Blancpain Endurance Cup to return with new driver line-up
MUSCAT: Omani racing driver Ahmad Al Harthy on Monday officially revealed his 2019 season during a special press conference at the brand new head office of the National Bank of Oman in Muscat – confirming a return to the ProAm class in the high-profile Blancpain Endurance Cup.
Delighted to be mounting a challenge in Pro-Am once again, where he and the Oman Racing team won a history-making championship crown in 2017, Al Harthy today confirmed the latest generation Aston Martin Vantage GT3 of Oman Racing will once againberunbyBritishsquadTFSport. Al Harthy’s team-mates for the new Blancpain season have also been confirmed with Northern Ireland’s Charlie Eastwood, who raced as part of the squad’s Silver class line-up last year, continuing with Oman Racing.
Salih Yoluc, who was part of the team’s Pro-Am podium finishing line-up in the Total 24 Hours of Spa in 2017, returns to the squad for the full season this year and the Turkish driver will bring additional experience from the FIA World Endurance Championship and Le Mans 24 Hours.
Notably, the 2019 season marks the 10th anniversary of the partnership between Al Harthy and the National Bank of Oman and the Sultanate’s first local bank – founded in 1973 – has enhanced its association with Oman Racing as a result into the landmark year.
Importantly, the Oman Ministry of Sports Affairs also continues its long-standing support as a key partner of Al Harthy into 2019 as does Omantel and Barr Al Jissah, completing a strong and highly prestigious sponsorship portfolio once again.
“We’re very excited to have launched our season at the new head office of the National Bank of Oman today, and I’m very proud to be flying the flag for Oman again in the Pro-Am class of the Blancpain Endurance Cup”, said a very happy Al Harthy, “Oman Racing is again partnering with TF Sport and we’re very excited to be challenging in the brand new Aston Martin Vantage GT3.
“We obviously have some great memories of Pro-Am from 2017 when we won the championship, and we’re determined Oman Racing will again be in a position to challenge for the title this season with our new line-up. I’m very pleased Charlie (Eastwood) is continuing with us for a second season, and it’s great to see Salih (Yoluc) back with us for the full championship.”