(MENAFN- Muscat Daily) Oman sports definitely is shining bright at the start of 2018. Following the national football team's title success at the 23rd Gulf Cup in Kuwait, comes yet another moment of glory, this time in motor sports.
Talented Al Faisal al Zubair claimed a start-to-finish win in the sixth round of the competitive Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Middle East Series at the Dubai Autodrome in Dubai, UAE, on Saturday. It comes a day after Al Faisal narrowly missed victory in the fifth round, settling for a second place.
Al Faisal's countrymate, Khalid al Wahaibi, made it a double delight as the teenager won the Silver and the GCC Rookie categories after a career-high overall fifth-place to cap an amazing weekend for Oman motor sports.
There was no stopping Al Faisal on Saturday as the 19 year old overcame his disappointment of a runner-up finish on Friday following a minor contact with Dylan Pereira.
Al Faisal ensured there was no such drama in the sixth round as he showcased his immense driving skills by first claiming a pole and then thwarting the challenge of his main rival, Tom Oliphant of Great Britain, over 14 laps by a mere 0.732 seconds. Pereira of Luxembourg finished third.
Khalid al Wahaibi (right) speaks to mediapersons after winning the Silver category on Saturday
Al Faisal's latest success also trimmed the overall championship lead to just six points at the midway stage of the series. Oliphant remains on top with 144 points while Al Faisal has garnered 138 and the Netherlands' Charlie Frijns is third with 112. Khalid al Wahaibi is seventh with 71 in a field of 22 drivers. A delighted Al Faisal said, 'It was a very good race as my start was much better than the previous round. Following the early laps, I got faster and better to seal the race. Overall, it was a productive and good weekend.'
'Tom [Oliphant] put me under pressure early on, but after a few laps I managed to pull away and create a gap ahead of Tom and the rest of the pack. I have learnt a lot since last season, and I think today's race has shown that I have become a more
mature driver who is able to see out these wins and not panic under pressure.
'Next up is Abu Dhabi which is a favourite circuit of mine, so I will be going into the round just as confident and I hope to get one step closer to my dream of winning the championship title this season.'
Khalid al Wahaibi in action during the sixth round in Dubai, UAE, on Saturday
Khalid, who was first in Silver class, also extended his lead in the GCC Rookie Championship after his fifth-place finish.
He said, 'To have begun in Bronze category and to win the Silver category in my debut year is a major boost to my confidence. I started at P4 but had some experienced drivers in front. I am happy to have come overall fifth, my best result so far this season.'
Earlier, Al Faisal topped the qualifying while Khalid was the fourth fastest in the 17-car grid.
The next rounds will be at Abu Dhabi's Yas Marina Circuit on February 2-3. The final two rounds will be held in Bahrain, with the series coming to a thrilling conclusion as an official support race for the 2018 Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix.
Overall standings: 1 Tom Oliphant 144 points, 2 Al Faisal al Zubair 138, 3 Charlie Frijns 112, 7 Khalid al Wahaibi 77.
Silver Category: 1 Magnus Oehman 85, 2 Christoffer Bergstroem 77, 3 Khalid al Wahaibi 71
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