Impressive GTR Class podium pace from Ahmad Al Harthy during the early going of the Nurburgring 1000 went unrewarded on Sunday, 22nd September, after an unfortunate collision resulted in a disappointing retirement from the final round of the Blancpain Endurance Series.Having qualified sixth in GTR, equating to 42nd position on the overall grid, the Omani wanted to make rapid progress up the order but he couldn’t have expected to enjoy quite such a sensational first lap after gaining nine places in the outright classification and moving into second in class.With dark clouds having gathered overhead at the German venue just prior to the start of the season ending six-hour encounter, light misty rain made for a tough opening to the race but Ahmad was more than up to the challenge in his Porsche 997 GT3R.Avoiding any trouble, the 32-year-old ARC Bratislava-NBO Racing Team driver maintained second in class throughout the first 50 minutes of racing and also reeled-in the leading GTR car as he started to think about mounting a bid for first in class.Approaching the one-hour mark, just prior to his first pit visit for re-fuelling, everything then went awry for Ahmad as he attempted to stay on terms with the class leader. Lapping a slower car into Turn One, the National Bank of Oman, Nawras, Oman Ministry of Tourism and Oman Ministry of Sports Affairs supported racer made the slightest of errors under braking and contact was inevitable.Resulting in significant damage to the front of his car, in particular the front left suspension and wheel assembly, Ahmad and the NBO Racing Team had to retire from the race from an incredibly strong position.“We were only two laps away from our first scheduled pit-stop and, unfortunately, I was caught out by a backmarker as I was trying to keep with the lead GTR car”, explained Ahmad, “I just missed my braking point, there was some contact with the GTR leader and we had to retire due to the amount of damage we picked up. It’s a disappointing way to end the season, but we did show good pace.“With the strategy we had, we know we could have had a very strong result but we all know these things happen in motorsport – it’s the only mistake I’ve made all year in either Blancpain or in British GT. You win some, you lose some!”Although the Blancpain season has now concluded, Ahmad’s racing schedule will continue in two weeks when the final round of the Avon Tyres British GT Championship takes place at Donington Park Grand Prix Circuit in the UK on 5th/6th October.“It has been a fantastic first year in endurance racing for me, and it’s obviously not over yet as we have the final round of British GT to come”, he added, “We have been very competitive in one of the toughest GT3 championships in the world with Blancpain, we’ve learnt a huge amount and I have been so proud to fly the flag for Oman across Europe. Thank you to all my incredible sponsors.”Final Provisional 2013 Blancpain Endurance Series GTR Class Driver Standings:15th Ahmad Al Harthy/ Miro Konopka, 29pts