Ahmad Al Harthy and Oman Racing Team make positive start at Monza

Muscat: Blancpain Endurance Cup racer Ahmad Al Harthy, and teammates Jonny Adam and Devon Modell, made an extremely competitive start to the opening event of the new season at Monza on Saturday, by concluding pre-qualifying for round one within just 0.4 seconds of the outright pace.
The Oman Racing Team powered by Motorbase trio delivered consistently strong performances throughout Saturday's three track sessions.
Rapid from the outset at the legendary Italian circuit, during the opening ‘Bronze Test’ the No. 44 Aston Martin V12 Vantage GT3 concluded the run sixth quickest overall, fifth in the Pro-Am Class, little more than 0.6 seconds shy of the top of the times.
Even more competitive in the main free practice, the pace of the Oman Air, Oman Ministry of Sports Affairs, National Bank of Oman (NBO), Barr Al Jissah and Omantel-backed car was confirmed with a superb top three performance overall, second of the Pro-Am contenders.
While the day wasn’t entirely trouble-free, with one or two small niggles, the Oman Racing Team entry still went on to conclude pre-qualifying with a time of one minute and 48.570 seconds which placed the trio less than half a second shy of the top of the timesheets – ending the run 11th fastest overall and seventh in the ultra-competitive Pro-Am category.
Acknowledging final qualifying will be even more competitive, in pre-qualifying 24 cars of the incredible 56 car entry were within one second of the top of the outright pace, there is a lot of positivity in the Oman Racing Team camp after such a strong opening day at Monza.
“It was a very positive first day for us and everyone in the team is very excited ahead of qualifying”, said 34-year-old Ahmad, the Aston Martin Middle East and North Africa ambassador. “At the same time, though, we know it’s only going to get more competitive so we shouldn’t get too carried away.
“We’ve made a big step forward from last year, it’s not just about fast lap times for qualifying but about consistency and strong race pace and we’ve been working hard on that. Honestly, the first day was very good for us and although there were a few little issues the team has worked on those to make sure all is good for final qualifying. We’re not setting any targets, but we are in good shape.”