Friday 15 / November / 2024
Muscat: Blancpain Endurance Cup Pro-Am podium finisher Ahmad Al Harthy is setting his sights on a top three championship finish when the all-action season reaches its conclusion at the Nurburgring in Germany on Sunday.
Enjoying an excellent campaign to date with the Oman Racing Team (ORT) powered by Motorbase, the rapid Omani -- who celebrated his 35th birthday a fortnight ago – is absolutely relishing the final round of the season and determined to try and claim more silverware.
Sharing driving duties with British duo Jonny Adam - who successfully defended his British GT title last weekend -- and Devon Modell at the wheel of the No.44 Aston Martin V12 Vantage GT3, the trio have put together a memorable first year in Pro-Am in the globe’s biggest and best GT racing championship.
Starting the season in superb form at Monza in Italy, just missing out on the podium with a great top four finish, the Oman Racing Team drivers headed to Ahmad’s adopted ‘home’ track for round two, Silverstone in the UK, and delivered a history-making first Pro-Am podium. Racing to an outstanding runner-up spot, the result marked the first ever Pro-Am rostrum for an Omani entrant.
An unfortunate suspension problem derailed hopes of more silverware at Paul Ricard in France during round three but last time out, in the blue riband Total 24 Hours of Spa, the team hit back and were on course for another podium until an unfortunate oil leak limited the squad to seventh place.
Leading Pro-Am at the quarter race mark, six hours, and remaining in strong positions at the other key points scoring junctures, 12 hours and 24 hours, Ahmad and his team-mates were able to climb into third in the class championship -- a placing they intend to hold onto at the Nurburgring.
In the Pro-Am entrant standings, the Oman Ministry of Sports Affairs, Oman Air, National Bank of Oman (NBO), Barr Al Jissah and Omantel-backed Oman Racing Team holds fourth position going into round five.
“It all comes down to this weekend, we’re in a great position in the Pro-Am championship and if we can end our first season in the class inside the top three that will be an amazing achievement”, said Ahmad, “It really has been a fantastic year for the Oman Racing Team, the guys have done a truly incredible job with the Aston Martin and Jonny, Devon and I have given our absolute all.
“Nurburgring is a great track, and our car went well there last year, so everyone is confident of mounting a very strong challenge. It would be incredible to finish on the podium again before the end of the season, that’s our aim – hopefully we can have a trouble-free weekend.”
On Saturday, the Bronze Test will get underway at 09.00 (local time) with Free Practice following at 11.05 (local time) and the Pre-Qualifying session getting underway at 16.15 (local time).
On Sunday, final qualifying will begin at 08.30 (local time) with the race scheduled to commence at 14.45 (local time).
2016 Blancpain Endurance Cup Pro-Am Driver Standings (after Rd4): 3. Ahmad Al Harthy/Jonny Adam/Devon Modell, 50 pts.
2016 Blancpain Endurance Cup Pro-Am Team Standings (after Rd4): 4. Oman Racing Team powered by Motorbase, 50 pts.
