July. Free practice and qualifying will follow on Thursday, 25th July, with a final Superpole session on Friday, 26th July.

The race itself is scheduled to start at 15.30 (local time) on Saturday, 27th July, and live coverage of the encounter will be carried on digital satellite and cable channel Motors TV. Please check listings for details and further information.Provisional 2013 Blancpain Endurance Series GTR Class Driver Standings (after Rd3):4th Ahmad Al Harthy/ Miro Konpka, 29pts

Provisional 2013 Blancpain Endurance Series GTR Class Team Standings (after Rd3):4th ARC Bratislava-NBO Racing Team, 35pts