AHMAD AIMS FOR PODIUM SWEEP
BARCELONA: Blancpain Endurance Cup ProAm champion Ahmad Al Harthy is eyeing yet more silverware when the 2017 season reaches its conclusion at the Circuit de Catalunya in Spain this Sunday, 1st October, as he seeks to put the icing on the cake of a truly fabulous campaign with teammate Jonny Adam.
Heading to the Barcelona track for the first time in his career, the Oman Racing driver is still on cloud nine after wrapping-up the Pro-Am drivers’ title and the Pro-Am entrants’ crown with one round to spare last time out during the prestigious Total 24 Hours of Spa in Belgium.
During the two-month break since the twiceround-the-clock spectacular, Al Harthy has been working hard behind the scenes to prepare as well as possible for the visit to Spain where he and the team are hoping to continue their outstanding 100 per cent podium finishing record.
“It truly has been an amazing year for Oman Racing, to win the Pro-Am championship — especially doing so with one round to go — was incredible and an absolute dream come true for me personally, everyone at Oman Racing and all of our sponsors and supporters”, reflected the Muscat sportsman.
“Everything has gone so well this season, Jonny is an amazing team-mate to have and the guys from TF Sport who prepare the Oman Racing Aston Martin have done an incredible job. We’re determined to end the season on a high in Barcelona, it’s a new challenge for me but one I really am looking forward to. If we can make it five podiums from five races that really would be something special.”
Starting off the 2017 season perfectly, Al Harthy and Adam claimed a history making maiden Pro-Am victory for Oman Racing in round one at Monza in Italy and went on to add a hard-earned runner-up spot at Silverstone in the UK in round two at the wheel of the No.97 Oman Ministry of Sports Affairs, Oman Air, National Bank of Oman, Omantel, Barr Al Jissah and Amouage-backed Aston Martin.
Joined by Turkish racer Salih Yoluc with an expanded three driver line-up for the six-hour third round at Paul Ricard in France, the trio continued the podium momentum with another top two Blancpain Endurance Cup Pro-Am Driver Standings (after Rd4): Champions: Ahmad Al Harthy/Jonny Adam, 108pts 2. Salih Yoluc, 64pts 3. Adrian Amstutz/Martin Kodric/Patrick Kujala, 62pts Team Standings (after Rd4): Champions: Oman Racing, 108pts 2. Barwell Motorsport, 63pts
3. Mercedes-AMG Team Black Falcon, 61pts