Ahmad Al Harthy and fellow Oman Racing Team drivers Darren Turner and Jonny Adam made history for Aston Martin at Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi on Thursday, 10th December, after securing pole position for the Gulf 12 Hours during the marque’s maiden appearance in the event.
Running superbly from the off throughout practice, Omani sportsman Al Harthy and his vastly experienced British team-mates went on to deliver sensational performances in their respective qualifying sessions to ensure a hugely important grid-topping start for the big race which gets underway at 09.30 (local time) today.
Adam, the reigning British GT Champion and, like Turner, an Aston Martin ‘factory’ driver, took the wheel of the No.44 Aston Martin V12 Vantage GT3 in the opening qualifying run and duly headed his session with a time of 2m09.341 seconds.
Ahmad ran in session two and produced an excellent fifth fastest time, a lap of 2m10.337 seconds, before Turner’s best of 2m09.388 seconds – third quickest in session three – meant the ORT entry secured pole position by 0.083 seconds with an average time of 2m09.688 seconds.
“We did it!”, said an ecstatic Ahmad immediately after qualifying, “This is a mega result for everyone at the Oman Racing Team, to come to the Gulf 12 Hours for the first time, the first time for Aston Martin, and take pole position is incredible – I’m absolutely delighted. It really is the perfect way to start and confirmation of the great work everyone has done over the last couple of days.
“Everything went to plan, the team continued to work on the car and then Jonny and Darren both did the amazing job we all knew they would. I was very happy with my session, I’ve been working closely with my team-mates and improving throughout – my qualifying lap was my best yet at Yas Marina so that is very positive.”
In addition to being Aston Martin’s first outing in the Gulf 12 Hours, this year’s event also marks the first race meeting in the Middle East for the full Oman Racing Team. Ahmad, who is the Aston Martin Middle East and North Africa Ambassador, is also participating in the Gulf 12 Hours for the first time.
Ahead of today’s contest, which is split into two six hour contests with a break of roughly two hours in between, the Oman Air, Oman Ministry of Sports Affairs, Ooredoo, National Bank of Oman and Al Hashar Group-backed driver is relishing the prospect of delivering a strong showing.
“It’s going to be a big challenge and a long race, I really am looking forward to it”, he added, “It’s been fantastic working with Darren and Jonny, we have a great environment within the team and we’re all determined to push incredibly hard for a big result.”
The opening six hours of the Gulf 12 Hours will get underway at 09.30 (local time) today, Friday, 11th December, with the second part of the race beginning at 17.45 (local time). Live streaming will be available online HERE
