(MENAFN- Muscat Daily) He will be stepping out of his teens in couple of weeks time. And Oman's talented racing driver Al Faisal al Zubair is all set to step into history this weekend (April 7-8) as he starts favourite to claim the 2017-18 Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Middle East Series title at the Bahrain International Circuit in Sakhir, Bahrain.
Al Faisal is set to become the first ever Omani racer to claim the coveted championship title if he wins the penultimate race of the 12-round event on Saturday.
And more importantly, it would happen on the biggest stage as Al Faisal will compete in the final round that will serve as support races for the Bahrain Formula One Grand Prix.
Al Faisal can secure the coveted championship crown on Saturday with a top-five finish, which will be enough for him to overhaul currentl leader Tom Oliphant of Britain.
Oliphant leads the standings going into the final round with 215 points while Al Faisal is just two points behind.
Dutch racer Charlie Frijns is a distant third with 192 points.
A top-five spot will ensure Al Faisal an unassailable lead and the championship with a race to spare on Sunday.
In his remarks to Muscat Daily, a focused Al Faisal said, 'We have prepared for the final weekend like every other race weekend.
'The aim is to win both the races though I am aware that a top-five finish on Saturday will seal the championship for me. All I need is to play a bit safer on Saturday and seal the title.
'My primary aim is to claim my maiden championship. So it will be risk-free racing from me with my primary task to achieve my goal. If I manage to secure the championship on Saturday, there will be a lot less pressure on me in the final race.'
Khalid in sight of a double
It would be a double delight for the Omani racers at the Sakhir circuit with debutant Khalid al Wahaibi in pole position to claim the Rookie championship crown.
The 17 year old talent is leading the rookie standings with 117 points while South African Saul Hack is second with 106.
Khalid is also in fray for the top honours in the Silver category, where he is placed second, trailing Swedish racer Magnus Oehman (128 points) by 11 points.
'I am eagerly looking forward to the last round of the championship,' said Khalid.
'My objective throughout my debut series has been to keep improving round after round. I was not satisfied with my performance in the last two races in Bahrain last month. Hopefully, this time, I can go out and make it better this time. It would be a great atmosphere to race on the tracks where the F1 Grand Prix will be held. I am eager to experience the whole atmosphere and hopefully, I can produce good results to sign off my season.
'It is quite a close affair in the Silver championship. I want to ensure that I clinch the Rookie championship as I am in front. The stage is nicely set up for Oman.
'Al Faisal is in a good position to claim the overall championship. He also leads the GCC championship and I am placed second. It means that we have an opportunity to make a clean sweep.
'Al Faisal has Gold and GCC championships in his sight while I can claim the Silver and Rookie titles . It would be a big weekend for Oman motor sports if we manage to achieve it,' said Khalid.
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